Laundry Sheet With Enzyme Coating for Fabric Whitening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry products, including detergents and wash boosters, often contain harsh chemicals like bleaching agents that can damage fabrics and are inconvenient to use, with issues such as tackiness, dustiness, and exposure to harsh ingredients, while existing sheet formats require complex and hot processes.
Innovation Solution
A laundry article comprising a water-insoluble substrate with a dried water-soluble coating containing surfactants, enzymes, and a binder, applied at room temperature without harsh solvents, providing effective stain removal and fabric whitening without bleaching agents, in a non-tacky and user-friendly format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If harsh chemicals such as bleaching agents are used in laundry products, then cleaning power and stain removal effectiveness are improved, but fabric damage, fading, and harshness to the touch occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing harsh bleaching agents with alternative stain removal ingredients, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while eliminating fabric damage. This involves reformulating the laundry product to use milder yet effective stain removers that do not compromise fabric integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of strong cleaning agents into benefit by using controlled-release mechanisms and protective coatings that allow effective stain removal while preventing direct contact between harsh chemicals and fabric. The harmful chemicals are encapsulated or coated to release only when needed, protecting the fabric from damage.
2Reliability
If laundry products are provided as powders or liquids, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but user contact with harsh ingredients occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a protective coating or film over the laundry product container or dosage form to prevent direct contact between the user and harsh ingredients. This flexible barrier allows the product to maintain its cleaning effectiveness while protecting the user during handling and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance or mechanism between the user and the harsh chemical ingredients. This could be a protective coating, encapsulation layer, or controlled-release formulation that mediates the interaction, allowing the user to benefit from cleaning effectiveness without direct exposure to harmful chemicals.
3Ease of operation
If a water-soluble coating is dried on laundry sheets, then the product becomes non-tacky and user-friendly, but the coating may transfer onto consumers' hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the laundry sheet. The coating is designed to be non-tacky and user-friendly on the surface for easy handling, while the underlying formulation maintains product integrity and prevents transfer to hands. This local differentiation of properties allows the sheet to be both easy to use and safe.
4Ease of manufacture
If a hot melt process is used to produce laundry sheets, then the sheets become tacky or greasy, but complex and expensive application procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hot melt thermal process with a alternative coating or bonding method that does not require high temperatures or complex machinery. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the desired sheet properties without tackiness or greasiness, eliminating the need for complex slot-coating procedures.
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 effectively removes stubborn stains and maintains fabric whiteness without harsh chemicals, is easy to use, and does not require protective sheets or complex processing, ensuring consumer safety and improved cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble coating provided on the substrate, the dried water-soluble coating comprising: (a) from about 60% to about 95% by weight of at least one surfactant
Implementation Method 2
from about 60% to about 95% by weight of at least one surfactant
Implementation Method 3
from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of at least one enzyme
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry article, a water-based composition for use in the preparation of the laundry article, and methods of preparing the water-based composition and laundry article. The laundry article comprises: (i) a water-insoluble substrate; and (ii) a dried water-soluble coating provided on the substrate, the dried water-soluble coating comprising: (a) from about 60% to about 95% by weight of at least one surfactant; (b) from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of at least one enzyme; (c) from about 1 % to about 35% by weight of at least one binder; and (d) from about 0% to about 15% by weight of residual water; the percentages by weight being percentages by weight of the total dried water-soluble coating.