Liquid Salt Cleaning Composition for Tough Food Soils

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashing methods are inefficient in removing tough, burnt-on food soils, often requiring prolonged soaking and harsh chemicals, and typically require multiple products for effective cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning composition comprising a liquid salt, a hydrogen bond donor, and a surfactant, specifically formulated with a deep eutectic solvent combination of urea and choline chloride, which enhances solvation of tenacious food soils and reduces the need for abrasive chemicals and multiple products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cleaners and prolonged soaking are used for tough food soil removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by incorporating ionic liquids with specific surfactants and conditioners, creating a formulation that achieves tough soil removal without requiring prolonged soaking time. The ionic liquid's unique solvation properties enable rapid breakdown of encrusted soils.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite cleaning system combining ionic liquids, surfactants, and conditioners in specific formulations. This composite approach synergistically enhances cleaning effectiveness for tough soils while reducing the time required compared to conventional single-component cleaners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If harsh chemicals and heavy scouring are used for burnt-on soil removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but harm to hands and surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidharshness to hands and surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical scouring with chemical solvation using ionic liquids. The ionic liquid's molecular structure enables it to penetrate and dissolve burnt-on soils through chemical interaction rather than mechanical abrasion, reducing harm to both hands and surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pH and chemical composition parameters by using neutral or mildly acidic ionic liquids instead of high pH harsh chemicals. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness for tough soils while significantly reducing irritation to hands and damage to surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple specialty products are used for complete cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and convenience decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidproduct complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal cleaning composition that performs multiple functions: removing grease soils, tackling burnt-on foods, and conditioning surfaces. The ionic liquid base formulation works across different soil types and surface materials, eliminating the need for multiple specialty products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple cleaning products into a single formulation. By combining ionic liquids with surfactants and conditioners, it integrates pre-treatment, cleaning, and surface protection functions into one convenient product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively removes tough food soils with reduced scrubbing effort and water usage, offering improved cleaning efficiency and sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrogen bond donor for the liquid salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

enhances solvation of tenacious food soils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

specifically formulated with a deep eutectic solvent combination of urea and choline chloride

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeep eutectic solvent formation:

Implementation Method 4

a surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2723847B1Liquid salt cleaning compositions

Publication Date: 2016.07.27 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

A cleaning composition comprising a liquid salt, and a hydrogen bond donor for the liquid salt, and a surfactant. Also, a method of cleaning using the cleaning composition.