Spray Detergent Composition for Crystalline Grease Removal at Neutral pH

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashing detergent sprays struggle to effectively remove crystalline fats without causing nasal and eye irritation, and they are unstable due to the incorporation of hydrophobic solvents, leading to phase separation and reduced shelf life.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning product with a surfactant system comprising alkyl polyglucoside surfactant and amphoteric or zwitterionic co-surfactants, combined with a glycol ether solvent system, formulated at a neutral pH to enhance crystalline grease removal while maintaining stability and reducing over-spray irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high levels of anionic surfactants are used to effectively remove crystalline fats, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but nasal and eye irritation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystalline fat removal efficacyVSAvoidnasal and eye irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing anionic surfactants with nonionic surfactants (alkyl polyglucosides) and amphoteric/zwitterionic co-surfactants. This parameter change maintains cleaning efficacy while reducing irritation, as nonionic surfactants are gentler on mucous membranes while still effectively removing crystalline fats through their surfactant properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining nonionic surfactants (alkyl polyglucosides) with amphoteric or zwitterionic co-surfactants. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both surfactant types to achieve effective crystalline fat removal while minimizing irritation, creating a synergistic cleaning system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If hydrophobic solvents are incorporated to enhance crystalline fat removal, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but formulation stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystalline fat removal efficacyVSAvoiddetergent composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces glycol ethers as intermediary substances that mediate between the hydrophobic solvents and the aqueous detergent base. The glycol ethers act as co-solvents that are miscible with both water and hydrophobic solvents, creating a stable intermediate phase that prevents separation while allowing the hydrophobic solvents to effectively dissolve and remove crystalline fats

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the solvent system parameters by selecting specific glycol ethers with appropriate hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. This parameter optimization allows the formulation to maintain stability across a range of temperatures and storage conditions while preserving the fat-dissolving capability of the hydrophobic solvent components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If nonionic surfactants are used to reduce over-spray irritation, then user comfort is improved, but crystalline fat removal capability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveover-spray irritationVSAvoidcrystalline fat removal capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite surfactant system that combines nonionic surfactants (for low irritation) with amphoteric or zwitterionic co-surfactants (for enhanced cleaning). This composite formulation achieves the dual goal of reducing over-spray irritation while maintaining or improving crystalline fat removal capability through the synergistic interaction of the different surfactant types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration ratios and molecular structures of the surfactant components to achieve the right balance between irritation reduction and cleaning efficacy. By adjusting these parameters, the formulation maximizes the gentle cleaning properties of nonionic surfactants while incorporating enough amphoteric/zwitterionic co-surfactant to maintain strong crystalline fat removal capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves the removal of crystalline grease with minimal scrubbing, maintains composition stability, and reduces nasal and eye irritation, ensuring effective and stable dishwashing performance.

Implementation Method 1

Hydrophobic solvents, such as tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether and the like, are particularly effective for dissolving and dispersing fat molecules, making them more easily removable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The surfactant system includes alkyl polyglucoside surfactant; a co-surfactant selected from zwitterionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, or mixtures thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP4481025B1Cleaning product
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The need for a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, which provides effective removal of crystalline fats without compromising the stability and functionality of the spray detergent, especially at more neutral pH, is achieved by formulating the spray cleaning composition using alkyl polyglucoside nonionic surfactant and little or no anionic surfactant, in combination with at least two glycol ether solvents.