Functionalized Polyurethane Anti-Redeposition for Clear Liquid Detergents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-redeposition agents in detergents are not effective on synthetic fabrics, cause phase separation in low-water, highly concentrated liquid detergents, and are incompatible with positively charged additives, leading to aesthetically undesirable redeposition of soils and reduced transparency.
Innovation Solution
A polyurethane polymer with lateral poly(C2-C4 alkylene oxide) chains and acid groups is used, prepared by reacting polyisocyanates with specific compounds to enhance soil suspension and compatibility with various surfactants, maintaining clarity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anti-redeposition agents (carboxymethyl cellulose, modified cellulose ethers, polyesters, polyethylene glycol polyester copolymers, hydroxyl terminated polyurethanes) are used, then soil suspension properties are improved, but phase separation occurs in low-water, highly concentrated liquid detergents and incompatibility with positively charged additives occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the anti-redeposition agent by using polyisocyanates with specific functionality (2-2.5) and reacting them with compounds containing poly(C2-C4 alkylene oxide) chains and acid groups. This structural modification creates a polyurethane polymer that maintains soil suspension properties while eliminating phase separation and compatibility issues in concentrated liquid detergents.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polyurethane polymer structure combining multiple functional components: polyisocyanate backbone, lateral poly(C2-C4 alkylene oxide) chains, and acid groups. This composite structure integrates the benefits of each component to achieve both soil suspension and composition stability in challenging formulation conditions.
2Reliability
If conventional anti-redeposition agents are used, then soil redeposition is inhibited, but transparency is reduced in liquid detergents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of the anti-redeposition agent by selecting specific polyisocyanates and reaction compounds that form a polyurethane polymer with appropriate molecular weight and structure. This creates a polymer that provides soil redeposition inhibition without the clouding effect of conventional agents, maintaining liquid detergent transparency.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional anti-redeposition agents are used, then fabric whiteness is improved, but compatibility with positively charged additives is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the charge and compatibility parameters of the anti-redeposition agent by using polyisocyanates with functionality 2-2.5 and reacting them with compounds containing acid groups. This creates a polyurethane polymer with modified surface properties that maintains fabric whiteness enhancement while improving compatibility with positively charged additives through reduced electrostatic repulsion.
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 polyurethane polymer effectively inhibits soil redeposition on diverse fabrics, maintains composition stability, and ensures transparency in liquid detergents, addressing compatibility issues with other additives.
Implementation Method 1
Soil anti-redeposition agents are polymers that improve the whiteness or brightness of fabrics washed with the detergent by suspending the soil in the wash liquor after removal from the fabric and preventing soil redeposition onto the fabric during the remainder of the wash cycle.
Implementation Method 2
one or more compounds having at least one poly(C2-C4 alkylene oxide) chain and at least two groups which react with isocyanate groups and are located at one end of said compound such that the poly(C2-C4 alkylene oxide) chain is laterally disposed relative to the polyurethane polymer backbone
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to polymeric additives and their incorporation into cleaning compositions useful in household detergents and other related uses including, dishwash (institutional and consumer), hard surface cleaners and textile care. The disclosed cleaning compositions include a detersive agent and a soil redeposition inhibiting agent. In one aspect, the soil redeposition inhibiting agent is selected from a functionalized polyurethane polymer.