Multi-Phase Dishwasher Detergent Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashing detergents face challenges in optimizing the use of space in dishwasher dosing chambers, particularly in providing sufficient amounts of functional components like builders, alkalinity, and enzymes for effective cleaning while maintaining a low water content and avoiding phosphate deposits.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase pre-portioned dishwashing detergent with a packaging system featuring at least two compartments, one solid and one liquid phase, utilizing polymeric polycarboxylates and sulfonic acid group-containing polymers to optimize space and stability, and minimizing water content to prevent sedimentation and enhance rinse performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sufficient amounts of functional blocks (builders, alkalinity, enzymes, surfactants) are provided for good cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the volume required exceeds the dosing chamber capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent composition is divided into two distinct phases: a solid phase containing builders, alkalinity, and enzymes; and a liquid phase containing surfactants and polymeric polycarboxylates. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing sufficient cleaning performance within the limited dosing chamber volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameters of the detergent components by creating a multi-phase system with distinct solid and liquid regions. The solid phase provides compact storage of bulk functional blocks, while the liquid phase provides concentrated surfactant activity, optimizing the density and functionality within the dosing chamber space.
2Reliability
If polymeric polycarboxylate-containing cobuilders are used in aqueous preparations, then complexation of divalent cations is improved, but water content increases causing sedimentation and reduced stability
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric polycarboxylate cobuilder is extracted from the aqueous phase and incorporated into the liquid phase of the multi-phase system at controlled concentrations (2-20% by weight). This extraction allows the cobuilder to maintain its complexation function while preventing excessive water content that would cause sedimentation and instability in the overall composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite liquid phase combining polymeric polycarboxylates with surfactants and other liquid components. This composite formulation maintains the cobuilding functionality for divalent cation complexation while achieving the necessary stability and preventing sedimentation through proper phase composition and concentration control.
3Reliability
If phosphate-containing builders are used to achieve good rinse results, then deposit prevention is improved, but phosphate deposits form on dishes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using phosphate-free or low-phosphate builders combined with polymeric polycarboxylate cobuilders. This parameter change maintains effective rinse performance and deposit prevention through alternative complexation mechanisms while eliminating the harmful phosphate deposit formation on dishes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of phosphate deposits into a benefit by using polymeric polycarboxylates as alternative cobuilders. These polymers provide equivalent or superior deposit prevention and rinse performance without the environmental and aesthetic problems associated with phosphate deposits, effectively turning the limitation into an advantage.
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 allows for a compact, effective dishwashing detergent formulation that fits within the limited dosing chamber capacity, ensuring good cleaning performance and reducing phosphate usage, while maintaining stability and preventing deposits.
Implementation Method 1
cobuilders must also be used in addition to the phosphate-containing and/or phosphate-free builders in order to achieve a sufficiently high level of complexation of divalent cations from the used Rinse water
Implementation Method 2
A multi-phase pre-portioned dishwashing detergent with a packaging system featuring at least two compartments, one solid and one liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to pre-portioned, multi-phase detergents, more particularly dishwasher detergents, and to the use thereof. The detergents contain at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase, the detergent containing 0.5 to 30 wt.% of (co)polymeric carboxylates and/or polymers containing sulphonic acid groups and the solid phase containing less than 10 wt.% (relative to the solid phase) of these polymers.