Unit Dose Laundry Composition Dispersion via Alkoxylated Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid laundry treatment compositions with non-surfactant benefit agents often exhibit poor dispersion characteristics, leading to localized high concentrations and reduced effectiveness, as well as potential fabric staining due to uneven distribution in wash liquor, especially when formulated in water-soluble unit dose articles.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film and a laundry treatment composition with a specific alkoxylated alkyl surfactant system and solvent blend, which disperses non-surfactant benefit agents uniformly, reducing localized concentrations and enhancing their distribution in wash liquor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-surfactant benefit agents are added to liquid laundry treatment compositions, then the functional effectiveness is improved, but poor dispersion characteristics occur leading to localized high concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid carrier comprising water and a water-soluble polymer as an intermediary medium to disperse non-surfactant benefit agents. The polymer acts as a mediator that prevents direct aggregation of benefit agents while maintaining their functional effectiveness, thereby achieving uniform dispersion without localized high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the dispersion medium by using a specific liquid carrier with water and water-soluble polymer. This parameter change modifies the solvation and steric stabilization properties, enabling uniform dispersion of benefit agents that would otherwise aggregate in conventional aqueous systems.
2Quantity of substance
If non-surfactant benefit agents are concentrated in localized areas, then the concentration strength is increased, but fabric staining occurs due to prolonged contact with high concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble polymer in the liquid carrier serves as a protective intermediary between the benefit agents and the fabric. It maintains benefit agents in a dispersed state, preventing localized high concentration contact with fabric surfaces, thereby eliminating the harmful staining effect while preserving the therapeutic concentration in the wash liquor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of high concentration benefit agents (which causes staining) into a benefit by using the liquid carrier system. The polymer matrix controls release and distribution, transforming what would be a harmful localized concentration into a beneficial uniformly distributed treatment throughout the wash cycle.
3Ease of operation
If liquid laundry treatment composition is formulated in water-soluble unit dose articles, then the convenience of use is improved, but the dispersion problem of benefit agents is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid carrier with water-soluble polymer is prepared in advance during formulation, creating a pre-stabilized dispersion system. When the unit dose article dissolves in water, this pre-prepared liquid carrier system immediately activates to disperse benefit agents uniformly, combining the convenience of unit dose usage with effective dispersion performance.
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 improves the dispersion of non-surfactant benefit agents in wash liquor, reducing staining and enhancing their effectiveness across all fabrics, thereby improving the consumer wash experience.
Implementation Method 1
Between 40% and 80% by weight of the composition of an alkoxylated alkyl surfactant system, wherein the alkoxylated alkyl surfactant comprise a first alkoxylated alkyl surfactant and a second alkoxylated alkyl surfactant
Implementation Method 2
a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film and a laundry treatment composition
Data Source
AI summary
A water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film and a laundry treatment composition, wherein said laundry treatment composition includes: between 0.0001% and 8% by weight of the composition of a non-surfactant benefit agent; and between 40% and 80% by weight of the composition of an alkoxylated alkyl surfactant system.