Low-Water Bleach Dispersion for Temperature-Stable Cleaning Agents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bleaching agents in dosing systems for dishwashers and washing machines face stability issues due to temperature fluctuations, leading to phase separation and loss of activity, especially when exposed to temperatures between 10°C to 75°C, affecting their cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

A chemically and physically stable bleach dispersion is achieved by formulating a cleaning agent with a water content below 5% using 1,3-propanediol as an organic solvent and suspended agents, which stabilizes the bleach against temperature fluctuations, incorporating oxygen bleaching agents like sodium percarbonate and controlling particle sizes below 100 μm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If bleach preparations are stored in dosing systems exposed to temperature fluctuations (10°C to 75°C), then the cleaning agent can be used for multiple wash cycles, but the bleach undergoes phase separation and loss of activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage durationVSAvoidcomposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the bleach preparation by reducing water content to below 5% and formulating it in an organic solvent system. This parameter change makes the bleach resistant to phase separation and activity loss under temperature fluctuations between 10°C to 75°C, enabling stable storage for multiple wash cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite bleach preparation by combining oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate) with organic solvents (1,3-propanediol, ethanol, or isopropanol) and suspending agents. This composite formulation achieves both chemical stability and physical stability against phase separation under varying temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If water content in bleach preparations is reduced to below 5%, then temperature stability is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by drastically reducing water content to below 5% and substituting with organic solvents. This simplifies the formulation by eliminating the need for complex stabilization systems required in aqueous bleach, while achieving superior temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If oxygen bleach particle size is controlled below 100 μm, then dispersion stability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidparticle size control
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of oxygen bleach to below 100 μm, which improves dispersion stability in the organic solvent system. The low water content formulation naturally supports this fine particle dispersion without requiring complex stabilization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 formulation maintains the cleaning agent's activity and stability over multiple wash cycles, ensuring effective bleaching performance without significant loss, even at high temperatures, and simplifies production with low recipe complexity.

Implementation Method 1

low-water or water-free bleach preparations can be stabilized in a matrix of organic solvents and suspended matter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

low-water or water-free bleach preparations can be stabilized in a matrix of organic solvents and suspended matter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Implementation Method 3

oxygen bleaching agents with perborates and percarbonates being used in particular in the area of automatic textile and dishwashing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2328456B1Bleach-containing cleaning agent
Publication Date: 2013.09.11 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP2328456B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2328456B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2328456B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

the invention relates to cleaning agents with a water content of less than 5 wt. %, comprising; a) 10 to 45 wt. % oxygen bleaching agent,b) 10 to 89.5 wt. % organic solvent, c) 0.5 to 5 wt.% suspension agent and dishwasher powder method using said cleaning agent.