Salt-Coated Speckles for Delayed Color Release in Laundry Detergents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing colored speckles in laundry detergents face issues of fabric staining and bleeding, where the colorants used in speckles can transfer to surrounding detergent powder and fabrics, and there is a need for controlled, delayed color release in wash water.

Innovation Solution

The development of colored speckles comprising a salt or salt-containing carrier with a water-insoluble salt coating, where a water-soluble salt reacts with the carrier to form a water-insoluble precipitate, delaying the release of the coloring agent into wash water and preventing bleeding into surrounding detergent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If colored speckles use water-soluble dyes or pigments to provide aesthetic color and fabric hueing effects, then color release and fabric coloring are improved, but fabric staining and bleeding to surrounding detergent powder occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor release effectVSAvoidfabric staining

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a water-insoluble salt coating as an intermediary layer between the water-soluble coloring agent and the external environment. This coating acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact and transfer of the coloring agent to fabrics and surrounding detergent powder, thereby eliminating staining and bleeding effects while still allowing controlled color release through the coating into wash water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the solubility parameter of the coloring agent by coating it with a water-insoluble salt. This transformation from water-soluble to water-insoluble state prevents the coloring agent from freely dissolving and transferring to fabrics or surrounding powder, thus resolving the staining problem while maintaining controlled color release properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If colored speckles use water-soluble coloring agents to achieve color release into wash water, then aesthetic effects are improved, but bleeding to surrounding detergent powder occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor release into wash waterVSAvoidbleeding to surrounding detergent

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water-insoluble salt coating serves as a selective intermediary that allows controlled interaction with wash water while blocking contact with surrounding detergent powder. The coating enables color release into wash water through controlled dissolution or erosion, while simultaneously preventing the coloring agent from migrating to and staining the surrounding detergent powder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water-insoluble salt coating forms a protective thin film or shell around the water-soluble coloring agent within the speckle. This shell acts as a barrier that prevents the coloring agent from leaching into surrounding detergent powder while still allowing controlled color release into wash water through the film over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Quantity of substance

If colored speckles use higher colorant loadings to enhance aesthetic effects and fabric hueing, then color intensity is improved, but fabric staining risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolorant loadingVSAvoidfabric staining risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water-insoluble salt coating acts as a protective intermediary that allows high colorant loadings to be incorporated into the speckle without causing fabric staining. The coating prevents direct contact between the high concentration of coloring agent and fabrics, thereby enabling enhanced aesthetic effects while maintaining low staining risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the solubility parameter of the coloring agent through water-insoluble salt coating, transforming it from a freely soluble state to a controlled release state. This parameter change allows high colorant loadings to be used without increasing fabric staining risk, as the coating controls the release rate and prevents direct contact with fabrics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides non-staining, aesthetically pleasing color to textiles while preventing color transfer to the detergent powder and achieving controlled, delayed color release into wash water, enhancing the performance of colored speckles in laundry detergents.

Implementation Method 1

a water-soluble salt reacts with the carrier to form a water-insoluble precipitate, delaying the release of the coloring agent into wash water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS8476216B2Colored speckles having delayed release properties

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 MILLIKEN & CO

AI summary

This invention relates to non-bleeding and controlled color-releasing speckles for use in granular laundry detergents and other consumer products. The speckles are comprised of a salt or salt-containing carrier, a coloring agent, and a water-insoluble (or minimally water-soluble) salt coating.