Multi-Density Fibrous Structure for Residue-Free Detergent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fibrous structures used in cleaning applications, such as laundry sheets, are often stiff, prone to fracture, and leave remnants, with inadequate detergent delivery, potential for sticking to washing machine surfaces, and blockage of drainage mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A fibrous structure comprising filaments with polyvinyl alcohol and active agents, featuring a continuous network region and discrete zones of different densities, designed to provide improved strength, dissolution, and disintegration during use, preventing adhesion and drainage blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a polyester nonwoven substrate is used as a carrier, then the structural integrity and strength are improved, but the material does not dissolve during washing and leaves remnants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the carrier substrate by using water-soluble polymers (polyvinyl alcohol, starch, cellulose) instead of traditional polyester. This parameter change enables the substrate to dissolve in water while maintaining sufficient structural integrity when dry, resolving the contradiction between strength and dissolution capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining water-soluble polymer matrix with water-soluble salts and detergents. This composite approach allows the carrier to maintain structural integrity through the polymer network while enabling complete dissolution through the soluble components, eliminating remnants
2Quantity of substance
If the detergent composition level is increased to improve cleaning performance, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the web material becomes stiffer and more prone to fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the detergent composition by using water-soluble salts and low-viscosity liquids that can be uniformly distributed throughout the fibrous structure. This allows high detergent loading without creating stiff regions, maintaining flexibility even at high active agent concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures uniform local distribution of detergent composition throughout the web structure, preventing localized stiffness. The water-soluble nature allows even distribution without creating rigid zones, maintaining overall flexibility while achieving high cleaning performance
3Strength
If the web material density is increased to improve strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the dissolution and disintegration rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using highly water-soluble polymers with specific molecular weights and compositions. These materials can be formulated to provide both high dry-state strength and rapid water dissolution, resolving the contradiction between strength and dissolution rate through compositional parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic structure where the web maintains high density and strength in the dry state but transitions to rapid dissolution when exposed to water. The water-soluble polymer network dynamically changes from a rigid structure to a dissolving matrix, enabling both strength and fast dissolution
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 fibrous structure offers enhanced strength and disintegration properties, ensuring effective detergent delivery without leaving residues or blocking washing machine drainage.
Implementation Method 1
one or more active agents that are releasable from the filament when exposed to conditions of intended use
Data Source
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AI summary
A fibrous structure including filaments wherein the filaments comprise one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents that are releasable from the filament when exposed to conditions of intended use, the fibrous structure further having at least two regions with different average densities. Methods of treating fabrics with a fibrous structure are also provided herein.