Polyglycerol Ester Fabric Softeners for Low-Water Stable Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabric softening compositions face issues such as high cost, greasiness, hydrophobicity, formulation difficulties with anionic surfactants, and poor biodegradability, particularly in low-water formulations, and there is a need for environmentally friendly options with improved performance and deposition characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The use of polyglycerol esters (PGEs) combined with silicone materials in fabric treatment compositions, which offer improved softening, biodegradability, and viscosity, while providing a synergistic benefit for fabric feel and stability, and can be formulated in low-water or compacted forms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If quaternary ammonium compounds are used as fabric softening agents, then fabric softening performance is improved, but formulation difficulty increases due to flocculation/precipitation with anionic surfactants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric softening performanceVSAvoidformulation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses nonionic surfactants as intermediaries to bridge the incompatibility between quaternary ammonium compounds and anionic surfactants. The nonionic surfactant acts as a mediator that prevents direct interaction causing flocculation, allowing all three components to coexist in a stable formulation while maintaining fabric softening performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional fabric softening agents are used, then fabric softening is achieved, but biodegradability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric softening performanceVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the fabric softening agent by using polyglycerol esters with specific molecular weights and fatty acid compositions. These structural modifications maintain the fabric softening performance while improving biodegradability through the natural metabolism pathways of glycerol and common fatty acids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If low-water formulations are used, then storage stability is improved, but formulation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidformulation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material systems combining polyglycerol esters, nonionic surfactants, and other compatible ingredients in optimized ratios. This composite approach creates a synergistic formulation that maintains stability in low-water conditions while ensuring proper mixing and distribution of all components during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20120216353A1Benefit compositions comprising polyglycerol esters

Publication Date: 2012.08.30 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The instant disclosure relates to compositions comprising selected polyglycerol esters and a treatment and/or care agent. The disclosed compositions may be useful in fabric care compositions, for example, detergents, fabric softening compositions and the like. Methods of making and using compositions comprising polyglycerol esters and a treatment and/or care agent are also disclosed.