Neutral pH Dishwashing Detergent Composition Without Calcium Builders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic dishwashing products at high pH levels often form insoluble calcium salts, leading to inorganic filming on items and requiring expensive calcium builders, while also being aggressive on surfaces, which is not ideal for maintaining the appearance of glasses and other items.
Innovation Solution
A neutral or acidic automatic dishwashing composition with a pH range of 5 to 8.5, containing sodium percarbonate as the bleach, a mixture of non-ionic surfactants and alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine as a soil suspending polymer, and being substantially builder-free, which effectively removes bleachable stains without the need for bleach activators and maintains surface clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pH formulation is used to effectively clean items and activate bleaches, then cleaning effectiveness and bleaching performance are improved, but insoluble calcium salts form causing inorganic filming on items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from conventional high pH (9-11.5) to neutral or acidic pH (5-8.5), which fundamentally alters the chemical environment to prevent calcium salt formation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through alternative mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive soluble calcium builders (MGDA, GLDA) with a builder-free formulation that uses natural water softening mechanisms and alternative cleaning agents to achieve the same result without the need for costly additives
2Reliability
If high pH formulation is used to hydrolyze triglyceride grease soils, then grease cleaning performance is improved, but washed items become aggressive and lose appearance quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from alkaline to neutral or acidic, which prevents the aggressive effects on surfaces while maintaining grease removal capability through enzymatic and surfactant-based mechanisms that are effective at lower pH levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pH-driven chemical hydrolysis mechanism with alternative cleaning mechanisms including enzymes and surfactants that can effectively remove grease soils without requiring high pH conditions, thereby protecting surface appearance
3Object-generated harmful factors
If soluble calcium builders are used to mitigate inorganic filming, then filming is reduced, but formulation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive soluble calcium builders by using a builder-free formulation that relies on natural water softening and alternative cleaning mechanisms, significantly reducing formulation costs while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the calcium builder component from the formulation entirely, replacing it with alternative mechanisms that achieve the same protective effect without the need for costly additives
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 composition provides excellent cleaning and shine while being gentle on items, reducing filming and spotting issues, and allowing for a compact, efficient formulation that maintains the clarity and appearance of washed items.
Implementation Method 1
The composition comprises a high level of bleach and a cleaning agent... the bleach seems to work on the broken down soil
Implementation Method 2
an alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine as a soil suspending polymer
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning agent seems to contribute to the break down and suspension of the soils
Data Source
AI summary
A neutral or acidic automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprising from greater than 10% to 50% by weight of the composition of an inorganic bleach and a cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of cleaning surfactants, soil suspending polymers and mixtures thereof and wherein the composition is free of bleach catalyst.