Water-Soluble Laundry Particles for Stable Fragrance Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry products in the form of particles face issues such as complex production methods, high costs due to synthetic polymers like PEG, rapid fragrance evaporation, poor stability leading to stickiness and breakage, and environmental sustainability concerns, along with inadequate dissolution behavior.
Innovation Solution
A laundry composition comprising particles with a water-soluble carrier (20-95% by weight) of carbohydrates or inorganic/organic salts, an anionic surfactant (5-15% by weight), and benefit agents (0.1-30% by weight), produced through extrusion and optional dusting with an anti-caking agent, to enhance processability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional synthetic polymer carriers like PEG are used in particle production, then the particles can be formed through melt processing, but the production becomes time-consuming and complicated requiring special equipment, and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the carrier material from solid (conventional PEG) to liquid (water-based carrier), enabling particles to be formed at room temperature through simple mixing and drying processes, eliminating the need for melt processing equipment and reducing production time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical melt processing system with a chemical solution-based system where particles are formed by drying liquid suspensions, substituting complex mechanical extrusion and molding equipment with simple mixing and drying operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If benefit agents like fragrance are added to laundry particles, then fabric care benefits are provided, but the fragrance evaporates quickly at higher temperatures during production causing rapid decrease in fragrance content
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the processing temperature parameter from high temperature (conventional melt processing) to room temperature (aqueous suspension processing), preventing fragrance evaporation while maintaining particle formation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces water as an intermediary carrier medium that allows fragrance and other benefit agents to be uniformly distributed and protected during processing, replacing the direct heat exposure of conventional melt processing with gentle aqueous suspension handling
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional carrier materials like PEG are used, then particles can be produced, but the carrier materials are expensive and not sustainable, failing to meet environmental credentials desired by consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inexpensive, biodegradable materials like sugar, salt, and starch as carrier materials that can be easily disposed of after use, replacing expensive and persistent synthetic polymers like PEG, aligning with consumer preferences for environmentally sustainable products
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the carrier from synthetic petroleum-based polymers to natural, biodegradable substances, improving environmental sustainability while maintaining particle production capability through aqueous processing
4Ease of manufacture
If laundry particles are produced using conventional methods, then the particles can be formed, but they may stick together and lose flowability during production, transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the moisture content parameter by using water-soluble carriers that can be completely dried, and controls particle surface properties through the choice of carrier material, preventing stickiness and maintaining flowability during storage and transportation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses inherently free-flowing materials like salt and sugar crystals as carrier bases that naturally resist particle adhesion, eliminating the stickiness problem associated with conventional polymer carriers
5Ease of manufacture
If laundry particles are produced using conventional methods, then particles can be formed, but they may be brittle and break up into small pieces during production, transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the particle structure parameter by forming porous, lightweight particles with controlled density and strength characteristics through the drying of aqueous suspensions, creating particles that are less brittle than conventionally produced particles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite particle structures combining carrier materials with benefit agents uniformly distributed throughout the particle matrix, producing particles with enhanced mechanical integrity and resistance to breakage
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 solution provides improved processability, stability, and customizable fabric care benefits, reducing environmental impact while ensuring effective dissolution and consumer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble carrier selected from a carbohydrate, an inorganic alkali metal salt, an organic alkali metal salt, an inorganic alkaline earth metal salt, an organic alkaline earth metal salt, a urea and mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 2
an anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfate, alkyl ether sulfate, soap, and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry composition is disclosed comprising a plurality of particles, wherein the particle comprises from 20 to 95% by weight of a water-soluble carrier selected from a carbohydrate, an inorganic alkali metal salt, an organic alkali metal salt, an inorganic alkaline earth metal salt, an organic alkaline earth metal salt, a urea and mixtures thereof; from 5 to 15% by weight of an anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfate, alkyl ether sulfate, soap, and mixtures thereof; and from 0.1 to 30% by weight of benefit agents; wherein the water-soluble carrier comprises a carbohydrate selected from sugar, sugar alcohol, and mixtures thereof; and wherein the composition comprises less than 1.5% by weight of alkylbenzene sulfonates.