Sprayable Cleaning Composition with Glycol Ether Solvation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spray dishwashing detergents often cause skin and eye irritation due to product bounce back and overspray, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential inhalation risks, while requiring excessive product usage for effective cleaning of tough soils.

Innovation Solution

A sprayable cleaning composition comprising a surfactant system with an anionic surfactant and a co-surfactant, combined with a glycol ether solvent in a specific weight ratio, which minimizes irritation and overspray by breaking up glycol ether solvation spheres and improving physical stability, allowing for effective cleaning with reduced scrubbing effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spray dishwashing detergent is applied directly onto soiled dishware, then cleaning speed and efficiency are improved, but product bounce back and overspray cause skin and eye irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidskin and eye irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the spray detergent by incorporating a specific glycol ether solvent (cellosolve or carbitol) in controlled amounts (1-10% and 1-5% respectively) alongside the surfactant system. This parameter change modifies the volatility and bonding characteristics of the formulation, reducing bounce back and overspray that cause irritation while maintaining cleaning speed and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite cleaning formulation by combining multiple components: anionic surfactants (alkyl ethoxylated sulfates), co-surfactants (amine oxides), and specific glycol ether solvents (cellos_solve or carbitol). This composite material approach allows the formulation to achieve both rapid cleaning performance and reduced irritation through the synergistic effects of its components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If conventional spray detergents are used for cleaning, then cleaning of light soils is achieved, but excessive product usage is required for tough soils like baked-, cooked- and burnt-on soils

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct usage amountVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness on tough soils
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration and type of surfactants and solvents in the formulation. By using specific ratios of anionic surfactants, co-surfactants, and glycol ether solvents, the formulation achieves enhanced grease removal and soil-loosening properties that reduce the amount of product needed while effectively handling tough soils

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates bleach and bleach activators into the spray detergent formulation. These components provide oxidative cleaning power that accelerates the breakdown of tough soils such as baked-on, cooked-on, and burnt-on residues, reducing the quantity of product required for effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Productivity

If spray detergent is applied to clean dishware, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but product overspray leads to wasted product and potential inhalation risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidproduct waste and inhalation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the volatility parameters of the spray detergent by incorporating glycol ether solvents with specific boiling points and vapor pressure characteristics. This parameter change reduces the formation of fine aerosol particles that cause overspray and inhalation risks, while maintaining the sprayability and cleaning efficiency of the formulation

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 composition provides efficient cleaning of both light and tough soils with minimal irritation, reduced scrubbing effort, and minimal overspray, ensuring effective grease removal and easy rinsing without stinging or irritating the consumer.

Implementation Method 1

the surfactant system and the glycol ether solvent are in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5... breaking up glycol ether solvation spheres

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

a sprayable cleaning composition comprising a surfactant system, a non-ionic surfactant and a specific glycol ether solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS11180715B2Sprayable cleaning composition
Publication Date: 2021.11.23 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sprayable cleaning composition. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sprayable cleaning composition including a surfactant system, a non-ionic surfactant and a specific glycol ether solvent, wherein the surfactant system and the glycol ether solvent are in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5. The composition is substantially non-irritating and/or non-stinging when sprayed from a spray dispenser.