Low-Viscosity Liquid Fabric Softener with Minimal Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fabric softener actives require high amounts of solvent to achieve acceptable viscosity and temperature for pumping, leading to environmental and economic concerns, as well as the need for stable, low-viscosity liquid dispersions without heating to high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Formulating stable, low-viscosity liquid fabric softener compositions using quaternary ammonium fabric softener systems with less than 8% added solvent, combined with a liquid carrier and electrolyte concentration aid, maintaining production temperatures at 65°C or less to achieve viscosity below 400 cP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high amounts of solvent are added to fabric softener actives to achieve acceptable viscosity and pumping temperature, then the fabric softener can be pumped and processed, but environmental harm increases and economic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful solvent component from the fabric softener composition. By formulating the product to require minimal or no added solvent, the patent removes the source of environmental harm (VOC emissions) while maintaining the essential pumping and processing capabilities through optimized composition and controlled temperature processing.
2Ease of operation
If high amounts of solvent are added to fabric softener actives to achieve acceptable viscosity and pumping temperature, then the fabric softener can be pumped and processed, but economic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary solvent component from the fabric softener composition. By formulating the product to require minimal or no added solvent, the patent reduces the amount of material that must be transported, handled, and processed, thereby improving economic efficiency while maintaining essential pumping capabilities through optimized composition.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fabric softener active is used with reduced or no added solvent, then environmental and economic benefits are achieved, but viscosity may become too high for conventional pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the fabric softener composition by controlling temperature during processing and storage. By maintaining the composition at elevated temperatures, the viscosity is reduced to levels suitable for conventional pumping, while still achieving the environmental benefits of minimal solvent content. The patent specifies temperature ranges to ensure optimal pumpability without compromising the reduced-solvent formulation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If fabric softener active is used with reduced or no added solvent, then environmental and economic benefits are achieved, but the composition may become too viscous at ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter throughout the processing and storage conditions. By specifying that the composition be maintained at elevated temperatures (above ambient), the patent ensures the fabric softener remains pumpable and processable while achieving the environmental benefits of reduced solvent content. The temperature control is integral to the operation of the reduced-solvent formulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Low-viscosity liquid fabric softening compositions are disclosed that comprise a fabric softener active system that contains at least one ammonium fabric softener compound and less than 8% added solvent. The fabric softening compositions have a Dispersion Parameter that is less than 100, provided the fabric softening active system has a viscosity of less than 2000 cP at 80° C. and the fabric softening composition has an initial viscosity of less than 400 cP. A method of preparing the liquid fabric softening composition and a method of softening fabric articles with the liquid fabric softening composition are also disclosed.