Flowable Washing Agent Composition for Stable Low-Water Concentrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing agents face challenges in achieving high concentration without compromising optical and rheological properties, storage stability, and cleaning performance, particularly when packaged in water-soluble sachets, while also requiring sustainable and easy dosing solutions.

Innovation Solution

A flowable washing agent preparation comprising polyacrylic acid, polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine, non-ionic and anionic surfactants, with specific weight ratios and low water content, optimized for visual appeal, shelf life, and cleaning efficacy, packaged in water-soluble sachets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the concentration of active ingredients is increased to improve cleaning performance and reduce packaging volume, then cleaning efficiency and transport sustainability improve, but optical properties deteriorate (visual appeal) and rheological properties worsen (flowability)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of active ingredientsVSAvoidoptical and rheological properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the water content at less than 20 wt. % and maintaining specific weight ratios between polyacrylic acid (1-7 wt. %) and polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine (1-7 wt. %) within a 3:1 to 1:3 ratio range. This optimization of compositional parameters enables high concentration of active ingredients while preserving flowability and visual appeal, directly resolving the contradiction between concentration and property stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If high concentration of active ingredients is used to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning efficiency improves, but storage stability deteriorates due to incompatibilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of active ingredientsVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining polyacrylic acid with polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine in specific proportions (3:1 to 1:3 weight ratio). This composite approach creates synergistic interactions between the polymer components that enhance storage stability while maintaining high active ingredient concentration, preventing incompatibility issues that would otherwise occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If miniaturization of film pouches is implemented to improve handling and reduce packaging, then ease of operation and sustainability improve, but the challenge of maintaining stability in highly concentrated formulations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling and dosingVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by pre-portioning the highly concentrated washing agent into individual film pouches, each containing a optimized formulation. This allows the complex concentrated formulation to be divided into manageable, easy-to-handle units that simplify dosing while maintaining the stability benefits of concentration, directly addressing both ease of operation and formulation challenges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12473511B2Concentrated flowable washing agent preparation having improved properties
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

A flowable washing agent preparation containing, based on the total weight thereof, a) 1 to 7 wt. % of polyacrylic acid; b) 1 to 7 wt. % of polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine, which can be obtained by reacting polyalkyleneimines with alkylene oxides; c) 10 to 30 wt. % of non-ionic surfactant; d) less than 20 wt. % of water; wherein the weight ratio of polyacrylic acid to polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine is 3:1 to 1:3, and to a textile washing method using these washing agent preparations.