Viscosity Gradient in Dishwashing Combination Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination products for automatic dishwashing fail to maintain enzyme stability during dosing due to pH fluctuations, as the enzyme-containing and non-enzyme-containing compositions mix, resulting in a pH medium that is not optimal for enzyme activity.
Innovation Solution
The use of separate flowable compositions A and B with adjusted viscosities, where composition A contains 10-75% builder, 0.1-10% enzyme preparation, and 24.9-89.9% water, and composition B contains less than 0.1% enzyme preparation, 0.5-90% water, and at least one detergent ingredient, with viscosities above 1500 mPas, particularly composition B between 3500-6500 mPas, to prevent premature enzyme inactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If two separate flowable compositions with different pH values are combined in a packaging material, then enzyme stability during storage is improved, but enzyme stability during dosing deteriorates due to pH mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the viscosity parameter of composition B to be higher (3500-6500 mPas) than composition A (1500-3500 mPas), creating a viscosity gradient that controls the mixing behavior during dosing. This parameter change ensures that while the compositions remain separate during storage, they mix in a controlled manner during dosing that preserves enzyme activity.
2Reliability
If composition B has high viscosity to control mixing, then enzyme stability is improved, but dosing speed may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different viscosity characteristics to different compositions locally: composition A has lower viscosity (1500-3500 mPas) for faster dissolution and enzyme release, while composition B has higher viscosity (3500-6500 mPas) to control mixing and protect enzymes. This local differentiation of rheological properties optimizes both enzyme stability and dosing 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
This solution ensures that enzymes in composition A are distributed quickly and remain active, while composition B is distributed more slowly, maintaining optimal pH conditions and enhancing cleaning performance, especially for stubborn dirt, without destabilizing the enzymes.
Implementation Method 1
the two compositions A and B each having a viscosity of greater than 1500 mPas, with at least the composition B having a viscosity between 3500 and 6500 mPas
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to fluid washing or cleaning products which are present as combination products comprising a packaging means and at least two fluid washing or cleaning compositions A and B that are located in said packaging means and that are separate from each other, wherein the two compositions A and B comprise A: 10 to 75 wt% of builder material(s); 0.1 to 10 wt% of enzyme preparation; 24.9 to 89.9 wt% of water; and B: less than 0.1 wt% of enzyme preparation; 0.5 to 90 wt% of water and at least one further ingredient of washing or cleaning products, and which fluid washing or cleaning products have an improved stability if the viscosity of the compositions A and B is above 1500 mPas.