Single-Compartment Unit Dose Detergent with Solid Gel Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unit dose detergent compositions for automatic dishwashing and fabric laundering often require multi-compartment systems, which increase manufacturing complexity and costs, and do not effectively prevent spotting and filming on washed items.
Innovation Solution
A single-compartment unit dose detergent composition containing a solid cleaning composition and a solid gel composition, where the solid cleaning composition includes detersive surfactants and the solid gel composition comprises non-ionic surfactants, polar organic solvents, and water-soluble structuring agents, housed in a water-soluble container, minimizing intermixing and optimizing detergency performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-compartment pouches are used to separate detergent compositions, then functional performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detergent compositions into a single compartment pouch, eliminating the need for multiple sealed compartments. The solid gel composition and powder detergent formulation coexist in one compartment separated only by a visible interface, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functional performance through strategic composition placement.
Solution Approach 2:
Within the single compartment, the detergent system is segmented into distinct composition zones - a solid gel composition layer and a powder detergent formulation layer. This segmentation maintains functional benefits of separation while avoiding the complexity of multi-compartment sealing structures.
2Reliability
If multi-compartment pouches are used to separate detergent compositions, then functional performance is improved, but product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple compositions into a single compartment, the patent eliminates expensive multi-compartment sealing processes and reduces material costs, directly lowering product cost while preserving functional performance through the layered composition architecture.
3Reliability
If solid gel composition is added to enhance detergency performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but risk of intermixing with powder detergent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct composition zones within the single compartment - the solid gel composition occupies one region while the powder detergent formulation occupies another. The visible interface between layers maintains composition stability by preventing intermixing, while each zone retains its specific functional properties for enhanced detergency performance.
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 effective cleaning performance with reduced spotting and filming on dishware and fabric, while simplifying manufacturing and aesthetics, and is suitable for automatic dishwashing and fabric laundering machines.
Implementation Method 1
a solid gel composition comprising: (a) a non-ionic surfactant in an amount from about 2.5 wt % to 50 wt %
Implementation Method 2
a water-soluble single-compartment container defining a single compartment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a single-compartment, multiple phase unit dose dishwashing detergent composition and a single-compartment, multiple phase unit dose fabric cleaning or treatment composition, the preparations and uses thereof.