Water-Soluble Unit Dose with PEG Stabilizer for Weeping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-soluble unit dose articles face challenges in stability, physical properties, and 'weeping' performance due to phase separation, flocculation, and excessive liquid leakage during storage and use, which affect their convenience and effectiveness as laundry detergents.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble unit dose article comprising a liquid laundry detergent composition with 1% to 25% polyethylene glycol of 150 to 300 Daltons molecular weight and 0.1% to 30% non-aqueous solvent, wrapped in a water-soluble film, which balances stability, physical properties, and 'weeping' performance by controlling the interaction between the film and the detergent components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid detergent compositions are used in unit dose articles, then the detergent can provide cleaning function, but phase separation and flocculation occur during storage leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of polyethylene glycol to a specific range (150-300 Daltons) to optimize the balance between stability and weeping performance. This parameter change prevents phase separation and flocculation while maintaining effective detergent functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite liquid detergent composition combining polyethylene glycol (150-300 Daltons) with non-aqueous solvents and other detergent ingredients. This composite formulation achieves stable, homogeneous mixtures that resist phase separation and flocculation during storage.
2Strength
If the film material is made more flexible to prevent breakage, then the unit dose article becomes more durable, but excessive swelling occurs making the article floppy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the physical and chemical parameters of the film material to achieve appropriate swelling characteristics. The film is designed to swell moderately upon contact with detergent solution, providing flexibility without excessive expansion that would cause floppiness or premature breakage.
3Reliability
If the unit dose article is designed to prevent weeping during storage, then stability is improved, but liquid leakage may occur during use affecting convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of polyethylene glycol to a specific range (150-300 Daltons) that optimizes the balance between preventing weeping during storage and allowing controlled liquid flow during use. This parameter optimization ensures the detergent remains stable during storage while maintaining ease of operation during washing.
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 an improved balance among stability, physical properties, and 'weeping' performance, ensuring the detergent remains effective and convenient to use without premature breakage or excessive leakage, enhancing user experience and product reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the film material may swell or de-swell after it contacts the liquid contained in the unit dose articles due to the interaction between the film material and some ingredients in the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The water-soluble unit dose article comprises the water-soluble film shaped such that the unit dose article comprises at least one internal compartment surrounded by the water-soluble film
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to water-soluble unit dose articles comprising a liquid laundry detergent composition which comprises polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 300 Daltons.