Laundry Pretreatment Composition Dispersion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry pretreatment compositions with non-surfactant benefit agents often exhibit poor dispersion characteristics in wash liquor, leading to localized high concentrations and spot staining on fabrics, which reduces their effectiveness and negatively impacts the consumer wash experience.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a laundry pretreatment composition containing between 0.0001% and 8% non-surfactant benefit agents and 40% to 80% of an alkoxylated alkyl surfactant system, which includes a first and second alkoxylated alkyl surfactant, along with an optional solvent, to improve dispersion and reduce localized concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-surfactant benefit agents are formulated into laundry pretreat compositions, then the composition provides beneficial effects (such as hueing, brightening, soil release), but the benefit agents exhibit poor dispersion characteristics and form localized areas of high concentration on the fabric

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of benefit agentVSAvoiddispersion uniformity of benefit agent

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses surfactants as intermediary substances to mediate between the non-surfactant benefit agents and the wash liquor. The surfactant system (comprising anionic, cationic, and/or non-ionic surfactants) acts as a carrier that improves the dispersion and distribution of benefit agents throughout the wash liquor, preventing localized high concentrations while maintaining the beneficial effects of the active ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the compositional parameters by formulating a balanced surfactant system with specific concentration ranges (anionic surfactant: 1-30 wt%, cationic surfactant: 1-30 wt%, non-ionic surfactant: 1-50 wt%) in combination with benefit agents at controlled concentrations (0.01-10 wt%). This parameter optimization ensures uniform dispersion while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-surfactant benefit agents are used in laundry pretreatment, then the composition can provide specific functional benefits, but localized high concentrations cause spot staining on fabrics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional benefit capabilityVSAvoidfabric staining

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Surfactants serve as intermediary carriers that control the release and distribution of benefit agents. The surfactant molecules interact with both the hydrophobic benefit agents and the aqueous wash liquor, ensuring uniform distribution and preventing localized accumulation that would cause spot staining, while still allowing the benefit agents to exert their functional effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of concentrated benefit agents (which cause staining) into a benefit by using surfactants to deliberately control their distribution. The surfactant system transforms the concentrated form into a uniformly distributed form, turning the staining risk into effective, evenly distributed treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If non-surfactant benefit agents are added to pretreatment compositions, then the composition offers additional functional benefits, but the overall effectiveness is reduced due to poor dispersion in wash liquor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebenefit agent functionalityVSAvoidoverall treatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant system acts as a mediator that bridges the benefit agents and the wash liquor environment. By forming micelles or associated structures, the surfactants solubilize and distribute the non-surfactant benefit agents uniformly throughout the wash liquor, ensuring that the functional benefits are reliably delivered to all fabrics in the wash load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation system combining surfactants (anionic, cationic, non-ionic) with non-surfactant benefit agents in specific proportion ranges. This composite material approach ensures synergistic interaction where the surfactant component enhances the dispersion and delivery of the benefit agent component, achieving both versatility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 composition effectively disperses non-surfactant benefit agents in the wash liquor, reducing localized high concentrations and fabric staining, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the pretreatment and improving the wash experience.

Implementation Method 1

Between 40% and 80% by weight of the composition of an alkoxylated alkyl surfactant system, wherein the alkoxylated alkyl surfactant comprise a first alkoxylated alkyl surfactant and a second alkoxylated alkyl surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS10336972B2Method of pretreating fabrics

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A method of laundering a fabric comprising the steps of: applying a laundry pretreat composition to a stain on a fabric in a pretreat step; and washing the fabric from step (a) in an automatic or semiautomatic washing machine or in a hand wash operation.