Particulate Laundry Softener for Stable Through-Wash 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 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, cationic polysaccharide, and hydrophobic conditioning compounds, allowing for simultaneous dosing with detergent in a single location without forming precipitates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If liquid detergent composition and liquid softening composition are combined in a single package, then convenience of dosing is improved, but stability of the combination deteriorates due to formation of solid precipitate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of dosingVSAvoidstability of the combination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the softening composition from liquid to solid particulate form. This parameter change allows the cationic surfactant to be delivered in a solid carrier that does not immediately react with the anionic detergent in liquid form, thereby maintaining stability while enabling convenient combined dosing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The softening composition is segmented into discrete solid particles containing cationic surfactant. These particles are designed to dissolve and release the cationic surfactant during the wash cycle, preventing premature reaction with the liquid detergent while maintaining the ability to be dosed together conveniently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If liquid softening composition is used separately from detergent composition, then stability is maintained, but convenience of dosing deteriorates due to requirement of dosing to different locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of the combinationVSAvoidconvenience of dosing

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the dosing of detergent and softening composition into a single location (the wash basin). The solid particulate softening composition is designed to be dosed together with liquid detergent into the same container, eliminating the need for separate dosing locations while maintaining stability through controlled release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If solid particulate softening composition is used, then convenience of dosing and cleanliness are improved, but the ability to provide through-the-wash softening deteriorates compared to liquid formulations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of dosingVSAvoidduration of softening action

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The solid particulate softening composition is designed to dissolve and release the cationic surfactant during the wash cycle itself, providing preliminary softening action during washing rather than only during drying. This allows the softening to begin in the wash basin and continue through the drying phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 process, reducing messiness and maintaining cleaning performance by avoiding compatibility issues between anionic and cationic surfactants.

Implementation Method 1

comprising a water-soluble carrier, cationic polysaccharide, and hydrophobic conditioning compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

avoiding compatibility issues between anionic and cationic surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 3

hydrophobic conditioning compounds, allowing for simultaneous dosing with detergent in a single location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250382546A1Particulate laundry softening wash additive

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

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 cationic polysaccharide; 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.