Segmented Polymer Container for MGDA GLDA Detergent Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Detergent compositions in single unit doses face issues such as yellowing or formation of brownish stains when stored with bleaching agents, leading to reduced shelf life and quality concerns, especially in the presence of inorganic peroxides, and can damage polymer surfaces, making it difficult to provide sequestrants like MGDA and GLDA effectively during washing.

Innovation Solution

Development of a container with a single unit dose of a detergent composition containing alkali metal salts of methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) in an aqueous medium, dissolved and partially neutralized, housed within a polymer pouch or compartmentalized structure that maintains stability and efficient delivery of sequestrants during washing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If detergent compositions are stored with bleaching agents in single unit doses, then convenience for end-user is improved, but yellowing or formation of brownish stains occurs leading to reduced shelf life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience for end-userVSAvoidshelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple compartments: a first compartment containing the bleaching agent and a second compartment containing the MGDA solution. This segmentation prevents direct contact between the bleaching agent and MGDA during storage, avoiding yellowing and stain formation, while still providing the convenience of a single unit dose that is easily placed into the washing machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water-soluble polymer film acts as an intermediary barrier between the bleaching agent and MGDA compartments. This film allows controlled interaction during the wash cycle while maintaining separation during storage, thus preventing degradation while enabling effective delivery of sequestrants when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If highly concentrated GLDA solutions are used, then sequestrant effectiveness is improved, but viscosity becomes unfavorably high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequestrant effectivenessVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of GLDA in the aqueous solution to achieve an effective balance. By controlling the concentration within specific ranges and adjusting other formulation parameters, the solution maintains sufficient sequestrant effectiveness while keeping viscosity at acceptable levels for practical application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If strongly alkaline MGDA and GLDA solutions are used, then cleaning performance is improved, but polymer surfaces are damaged reducing container shelf life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidcontainer shelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple compartments: a first compartment containing the bleaching agent and a second compartment containing the MGDA solution. This segmentation prevents direct contact between the bleaching agent and MGDA during storage, avoiding yellowing and stain formation, while still providing the convenience of a single unit dose that is easily placed into the washing machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water-soluble polymer film acts as an intermediary barrier between the bleaching agent and MGDA compartments. This film allows controlled interaction during the wash cycle while maintaining separation during storage, thus preventing degradation while enabling effective delivery of sequestrants when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures stable storage and effective delivery of sequestrants, preventing coloration and damage to polymer surfaces, thereby maintaining the quality and shelf life of the detergent composition while ensuring efficient washing performance.

Implementation Method 1

Complexing agents such as methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and their respective alkali metal salts are useful and environmentally friendly sequestrants for alkaline earth metal ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplexation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

at least two complexing agents (A) dissolved in an aqueous medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS11560537B2Container comprising a detergent composition containing salts of MGDA and GLDA

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 BASF SE

AI summary

The present application is related to a container made of a polymer and containing a single unit dose of a detergent composition. The detergent composition contains at least two complexing agents (A) dissolved in an aqueous medium. The complexing agents (A) are (A1) at least one alkali metal salt of methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), and (A2) at least one alkali metal salt of glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA). The complexing agents (A1) and (A2) are partially neutralized with alkali and the weight ratio of (A1) and (A2) ranges from 1:9 to 9:1. The aqueous medium contains at least 25% by weight of water relative to the entire liquid phase.