Non-Soap Detergent Bar Composition for Water Retention and Crack Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry detergent bars face challenges in achieving acceptable in-use wear rates, hardness, durability, rapid drying, low smear, and eco-friendliness, while reducing the use of sodium tri-polyphosphate due to environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A non-soap detergent bar composition comprising a detergent surfactant, builder, psyllium, hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, and sodium silicate, with a high water content, is formulated and extruded to create a solid bar with enhanced wear resistance and water retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sodium tri-polyphosphate (STPP) is used as a builder and structurant in laundry detergent bars, then good binding, longer wear times, alkalinity, anti-redeposition and cleaning efficiency are achieved, but environmental harm occurs due to phosphate eutrophication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding and wear timeVSAvoidenvironmental harm from phosphates
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes phosphates (STPP) from the detergent bar formulation entirely, extracting the harmful substance while replacing it with alternative builders like zeolites, citrates, or carboxymethyl cellulose that provide similar water softening and builder functions without causing eutrophication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces new builder substances as intermediaries to replace phosphates. These alternatives (zeolites, citrates, carboxymethyl cellulose) mediate between the need for water softening/cleaning performance and environmental protection, providing the necessary chemical functions without harmful phosphate release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If polycarboxylates are used as anti-redeposition agents in laundry bars, then anti-redeposition and sequestration performance is improved, but bar formation becomes difficult due to additional liquid content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-redeposition performanceVSAvoidbar formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical state and concentration parameters of polycarboxylates or uses alternative anti-redeposition agents in forms that do not require excessive liquid content. This allows maintaining anti-redeposition performance while enabling proper bar formation through extrusion by adjusting the balance of solid and liquid components in the formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If high water content is incorporated in non-soap detergent bars, then rapid drying and low smear are achieved, but bar stability and resistance to cracking deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapid dryingVSAvoidresistance to cracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining multiple polymers (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyacrylamide), builders, and fillers that work synergistically. This composite structure provides both the water retention needed for rapid drying upon use and the structural integrity to prevent cracking during storage, by distributing stress and maintaining moisture balance throughout the bar matrix

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12391905B2Non-soap detergent bar compositions
Publication Date: 2025.08.19 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A non-soap detergent bar is provided, comprising: a detergent surfactant; a builder; a psyllium; a cellulose derivative; a filler, wherein the filler includes sodium silicate; and water; wherein the non-soap detergent bar is a solid.