Packaged Mixed-Particle Composition for Flowability and Segregation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in combining particles with different shapes to maintain good flowability during manufacturing and storage while avoiding potential segregation during storage and usage in consumers' homes, especially in laundry products that provide visual appeal and enhance scent.
Innovation Solution
A fabric care composition comprising a mixture of first particles with a specific shape and size range, and second particles with a different shape and larger size, aspect ratio, and mass, which are uniformly blended to ensure desired flowability and stability against segregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If particles with different shapes are combined to provide visual appeal and signal different benefits, then consumer attraction and product differentiation are improved, but flowability during manufacturing and storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the aspect ratio of the second particles to be within 1.05 to 2.5, and by specifying precise size ranges (mass of 5 mg to 500 mg, maximum dimension of less than 10 mm). These parameter specifications ensure that particles of different shapes maintain compatible flow characteristics while still providing visual differentiation, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appeal and manufacturability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If particles with different shapes and sizes are mixed to show signals of different benefits, then product functionality is improved, but segregation during storage and usage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves segregation issues by implementing specific parameter ranges: the second particles have an aspect ratio of more than 1 and less than 10, and their mass is equal to or larger than the first particles. The composition specifies that first particles constitute 50% to 95% by weight and second particles constitute 5% to 50% by weight. These controlled parameters ensure uniform blending and prevent segregation while maintaining the ability to signal different benefits through particle shape differentiation.
3Ease of operation
If mixed particle composition is created to provide visual pleasure and benefit signals, then consumer experience is improved, but manufacturing and storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the manufacturing and storage of mixed particle compositions by establishing clear parameter guidelines: first particles are hemispherical, compressed hemispherical, or heightened hemispherical with mass from 5 mg to 500 mg and maximum dimension less than 10 mm; second particles have different shapes with aspect ratio from more than 1 to 10 and mass equal to or larger than first particles. These standardized parameters reduce formulation complexity while enabling rich consumer experience through visual differentiation and benefit signaling.
Data Source
AI summary
A composition including a plurality of first particles, and a plurality of second particles. Each of said first particles has a mass from 5 mg to 500 mg; each of said first particles has a maximum dimension of less than about 10 mm, and each of said first particles has a first shape selected from the group consisting of hemispherical, compressed hemispherical or heightened hemispherical. Each of said second particles has a mass equal to or larger than the mass of the first particles; and each of said second particles has a second shape which is different from the first shape of the first particle. Each of said second particles has an aspect ratio of more than 1 and less than 10. The plurality of first particles and the plurality of second particles are in a package.