Liquid Ancillary Composition for Laundry Benefit Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry products do not effectively enhance the benefits delivered to fabrics during the washing process, as existing compositions do not provide the desired level of fragrance, softening, or cleaning that consumers seek.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ancillary composition is added to the laundry process, comprising 2-60 wt.% benefit agents, less than 4 wt.% surfactant, and 0.25-10 wt.% cationic polymer, which is designed to float on top of traditional laundry liquids, ensuring it is carried into the wash or rinse cycle without mixing, thereby providing enhanced benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a traditional laundry liquid is used, then the fabric receives basic cleaning and care, but the desired level of fragrance, softening, and other benefits is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry care system is divided into two separate components: a traditional laundry liquid and a liquid ancillary composition. This segmentation allows each product to have optimized formulations for their specific functions, enabling high concentrations of benefit agents in the ancillary composition without complicating the overall laundry liquid formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ancillary composition acts as an intermediary product that bridges the gap between traditional laundry liquids and the desired enhanced fabric benefits. It contains high concentrations of benefit agents that supplement the basic laundry liquid, delivering improved fragrance, softening, and other fabric care effects without requiring reformulation of the entire laundry system.
2Reliability
If benefit agents are added to traditional laundry liquid, then fabric benefits are provided, but the benefits are not enhanced sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the benefit delivery system into two independent products, consumers can choose to use the liquid ancillary composition in addition to their existing laundry liquid without being locked into a complete product reformulation. This maintains adaptability while improving reliability of benefit delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ancillary composition is designed to work with various types of laundry liquids and can provide multiple fabric benefits (fragrance, softening, conditioning) simultaneously. This multi-functional approach enhances benefit delivery reliability while maintaining product versatility across different washing scenarios.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid ancillary composition mixes with laundry liquid, then homogeneous distribution occurs, but the enhanced benefits are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid ancillary composition is formulated with properties (such as density, viscosity, or surface tension) that cause it to resist mixing with the laundry liquid, effectively creating a layered or separated system. This counteracts the natural tendency toward homogeneity, preserving the high concentration of benefit agents in the ancillary composition while still allowing both products to coexist in the washing machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for local concentration of benefit agents in the liquid ancillary composition rather than requiring uniform distribution throughout the entire laundry solution. This localized quality approach maintains high benefit agent concentrations where needed while accepting non-homogeneous distribution in the overall system.
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 method delivers improved benefits to fabrics by ensuring the liquid ancillary composition is effectively incorporated into the wash cycle, resulting in enhanced softening, fragrance, and overall fabric care, as demonstrated by increased softness and scent retention.
Implementation Method 1
designed to float on top of traditional laundry liquids, ensuring it is carried into the wash or rinse cycle without mixing
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering a benefit agent to a fabric during the laundry process, wherein a liquid ancillary composition comprising: (a) 2 - 60 w.t.% benefit agent; (b) less than 4 w.t.% surfactant; (c) water is added to the laundry process in addition to a laundry liquid.