Particulate Laundry Softener Additive for Stable Single-Step Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers find it inconvenient to dose separate laundry detergent and softening compositions due to incompatibility issues, leading to stability problems and decreased cleaning performance when combined, and the need for a solid form that can be dispensed together with detergent during the washing step.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising particles with a water-soluble carrier, quaternary ammonium compound, and cationic polymer, allowing for separate packaging and dosing of fabric softening with detergent, providing softening benefits during the wash cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid detergent composition and softening composition are combined in a single package, then convenient dosing is achieved, but stability decreases due to precipitate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the softening composition into discrete particles that are physically separated within the liquid detergent composition. Each particle contains cationic polymer and quaternary ammonium compound encapsulated in a matrix, preventing direct contact and reaction with anionic surfactants in the liquid detergent until the particle dissolves during the wash cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The particle matrix acts as an intermediary barrier between the cationic softening agents and the anionic surfactants. The water-soluble carrier material gradually dissolves during the wash cycle, releasing the softening agents in a controlled manner that prevents premature precipitation while maintaining stability in the liquid detergent composition during storage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If liquid softening composition is used separately, then stability is maintained, but ease of operation decreases due to separate dosing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the liquid detergent composition and softening composition into a single dosing location by incorporating particles containing softening agents directly into the liquid detergent. Consumers dose both cleaning and softening products simultaneously in one location, eliminating the need for separate dosing compartments or steps.
3Ease of operation
If solid form softening composition is used, then ease of operation improves for single location dosing, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention controls particle characteristics including size, shape, and composition ratios to optimize both manufacturing feasibility and dosing performance. Particles are formulated with specific weight fractions of cationic polymer (0.5-10%), quaternary ammonium compound (5-45%), and water-soluble carrier (25-94%), with mass ranges from 1 mg to 1 g, allowing flexible manufacturing while maintaining dosing convenience.
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 dosing and customization of softening composition, improving fabric softness while maintaining cleaning performance by avoiding incompatibility issues and messiness.
Implementation Method 1
a water soluble carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A composition including a plurality of particles, the plurality of particles including: about 25% to about 94% by weight a water soluble carrier; about 5% to about 45% by weight a quaternary ammonium compound; and about 0.5% to about 10% by weight a cationic polymer; wherein the plurality of particles comprises individual particles that comprise at least one of the quaternary ammonium compound and the cationic polymer; wherein the individual particles differ from one another in weight fraction of at least one of the quaternary ammonium compound and the cationic polymer; and wherein the individual particles each have a mass from about 1 mg to about 1 g.