Unit Dose Fabric Softener Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Encapsulated fragrances in fabric conditioners are typically supplied in a suspension with over 50% water, causing instability in water-soluble pouches and uneven distribution during washing, necessitating improved dispersion methods for both fragrances and fabric conditioners.
Innovation Solution
A unit dose fabric conditioner composition combining a cationic fabric softening active, a polyol, an alkoxylated alcohol, and a dispersing polymer, encapsulated in a water-soluble pouch, allows for even distribution of fragrances and fabric conditioner actives during laundering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If encapsulated fragrances are supplied in a suspension with over 50% water, then the fragrance capsules can be easily dispersed, but the water creates instability in the water-soluble pouch and uneven distribution during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the fragrance suspension by reducing water content from over 50% to less than 10%, and by adjusting the polyol content and viscosity range (50-500 cP). This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by creating a formulation that remains stable in the pouch while still dispersing evenly during washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system combining polyol, alkoxylated alcohol, and dispersing polymer in specific ratios. This composite formulation provides both pouch stability and washing dispersion, resolving the contradiction between ease of dispersion and stability by creating a material with dual functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If more water is used in the fragrance suspension, then the encapsulated fragrance can be incorporated more easily, but the fabric conditioner composition becomes less stable and harder to disperse evenly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the formulation parameters by limiting water content to less than 10% and specifying polyol content between 80-95% by weight. These parameter changes enable easy incorporation of fragrance capsules while maintaining composition stability, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fabric conditioner is to be dispersed throughout the wash, then the composition needs to be evenly distributed, but high water content causes instability in the water-soluble pouch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both pouch stability and even distribution by changing key parameters: water content reduced to <10%, polyol content increased to 80-95%, and viscosity controlled at 50-500 cP. These parameter transformations create a composition that remains stable in storage while dispersing uniformly during the wash cycle.
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 combination ensures stable and even deposition of fragrances and fabric conditioners on fabrics, enhancing the laundry process by maintaining the liquid state and viscosity of the composition at 25°C, thereby improving fabric conditioning and fragrance delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersing polymer for dispersing the cationic fabric softening active
Implementation Method 2
a fabric conditioner composition contained within a water soluble pouch
Data Source
AI summary
A unit dose fabric conditioner that contains a combination of a polyol, alkoxylated alcohol, and dispersing polymer to allow for incorporation of encapsulated fragrance slurries into unit dose fabric conditioners to disperse the encapsulated fragrance and fabric conditioner active during laundering.