Method of dishwashing comprising detergent compositions substantially free of polycarboxylic acid polymers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashing methods using alkaline detergents with water conditioning agents like polycarboxylic acid polymers and phosphonates result in precipitation and filming on treated surfaces due to residual alkalinity, requiring additional processing steps and increased polymer consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an initial alkaline detergent wash step free of polycarboxylic acid polymers and phosphonates, followed by a high-temperature rinse step with these agents, reducing polymer usage and preventing precipitation, employing specific polymers such as methacrylate, acrylic maleic, and acrylate/ATBS copolymers in the rinse composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If water conditioning agents (polycarboxylic acid polymers and phosphonates) are included in alkaline detergent compositions, then cleaning performance is improved, but precipitation and filming occur on treated surfaces due to residual alkalinity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidprecipitation and filming

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the washing process into two separate steps: (1) an alkaline detergent wash step free of water conditioning agents, and (2) a rinse step containing water conditioning agents. This segmentation prevents the interaction between alkaline detergent and water conditioning agents that causes precipitation, while still achieving both cleaning performance and scale inhibition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alkaline detergent wash step is performed first to remove soils and prepare surfaces, before the rinse step with water conditioning agents is applied. This preliminary action ensures that surfaces are cleaned before scale inhibition is applied, preventing filming while maintaining cleaning efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If water conditioning agents are used in the detergent wash step, then scale inhibition is provided, but additional processing steps are required to remove precipitation films

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale inhibitionVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the functions of cleaning and scale inhibition into two distinct steps, the invention eliminates the need for additional acid wash steps to remove precipitation films, simplifying the overall process while maintaining reliable scale inhibition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of water conditioning agents reacting with alkaline detergent to form precipitation into a benefit by applying the water conditioning agents after the alkaline wash, when no alkalinity remains to cause harmful reactions.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If water conditioning agents are used in conventional detergent formulations, then hard water scale is controlled, but overall consumption of water conditioning polymers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehard water scale controlVSAvoidwater conditioning polymer consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the timing parameter of when water conditioning agents are applied, shifting from the wash step to the rinse step. This parameter change optimizes the effectiveness of the water conditioning agents, allowing for reduced consumption while maintaining scale inhibition performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach achieves similar or improved cleaning performance and scale inhibition while significantly reducing the overall consumption of water conditioning agents by up to 80%, minimizing film formation and enhancing the efficiency of the dishwashing process.

Implementation Method 1

the treating of the hard water before it contacts the alkalinity source which prevents precipitation and/or flocculation from occurring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 2

the treating of the hard water before it contacts the alkalinity source which prevents precipitation and/or flocculation from occurring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlocculation: Flocculation

Implementation Method 3

the rinse composition comprising the water conditioning agent(s)... providing at substantially similar cleaning performance of the ware while reducing the amount of the water conditioning agent(s)... in comparison to conventional ware washing employing a water conditioning agent(s) in the wash step

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScale inhibition:

Data Source

PatentUS11685882B2Method of dishwashing comprising detergent compositions substantially free of polycarboxylic acid polymers

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

Methods of dishwashing to remove soils are disclosed, including a first detergent wash step, wherein the detergent is substantially-free of water conditioning agents including polycarboxylic acid polymers and phosphonates, followed by a second step of rinsing under high temperature with a water conditioning agent, namely polycarboxylic acid polymers. The methods result in little to no precipitation forming on the treated ware due to the treating of the hard water before it contacts the alkalinity source which prevents precipitation and/or flocculation from occurring.