Method for washing clothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional detergents with alkaline optimal pH struggle to maintain effective detergent activity against protein-based stains when the pH of the detergent liquid is weakly acidic to weakly alkaline, limiting their cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

A method using an internal olefin sulfonate with 15-24 carbon atoms in combination with protease, which maintains detergent activity across a wide pH range of 3.5 to 8.5, enhancing the cleaning efficacy even at weakly acidic to weakly alkaline conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional alkaline detergents are used, then detergent activity against protein-based stains is improved under alkaline conditions, but detergent activity decreases when pH is weakly acidic to weakly alkaline

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent activity against protein-based stainsVSAvoidpH range adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the surfactant from conventional alkaline-compatible formulations to internal olefin sulfonate with specific carbon atom count (15-24), which fundamentally alters the pH-response characteristics of the detergent system, enabling protease to maintain activity across pH 3.5-8.5

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite detergent system combining internal olefin sulfonate (specific carbon chain length) with protease, where the synergistic interaction between these components enables the protease to maintain catalytic activity in a broad pH range that neither component could achieve alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If pH of detergent liquid is adjusted to weakly acidic to weakly alkaline, then adaptability to different washing conditions is improved, but detergent property of protease against protein stains decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepH range flexibilityVSAvoidprotease detergent activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surfactant's molecular structure by selecting internal olefin sulfonate with 15-24 carbon atoms, which changes the microenvironment at the protease-active site, thereby maintaining protease catalytic activity across pH 3.5-8.5 despite pH fluctuations

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 method provides excellent detergent properties against protein-based stains across a broad pH range, outperforming conventional alkylbenzene sulfonates and maintaining cleaning effectiveness even when the pH of the detergent liquid is weakly acidic to weakly alkaline.

Implementation Method 1

an internal olefin sulfonate having 15 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

protease

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS10947479B2Method for washing clothing
Publication Date: 2021.03.16 KAO CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for washing clothing, including washing clothing with a detergent liquid having a pH of 3.5 or more and 8.5 or less at 20° C. obtained by mixing the following component (A) and component (B), and water having a hardness:component (A): an internal olefin sulfonate having 15 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms; andcomponent (B): protease.