Segmented Cleaning Agent Preparations for Dishwasher Dosing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning agents for dishwashers struggle with maintaining effective cleaning performance, especially on dried-on food residues, when used after several days of accumulation, due to temperature fluctuations and the need for frequent dosing.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning agent product form comprising three separate liquid preparations: A (builder and complexing agents), B (enzymes), and C (acidifying agent, glass corrosion inhibitor, and optional surfactants), packaged in a way that prevents chemical incompatibility, ensuring stability and effectiveness across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning agent is stored in dosing compartment for multiple days, then dosing convenience is improved, but cleaning performance deteriorates due to temperature fluctuations and ingredient degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning agent is divided into three separate preparations (A: builder, B: enzyme, C: acidifying agent) that are stored separately in the dosing compartment. This segmentation prevents chemical incompatibility between ingredients during storage, allowing each component to maintain its stability over multiple days while still providing effective cleaning performance when combined during the washing cycle.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cleaning agent is exposed to high temperatures during storage, then storage stability is improved, but enzyme activity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enzyme-containing preparation (B) is separated from the builder-containing preparation (A) and the acidifying agent-containing preparation (C). This physical separation protects the enzymes from degradation by builder substances and acidifying agents during storage, even when exposed to high temperatures, thereby maintaining enzyme activity while allowing storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective carrier substance in preparation B that acts as an intermediary to protect the enzymes from harmful chemical interactions with other ingredients. This carrier substance creates a protective environment that maintains enzyme activity during temperature-fluctuating storage conditions.
3Device complexity
If cleaning agent formulations are combined in single package, then packaging simplicity is improved, but chemical incompatibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is designed with separate compartments or chambers for each preparation (A, B, and C), allowing them to be stored together in a single package while preventing chemical contact. This segmentation approach maintains packaging simplicity from the user's perspective while eliminating chemical incompatibility between the formulations.
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 product form provides superior cleaning performance on dried-on food residues, maintains stability under temperature fluctuations, and simplifies dosing for consumers, reducing the need for frequent renewal of active ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid (20° C.) cleaning agent preparation B that is different from cleaning agent preparation A, having a water content above 1 wt. %, containing b1) at least 5 wt. % of at least one cleaning-active enzyme preparation
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning agent which contains, separately from one another in a packaging form, at least one enzyme-containing preparation and at least one builder-containing preparation, as well as a clear rinser preparation.