Liquid Thickener for Cold Processing Surfactant Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid surfactant compositions require hot processing to achieve desired viscosity, and thickeners are often introduced in solid form, limiting cold processing capabilities and accuracy in formulation.
Innovation Solution
The use of alkoxylated, lipophilic polyol compounds with three moles of lipophilic substituents per mole of polyol, formulated into a liquid composition with specific weight percentages of polyethylene glycol methyl glucose trioleate, 1,3-propanediol, and water, which can be used as thickeners in liquid surfactant systems at ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thickeners are introduced in solid form and mixed under hot processing conditions (50°C to 80°C), then dissolution and viscosity enhancement are achieved, but processing complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the thickener from solid to liquid form, and modifies the processing temperature parameter from elevated (50-80°C) to ambient (20-30°C), thereby eliminating the need for hot processing while maintaining effective dissolution and viscosity enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid carrier or solvent as an intermediary medium to dissolve the thickener at ambient temperatures, facilitating dissolution without requiring elevated temperatures and enabling cold processing
2Stability of the object's composition
If thickeners are introduced in solid form, then storage stability is maintained, but formulation accuracy and automated processing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the thickener from solid to liquid form, which enables precise metering and dosing through liquid handling systems, thereby improving formulation accuracy and automated processing capability while maintaining composition stability through proper formulation
3Manufacturing precision
If thickeners are introduced in solid form and require hot processing, then desired viscosity is achieved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the processing temperature parameter from elevated temperatures to ambient temperatures, and changes the thickener form from solid to liquid, thereby simplifying the processing operation while maintaining precise viscosity control through the liquid formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a liquid carrier or solvent as an intermediary to enable the thickener to be incorporated at ambient temperatures, simplifying the processing operation by eliminating heating requirements while maintaining effective viscosity enhancement
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
Enables cold processing and improved accuracy in thickening liquid surfactant compositions with viscosities less than 30,000 mPa·s, low turbidity, and stability through multiple freeze/thaw cycles, enhancing the formulation of personal care, home care, and industrial products.
Implementation Method 1
The lipophilic substituent, for example, fatty acid, typically provides associative thickening characteristics to the thickener
Implementation Method 2
stability through multiple freeze/thaw cycles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to blends that contain alkoxylated, lipophilic polyol compounds having about three moles of lipophilic, substituents per mole of polyol which are polyethylene glycol methyl glucose trioleate and polyethylene glycol methyl glucose dioleate and, more specifically, to the use of such compounds as thickeners in liquid surfactant compositions.