Particulate Laundry Softener for Through-the-Wash Compatibility
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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 when combined, and the need for separate application in different locations within the washing machine and dryer.
Innovation Solution
A through-the-wash fabric softening composition in particulate form, comprising a water-soluble carrier, hydrophobic conditioning compounds, and a deposition aid, allowing for separate packaging and dosing with laundry detergent, ensuring compatibility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid detergent composition and softening composition are combined in a single package, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of the object's composition deteriorates due to precipitate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the softening composition from liquid to solid particulate form. This parameter change allows the softening agent to be packaged separately from the liquid detergent, preventing chemical incompatibility and precipitate formation while maintaining ease of operation through simple mixing in the wash drum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the laundry care system into two separate products: liquid detergent composition and solid fabric softening particles. This segmentation resolves the stability issue by preventing direct contact between incompatible anionic and cationic surfactants, while the separate packaging and dosing mechanisms maintain convenience for the consumer.
2Reliability
If liquid softening composition is applied during rinsing step, then softening performance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to separate dosing locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the softening function with the washing process by adding solid fabric softening particles to the wash drum during the washing step. This merging eliminates the need for separate dosing locations and steps, allowing consumers to dose both detergent and softener together while maintaining effective softening performance through the wash.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-mixing the fabric softening agent with the detergent in the wash drum before the main washing action. This preliminary combination ensures uniform distribution and effective softening from the outset, eliminating the need for separate rinsing step dosing.
3Ease of operation
If anionic surfactant and cationic surfactant are combined in liquid form, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to precipitate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the cationic surfactant from liquid to solid particulate form. This parameter change prevents the formation of harmful precipitates when mixed with anionic surfactants in the liquid detergent, while still allowing the two products to be easily combined by the consumer in the wash drum.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid particulate form acts as an intermediary that prevents direct harmful interaction between anionic and cationic surfactants. The solid particles dissolve gradually in the wash water, releasing the cationic surfactant slowly and preventing immediate precipitate formation, thus mediating the incompatibility issue.
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 composition provides convenient, customizable softening benefits by allowing consumers to dose a single product, reducing messiness and maintaining cleaning performance while avoiding the formation of solid precipitates.
Implementation Method 1
a water soluble carrier
Implementation Method 2
a first hydrophobic conditioning compound
Implementation Method 3
a deposition aid
Data Source
AI summary
A composition including a plurality of particles, the plurality of particles comprising: about 25% to about 89% 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; and about 0.5% to about 10% by weight a deposition aid; about 5% to about 50% by weight a nonhalide salt; and wherein individual particles of the plurality of particles have a mass from about 1 mg to about 1 g.