Neutral pH Dishwashing Detergent Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic dishwashing compositions either provide excellent cleaning with poor care or poor cleaning with good care, failing to deliver both simultaneously, especially under multi-cycle conditions, and often result in filming and spotting on washed items due to high pH formulations.
Innovation Solution
A neutral or acidic automatic dishwashing composition with a pH of 5 to 7.5, comprising a sulfonated polymer and a pH regulator system, including a mixture of an acid and a conjugate salt, which maintains the wash liquor pH within a narrow range, thereby providing effective cleaning, shine, and care while minimizing filming and spotting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pH formulation is used, then cleaning performance is improved, but filming and spotting on washed items occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from conventional high pH (9-11.5) to neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.5-7.5), fundamentally altering the chemical environment to prevent calcium salt precipitation and filming while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through alternative mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional components with specific local properties: sulfonated polymers for shine and filming reduction, citrate-based builders for controlled calcium binding, and optimized surfactant systems for cleaning, allowing each component to address specific local requirements rather than relying on high pH for all functions
2Productivity
If high pH formulation is used, then grease soil hydrolysis is improved, but glass and metal care is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent lowers the pH parameter from high alkaline to neutral/slightly acidic range, which prevents the formation of insoluble calcium salts that cause filming on glass and damage to metal surfaces, while alternative mechanisms handle grease removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sulfonated polymers as intermediary substances that provide shine and protection to glass and metal surfaces without requiring high pH, acting as a protective layer that prevents direct contact between aggressive alkaline environments and sensitive surfaces
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lower pH formulation is used, then filming and spotting is reduced, but cleaning performance is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite detergent system combining multiple functional components: sulfonated polymers for shine and filming reduction, citrate-based builders for controlled calcium binding, optimized surfactant mixtures for cleaning, and enzyme systems for soil breakdown, where the synergistic interaction of components compensates for lower pH
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional detergent composition where sulfonated polymers simultaneously provide shine, filming reduction, and soil suspension; citrate builders provide both water softening and buffering; and surfactant-enzyme combinations handle multiple soil types, allowing one system to perform multiple functions that previously required high pH
4Object-affected harmful factors
If builder-free formulation is used, then filming is reduced, but cleaning mechanism must be alternative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to neutral/slightly acidic range where traditional builders would precipitate and cause filming, forcing the development of alternative cleaning mechanisms based on surfactant-enzyme-sulfonated polymer interactions that work effectively at lower pH without calcium salt formation
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 achieves good cleaning and shine performance in both single and multi-cycle conditions without the use of builders, reducing filming and spotting, and allows for the use of lower bleach levels, which are activated faster at lower temperatures, enhancing overall dishwashing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pH regulator system, including a mixture of an acid and a conjugate salt, which maintains the wash liquor pH within a narrow range
Implementation Method 2
The composition comprises a sulfonated polymer... providing effective cleaning, shine, and care while minimizing filming and spotting
Implementation Method 3
provide a pH range in which bleaches are effective (the hydroperoxide anion is a valuable bleaching species)
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic dishwashing detergent composition having a pH as measured in 1% weight aqueous solution at 25°C of from about 5 to about 7.5, the composition comprising a sulfonated polymer.