Solid Cleaning Bar With Crosslinked Cellulose Ether for Water Retention

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning bars face challenges in maintaining high water content during formulation and processing, leading to difficulties in achieving desirable properties such as wear resistance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a crosslinked cellulose ether containing polyether groups into the cleaning bar formulation, which allows for a high water content of greater than 21 wt% while maintaining wear resistance, achieved through a method involving mixing, milling, and extruding the surfactant, crosslinked cellulose ether, and water, followed by stamping the extruded material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high water content is incorporated into the cleaning bar formulation, then formulation efficiency and processing efficiency are improved, but the ability to maintain high water content through processing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation efficiencyVSAvoidwater content maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A polyol (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, or sorbitol) is introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between water and the cleaning bar matrix. The polyol forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, creating a network that traps and retains water within the bar structure, preventing water loss during processing and storage while maintaining high water content (greater than 21 wt%).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning bar is formulated as a composite material system comprising multiple components: cleaning surfactants, crosslinked cellulose ether, polyol, water, and optional adjuvants. This composite structure creates synergistic interactions where each component contributes specific properties, enabling the bar to maintain structural integrity and wear resistance while incorporating and retaining high levels of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If high water content is incorporated into the cleaning bar formulation, then formulation efficiency is improved, but wear resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation efficiencyVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning bar is formulated as a composite material system comprising multiple components: cleaning surfactants, crosslinked cellulose ether, polyol, water, and optional adjuvants. This composite structure creates synergistic interactions where each component contributes specific properties, enabling the bar to maintain structural integrity and wear resistance while incorporating and retaining high levels of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions and components of the cleaning bar are optimized for different functions. The crosslinked cellulose ether provides structural framework and wear resistance in specific regions, while the polyol-water complex distributes water content throughout the bar. This local optimization allows the bar to exhibit both high water content and adequate wear resistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If conventional cleaning bar formulations are used, then wear resistance is maintained, but water content is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidwater content

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A polyol (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, or sorbitol) is introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between water and the cleaning bar matrix. The polyol forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, creating a network that traps and retains water within the bar structure, preventing water loss during processing and storage while maintaining high water content (greater than 21 wt%).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation parameters are significantly changed from conventional recipes by incorporating greater than 21 wt% water (compared to typical 8-15 wt% in milled bars or 20-25 wt% in non-milled bars). This parameter change is made possible through the introduction of polyol and crosslinked cellulose ether, which enable the bar to maintain structural integrity at higher water contents, thereby improving formulation and processing efficiency.

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 enables the production of a solid cleaning bar with high water content and improved wear resistance, facilitating efficient formulation and processing.

Implementation Method 1

crosslinked cellulose ether containing 0.1 to 0.6 wt %, based on weight of the crosslinked cellulose ether, of polyether groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

enables the production of a solid cleaning bar with high water content

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12454663B2Cleaning bar

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 DOW SILICONES CORP

AI summary

A cleaning bar is provided, comprising: a cleaning surfactant; water; and a crosslinked cellulose ether containing 0.1 to 0.6 wt %, based on weight of the crosslinked cellulose ether, of polyether groups; wherein the cleaning bar is a solid.