Polymeric Perfume Sponge for Fabric Softener Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric softeners suffer from high perfume waste during the laundry process, with 50 to 70% of perfume ingredients remaining in the wash solution and not being deposited on fabrics, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linked polymeric material designed to act as a 'perfume sponge' is incorporated into fabric softening compositions, enhancing the deposition efficiency of volatile perfume ingredients onto fabrics by using a combination of cationic or nonionic softening compounds, cross-linked polymers, and specific monomers and cross-linking agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional liquid fabric softeners are used, then the composition provides perfume fragrance, but 50 to 70% of perfume ingredients remain in the wash solution and are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (polymer or particulate material) that mediates between the perfume and the fabric. This intermediary captures the perfume ingredients and facilitates their transfer to the fabric surface, preventing direct loss to the wash solution. The intermediary acts as a carrier that improves deposition efficiency while reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous polymer or particulate materials that can absorb and retain perfume ingredients within their porous structure. These porous materials serve as reservoirs that release perfume onto the fabric during the drying process, thereby improving deposition efficiency and reducing perfume waste in the wash solution.
2Quantity of substance
If more perfume is added to increase fragrance intensity, then the fragrance strength increases, but the cost of the fabric softener increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the delivery mechanism parameter from direct liquid perfume to polymer-bound or particulate-bound perfume. This parameter change allows for more efficient perfume utilization, meaning less perfume is needed to achieve the same fragrance effect, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining fragrance intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials combining perfume with polymer or particulate carriers. This composite approach allows for controlled release and improved deposition efficiency, reducing the total perfume quantity needed while maintaining effective fragrance levels, thus lowering manufacturing costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cross-linked cationic vinyl polymers are used as thickening agents, then the composition viscosity increases, but perfume deposition efficiency does not significantly improve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the polymer or particulate material multi-functional: it serves both as a thickening agent (providing viscosity stability) and as a perfume carrier (improving deposition efficiency). This universal material performs multiple functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between maintaining composition stability and improving perfume delivery.
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 polymeric material significantly increases perfume deposition efficiency on fabrics, allowing for a substantial reduction in waste and cost, while providing a longer-lasting fragrance and enabling the formulation of new perfume notes.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric material capable of retaining volatile perfume ingredients
Implementation Method 2
increasing the efficiency of perfume deposition on fabrics
Data Source
AI summary
Fabric softening compositions comprising polymeric materials capable of retaining volatile perfume ingredients are disclosed, as well as methods of softening fabrics.