Solid Gel Dishwashing Detergent Phase Transition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashing detergents, particularly automatic dishwashing detergents, face challenges in achieving good cleaning and rinsing performance while being easy and cost-effective to produce, with pre-portioned flowing gels often experiencing leakage issues due to their liquid nature and requiring rapid solidification to minimize production time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A dishwashing detergent composition comprising a gel that is solid at room temperature, formulated with 4-40% polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or its derivatives, 20-80% organic solvents like glycerol, and 0.1-30% polyalkoxylated amine, which forms a dimensionally stable, cut-resistant, and translucent gel phase with rapid solidification, allowing for easy shaping and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-portioned flowing gels are used for easy dosing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to leakage issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the gel composition from liquid to solid state through controlled solidification. The gel is applied in a liquid or semi-liquid state for easy dosing and packaging, then undergoes solidification to become dimensionally stable and leak-resistant during storage and use. This phase transition enables the product to exhibit different properties at different stages of its lifecycle.
2Reliability
If rapid solidification is implemented to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to limited shaping time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the gel into the desired shape or structure before the solidification process completes. The gel composition is designed to remain workable and moldable for a sufficient period during the solidification process, allowing manufacturing operations to be performed before the gel becomes fully rigid and difficult to shape.
3Reliability
If gel formulation is optimized for storage stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to restricted ingredient selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple ingredients in a synergistic gel formulation. The composition includes gel-forming agents, solvents, and functional ingredients that work together to achieve both storage stability and ease of manufacture. The composite nature of the formulation allows each component to contribute specific properties that collectively resolve the contradiction between stability and manufacturability.
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 formulation results in a detergent that is cost-effective, easy to produce, has excellent storage stability, and provides superior cleaning and rinsing performance, with the gel phase being dimensionally stable, transparent, and resistant to deformation, addressing leakage issues and ensuring consistent product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a gel, preferably a gel that is solid at room temperature (20 °C), comprising, in each case based on the total weight of the gel: a. 4 to 40 wt.%, preferably 6 to 30 wt.%, in particular 7 to 24 wt.%, particularly preferably 8 to 22 wt.%, most preferably 12 to 20 wt.% PVOH and/or its derivatives
Implementation Method 2
rapid solidification, allowing for easy shaping and processing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to cleaning agents, preferably dishwashing detergents, in particular machine dishwashing detergents, comprising a gel, preferably a gel that is solid at room temperature (20 °C), comprising, based on the total weight of the gel: a. 4 to 40 wt.%, preferably 6 to 30 wt.%, in particular 7 to 24 wt.%, particularly preferably 8 to 22 wt.%, most preferably 12 to 20 wt.% PVOH and/or its derivatives; b. 20 to 80 wt.% of at least one organic solvent, preferably selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyalkylene glycols and/or alcantrioles, preferably glycerin, 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane, and mixtures thereof; c.at least one polyalkoxylated amine with a weight-average molecular weight Mw in the range of 600 g/mol to 10000 g/mol, obtainable by reacting ammonia or primary alkyl or hydroxyalkyl amines having a molecular weight below 200 g/mol with alkylene oxides, preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 30 wt.%, preferably in an amount of 1 to 15 wt.%, in each case based on the total weight of the gel.