Solid Cleaning Concentrate with Dual Thickening Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Formulating a solid concentrate cleaning product that can be easily diluted by consumers to produce a liquid cleaning composition with desired viscosity properties, such as avoiding lump formation and achieving homogeneous mixing without industrial mixers, is challenging due to the hydration rates of thickening agents.
Innovation Solution
A solid concentrate composition combining a fast-acting thickening agent, a slow-acting thickening agent, and a surfactant, which allows for the preparation of a viscous liquid cleaning composition by dilution with water, achieving desired viscosity without commercial mixers, using xanthan gum and hydroxyethyl cellulose as specific agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slow hydrating gelling agent is used to avoid lump formation, then the product can be easily mixed by consumers, but the gelling agent sinks to the bottom and creates a high viscosity layer that is difficult to redisperse
Solution Approach 1:
The thickening system is segmented into two distinct functional components: a fast-acting thickening agent that provides immediate viscosity and suspension upon contact with water, and a slow-acting gelling agent that gradually hydrates to provide final thickening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the fast agent prevents sinking and lumping, while the slow agent provides the desired final viscosity without creating unstable layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast-acting thickening agent performs preliminary action by immediately increasing viscosity when mixed with water, creating a matrix that prevents the slow-acting gelling agent from sinking and forming lumps. This preliminary thickening action occurs before the slow agent has a chance to hydrate and settle, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the final product.
2Productivity
If a fast-acting thickening agent is used to achieve quick viscosity, then the product is ready for use quickly, but lumps and fisheyes of dry powder coated with gelatinous skin form
Solution Approach 1:
The thickening function is divided between two agents with complementary hydration rates. The fast-acting agent provides immediate thickening to prevent lump formation, while the slow-acting agent continues to hydrate gradually, ensuring complete wetting and uniform distribution. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both quick preparation and homogeneous mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast-acting thickening agent acts as an intermediary that facilitates the hydration process of the slow-acting agent. By providing immediate viscosity, it creates a matrix that promotes uniform water distribution and prevents the slow agent from forming lumps during its gradual hydration process.
3Ease of operation
If concentrated products are provided in liquid form, then they require simple dilution, but they do not reduce packaging waste and storage footprint as effectively as solid forms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the concentrate from liquid to solid form (powder or granules), while maintaining the chemical composition and functionality. This parameter change enables the product to be supplied in concentrated solid form that reduces packaging volume and weight, yet still provides simple dilution characteristics similar to liquid concentrates when the appropriate thickening system is used.
4Adaptability or versatility
If powdered concentrate is mixed with cold water in a domestic sized bottle, then it is suitable for consumer use, but the lack of energy prevents adequate dispersion of thickening agents
Solution Approach 1:
The thickening system is segmented into fast- and slow-acting components that hydrate at different rates. The fast-acting agent provides immediate thickening with minimal energy input, creating a matrix that facilitates further mixing. The slow-acting agent continues to hydrate gradually, achieving complete dispersion without requiring high energy input, making the system suitable for domestic mixing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast-acting thickening agent performs preliminary thickening action that creates a structured matrix, which then facilitates the continued hydration and dispersion of the slow-acting agent. This preliminary action occurs with minimal energy input and sets up the system for complete homogeneous mixing under low-energy domestic conditions.
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 combination of fast- and slow-acting thickening agents ensures a uniform, lump-free viscous liquid cleaning solution, suitable for domestic use, with the fast-acting agent achieving 80% thickening action within minutes and the slow-acting agent completing hydration within hours, suitable for pump action dispensers and household applications.
Implementation Method 1
a fast-acting thickening agent... the fast-acting agent achieving 80% thickening action within minutes
Implementation Method 2
fast-acting thickening agent... achieving desired viscosity without commercial mixers
Implementation Method 3
a slow-acting thickening agent... the slow-acting agent completing hydration within hours
Implementation Method 4
slow-acting thickening agent... achieving desired viscosity without commercial mixers
Implementation Method 5
a surfactant... suitable for pump action dispensers and household applications
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a solid concentrate composition and/or a method of preparing a liquid cleaning composition from a solid concentrate composition and/or a method of cleaning a surface and/or a method of preparing a solid concentrate composition. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a solid concentrate composition comprising a fast-acting thickening agent, a slow-acting thickening agent and a surfactant.