Laundry Composition Polymer Complex Biocide Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry products with anti-microbial properties often require high doses of anti-microbial agents and do not effectively target both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including common skin flora like Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, for prolonged hygiene efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the deposition of a polymer complex comprising polymers A and B, where polymer A is selected from carboxylic acid homopolymers or copolymers and polymer B from alkylene oxides, vinyl pyrrolidone, or vinyl alcohol, combined with a quaternary ammonium biocide, onto fabrics, allowing for enhanced and lasting anti-microbial effects without rinsing, thereby achieving effective bacterial kill under standard test conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high doses of anti-microbial agents are used, then anti-microbial activity is improved, but safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer complex acts as an intermediary carrier that binds the quaternary ammonium biocide and facilitates its controlled release onto fabric. This mediator system allows the active ingredient to be delivered effectively while reducing the need for high doses, thereby maintaining anti-microbial activity while improving safety
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite system consisting of a polymer complex (combining polymer A and polymer B) with quaternary ammonium biocide. This composite material provides enhanced anti-microbial efficacy at lower concentrations compared to using the biocide alone, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If low doses of anti-microbial agents are used, then safety is improved, but anti-microbial efficacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the biocide delivery system by using a polymer complex with specific properties (polymer A from carboxylic acid and polymer B from alkylene oxides/vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl alcohol). This parameter change enables the biocide to be more effective at lower concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer complex serves as an intermediary that enhances the performance of low doses of quaternary ammonium biocide, allowing safety to be improved while maintaining efficacy through the mediating作用 of the polymer system
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional laundry products are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but anti-microbial effectiveness against multiple bacteria types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a composite material system combining two different polymers (A and B) with quaternary ammonium biocide. This composite approach provides broad-spectrum anti-microbial effectiveness against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward deposition process
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer complex-biocide composition provides universal anti-microbial activity against multiple types of bacteria (both gram-positive and gram-negative). The system performs multiple functions: it delivers the biocide effectively, ensures broad-spectrum coverage, and maintains ease of manufacture through a simple deposition method
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 polymer complex with quaternary ammonium biocide achieves significant bacterial reduction and prolonged hygiene efficacy at low doses, outperforming separate components and commercial fabric conditioners in antibacterial tests, demonstrating improved and lasting anti-microbial properties.
Implementation Method 1
depositing a polymer complex comprising polymer A selected from the group of homopolymers and copolymers of carboxylic acid, and a polymer B selected from the group of homopolymers and copolymers of alkylene oxides, vinyl pyrrolidone; and/or the group of homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl alcohol, saccharides, hydroxyalkyl cellulose; wherein the polymer A and polymer B are not of the same class and an quaternary ammonium biocide to a fabric article
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for treatment of a fabric with anti-microbial material. It further relates to compositions for depositing such anti-microbial material onto a fabric. It is an object of the invention to use a laundry treatment composition, having good anti- microbial properties, at low levels of anti microbial agent. Surprisingly it has been found that a composition comprising a low amount of quaternary ammonium biocide and a polymer complex provides improved and lasting hygiene efficacy, leading to reduced mal odour during wear.