Water-Soluble Package With Powder Coating Prevents Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-soluble packages used for detergents are fragile and prone to sticking together, and when bittering agents are incorporated within the film, they can transfer to users' hands, causing prolonged bitterness.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble package with a powder coating containing a powdered bittering agent and 10 wt.% or more of a powdered lubricating agent, applied externally, which provides both taste deterrence and prevents sticking, allowing for a single manufacturing step and accurate dosing of the bittering agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the water-soluble package is made thin with high water solubility to enable quick and complete release of contents, then the release speed is improved, but the package becomes fragile and susceptible to damage from environmental moisture
Solution Approach 1:
A powder coating is applied to the exterior surface of the water-soluble package before use. This preliminary coating provides protective functions including preventing sticking between packages, reducing susceptibility to environmental moisture, and maintaining structural integrity during storage and handling, while allowing the thin package to dissolve quickly when used
2Quantity of substance
If multiple water-soluble packages are stored in close proximity, then storage efficiency is improved, but the packages have a tendency to stick together
Solution Approach 1:
A powder coating is applied to the exterior surface of the water-soluble package that acts as an intermediary layer between packages. This coating includes substances that reduce friction and prevent sticking, allowing packages to be stored in close proximity while maintaining ease of separation when needed
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a bittering agent is included in the water-soluble package to deter oral ingestion, then safety is improved, but the bittering agent can transfer to the user's hands during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The bittering agent is incorporated specifically into the powder coating on the exterior surface of the package rather than being distributed throughout the entire package or film. This localized placement ensures that the bittering agent is present to deter ingestion when the package is accidentally mouthed, but the amount transferred to hands during normal handling is minimized
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 effectively prevents the water-soluble packages from sticking together and provides a bitter taste deterrent, reducing the need for high bittering agent doses within the film, while ensuring the bittering agent is only applied externally, thus minimizing hand contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the powder coating includes a bittering agent... provides a bitter taste deterrent
Implementation Method 2
10 wt.% or more of a powdered lubricating agent... prevents the water-soluble packages from sticking together
Implementation Method 3
the water-soluble substrate encloses a composition... released from the water-soluble package on exposure to water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a water-soluble package comprising a water-soluble substrate and a powder coating on an exterior surface of the water-soluble substrate, wherein the water-soluble substrate encloses a composition and the powder coating includes a powdered bittering agent, a method of making such water-soluble packages and their use, in particular for washing dishes or laundering textiles.