Small Particle Structuring Agents for Liquid Detergent Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
High surfactant liquid detergent compositions require costly structuring ingredients to achieve desired viscosity, necessitating the need for more efficient structuring agents to reduce the amount needed while maintaining effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous structuring premix comprising non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agents with predominantly small particles (<6 microns) is used, allowing for effective structuring at lower concentrations, particularly suitable for compact liquid detergent compositions and unit dose articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional structuring agents are used to achieve desired viscosity in high surfactant liquid detergent compositions, then the structuring effect is achieved, but the cost increases due to the need for higher amounts of structuring ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the structuring agent from conventional larger sizes to specifically controlled small particles (less than 6 microns, preferably less than 2 microns). This parameter change increases the surface area to volume ratio, enhancing the structuring efficiency and allowing lower concentrations (0.01-2 wt%) to achieve the desired viscosity effect, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable structuring and reducing the quantity of structuring agent needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite aqueous structuring premix containing both the non-polymeric crystalline structuring agent (such as hydrogenated castor oil) and water in specific proportions (0.1-10 wt% structuring agent in water). This composite formulation optimizes the interaction between the structuring agent and the liquid detergent composition, improving structuring efficacy while minimizing the total amount of structuring material required
2Reliability
If structuring ingredients are added to provide richer consumer experience, then the structuring effect is improved, but the cost of the liquid composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the particle size parameter to less than 6 microns and controlling the concentration to 0.01-2 wt%, the patent achieves enhanced structuring efficacy at lower costs. The increased surface area of smaller particles improves interaction with surfactant molecules, providing better structuring effects with reduced material consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between structuring efficacy and manufacturing cost
3Strength
If aqueous structuring premix is used to structure liquid compositions, then the viscosity is increased, but the water content increases which is not suitable for compact liquid detergent compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the structuring agent to less than 6 microns, which increases the surface area to volume ratio. This allows the structuring agent to be more effective at lower concentrations (0.01-2 wt%), thereby achieving the desired viscosity enhancement with minimal water content, resolving the contradiction between increasing viscosity and minimizing water content in compact formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent formulates an aqueous structuring premix with optimized composition (0.1-10 wt% structuring agent in water) that creates an efficient composite system. This composite formulation allows the structuring agent to maximize its viscosifying effect while minimizing the total water content required, making it suitable for compact liquid detergent compositions
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 use of small particle-sized structuring agents enhances structuring efficiency, reducing the amount needed and minimizing water introduction, making the process more cost-effective and suitable for low-water liquid detergent compositions encapsulated in water-soluble films.
Implementation Method 1
Aqueous structuring premixes, comprising a non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent, typically structured by forming a physical network in the liquid composition
Implementation Method 2
the molten structuring agent is generally first emulsified in water, and then crystallised to form an aqueous structuring premix
Implementation Method 3
the molten structuring agent is generally first emulsified in water, and then crystallised to form an aqueous structuring premix
Data Source
AI summary
The need for a structurant premix that provides improved structuring of liquid compositions comprising high surfactant levels or hydrophobic ingredients is met through the use of an aqueous structuring premix comprising small particles of a non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent.