Solid Rinse Aid Composition for Multi-Cycle Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic washing products, such as dishwashing and laundry detergents, often require frequent dosing and lack clear visual indicators for refill needs, limiting the range of actives that can be delivered over multiple cycles and failing to provide consumers with a clear end-of-life indication.
Innovation Solution
A solid composition comprising ethoxylated alcohol with a melting point above 20°C and a polyalcohol with a melting point below 20°C, optionally with controlled release parameters, such as a perforated cage or porous support, to provide a consumer benefit over multiple cycles with a clear end-of-life indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional liquid rinse aids are used in bottles, then the product can be refilled periodically, but it becomes tedious for consumers to track when refilling is needed due to lack of visual indication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes through the visual transformation of the rinse aid container from transparent/translucent to opaque as the product is consumed. This allows consumers to clearly see when the rinse aid is depleted without requiring additional indicators or labels, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of refilling and end-of-life indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the rinse aid from liquid to solid format. This parameter change enables the container to transition from transparent to opaque as it is consumed, providing automatic visual feedback to consumers about when refilling is needed, thus improving both ease of operation and information availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single-dose products are used, then the consumer can dose each time, but the range of actives that can be delivered over multiple cycles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple single-dose products into a single multi-dose solid composition that can be used over multiple washing cycles. This consolidation allows consumers to access a broader range of actives across multiple cycles without needing separate single-dose containers, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and duration of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid composition is designed to provide multiple functions and deliver various actives over an extended period. This multi-functional design enables the single product to serve multiple purposes across multiple cycles, expanding the range of actives available to consumers while maintaining long-term usability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a solid composition is used to provide controlled release, then the active can be delivered over multiple cycles, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous materials as the solid composition matrix, which naturally provides controlled release functionality through their pore structure. This approach achieves multi-cycle duration without requiring complex manufacturing processes, as the porous structure can be formed through straightforward manufacturing methods, thus resolving the contradiction between duration and ease of manufacture.
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 composition allows for controlled release of actives over several washing cycles, providing improved drying and shine performance while offering a clear visual indication of depletion.
Implementation Method 1
comprising an ethoxylated alcohol having a melting point higher than 20°C, a polyalcohol having a melting point lower than 20°C
Implementation Method 2
controlled release of one or more actives in an automatic washing operation
Implementation Method 3
perforated cage in which a solid composition is contained and in which parameters such as: the ratio of open to closed area of the perforated cage, and/or the water throughout the perforations per unit open area
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a solid composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, at least 50 wt.% of an ethoxylated alcohol having a melting point higher than 20°C. It also relates to a product comprising said solid composition in the form of a powder and a container, wherein said solid composition is comprised in said container. It also relates to product comprising said solid composition and a cage, wherein said solid composition is contained in said cage. It further relates to a product comprising said solid composition and a porous solid support, wherein said solid composition is attached to said porous solid support. It further relates to a method for the controlled release of one or more actives in an automatic washing operation by providing said solid composition or any of the products to the machine in which said automatic washing operation is performed.