Unit-Dose Detergent Composition for Fast Dissolution at High Surfactant Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-soluble unit dose detergent articles face challenges in achieving high active ingredient concentration with reduced solvent content, leading to product dissolution issues and unsatisfactory performance, particularly at higher surfactant concentrations, which can result in crystalline phases and residue on fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble unit dose article comprising a detergent composition with a specific ratio of non-soap surfactant to non-ionic surfactant and controlled fatty acid content, encapsulated within a water-soluble film, ensuring stable and efficient dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the detergent composition is compacted with higher surfactant concentrations and reduced solvent content, then the active ingredient concentration is improved and costs are reduced, but crystalline or highly viscous lamellar phase forms upon initial contact with dilution water, slowing down initial dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the detergent formulation by specifying precise ranges: non-soap surfactant (45-65%), nonionic surfactant (5-25%), fatty acid (0-3.5%), and water (5-25%). This parameter optimization prevents crystalline phase formation while maintaining high active ingredient concentration and controlled dissolution rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite detergent system combining multiple surfactant types (non-soap anionic and nonionic) with complementary properties. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve both high concentration stability and improved dissolution kinetics by leveraging the different characteristics of each surfactant component.
2Quantity of substance
If the amount of solvent in the detergent composition is reduced, then the active ingredient concentration is improved, but product dissolution challenges arise and crystalline phases may form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the solvent content parameter to a specific range (5-25% water) and compensates with adjusted surfactant ratios and fatty acid content. This parameter change strategy maintains dissolution reliability while reducing overall solvent amount compared to conventional formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fatty acid (0-3.5%) as a complementary substance that replicates and enhances the stabilizing function of solvents, allowing reduced solvent content while maintaining formulation stability and preventing crystalline phase formation during dissolution.
3Loss of energy
If higher surfactant concentrations are used to reduce solvent content, then costs and carbon footprint are reduced, but crystalline or highly viscous lamellar phase forms upon initial contact with dilution water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite surfactant system combining non-soap anionic surfactant (45-65%) and nonionic surfactant (5-25%) with complementary molecular structures. This composite material approach prevents crystalline phase formation at high concentrations while maintaining the environmental benefits of reduced solvent content and lower carbon footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fatty acid (0-3.5%) as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high surfactant concentration and water phase, preventing direct crystalline phase formation. This intermediary component allows the formulation to achieve high active ingredient concentration with reduced environmental impact while maintaining dissolution stability.
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 solution provides improved dissolution kinetics and reduced solvent use, enhancing product performance and reducing environmental impact while maintaining stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When the water-soluble unit dose detergent article is added to water, the film dissolves/disintegrates releasing the detergent into the surrounding water to create a cleaning liquor
Implementation Method 2
the detergent composition comprises from 45% to 65% by weight of the composition of a non-soap surfactant system comprising anionic non-soap surfactant and nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
These solvents can help to prevent physical phase instability, to control viscosity to enable dosability during manufacture as well as good dissolution profile upon use
Implementation Method 4
to secure proper water-soluble film plasticization to prevent premature rupture. A water-soluble film of too low level of plasticisation becomes brittle upon ageing and as such becomes susceptible to premature rupture
Data Source
AI summary
A water-soluble unit-dose detergent article comprising a water-soluble film and a liquid detergent composition, wherein the detergent composition includes from 45% to 65% by weight of the composition of a non-soap surfactant system comprising anionic non-soap surfactant and nonionic surfactant; from 0% to 3.5% by weight of the composition of fatty acid, from 5% to 25% by weight of the composition of organic solvent; and from 5% to 25% by weight of the composition of water, wherein the fatty acid weight % and the anionic non-soap surfactant to non-ionic surfactant weight ratio falls into a triangle of a (fatty acid weight %, anionic non-soap surfactant to non-ionic surfactant weight ratio) coordinate graph defined by the following coordinates: (0, 4.5), (0, 2) and (3.5, 2).