Laundry Composition Encapsulated Liquid Benefit Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for incorporating encapsulated liquid benefit agents, such as perfume, into laundry compositions often result in premature rupturing and loss of the agent during production and use, leading to undesirable release into the wash liquor rather than deposition on fabric.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the in-line formation of granules by spraying large droplets of a dispersion containing encapsulates onto a detergent mix during blending, using a low or moderate shear mixer, which anchors the encapsulates to detergent particles, reducing attrition and preserving the encapsulated form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high shear granulation or low shear granulation is used to incorporate encapsulated benefit agents, then the benefit agent can be delivered to the wash liquor, but premature rupturing of the encapsulate occurs and the benefit agent is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a slurry as an intermediary medium to deliver encapsulated benefit agents to the detergent powder. The slurry contains the encapsulates suspended in a liquid carrier, which allows gentle incorporation without direct mechanical contact between the encapsulates and high-shear mixing elements, thus preventing premature rupture while maintaining incorporation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the encapsulated benefit agents by converting them into a slurry form with specific viscosity and particle size characteristics. This parameter change allows the encapsulates to be incorporated into the detergent powder under gentler conditions, preserving their integrity while achieving effective delivery
2Manufacturing precision
If the layering process is used to apply perfume encapsulates, then the perfume can be layered onto the surface of the powder, but the low spray rate and prolonged exposure to constant motion cause perfume loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-mixing the encapsulated benefit agents into the detergent powder during the granulation process itself, rather than applying them as a surface layer after powder formation. This ensures the encapsulates are uniformly distributed and protected within the granule structure from the outset, eliminating the need for prolonged surface layering operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the benefit agent incorporation step with the detergent granulation process, combining two operations into one. The encapsulates are incorporated during granule formation through slurry spraying, so the benefit agents become an integral part of the granule structure rather than a separate surface layer, reducing total process time and preventing loss
3Quantity of substance
If thin layer of perfume encapsulates is applied to powder surface, then the perfume can be deposited, but the thin layer is vulnerable to attrition during drying, packing and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the encapsulated benefit agents within the detergent granule structure itself, nesting them inside the granule matrix rather than placing them on the surface. This nesting provides mechanical protection to the encapsulates during handling, drying, and transportation, preventing attrition loss while maintaining the quantity of deposited benefit agents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relies on the inherent protective shell structure of the encapsulates themselves, which are designed with flexible yet durable outer layers that can withstand the mechanical stresses of processing and handling. The slurry delivery method ensures these shells remain intact during incorporation, providing inherent protection against attrition
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method minimizes loss of the benefit agent during production and storage, ensuring a higher percentage of encapsulates survive intact through the wash to deposit onto fabric, with reduced attrition and no additional drying step, maintaining the perfume's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The water that is present in the dispersion is sufficiently absorbed by the surrounding powder to leave an aggregation of encapsulates or microcapsules adhered to the powder
Implementation Method 2
spraying large droplets of a dispersion containing encapsulates or microcapsules onto the detergent mix during blending
Data Source
AI summary
A process for making aggregate granules comprising encapsulates or microcapsules of liquid benefit agent, preferably perfume, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a powdered and/or granulated laundry composition comprising detergent particles selected from surfactants, fabric softeners and/or detergency builders; b) preparing a slurry comprising water, optional soluble materials, and encapsulates of liquid benefit agent; c) spraying the slurry prepared in step b) onto the laundry composition provided in step a) using a high rate of spray to create droplets larger than 70 micron in order to form aggregate granules of liquid benefit agent encapsulates anchored to detergent particles. Also, to particulate detergent compositions including the aggregate granules obtainable by the process and use of the compositions in laundry processes.