Unit Dose Detergent Composition With Narrow-Range Ethoxylate Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid laundry detergent compositions in water-soluble unit dose articles experience thickening and increased elongational viscosity upon dilution with water, leading to delayed dissolution, especially in shorter, colder, and lower water wash cycles, when formulated with broad ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants, hindering effective cleaning of fabrics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a narrow range ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant with an alkyl chain of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an average degree of ethoxylation between 5 and 12, ensuring at least 85% of the surfactant molecules have 5 to 12 ethoxy groups, reduces thickening and elongational viscosity, enhancing product dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broad ethoxylation range ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant levels are increased to boost cleaning benefit, then cleaning performance is improved, but thickening upon dilution and elongational viscosity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ethoxylation range parameter from broad to narrow, specifically controlling the distribution of ethoxy groups to have a mean of 6-10 with most molecules having 4-12 ethoxy groups. This parameter change allows increased surfactant levels (up to 30% by weight) without the harmful thickening effect, resolving the contradiction between cleaning benefit and thickening upon dilution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining multiple surfactant components with specific ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants that have narrow ethoxylation ranges. This composite formulation achieves enhanced cleaning performance while maintaining controlled viscosity characteristics during dilution
2Reliability
If broad ethoxylation range ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant levels are increased to boost cleaning benefit, then cleaning performance is improved, but elongational viscosity increases rendering the composition harder to disperse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ethoxylation distribution parameter from broad to narrow, with specific control over the mean (6-10) and range (4-12 ethoxy groups per molecule). This parameter modification enables higher surfactant concentrations that improve cleaning while maintaining low elongational viscosity for easy dispersion in water during the wash cycle
3Reliability
If broad ethoxylation range ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant levels are increased, then cleaning benefit is improved, but product dissolution time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the ethoxylation parameter from broad range to narrow range with mean of 6-10 and most molecules having 4-12 ethoxy groups. This parameter change allows formulation with higher surfactant levels that provide superior cleaning performance while maintaining rapid dissolution characteristics essential for modern short wash cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary formulation work by selecting and pre-mixing surfactants with specifically controlled narrow ethoxylation ranges before final product assembly. This preliminary action ensures that the final formulation achieves both high cleaning efficacy and fast dissolution without requiring adjustment during use
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 use of a narrow range ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant improves the dissolution properties of liquid laundry detergent compositions, facilitating faster and more efficient dispersion in water, thereby boosting cleaning efficacy on fabrics.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant, wherein the non-ionic surfactant comprises an ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
Water-soluble unit dose article comprising a liquid laundry detergent composition, wherein the liquid laundry detergent composition contains a narrow range ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant.