Particulate Laundry Softener Composition for Single-Location Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers find it inconvenient to dose separate laundry detergent and fabric softening compositions due to incompatibility issues, leading to stability problems and decreased cleaning performance, and desire a single-location dosing solution for both.
Innovation Solution
A through-the-wash fabric softening composition in particulate form, comprising a water-soluble carrier, cationic polysaccharide, and hydrophobic conditioning compounds, allowing for separate packaging and convenient dosing with laundry detergent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid detergent composition and liquid softening composition are combined in a single package, then convenient single-location dosing is achieved, but the anionic surfactant and cationic surfactant combine to form a solid precipitate resulting in stability problems and decreased cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the softening composition into separate particulate form containing cationic surfactants, which can be dosed together with liquid detergent in the same dispenser without causing precipitation. The particulate structure prevents direct contact and reaction between anionic and cationic surfactants until the particulates dissolve in the wash water, resolving the stability issue while maintaining dosing convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the softening composition from liquid to particulate form. This parameter change allows the cationic surfactants to be packaged and dosed separately from the anionic detergent while still being introduced to the same location, eliminating the precipitation problem that occurs when liquid softeners are mixed with liquid detergents.
2Stability of the object's composition
If liquid softening composition is used separately from detergent composition, then stability and cleaning performance are maintained, but consumers must dose to different locations which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the dosing locations of detergent and softener by introducing both to the same dispenser compartment. The liquid detergent is dosed from one compartment while the particulate softening composition is dosed from another compartment, but both are delivered to the same location in the washing machine, combining the dosing process while maintaining composition stability.
3Ease of operation
If softening composition is applied during the drying step using fabric softening sheets, then softening is achieved, but cleaning and softening are performed separately requiring multiple products and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a multi-functional approach where the particulate softening composition can be dosed together with detergent in the washing machine during the washing step, eliminating the need for separate drying-step softening. This allows cleaning and softening to occur simultaneously in one process rather than requiring separate steps.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If small particle size softening actives are used to avoid fabric staining, then fabric quality is improved, but the actives can crystallize during processing due to temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite particulate structure where cationic surfactants are embedded within particulate carriers. This composite structure prevents crystallization of the softening actives during processing while maintaining small effective particle size for fabric application, resolving both the staining and crystallization issues.
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
Enables convenient, customizable softening during the washing step with improved stability and reduced mess, while maintaining cleaning performance by avoiding the need for separate dosing of detergent and softening compositions.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a water soluble carrier
Implementation Method 2
about 5% to about 45% by weight a first hydrophobic conditioning compound; about 0.5% to about 10% by weight a cationic polysaccharide
Data Source
AI summary
A composition including a plurality of particles, the plurality of particles comprising: about 25% to about 93% by weight a water soluble carrier; about 5% to about 45% by weight a first hydrophobic conditioning compound having a weight average molecular weight greater than 1000 Da; about 0.5% to about 10% by weight a cationic polysaccharide; and nonionic surfactant; and wherein individual particles of the plurality of particles have a mass from about 1 mg to about 1 g.