Surfactant Blends in Unit Dose Pouches for Mildness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a unit dose laundry detergent product that effectively cleans textiles while maintaining mildness and minimizing allergenic compounds, particularly in unit dose film pouches.
Innovation Solution
A unit dose product comprising a pouch made from a water-soluble film material, containing a detergent composition with 5-20 wt% water, 35-65 wt% of at least two surfactants including methyl ester ethoxylate (MEE), linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), and optionally alkyl ether sulfate (AES) or non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate (AE), and a non-aqueous solvent, with a % swelling not exceeding 32% in a 24 hr test.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anionic linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are used for cleaning efficacy, then cleaning performance is improved, but skin and eye irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using blends of anionic surfactants (LAS) with nonionic surfactants (alcohol ethoxylates) at specific ratios, and by controlling the ethoxylate chain length and surfactant concentration, to reduce irritation while maintaining cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining anionic LAS with nonionic alcohol ethoxylates, where the synergistic interaction between different surfactant types provides both effective cleaning and reduced skin irritation, as evidenced by lower Zein scores
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alcohol ethoxysulfonates are used as LAS replacements, then mildness is improved, but traces of regulated compounds are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates alcohol ethoxysulfonates from the formulation, replacing them with alcohol ethoxylate surfactants that provide similar mildness benefits without the regulated compound contamination issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses alcohol ethoxylates as a temporary replacement strategy that achieves the desired mildness profile without the long-term regulatory complications associated with alcohol ethoxysulfonates
3Reliability
If propylene glycol is included in detergent compositions, then solubility and performance are improved, but allergenicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent composition by limiting propylene glycol to less than 5 wt% and replacing it with alternative solvents such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, or their monobutyl ethers, thereby maintaining solubility and performance while reducing allergenicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts propylene glycol from the formulation or limits its concentration, removing the primary allergen while preserving the necessary solubility and performance characteristics through alternative solvent systems
4Ease of operation
If unit dose film pouches are used for packaging, then convenience and skin protection are improved, but formulation challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts formulation parameters including reducing water content to 5-20 wt%, controlling surfactant blends to achieve low swelling (<32%), and selecting appropriate solvents to ensure compatibility with water-soluble film pouches while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the formulation specifically for the unit dose pouch environment by controlling local properties such as swelling behavior, solubility, and compatibility with the film material, allowing the product to function effectively in this specific packaging format
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 detergent composition provides effective cleaning performance while maintaining mildness and limiting allergenic compounds, as evidenced by a low Zein score and controlled % swelling, making it suitable for unit dose film pouches.
Implementation Method 1
pouch formed from a water-soluble film material
Implementation Method 2
wherein a % swelling is not more than about 32% in a 24 hr test
Implementation Method 3
detergent composition comprising about 5 to about 20 weight percent (wt %) water, about 35 to about 65 wt % of at least two surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a unit dose product comprising a pouch formed from a water-soluble film material; and a detergent composition disposed within the pouch that comprises about 5 to about 20 wt % water, about 35 to about 65 wt % of at least two surfactants, and a non-aqueous solvent. The at least two surfactants comprise methyl ester ethoxylate (MEE) and a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), and at least one of an alkyl ether sulfate (AES) and a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate (AE). The composition can further comprise additional components, such as a base, a performance polymer, an anti-redeposition agent, an enzyme, a bleaching agent, a bleach activator, a chelating agent, an optical brightener, a bitterant, a corrosion inhibitor, or a combination thereof. The detergent composition comprises surfactants with improved mildness and solvents with lower allergic components.