Polymeric Fabric Softener for Volatile Perfume Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric softeners suffer from high perfume wastage during the laundry process, with 50-70% 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 as a 'perfume sponge' is used in fabric softening compositions to retain volatile perfume ingredients, enhancing deposition efficiency by incorporating specific vinyl monomers and cross-linking agents, such as acrylamide and divinyl cross-linking agents, which form a stable yet effective perfume retention system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional fabric softeners are used, then perfume is added to provide fragrance, but 50 to 70% of perfume ingredients remain in the wash solution and are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cross-linked polymeric material with porous structure that acts as a perfume sponge. The porous structure provides high surface area and absorption capacity, enabling the polymer to retain volatile perfume ingredients effectively while allowing controlled release during fabric treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite system combining cross-linked polymeric material with fabric softener composition. The polymeric material serves as a carrier matrix that composite with perfume ingredients, creating a delivery system that improves deposition efficiency while reducing waste.
2Quantity of substance
If cross-linked polymeric material is used to retain perfume, then deposition efficiency increases to at least 50%, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the polymeric material including cross-linking density (5,000 to 100,000 ppm divinyl cross-linking agent), monomer composition (at least one vinyl monomer), and functional groups (cationic or nonionic softening compounds). These parameter adjustments enable effective perfume retention while maintaining manageable formulation complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If volatile perfume ingredients are retained in the polymeric material, then deposition efficiency improves, but the stability of the fluid composition may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-linked polymeric material acts as a stable carrier that can withstand the fluid composition environment. Its cross-linked structure provides durability and stability, allowing it to retain volatile ingredients without compromising the overall stability of the fabric softener composition during storage and use.
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 on fabrics, achieving a deposition efficiency of at least 50% for volatile ingredients, reducing waste and allowing for the introduction of new perfume notes, with improved fragrance retention and release during use.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric material capable of retaining volatile perfume ingredients
Implementation Method 2
increasing the efficiency of perfume deposition on fabrics such as cotton
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.