Particulate Fabric Softener Composition for Stable Through-Wash 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, and existing solid softening agents do not provide sufficient softness or cause uneven deposition.

Innovation Solution

A through-the-wash fabric softening composition in particulate form, comprising a water-soluble carrier and branched polyester, optionally with a cationic polymer, allowing for separate dosing from detergent and providing even softness distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If liquid detergent composition and softening composition are combined in a single package, then consumer convenience is improved by dosing to a single location, but stability deteriorates due to formation of solid precipitate from anionic surfactant and cationic surfactant incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing convenienceVSAvoidproduct stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the softening composition into separate particulate form containing cationic surfactant, which can be dosed together with liquid detergent (anionic surfactant) without forming precipitate. The particulate formulation segments the incompatible components spatially and physically, allowing them to coexist in the same washing machine dose without direct contact that would cause precipitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the softening composition from liquid to solid particulate form. This parameter change allows the cationic surfactant to be delivered in a stable solid form that does not immediately react with the liquid anionic detergent, preventing precipitate formation while maintaining dosing convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If commonly known softening agents are incorporated in solid form, then dosing convenience is improved, but softening performance deteriorates due to insufficient softness or uneven deposition causing spotting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing convenienceVSAvoidsoftening performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite particulate formulation that combines cationic surfactant with compatible excipients and carriers in a controlled matrix. This composite structure ensures uniform distribution of the softening agent, proper dissolution characteristics, and even deposition on fabric without spotting, while maintaining the dosing convenience of solid particulate form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 and effective softening during the washing process, with customizable softening benefits and reduced mess, while maintaining cleaning performance by avoiding incompatibility issues.

Implementation Method 1

a water-soluble carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP3802662B1Particulate laundry softening wash additive

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A composition including a plurality of particles, the particles including: about 25% to about 94% by weight a water-soluble carrier; about 5% to about 45% by weight of a branched polyester; and an optional deposition aid; wherein each of the particles can have a mass from about 1 mg to about 1 g.