Nonionic Surfactant System for Cold Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home care compositions, such as dish soap, often compromise on stability at cold temperatures to achieve desired foaming properties, leading to issues like viscosity changes and formation of 'gelled pockets at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant system comprising a non-ionic surfactant, such as polyglyceryl-3 laurate, combined with a zwitterionic and anionic surfactant, along with a liquid carrier like soft water, maintains stability and foaming characteristics even at temperatures as low as -10°C, preventing viscosity changes and 'gelled pockets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foaming agents are incorporated to enhance cleansing, then cleansing performance is improved, but stability at cold temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional foaming agents with a non-ionic surfactant system that maintains effective cleansing performance while providing stability at cold temperatures. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by finding a surfactant formulation that achieves both cleansing efficacy and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system comprising non-ionic surfactants in combination with other ingredients that work synergistically to provide both foaming/cleansing properties and cold temperature stability. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve multiple performance requirements simultaneously.
2Productivity
If traditional surfactant systems are used to achieve foaming properties, then foaming is enhanced, but viscosity changes and gelled pockets form at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surfactant system parameters by selecting non-ionic surfactants with specific molecular structures that remain soluble and maintain consistent viscosity across a wide temperature range, preventing gel formation while preserving foaming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-ionic surfactant acts as an intermediary that mediates between the conflicting requirements of foaming performance and viscosity stability. Its unique molecular structure allows it to provide the necessary surface activity for foaming while simultaneously maintaining solution stability at low temperatures.
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 stable, effective foaming and cleaning performance across a range of temperatures without sacrificing stability, ensuring consistent viscosity and foaming properties.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant system comprising a non-ionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are home care compositions comprising: a surfactant system comprising a non-ionic surfactant; and a carrier.