Perfume-Stable Fabric Treatment Particles Using PEG and Starch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particulate through-the-wash fabric treatment compositions face challenges in maintaining perfume stability during long supply chains, where high temperatures can lead to degradation of polymeric materials and changes in scent intensity, affecting consumer experience.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 40% to 95% polyethylene glycol, 0.1% to 20% perfume, and 0.1% to 50% starch granules with a dextrose equivalent from 0 to 40, providing homogeneous particles with a starch perfume load level of 0% to 10% by weight, which enhances perfume stability and uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the product is shipped in containers exposed to high temperatures during long supply chains, then the product can be delivered to retailers, but the perfume stability deteriorates due to degradation of polymeric materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymeric material as an intermediary carrier that encapsulates the perfume. This carrier protects the perfume from thermal degradation during transport through the supply chain, allowing the product to be delivered without compromising perfume stability. The polymeric material acts as a buffer between the harmful thermal environment and the sensitive perfume ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change properties of the polymeric material, which transitions from a solid at ambient temperature to a liquid at elevated temperatures (above its glass transition temperature). This parameter change enables the perfume to be released when needed while remaining stable during transport. The glass transition temperature of the polymer is specifically selected to be above ambient temperature but below typical shipping container temperatures, creating a thermal window for stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the polymeric material is exposed to high temperatures, then the material can be processed and perfume released, but the perfume decomposition rate increases leading to scent intensity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the glass transition temperature parameter of the polymeric material to control perfume release. By designing the system so that the polymer's glass transition temperature falls within a specific range (above ambient but below shipping temperatures), the perfume remains trapped during transport but releases reliably during washing when heated. This parameter selection ensures consistent scent intensity across different consumer experiences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary protective action by selecting a polymeric material with specific thermal properties that prevent perfume degradation during manufacturing and shipping. The polymer's glass transition temperature is chosen to be above ambient temperature, creating a preliminary barrier against thermal decomposition during storage and transport, while still allowing controlled release during the intended washing application.
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 ensures consistent perfume stability from manufacturing to consumer purchase, maintaining scent intensity and character, even under harsh environmental conditions, by using polyethylene glycol as a carrier and starch granules for improved stability and uniform particle formation.
Implementation Method 1
load a particulate carrier with perfume. The perfume can be one or both of encapsulated perfume and unencapsulated perfume. Carriers including water soluble polymers, salt, and sugar can be used as the carrier material
Implementation Method 2
about 0.1% to about 50% by weight starch granules, wherein said starch granules have a dextrose equivalent from 0 to about 40
Data Source
AI summary
A composition of a plurality of homogeneously structured particles. The particles include polyethylene glycol, perfume, and starch granules and each has a mass between about 0.95 mg and about 5 grams.