Process for treating a fabric and related compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry detergent compositions often fail to provide multiple benefits to fabrics, such as improved softness, whiteness, stain removal, and odor control, especially in rinse cycles without surfactants, and may not be environmentally friendly or consumer-preferred due to the use of fabric softeners and high viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A process and composition involving a liquid laundry additive with high levels of metal sequestration agents, particularly citric acid, at acidic pH, used in both wash and rinse cycles to sequester calcium and other metals, facilitating surfactant removal, stain inhibition, and malodor control, while being environmentally friendly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fabric softeners are used in rinse cycles, then fabric softness is improved, but fabric purity and environmental friendliness deteriorate due to chemical deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the rinse composition by using high concentrations of metal sequestration agents (12-50% by weight) at acidic pH levels (1-6), replacing traditional fabric softener chemistry with a metal-binding approach that achieves fabric benefits without harmful deposits
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes metal ions (calcium, magnesium, and other multivalent cations) from the rinse water through sequestration, preventing these metals from forming deposits on fabric while still achieving softness and other benefits without traditional softener chemicals
2Reliability
If traditional laundry additives are used in rinse cycles, then fabric benefits are provided, but surfactant-free performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves effective fabric treatment in surfactant-free rinse cycles by utilizing high concentrations of metal sequestration agents at acidic pH, which provide multiple benefits including softness, whiteness, and stain removal without requiring surfactants that leave residues
Solution Approach 2:
The metal sequestration agent composition performs multiple functions simultaneously: sequestering metals to prevent deposits, providing fabric softness, maintaining whiteness, controlling odors, and preventing stain formation, all in a single surfactant-free rinse treatment
3Reliability
If high levels of metal sequestration agents are used, then multiple fabric benefits are achieved, but composition cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses metal sequestration agents at high concentrations to achieve multiple fabric benefits simultaneously (softness, whiteness, stain prevention, odor control) through a single compositional approach, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment products and simplifying the overall laundry regimen
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple fabric care functions into a single rinse composition based on metal sequestration agents, merging softening, whitening, and stain prevention capabilities that were traditionally provided by separate products into one unified formulation
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 process and composition effectively improve fabric softness, whiteness, stain removal, and malodor control, providing multiple benefits without the need for surfactants in the rinse cycle and promoting environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid laundry additive composition that includes at least 12%, or at least 15%, preferably at least 18%, more preferably at least about 20%, by weight of the acidic rinse composition, of a metal sequestration agent
Data Source
AI summary
Laundry additive compositions that include a metal sequestration agent and that may be characterized by an acidic pH. Related methods of treating a fabric, for example with a wash liquor and a rinse liquor, with such compositions and/or agents. Uses of such laundry additive compositions.