Solid Detergent Composition With Low Water for Rapid Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unit dose detergent compositions face challenges such as complexity in manufacturing, environmental impact due to plastic packaging, safety concerns, especially for children, and inefficiencies in dissolution characteristics, while also requiring aesthetically pleasing and concentrated formulations.
Innovation Solution
A solid detergent composition comprising a salt of an amine and a fatty acid with at least 50% of fatty acid molecules having 16 carbon atoms, combined with nitrogen-containing surfactants, anionic surfactants, and solvents with hydroxy functional groups, and limited water content to reduce environmental impact and improve handling and dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unit dose detergent compositions are provided in compressed powder tablets or pouches comprising liquids encapsulated in a water-soluble polymer, then the detergent can be pre-measured and easily handled, but the outer material must dissolve quickly to release the contents when in use while not easily degrading or rupturing during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the water-soluble polymer encapsulation material from the unit dose detergent composition. By removing this intermediate packaging layer, the detergent is provided in a completely solid form without encapsulation, thereby avoiding the contradiction between quick dissolution and storage stability that plagues encapsulated formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adopts a disposable solid detergent tablet without any polymer encapsulation. The entire detergent composition is designed as a single-use solid unit that dissolves completely during the wash cycle, eliminating the need for stable-but-soluble polymer materials and simplifying both storage and usage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tablets are wrapped or encased in polymer or provided with multiple compartments, then incompatible ingredients are separated to prevent reaction and degradation on storage, but the complexity and cost of manufacture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges all detergent ingredients into a single homogeneous solid composition without physical separation into compartments. The formulation is designed so that all components are compatible and can coexist in a unified solid matrix, thereby eliminating the need for complex multi-compartment structures or polymer wrappings while maintaining compositional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and concentration parameters of the detergent ingredients to create a completely solid composition. By adjusting the water content to no more than 20 wt% and formulating with solid surfactants and builders, the ingredients become stable in a unified solid form without requiring physical separation mechanisms.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If unit doses are provided in plastic-free packaging, then environmental impact is reduced, but the detergent must be provided in a form that does not require protective wrappings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides a completely solid detergent tablet that is inherently stable and safe for direct handling without polymer encapsulation or plastic packaging. The solid formulation eliminates the need for protective wrappings while ensuring safety through its stable, non-liquid composition that cannot rupture or leak.
4Loss of substance
If compositions are provided in concentrated form with low water levels, then environmental impact is reduced by avoiding unnecessary transportation of water, but the detergent must still dissolve effectively during use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the water content parameter to no more than 20 wt%, creating a concentrated solid composition. This low water level reduces transportation weight and environmental impact while the specific formulation with solid surfactants and appropriate solvents ensures rapid and complete dissolution during the wash cycle, resolving the contradiction between concentration and dissolution 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 a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficiently dissolving detergent that is aesthetically appealing, reducing manufacturing complexity and minimizing plastic use while ensuring effective cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a salt of an amine and a fatty acid wherein at least 50% of the fatty acid molecules have at least 16 carbon atoms, combined with nitrogen-containing surfactants, anionic surfactants, and solvents with hydroxy functional groups
Implementation Method 2
efficiently dissolving detergent that is aesthetically appealing, reducing manufacturing complexity and minimizing plastic use while ensuring effective cleaning performance
Data Source
AI summary
A solid detergent composition comprising: (a) a salt of an amine and a fatty acid wherein at least 50% of the fatty acid molecules have at least 16 carbon atoms; (b) at least one nitrogen containing surfactant; (c) at least one anionic surfactant; (d) at least one solvent including at least one hydroxy functional group; and (c) water; wherein water makes up no more than 20 wt % of the total detergent composition.