Liquid Detergent Composition with Low Water Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid detergent compositions for single-dose water-soluble capsules face challenges in achieving low water content, stability, and compatibility of ingredients, often relying on non-renewable solvents and surfactants, which affect detergency and environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent composition comprising anionic surfactants, ethoxylated glycerol compounds, glycerol as a solvent, and optional neutralized fatty acids, with a water content less than 10%, designed to be stable, transparent, and dispersible in both room temperature and cold water, using renewable sources and reducing non-renewable solvent use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If low water content is used in liquid detergent composition, then capsule dissolution is prevented during storage, but ingredient compatibility and formulation stability become more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses glycerol as an intermediary substance to mediate between the non-aqueous solvent (isoparaffin) and the surfactant components. This intermediary facilitates compatibility among ingredients that would otherwise be incompatible in a low-water system, resolving the contradiction between low water content and formulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of water content to less than 10% by weight while simultaneously adjusting other parameters including the ratio of nonionic to anionic surfactants, the type of non-aqueous solvent, and the amount of glycerol. These coordinated parameter changes enable the system to maintain stability at low water content.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional non-renewable solvents and surfactants are used, then ingredient compatibility is improved, but environmental sustainability and renewability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the origin parameter of the surfactants and solvents from petrochemical (non-renewable) to natural/renewable sources. Specifically, it uses ethoxylated fatty alcohols from natural sources and plant-based isoparaffins, while maintaining the functional performance and compatibility required for a stable low-water formulation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ethoxylated fatty alcohol surfactants are used, then ingredient miscibility in non-aqueous medium is improved, but reliance on non-renewable hydrocarbon sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the source parameter of the ethoxylated fatty alcohol surfactants from synthetic hydrocarbon sources to natural/renewable sources such as fatty alcohols derived from plant oils. This maintains the ethoxylated structure necessary for miscibility in non-aqueous media while eliminating dependence on non-renewable petrochemical feedstocks.
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 composition provides effective detergency, stability, and environmental sustainability by ensuring rapid dispersion in water while minimizing the use of non-renewable solvents and utilizing natural source surfactants, meeting the requirements for single-dose capsules.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ethoxylated glycerol compound comprising at least one component of formula (II)
Implementation Method 2
at least one organic solvent comprising c1. glycerol
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid detergent composition comprising at least one anionic surfactant, at least one ethoxylated glycerol compound, at least one organic solvent comprising glycerol, an amount of water not more than 10% by weight in relation to the entirety of the detergent composition, and optionally, a partially or fully neutralized fatty acid. Said composition is suitable for use in unit doses which also comprise a water-soluble capsule for washing clothes. The invention also relates to said unit dose and to methods for producing the composition and the unit dose.