Opaque Liquid Detergent via Polymer Premix and Surfactant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact liquid laundry detergent compositions face challenges in achieving opacity without adding non-performance value opacifying agents, which can reduce the concentration of cleaning ingredients and affect performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a polymer premix with an anionic polyester terephthalate polymer and a surfactant premix, combined in specific ratios, to create an opaque liquid detergent composition without the need for additional opacifying agents, using a polymer premix comprising 5-40% anionic polyester terephthalate and 60-95% solvent, and a surfactant premix with 10-70% non-soap anionic surfactant, ensuring effective opacity and cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If opacifying agents are added to make the liquid detergent composition opaque, then the aesthetic appearance and consumer acceptance are improved, but the concentration of cleaning ingredients is reduced which affects overall cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an anionic polyester terephthalate polymer as an intermediary substance that simultaneously provides opacification and soil release benefits. This polymer acts as a mediator that fulfills both the aesthetic requirement (opacity) and the performance requirement (soil release) without requiring separate opacifying agents that would displace cleaning ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The anionic polyester terephthalate polymer performs multiple functions: it provides opacity to the liquid detergent composition, delivers soil release benefits on fabrics, and maintains compatibility with cleaning ingredients. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to choose between opacity and cleaning performance.
2Quantity of substance
If the liquid detergent composition is made compact to reduce water and bulking ingredients, then environmental friendliness and packaging efficiency are improved, but the space for adding opacifying agents is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anionic polyester terephthalate polymer serves multiple purposes in the compact formulation: it provides the necessary opacity, delivers soil release performance, and does not require additional bulk. This allows the detergent to be formulated with reduced water content while maintaining both compactness and opacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the formulation parameters by using a polymer-based system that provides opacity through its inherent properties rather than through high-volume opacifying agents. This allows for lower water content and more concentrated formulations while maintaining the desired opaque appearance.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods are used to add polyester terephthalate to liquid detergent, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the composition does not achieve sufficient opacity without additional opacifying agents
Solution Approach 1:
The anionic polyester terephthalate polymer acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple manufacturing and effective opacity. By selecting a polymer with inherent opacifying properties and soil release capability, the formulation achieves the desired optical properties without requiring additional opacifying agents, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 method successfully produces an opaque liquid detergent composition with enhanced soil release benefits and cleaning performance, maintaining the concentration of cleaning ingredients while eliminating the need for non-performance value adding opacifying agents.
Implementation Method 1
an anionic polyester terephthalate polymer, wherein the anionic polyester terephthalate polymer has a polyester terephthalate backbone grafted with one or more anionic groups
Implementation Method 2
preparing a polymer premix, wherein the polymer premix comprises i. between 5% and 40% by weight of the polymer premix of an anionic polyester terephthalate polymer; ii. between 60% and 95% by weight of the polymer premix of a solvent
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of making an opaque liquid detergent composition.