Spray Cleaning Composition for Crystalline Grease Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning products with spray dispensers struggle to effectively remove crystalline grease while providing good initial sudsing, often requiring excessive detergent and time for soaking, which is inefficient for single-item washing under running water.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning composition housed in a spray dispenser, comprising 5% to 25% of a surfactant system with alkyl polyglucoside and amphoteric or zwitterionic co-surfactants, along with an organic solvent, which enhances initial sudsing and crystalline grease removal without relying on excessive anionic surfactants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If higher levels of detergent composition are applied for longer durations to remove crystalline grease, then grease removal effectiveness is improved, but washing time increases and user satisfaction decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystalline grease removal effectivenessVSAvoidwashing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the detergent composition by incorporating specific solvents (alcohols, glycols, esters, ketones, or their mixtures) at optimized concentrations (0.1-20% by weight). This parameter change allows the formulation to effectively soften and remove crystalline grease at lower concentrations and shorter contact times, resolving the contradiction between grease removal effectiveness and washing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite detergent system combining multiple surfactant types (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, or zwitterionic surfactants) with specific solvents and optional additives. This composite formulation synergistically enhances grease removal capability while reducing the required application time, addressing both the reliability and time loss aspects of the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional spray cleaning products are formulated to provide initial sudsing, then user perception of cleaning efficacy is improved, but crystalline grease removal capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial sudsing performanceVSAvoidcrystalline grease removal capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to different components of the detergent system. Surfactants are selected and formulated to provide initial sudsing upon spray application, while solvents and co-surfactants are specifically chosen to penetrate and dissolve crystalline grease. This localized functional distribution allows both sudsing and grease removal to excel simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The detergent composition is designed to perform preliminary action in two stages: first, surfactants generate immediate sudsing upon contact with the surface, providing visual feedback; second, solvents and co-surfactants work to soften and remove crystalline grease. This staged preliminary action resolves the contradiction between immediate sudsing performance and subsequent grease removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 achieves improved crystalline grease removal and initial sudsing, reducing washing time and detergent usage, making it suitable for quick and efficient cleaning of single items without the need for prolonged soaking.

Implementation Method 1

the composition comprises: 5% to 25% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system comprising: alkyl polyglucoside surfactant; a co-surfactant selected from amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and mixtures thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

from 0.1% to 10% by weight of the composition of an organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS11834629B2Cleaning product
Publication Date: 2023.12.05 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The need for a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, which provides improved crystalline grease cleaning and good initial sudsing, and hence reduced time to clean the dishes, is met by a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, the composition is housed in the spray dispenser and wherein the cleaning composition comprises alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, a co-surfactant selected from amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and mixtures thereof, and an organic solvent.