Triblock Copolymer Suds Stabilization in Hand Dishwashing Detergent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashing detergents fail to provide a good sudsing profile, particularly in the presence of greasy soils, and do not maintain suds consistency throughout the washing process, leading to inadequate cleaning and frequent product re-dosing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition incorporating a surfactant system with a triblock co-polymer of the formula (EO)x-(PO)y-(EO)x, where x is between 1 and 40 and y is between 1 and 15, combined with an anionic surfactant and an amphoteric or zwitterionic co-surfactant, enhancing suds volume and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EO-PO-EO triblock copolymer is used as a surfactant, then suds stabilization in the presence of greasy soils is enhanced, but suds volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EO-PO-EO triblock copolymer with anionic surfactants and co-surfactants to create a synergistic surfactant system. This merging of different surfactant types allows the composition to achieve both high suds volume and excellent suds stabilization, resolving the contradiction between quantity and reliability of suds performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple components (anionic surfactants, EO-PO-EO triblock copolymer, and co-surfactants) in specific ratios. This composite approach leverages the strengths of each component to achieve both high suds generation and sustained stabilization, particularly in the presence of greasy soils.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional surfactant systems are used, then high suds volume is achieved, but suds consistency deteriorates throughout the washing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surfactant system parameters by incorporating EO-PO-EO triblock copolymer with specific block lengths (x between 3-30 and y between 5-15) and controlling its concentration (0.1-10% by weight). These parameter changes enable the system to maintain suds consistency throughout dilution while preserving high suds volume, overcoming the limitation of conventional surfactant systems.
3Quantity of substance
If surfactant concentration is increased to improve sudsing profile, then suds volume increases, but cleaning effectiveness on greasy soils decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using EO-PO-EO triblock copolymer specifically to address the grease handling aspect while anionic surfactants provide the bulk suds volume. The triblock copolymer's amphiphilic structure with hydrophobic PO block and hydrophilic EO blocks provides localized grease interaction, while the overall system maintains high suds volume through the combined surfactant components.
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 achieves high suds volume and sustained suds stabilization, ensuring effective cleaning of greasy soils and reducing the need for frequent product re-dosing by maintaining suds consistency throughout the washing process.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition comprising from 1% to 60%, preferably from 5% to 50%, more preferably from 8% to 45%, most preferably from 15% to 40%, by weight of the total composition of a surfactant system, and from 0.1% to 10%, preferably from 0.5% to 7.5%, more preferably from 1% to 5%, by weight of the total composition of at least one ethyleneoxide (EO)-propyleneoxide (PO)-ethyleneoxide (EO) triblock co-polymer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hand dishwashing detergent composition including a surfactant system and at least one triblock co-polymer of Formula (I): (EO)x-(PO)y-(EO)x wherein each x is independently on average between about 1 and about 40, and y is on average between about 1 and about 15.