Pearlescent Liquid Cleaning Composition with Shear-Thinning Rheology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid laundry and hard surface cleaning compositions struggle to stably suspend pearlescent agents, leading to separation and unsightly deposits on treated surfaces, which affect the appearance and perceived cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A pearlescent liquid treatment composition with a rheology modifier that provides high shear viscosity at 20 sec−1 and low shear viscosity at 0.05 sec−1, combined with pearlescent agents having a D0.99 volume particle size of less than 50 μm and a refractive index difference greater than 0.02, ensuring stable suspension and reduced surface deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the viscosity of the composition is increased to prevent separation of particulates, then the stability of suspension is improved, but the composition becomes too viscous to be poured and used effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies shear-thinning rheology where the viscosity of the composition dynamically changes based on applied shear stress. At rest (low shear), the composition maintains high viscosity to keep particulates suspended. During pouring or application (high shear), the viscosity decreases automatically, allowing easy flow and application. This dynamic viscosity adjustment resolves the contradiction between suspension stability and pourability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the composition by incorporating shear-thinning agents that modify viscosity based on shear rate. The composition is designed to have different viscosity characteristics at different shear rates: high viscosity at low shear (for suspension) and low viscosity at high shear (for pourability). This parameter change approach allows the same composition to satisfy both contradictory requirements under different conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If pearlescent agents are incorporated to achieve pearlescent appearance, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but deposits form on treated surfaces creating unsightly residues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the pearlescent agents to less than 50 μm (D0.99). This size reduction prevents the particles from settling and depositing on surfaces while maintaining their light-reflecting properties. The modified particle size parameter allows the composition to deliver pearlescent aesthetics without the harmful effect of visible surface deposits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces large, visible pearlescent particles with fine, sub-50 μm particles that behave differently in terms of suspension and deposition. The mechanical properties (particle size, shape, and distribution) are substituted to achieve the same optical effect without the detrimental deposition behavior associated with larger particles.
3Illumination intensity
If larger pearlescent particles are used to enhance visual effect, then the pearlescent appearance is improved, but the particles separate and settle more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter of pearlescent agents to a specific range (less than 50 μm D0.99). This parameter change achieves the optimal balance between visual effect and suspension stability. Particles in this size range are small enough to remain suspended in the liquid composition without rapid settling, yet large enough to effectively reflect and refract light to produce the desired pearlescent appearance.
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 effectively maintains a stable pearlescent effect while preventing surface deposits, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and cleaning performance of the liquid compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a rheology modifier capable of increasing the viscosity of the composition to stably suspend the pearlescent agents
Implementation Method 2
pearlescent agents include inorganic natural substances, such as mica, bismuth oxychloride and titanium dioxide
Implementation Method 3
Pearlescence can be achieved by incorporation and suspension of a pearlescent agent in the liquid composition
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided a pearlescent liquid treatment composition suitable for use as a laundry or hard surface cleaning composition comprising a rheology modifier providing a pouring viscosity at 20 sec−1 of from 50 to 700 cps, a viscosity at constant low stress of 0.1 Pa which is at least 300 cps, preferably 500 cps and a pearlescent agent, said pearlescent agent having D0.99 volume particle size of less than 60 μm.