Sprayable Dishwashing Composition Reducing Skin Irritation and Overspray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spray dishwashing detergents often cause irritation and overspray, leading to wasted product and potential inhalation risks due to product bounce back and overspray, while also requiring excessive product for effective cleaning and longer rinsing times.

Innovation Solution

A sprayable cleaning composition comprising a surfactant system, a hydrotrope, and a specific glycol ether solvent in a weight ratio of 5:1 to 1:5, which is non-irritating and non-stinging, allowing for direct and controlled application, reducing scrubbing effort, and providing effective grease removal with minimal overspray.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spray dishwashing detergent is applied directly to soiled dishware, then cleaning speed and convenience are improved, but product bounce back causes irritation and stinging to consumer skin and mucous membranes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidirritation and stinging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the spray detergent by incorporating specific solvents (C2-C4 alcohols, C3-C6 carboxylic acid esters, C3-C6 lactones) in optimized concentrations (1-20%, 1-15%, 1-10% respectively). These parameter changes alter the volatility and residue characteristics of the spray, reducing bounce-back irritation while maintaining cleaning efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances (solvents and co-surfactants) that mediate between the surfactant system and the dishware surface. These intermediaries modify the spray behavior and reduce direct contact irritation to consumer skin and mucous membranes while preserving the cleaning action on soils.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional spray detergent is used, then direct application is convenient, but product overspray leads to wasted product and potential inhalation risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect application convenienceVSAvoidproduct overspray waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts physical parameters of the spray composition including viscosity modifiers (0.1-5% polymers) and surface tension modifiers to optimize spray atomization characteristics. These parameter changes reduce overspray dispersion and improve product deposition efficiency on the target surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful overspray dispersion into a beneficial fine mist distribution that covers the dishware surface more uniformly. The modified spray characteristics transform what was a waste problem into an enhanced cleaning coverage advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If enough product is used to clean hard to remove soils, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but rinsing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidrinsing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs readily biodegradable surfactants and solvents that are designed to rinse away quickly with water. These short-living cleaning agents provide strong cleaning action during application but dissipate rapidly during rinsing, minimizing rinsing time while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration and type of surfactants and solvents to achieve the right balance between cleaning power and rinse-off speed. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the formulation provides sufficient cleaning for tough soils while maintaining low residue that rinses quickly.

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 effectively cleans tough and light soils with reduced scrubbing effort, minimizes irritation and overspray, and maintains physical stability, ensuring efficient and safe use for dishwashing.

Implementation Method 1

comprising a surfactant system, a hydrotrope and a glycol ether solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

comprising a surfactant system, a hydrotrope and a glycol ether solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

comprising a surfactant system, a hydrotrope and a glycol ether solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrotropy:

Data Source

PatentEP3418356B1Sprayable cleaning composition

Publication Date: 2021.03.17 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 comprising a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant system comprises an anioinc surfactant and a co-surfactant selected from amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof, a hydrotrope 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.