Laundry Scent Additive Composition to Prevent Detergent Overdose
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers who prefer strong perfume scents in their laundry often overdose on laundry products, necessitating a cost-effective, independent perfume scent additive for achieving desired freshness levels.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 80-91% polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 5,000 to 11,000, combined with 2-12% free perfume and 2-12% friable perfume microcapsules, shaped into pastilles with a mass of 0.95 mg to 2 g, allowing for customizable scent application without interference from other laundry products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If consumers overdose laundry detergent and fabric softener to achieve desired scent strength, then the desired freshness level is achieved, but the cost increases and potential harmful effects from excessive chemical exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the perfume scent function from traditional laundry detergent and fabric softener formulations, creating a separate, dedicated scent additive product. This allows consumers to achieve desired scent levels without overdosing on complete laundry products, thereby reducing cost and minimizing harmful effects from excessive chemical exposure while maintaining effective perfume concentration.
2Ease of manufacture
If consumers use independent perfume scent additive to achieve desired freshness, then cost effectiveness improves, but the challenge of achieving stable and controlled scent release arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change technology where the encapsulated perfume releases scent through phase transition (from solid to liquid/gas) at specific temperature conditions. This parameter-based release mechanism provides stable and controlled scent delivery, ensuring consistent performance while maintaining cost effectiveness through precise formulation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs microencapsulation technology where perfume molecules are nested within microscopic carrier particles. This nested structure protects the perfume during storage and transport, then enables controlled release when exposed to heat or mechanical agitation during laundry cycles, achieving both stability and cost effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pastilles are made with polyethylene glycol base, then physical and chemical stability is ensured, but the challenge of achieving proper texture and release characteristics arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits phase transitions of polyethylene glycol, which melts at a specific temperature range. During laundry cycles, the heat from the washing machine causes the PEG to transition from solid to liquid, enabling the encapsulated perfume to release effectively. This phase change mechanism ensures both stability during storage and proper release characteristics during use.
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
Provides a balanced and customizable scent experience while ensuring physical and chemical stability of the pastilles, preventing overapplication of perfume and maintaining freshness without additional laundry actives or surfactants.
Implementation Method 1
providing the viscous material at a processing temperature less than about 20 degrees Celsius higher than the glass transition temperature
Implementation Method 2
wherein the perfume microcapsule comprises encapsulated perfume
Implementation Method 3
from about 2% to about 12% by weight of the composition free perfume
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry scent additive having polyethylene glycol and perfume. The laundry scent additive enables consumers to control the amount of scent imparted to their laundry.