Quaternised Acrylic Copolymer Detergent for Soft Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid hand dishwashing detergent compositions with quaternised acrylic copolymers have poor performance in soft water conditions, leading to slower drying times of dishware, and require high levels of alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants to improve drying speed.
Innovation Solution
A liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition comprising a quaternised acrylic copolymer and a surfactant system with an anionic surfactant and co-surfactant in a weight ratio of less than 1.5:1, which includes amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, improving the drying speed without relying on high levels of alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If quaternised acrylic copolymers are used to improve drying speed, then water sheeting and beading are improved, but performance deteriorates in soft water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines quaternised acrylic copolymer with a specifically formulated surfactant system containing anionic surfactant and co-surfactant (amphoteric or zwitterionic) in a weight ratio of less than 1.5:1. This composite surfactant system enhances the performance of the quaternised acrylic copolymer in soft water conditions, ensuring consistent drying speed improvement across different water hardness levels without requiring high levels of alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants.
2Speed
If high levels of alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants are used to improve drying speed, then drying time is reduced, but formulation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from using high levels of alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants to using a surfactant system with anionic surfactant and co-surfactant in a weight ratio of less than 1.5:1. This parameter change achieves improved drying speed while simplifying the formulation and reducing costs, as the new surfactant system is more efficient and requires lower concentrations to achieve the same or better performance.
3Speed
If alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants are used to improve water sheeting, then drying time is reduced, but the effectiveness is reduced without quaternised acrylic copolymers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges quaternised acrylic copolymer with a surfactant system containing anionic surfactant and co-surfactant (amphoteric or zwitterionic) in a weight ratio of less than 1.5:1. This combination creates a synergistic effect where the quaternised acrylic copolymer and surfactant system work together to improve water sheeting and beading, achieving effective drying speed improvement without relying on high levels of alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants.
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 enhances the drying speed of dishware after rinsing, particularly in soft water conditions, by improving water sheeting and beading, while maintaining effective grease removal and suds mileage.
Implementation Method 1
The use of quaternised acrylic copolymers for improving the speed of drying is known. Such copolymers increase the speed of drying by improving the sheeting of water off the dishware and improving beading of the water.
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant system comprises: anionic surfactant; and co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of: amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition includes a quaternised acrylic copolymer, and from 5.0% to 50% by weight of the liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition of a surfactant system. The surfactant system includes anionic surfactant; and co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant and co-surfactant are present in a weight ratio of less than about 1.5:1.