Liquid Laundry Detergent Viscosity Control via Polyol Rheology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact liquid laundry detergent compositions with high levels of hydroxyl-containing amines result in high viscosity, making them difficult to pour and process, and reducing their levels leads to unacceptable viscosities and handling issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid laundry detergent composition with 10-30% non-amine neutralized linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, 0-5% non-ionic surfactant, 0-5% fatty acid, 5-40% alcohol, less than 5% hydroxyl-containing amine, 0.5-15% water, and a siloxane-based polymer suds suppressor, achieving a viscosity of 300-700 mPa.s, which is consumer and process acceptable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high levels of hydroxyl-containing amines are used in compacted liquid laundry detergent compositions, then consumer acceptable viscosity is achieved, but the composition becomes difficult to pour and process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing specific polyol compounds (1,3-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 2,3-butane diol, and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether) in controlled amounts (5-40% by weight). These polyols modify the viscosity characteristics of the compacted liquid detergent, allowing reduced amine levels while maintaining acceptable pourability and handling properties.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high levels of hydroxyl-containing amines are used in compacted liquid laundry detergent compositions, then consumer acceptable viscosity is achieved, but processability during manufacture is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the compositional parameters by incorporating specific polyol compounds that alter the rheological properties of the detergent formulation. This enables the composition to maintain stable viscosity while improving processability during manufacturing operations such as pumping, mixing, and filling.
3Ease of operation
If levels of hydroxyl-containing amines are reduced in compacted liquid laundry detergent compositions, then easier pouring is achieved, but viscosity becomes unacceptably high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polyol compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the conflicting requirements of pourability and viscosity. These polyols act as rheology modifiers that enable reduced amine levels while maintaining acceptable viscosity, effectively bridging the gap between the two opposing requirements.
4Ease of operation
If levels of hydroxyl-containing amines are reduced in compacted liquid laundry detergent compositions, then easier handling is achieved, but processability is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the compositional parameters by adding specific polyol compounds that optimize the balance between handling ease and processability. These polyols modify the flow characteristics and viscosity of the composition, enabling both easy consumer handling and efficient manufacturing processes simultaneously.
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 maintains consumer acceptable and processable viscosities while reducing hydroxyl-containing amine levels, ensuring easy pouring and handling, and effectively regulating suds without the need for fatty acids, enhancing stability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a siloxane-based polymer suds suppressor
Implementation Method 2
an alcohol selected from the group comprising ethylene glycol, 1,3 propanediol, 1,2 propanediol, tetramethylene glycol, pentamethylene glycol, hexamethylene glycol, 2,3-butane diol, 1,3 butanediol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerol formal, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to a liquid laundry detergent composition, wherein the composition comprises; - from 10% to 30% by weight of the composition of a non-amine neutralized linear alkylbenzene sulphonate; - from 0% to 5% by weight of the composition of a non-ionic surfactant; - from 0% to 5% by weight of the composition of a fatty acid; - from 5% to 40% by weight of the composition of an alcohol having a molecular weight of between 20 and 400 and an eRH of between 50% and 80% at 20°C 0; - less than 5% by weight of the composition of a hydroxyl-containing amine; - from 0.5% to 15% by weight of the composition of water; - a siloxane-based polymer suds suppressor.