Unit-Dose Laundry Detergent Pouch for Oil Soil Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unit dose laundry detergents do not effectively address dirty motor oil soil release and dye transfer inhibition while maintaining a good biodegradation profile.

Innovation Solution

A unit dose laundry detergent product in a pouch form, comprising a liquid laundry detergent composition enclosed by a water-soluble film, with a specific anionic soil release polyester, an amylase enzyme, and optionally less than 3.0 wt% alkyl ethoxylated sulfate (AES) surfactant, featuring a pH of 4.0 to 10.0 and polyalkylene glycol structural units ranging from 35 to 95wt%.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional unit dose detergents use high AES surfactant content (at least 10% by weight) to achieve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but biodegradation profile deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbiodegradation profile

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by reducing AES surfactant content from conventional levels (at least 10% by weight) to less than 3.0% by weight, while simultaneously introducing a specific anionic soil release polyester with polyalkylene glycol structural units (35-95 wt%) to maintain cleaning effectiveness despite the reduced surfactant content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite material system combining a specific anionic soil release polyester (with defined structural units including polyalkylene glycol, alkylene glycol, and aromatic dicarboxylate components) with low levels of AES surfactant and amylase enzyme, creating a synergistic formulation that achieves both effective cleaning and improved biodegradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If soil release polymers are used to improve soil release performance and dye transfer inhibition, then fabric protection is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil release performanceVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anionic soil release polyester serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides soil release performance, prevents dye transfer, and contributes to the overall cleaning mechanism, thereby achieving multiple benefits through a single material component rather than requiring separate additives for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves good dirty motor oil soil release performance, dye transfer inhibition, and a favorable biodegradation profile, enhancing the effectiveness of laundry detergents.

Implementation Method 1

a water-soluble film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater solubility: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

an amylase enzyme

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4636063A1A unit dose laundry detergent product

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a unit dose laundry detergent product in the form of a pouch.