Laundry Composition with Oxygen Transfer Agent for Stain Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laundry detergents are ineffective in removing turmeric and curry stains, and fail to eliminate malodour and bacteria at lower washing temperatures, requiring lengthy procedures and high temperatures for sanitization.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a bleaching agent, bleach activator, oxygen transfer agent, and protease, which reduces activation energy for stain removal and produces oxaziridines for improved stain and malodour removal, even at temperatures below 30°C, while also enhancing fabric whiteness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional laundry detergents are used, then general cleaning is achieved, but turmeric and curry stains cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain removal effectivenessVSAvoidstain removal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the laundry composition by incorporating specific bleaching agents (sodium percarbonate, potassium peroxymonosulfate), bleach activators (TAED, acetylated triazine derivatives), and oxygen transfer agents (3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide) that work synergistically to remove stubborn turmeric and curry stains at lower temperatures, thereby improving both stain removal effectiveness and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite laundry composition that combines multiple functional components: bleaching agents, bleach activators, oxygen transfer agents, proteases, and surfactants. This composite formulation addresses the limitation of conventional single-function detergents by integrating stain removal, whitening, and proteolytic activities into one synergistic system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high washing temperatures (90°C) are used for sanitization, then bacteria and viruses are eliminated, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesanitization effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional high-temperature washing (90°C) to low-temperature washing (10°C to 30°C) by incorporating low-temperature-active proteases and a novel oxygen transfer agent system that maintains sanitization effectiveness at reduced temperatures, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes thermal energy (heat) with chemical energy (enzymatic action and oxygen transfer) to achieve sanitization. The protease enzymes and oxygen transfer agents provide the necessary cleaning and sanitizing power chemically rather than relying on high thermal input, enabling effective sanitization at low temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If fragrance boosters with microcapsules are used, then malodour is temporarily covered, but the unpleasant smell returns after the fragrance dissipates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalodour coverageVSAvoidmalodour removal duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the source of malodour through proteolytic action that breaks down protein-based odor-causing substances and oxidizing action that destroys odor molecules, rather than merely masking them with fragrance. This removes the harmful factor at its source rather than covering it temporarily

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the malodour problem into a benefit by using the same protease and oxidizing systems that remove stains to also degrade and eliminate odor-causing molecules. The harmful odor substances are transformed into harmless breakdown products through enzymatic and oxidative processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If multiple separate laundry compositions are used for stain removal, whiteness improvement, and sanitization, then comprehensive cleaning is achieved, but the cleaning procedure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate laundry functions (stain removal, whiteness improvement, sanitization, and malodour elimination) into a single integrated composition. The formulation combines bleaching agents, bleach activators, oxygen transfer agents, proteases, and surfactants that work synergistically to perform all cleaning functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The composition effectively removes turmeric and curry stains, reduces malodour, and sanitizes fabrics at lower temperatures, improving whiteness and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the composition comprises between 0.001 wt. % and 2 wt. % of said at least one oxygen transfer agent, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at last one oxygen transfer agent is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide, 1,2,3-Benzoxathiazine, 2,2-dioxide, and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the composition comprises at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator, at least one oxygen transfer agent, and at least one protease

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20230365894A1Composition for the removal of stains and malodour
Publication Date: 2023.11.16 RECKITT BENCKISER VANISH BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition, preferably a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition, comprising at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator, at least one oxygen transfer agent, and at least one protease, wherein: the composition comprises between 20 wt. % and 50 wt. % of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition; and the composition comprises between 0.001 wt. % and 2 wt. % of said at least one oxygen transfer agent, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at last one oxygen transfer agent is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide, 1,2,3-Benzoxathiazine, 2,2-dioxide, and combinations thereof. The invention further relates to a method of a laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine. It also relates to the use of the composition for the removal of stains, malodour removal, and preferably whiteness improvement.