Plastic Rinse Aid Surfactant Composition for Spot-Free Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surfactant systems for plastics and other wares in warewashing applications lack effective sheeting, wetting, and drying properties, often resulting in spotting and inefficient rinsing.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant system comprising nonionic alcohol alkoxylates and Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, combined with specific surfactant polymers, providing improved sheeting, wetting, and drying properties at low active levels, suitable for both high and low temperature applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surfactant systems are used for plastics and wares in warewashing applications, then basic cleaning function is provided, but sheeting, wetting, and drying properties are insufficient resulting in spotting and inefficient rinsing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system combining multiple nonionic surfactants (alcohol alkoxylates with specific EO/PO ratios) and anionic surfactants (alkyl polyglucosides) in defined proportions. This composite formulation creates synergistic effects that enhance sheeting, wetting, and drying properties beyond what individual surfactants can achieve, thereby preventing spotting and filming on plastic surfaces while maintaining compatibility with warewashing applications
2Reliability
If higher surfactant concentrations are used to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but cost and potential harm to plastics increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of different surfactant components within specific ranges (e.g., nonionic surfactant 20-60%, anionic surfactant 10-40%). By precisely controlling these parameter ranges, the formulation achieves effective cleaning at lower total surfactant concentrations, reducing the risk of plastic damage while maintaining cleaning performance. The balanced composition allows each surfactant type to work at optimal levels without excessive concentration
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional rinse aids are used to promote drying and prevent spotting, then some drying effect is achieved, but performance on plastic wares is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent tailors the surfactant system specifically for plastic surface compatibility by selecting nonionic surfactants with specific hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values and incorporating plastic-compatible anionic surfactants. This localized optimization for plastic surfaces ensures effective sheeting and drying on plastics without the spotting issues that conventional rinse aids cause, while still providing adequate performance on other ware materials
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 surfactant system achieves enhanced rinsing performance with reduced spotting and filming on plastic surfaces, requiring lower surfactant concentrations while maintaining effective cleaning and drying capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Rinsing, wetting and sheeting agents are used in a variety of applications to lower the surface tension of water to allow a solution to wet surfaces more effectively
Implementation Method 2
Rinse aids or rinsing agents are conventionally used in warewashing applications to promote drying and to prevent the formation of spots on the ware being washed
Data Source
AI summary
Surfactant systems and compositions incorporating the same are disclosed for use as rinse aids on plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions include both liquid and solid formulations, along with methods of use for treating plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions provide synergistic combinations allowing lower actives in composition formulations of the plastic-compatible surfactant systems providing good sheeting, wetting and drying properties.