Polyester Terephthalate Polymer for Opaque Liquid Detergent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compact liquid laundry detergent compositions face challenges in achieving opacity without adding non-performance value opacifying agents, which limits their cleaning performance due to space constraints and the need to reduce concentrations of other cleaning ingredients.

Innovation Solution

A polymer composition comprising between 5% and 40% by weight of a polyester terephthalate with anionic groups, combined with 5% to 40% water and 55% to 85% non-aqueous solvent, provides opacity to liquid laundry detergent compositions without the need for additional opacifying agents, ensuring effective soil release benefits and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If opacifying agents are added to make the detergent composition opaque, then the aesthetic appearance and perceived effectiveness are improved, but the cleaning performance deteriorates due to reduced concentration of cleaning ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveopacityVSAvoidcleaning performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer composition serves dual functions: it provides cleaning performance through its active ingredients while simultaneously delivering opacity through its physical properties in the liquid detergent formulation, eliminating the need for separate opacifying agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of cleaning agent and opacifying agent into a single polymer composition, where the polymer itself and its associated ingredients provide both cleaning efficacy and optical opacity in one integrated formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of stationary object

If the detergent composition is made more compact to reduce bulk, then the environmental friendliness and packaging efficiency are improved, but the space for adding performance ingredients is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent volumeVSAvoidconcentration of cleaning ingredients
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the detergent formulation by using a polymer-based system that provides multiple functions (cleaning, opacity, and potential soil release) within a compact volume, allowing high active ingredient concentration without compromising opacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If non-aqueous solvent is used to achieve opacity, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the stability of the detergent composition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveopacityVSAvoidcomposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer composition acts as an intermediary substance that provides opacity without requiring large amounts of non-aqueous solvents, thereby maintaining the stability and compatibility of the overall detergent formulation while achieving the desired optical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3517597B1Polymer composition
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3517597B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a polymer composition and a method of making a liquid laundry detergent composition using the polymer composition.