Stain Removal Agent Using Polymer Adhesion Promoter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stain removal agents fail to effectively remove difficult stains like cocoa, lipstick, turmeric, and underarm stains from textiles without damaging the fabric, and are inadequate for industrial-scale removal of resin, grease, or moss from hard surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A composition containing surfactants, an adhesion promoter such as alkylene styrene copolymers, and active substances like acids, bleaching agents, and hydrophobic solvents, which are released only in the presence of water to prevent tissue damage and enhance stain removal efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strong acids or oxidizing agents are used to remove difficult stains, then stain removal efficacy is improved, but fabric damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain removal efficacyVSAvoidfabric damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a polymer matrix as an intermediary carrier that holds the active stain-removing substances (acids, oxidizing agents). This matrix acts as a mediator between the harsh chemicals and the fabric, controlling the release and interaction of these substances to maintain efficacy while reducing damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and release parameters of the active substances by embedding them in a polymer matrix. The substances are transformed from free, aggressive forms to controlled, sustained-release forms, altering their interaction parameters with the fabric and stains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If conventional cleaning agents are applied to vertical or overhead surfaces, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the agents run off before acting, reducing contact time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidcontact time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a polymer matrix that forms a flexible, adherent film or gel layer on the surface being cleaned. This film structure conforms to surface geometry including vertical and overhead surfaces, preventing runoff while maintaining contact and allowing sustained action of the embedded active substances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If high concentrations of active substances are used to ensure complete stain removal, then stain removal efficacy is improved, but the risk of surface damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain removal efficacyVSAvoidsurface damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-embedding the active substances within the polymer matrix during formulation. This allows the substances to be positioned and concentrated where needed (in the matrix structure) before application, enabling controlled deployment at the moment of contact with the stain without requiring high bulk concentrations that would increase damage risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for effective and gentle removal of a wide variety of stains from both soft and hard surfaces, including underarm stains and industrial deposits, without damaging the treated surfaces, and is suitable for both domestic and industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

The composition according to the invention contains surfactants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

The composition according to the invention contains an adhesion promoter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

The composition according to the invention can also be used to remove contaminants from semiconductor surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical dissolution: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

US patent 7,214,652 B1 discloses a stabilized bleaching composition containing anionic cleaning agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 5

US Patent 4,968,447 teaches a cleaning agent composition for removing stains with a high proportion of organic solvents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3011002B1Agent for removing spots and deposits
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 BUCK SERVICE

AI summary

The invention relates to an agent for removing spots or deposits from hard or soft surfaces, which agent comprises surfactants, an adhesion promoter, and at least one active substance, wherein the adhesion promoter is selected from the group of the alkylene-styrene copolymers, the olefin homopolymers or olefin copolymers of two or more olefins, wherein the polymers can also be hydrogenated, and the polyalkylene derivatives, the active substance is an acid, an alkali, a bleaching agent, and/or hydrophobic organic solvent not bound in a gel, and the agent comprises either at least 10 wt% of at least one acid or at least 10 wt% of at least one alkali and/or at least 5 wt% of a bleaching agent and/or comprises at least 10 wt% of hydrophobic organic solvent not bound in a gel.