A method of laundering fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry detergents often fail to balance effective cleaning performance with fabric care, particularly in preserving tensile strength during the laundering process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an acidic soak at controlled pH and dose followed by an alkaline wash, using specific compositions and conditions to maintain fabric integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional alkaline detergent is used for washing, then cleaning performance is improved, but fabric tensile strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing an acidic soak treatment before the alkaline wash. The acidic soak (pH 2-4) is conducted first to prepare the fabric, followed by the alkaline wash (pH 9-11). This preliminary acidic treatment modifies the fabric surface or soil structure in advance, enabling the subsequent alkaline wash to clean effectively without causing excessive strength loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the pH of the wash solution to alternate between acidic (pH 2-4) and alkaline (pH 9-11) conditions. By changing the pH parameter sequentially, the process achieves both effective cleaning in the alkaline phase and fabric protection in the acidic phase, resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and strength preservation.
2Strength
If acidic detergent is used for washing, then fabric tensile strength is preserved, but cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the laundering process into two distinct functional stages: an acidic soak stage (pH 2-4) for fabric protection and an alkaline wash stage (pH 9-11) for cleaning. Each stage performs its specialized function, with the acidic stage preserving fabric strength and the alkaline stage providing cleaning performance, thereby resolving the contradiction through process segmentation.
3Strength
If extended soaking time is used, then fabric care performance is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a short, intensive acidic soak (15-60 minutes) followed by a rapid alkaline wash (5-30 minutes). This periodic treatment with controlled duration provides fabric care benefits without requiring extended soaking times, thus resolving the contradiction between fabric care performance and time loss.
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
This method provides both excellent cleaning performance and minimal tensile strength loss, ensuring fabric care through controlled acidic and alkaline washing steps.
Implementation Method 1
contacting from 10g to 100g of an acidic solid laundry detergent composition to from 1.0L to 10.0L of water to form an acidic aqueous wash bath having a pH in the range of from 2.0 to 3.0
Implementation Method 2
the acidic solid laundry detergent composition has 10wt% to 70wt% acidic component and from 1.0wt% to 20wt% detersive surfactant
Implementation Method 3
contacting from 10g to 200g of an alkaline solid laundry detergent composition to from 1.0L to 70L of water to form an alkaline aqueous wash bath having a pH in the range of from 8.0 to 12.0
Implementation Method 4
the alkaline solid laundry detergent composition comprises from 3.0wt% to 50wt% alkaline component and from 1.0wt% to 30wt% detersive surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of laundering fabric. The fabric to be laundered is subjected to a first acidic soaking step, followed by an alkaline washing step.