Laundry Sanitizing Softener Composition for Rinse-Cycle Germ Kill
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for laundry softener compositions that provide germ kill while being safer for the environment and compatible with fabric softeners in the same wash cycle, addressing concerns of hygiene and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
Compositions comprising approximately 2% wt to 8% wt of a benzyl-substituted quaternary ammonium compound, 0.3% wt to 1.5% wt of an alkylamine oxide, and 0.4% wt to 1% wt of phenoxyethanol, which are used in the rinse cycle to sanitize and condition fabrics, avoiding the use of multiple quaternary ammonium compounds and maintaining a pH range of 2 to 4 for enhanced efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laundry sanitizing compositions are added to the fabric softener drawer, then sanitizing function is achieved, but it becomes difficult to use both laundry sanitizing compositions and fabric softener compositions in the same wash cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fabric softening agents (cationic surfactants) and sanitizing agents (quaternary ammonium compounds) into a single unified composition that can be dispensed together from the fabric softener drawer, eliminating the need for separate products while maintaining both softening and sanitizing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - fabric softening, sanitizing, and conditioning - allowing a single product to replace both traditional fabric softener and laundry sanitizer, thereby improving versatility without compromising either function
2Reliability
If multiple quaternary ammonium compounds are used for enhanced germ kill, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but formulation complexity and potential incompatibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite formulation containing a specific blend of quaternary ammonium compounds with different chain lengths and structures (e.g., C12-18 alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and dialkyl dimethylammonium chloride) that work synergistically to enhance antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining formulation stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ranges of each quaternary ammonium compound component and adjusts pH levels (maintaining pH 2-4) to maximize germ-killing effectiveness while preventing formulation instability or incompatibility issues that could arise from using multiple active ingredients
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 compositions achieve a 3-log10 reduction in bacteria and viruses, maintaining fabric softness without greasy residues, and are environmentally safer with stable viscosity over time, suitable for use in various laundry machines.
Implementation Method 1
Lysol® Laundry Sanitizer (LLS) is a commercially available product that is used for sanitizing clean laundry. LLS contains the dialkyl (C8-10) dimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), benzyl-C12-18-alkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC)... LLS kills 99.9% of bacteria (i.e., a 3-log10 reduction in bacteria) in laboratory tests.
Implementation Method 2
Compositions comprising approximately 2% wt to 8% wt of a benzyl-substituted quaternary ammonium compound, approximately 0.3% wt to 1.5% wt of an alkylamine oxide, and approximately 0.4% wt to 1% wt of phenoxyethanol... providing fabric protection
Implementation Method 3
with stable viscosity over time
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions are disclosed comprising approximately 2% wt to approximately 8% wt of a benzyl-substituted quaternary ammonium compound, approximately 0.3% wt to approximately 1.5% wt of an alkylamine oxide, and approximately 0.4% wt to approximately 1% wt of phenoxyethanol. The disclosed compositions provide improved reduction in bacteria and viruses during the last rinse cycle of an automatic laundry machine while also providing fabric protection.