Sprayable Wash Wax Composition Eliminates Rinsing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wash and wax compositions for non-porous surfaces, such as automotive exteriors, require additional steps like rinsing and buffing, and often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them inefficient and environmentally undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A sprayable, water-based composition comprising hydrophobically modified acrylic-based polymers, silicone blends, and carnauba wax, which allows for simultaneous cleaning and waxing without water rinsing and is substantially free of VOCs, using a combination of polydiorganosiloxane fluids and a silicone resin to provide effective shine and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional paste or liquid waxes are used for waxing non-porous surfaces, then the surface can be protected and polished, but additional steps of cleaning, rubbing in, buffing, and water rinsing are required, making the process labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions (cleaning, waxing, polishing, and protection) into a single composition that can be applied in one step. The composition contains surfactants for cleaning, waxes for protection, and polishing agents, all integrated into one sprayable formulation that eliminates the need for separate cleaning and waxing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it cleans dirty surfaces, applies wax protection, and polishes in one application. This multi-functional formulation allows the user to treat dirty or oxidized surfaces without pre-cleaning, and eliminates post-application buffing or rinsing steps.
2Ease of operation
If finger trigger sprayers are used to apply wax, then the wax can be sprayed onto the surface, but the sprayer only sprays a limited amount of fluid per pull and requires frequent actuation, making it tiring and time-consuming for large surface areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a foam-based composition that expands upon application. The foam structure allows the composition to be dispensed in a single action and then expands to cover large surface areas uniformly. This dynamic expansion property eliminates the need for frequent sprayer actuation and reduces physical effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition is formulated as a foam with specific expansion characteristics. The foam structure changes the delivery parameter from a limited liquid spray to an expanding foam that covers larger areas. This parameter change in physical state (liquid to foam) increases coverage per application and reduces the number of applications needed.
3Productivity
If wipe-on and hose-off waxes are used, then the wax can be applied and removed with water, but additional water rinsing and drying steps are required, and residual wax may remain on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the need for water rinsing from the waxing process. The composition is formulated to dry cleanly without requiring water removal. The surfactant and wax combination is designed to leave no residue that would require additional cleaning steps, effectively removing the rinsing step from the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition is self-rinsing through its formulation. The surfactants and waxes work together to allow the composition to be applied and then naturally dried without external water intervention. The composition serves its own cleaning and protection functions without requiring separate water rinsing and drying steps.
4Productivity
If mineral spirits are used as a solvent in wash and wax formulations, then the composition can effectively clean and wax surfaces, but mineral spirits are not VOC exempt and subject to strict EPA regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the solvent parameter from mineral spirits (VOC-containing) to water-based surfactant systems. This parameter change in the solvent type maintains cleaning effectiveness through surfactant action while eliminating VOC content. The surfactant concentration and type are optimized to provide equivalent or superior cleaning performance without harmful volatile organic compounds.
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 and waxes non-porous surfaces, providing equal or better performance than commercial waxes in terms of shine, color enhancement, and durability, while eliminating the need for water rinsing and reducing VOC content.
Implementation Method 1
hydrophobically modified acrylic-based polymers... silicone blends... to provide effective shine and durability
Implementation Method 2
simultaneously washing and waxing non-porous surfaces... effectively cleans and waxes non-porous surfaces
Implementation Method 3
silicone blends... combination of polydiorganosiloxane fluids and a silicone resin
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for simultaneously cleaning and waxing non-porous surfaces without the need for additional rinsing of the treated surface with water, has a pH of from about 6 to about 7 and contains by weight: (a) from about 0.04 to about 0.12% of an acrylic-based polymer, wherein the acrylic-based polymer is a hydrophobically modified, crosslinked polyacrylate powder which has been crosslinked with a polyalkenyl polyether or is an acrylic polymer containing acid groups and which dissolves and swells immediately when neutralized with an alkali salt (b) from about 0.5 to about 5.0% of a silicone blend composed of: (i) from about 70 to about 95% of a first polydiorganosiloxane fluid having a viscosity of from about 0.65 to about 60,000 centistokes at 25° C., and (ii) from about 5 to about 30% of a polydiorganosiloxane fluid mixture having a viscosity of from about 500 to about 2000 centistokes at 25° C., the polydiorganosiloxane fluid mixture being composed of a second polydiorganosiloxane fluid and a silicone resin; (c) wax; and (d) water. The composition can be used to simultaneously clean and wax non-porous surfaces such as the exterior surfaces of automobiles and other vehicles, windows, and the like.