Sulfate-Free Liquid Detergent Composition for Cold Stability and Mildness
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry detergents often cause skin and eye irritation due to surfactant compositions, and there is a need for mild liquid detergent formulations with good cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition comprising 10-25 wt% of a first non-ionic surfactant and 1-12 wt% of a co-solvent or second non-ionic surfactant, without anionic surfactants, which is stable at 4°C for at least 10 days and has a Zein score of not more than 2% dissolved zein, using specific ratios of non-ionic surfactants and optional additives to enhance mildness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional surfactant compositions are used in laundry detergents, then good cleaning performance is achieved, but skin and eye irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing anionic surfactants with non-ionic surfactants (alcohol ethoxylates and alkyl glucosides), adjusting the surfactant type and concentration ratios to achieve both good cleaning performance and reduced skin/eye irritation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite surfactant systems combining multiple non-ionic surfactants (alcohol ethoxylates with specific carbon chain lengths and alkyl glucosides) to create a synergistic effect that maintains cleaning efficacy while improving mildness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mild liquid detergent formulations are developed, then skin irritation is reduced, but cleaning performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters including surfactant concentration ranges (10-25 wt% first non-ionic surfactant, 1-12 wt% second non-ionic surfactant or co-solvent), pH level (7-12), and surfactant type selection to maintain effective cleaning while ensuring mildness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite non-ionic surfactant formulations combining alcohol ethoxylates (with specific carbon chain lengths C12-C18) and alkyl glucosides to achieve both mildness and effective cleaning performance
3Stability of the object's composition
If detergent composition stability is improved at low temperatures, then shelf life is extended, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts formulation parameters including the addition of co-solvents (ethanol, C3-C10 glycol, or glycol ether) at specific concentrations (1-12 wt%) and pH buffering (7-12) to prevent crystallization and maintain stability at low temperatures without significantly complicating the formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses co-solvents as intermediary substances that mediate between the non-ionic surfactants and water, preventing phase separation and crystallization at low temperatures while maintaining formulation simplicity
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 maintains stability and mildness, reducing skin irritation potential while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
Laundry detergent compositions contain surfactants which impart good cleaning performance
Implementation Method 2
the detergent composition is stable at 4° C. for at least 10 days
Implementation Method 3
the detergent composition has a Zein score of not more than about 2% dissolved zein when tested on a 10% dilution
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a sulfate-free detergent composition comprising surfactants and co-surfactants or co-solvents with improved cold temperature stability while maintaining mildness and cleaning performance. The detergent composition has a Zein score of not more than about 2% dissolved zein when tested on a 10% dilution.