Sulfonated Silane Rinse-Aid Coating for Anti-Stick Tableware

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial enterprises face challenges in efficiently removing oils, baked-on grease, and lipstick from tableware during automated dish washing, leading to increased labor, chemical, and water usage, as well as potential unsanitary conditions due to subjective sorting of soiled items.

Innovation Solution

The use of sulfonated silane compositions, including zwitterionic sulfonated silanes, as part of rinse-aid or detergent compositions that create a protective layer on tableware, preventing soils from sticking and facilitating easier cleaning, thereby reducing labor and chemical usage while ensuring better aesthetic results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated dish washing process is used, then productivity is improved, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates when dealing with stubborn soils like baked-on grease and lipstick

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing speedVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating sulfonated silane compounds that form a protective layer on tableware surfaces before soil accumulation occurs. This preventive coating makes future cleaning easier and more effective, addressing the contradiction by preparing the surface in advance to resist stubborn soil adhesion during automated washing cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of tableware through sulfonated silane treatment. The treatment changes the surface energy and chemical composition parameters, creating a non-stick surface that enhances cleaning effectiveness in automated machines without sacrificing washing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple wash cycles and manual treatment are applied to soiled items, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidre-washing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By applying sulfonated silane treatment that creates a protective barrier on tableware surfaces, the patent prevents soil adhesion in the first place. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for multiple wash cycles and manual re-treatment, reducing time loss while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sulfonated silane coating provides self-service functionality by creating a surface that naturally resists soil adhesion. Tableware with this treatment essentially cleans itself more easily during automated cycles, reducing the need for additional manual intervention and re-washing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If subjective sorting of soiled tableware is performed, then cleaning effectiveness is improved by identifying unsuitable items, but device complexity and labor requirements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene qualityVSAvoidsorting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sulfonated silane treatment creates uniformly clean tableware surfaces that are easily identifiable as suitable for service. The treated surfaces provide consistent visual and tactile characteristics, enabling simpler sorting processes or even elimination of manual sorting while maintaining hygiene quality standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If additional chemicals and water are used for re-washing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but loss of substance and environmental impact deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidchemical and water usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sulfonated silane protective coating is applied in advance to prevent soil adhesion. This preliminary action eliminates the need for additional chemicals and water that would be required for re-washing cycles, reducing substance loss and environmental impact while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of soil adhesion into a benefit by using sulfonated silane treatment that creates a surface where soils do not stick. This transformation eliminates the need for additional cleaning resources, turning what would be a problematic situation into an advantageous one with reduced chemical and water consumption

Inventive Principle:

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

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 sulfonated silane compositions effectively prevent soils from adhering to tableware, reducing the need for additional wash cycles and manual treatment, leading to lower costs and improved hygiene and aesthetics in the dish washing process.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the tableware with a composition comprising a sulfonated silane... create a protective layer on tableware, preventing soils from sticking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS9518245B2Detergent and rinse-aid compositions containing a zwitterionic sulfonated silane and methods of using

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Compositions and uses thereof to clean and/or rinse tableware, wherein the compositions include a sulfonated silane.