Whitening Agents for Cellulosic Substrates Neutralizing Yellowness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellulosic substrates tend to yellow over time due to light, air, and soiling, making it difficult to reverse this discoloration with normal laundering procedures, necessitating the need for improved whitening agents that can effectively neutralize yellowness without causing undesirable staining.

Innovation Solution

The development of novel laundry care compositions comprising whitening agents with a chromophore component that fluoresces or absorbs blue, red, violet, or purple light, combined with a polymeric component, characterized by a Hansen Solubility Parameter dispersion component value of less than or equal to 17 MPa 0.5, which enhances their affinity and durability on cellulosic substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional whitening agents are used to brighten cellulosic substrates, then the substrates appear brighter, but the agents cause undesirable staining of the textile substrates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidstaining

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the whitening agent by selecting chromophores with specific Hansen solubility parameters (δd ≤ 17 MPa^0.5) and combining them with polymeric components. This parameter modification allows the agent to brighten cellulosic substrates without causing staining, resolving the contradiction between brightness enhancement and staining prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite whitening agent system consisting of chromophore components combined with polymeric components. This composite structure enables the agent to achieve both brightening效果 and staining resistance, as the polymeric component modifies the interaction between the chromophore and the cellulosic substrate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If normal laundering procedures are used on aged cellulosic substrates, then the substrates are cleaned, but the yellowness caused by aging cannot be reversed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaundering effectivenessVSAvoidyellowness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces whitening agents with specific chromatic properties (fluorescing or absorbing blue, red, violet, or purple light) to counteract the yellowing effect. By changing the optical parameters of the substrate through these specialized agents, the yellowness is neutralized while maintaining ease of laundering operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If whitening agents are applied to extend the life of textile substrates, then the substrates maintain a brighter appearance, but the agents may cause staining during application and washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetextile life extensionVSAvoidstaining

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By modifying the Hansen solubility parameter dispersion component to δd ≤ 17 MPa^0.5, the patent creates whitening agents that provide long-lasting brightening效果 without staining. This parameter control ensures the agent remains on the substrate during washing cycles, extending textile life while preventing harmful staining

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses chromophore-polymer composite structures where the polymeric component provides durability and staining resistance, while the chromophore component delivers the brightening function. This structure allows the whitening agent to function effectively through multiple washing cycles without degrading or staining the substrate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

These whitening agents effectively neutralize yellowness in cellulosic substrates, extending the life of textile products by providing a brighter appearance without causing staining, as demonstrated by their ability to maintain a blueing effect even after multiple washing cycles.

Implementation Method 1

Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2104729B1Laundry care composition comprising a whitening agent for cellulosic substrates

Publication Date: 2010.11.03 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

Figure 1

AI summary

This invention relates to laundry care compositions including but not limited to liquid and/or powder laundry detergent formulations and rinse added fabric softening (RAFS) compositions that comprise whitening agents for cellulosic substrates. The whitening agents are comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. The whitening agents are further characterized by having a dispersion component value of the Hansen Solubility Parameter of less than or equal to about 17 MPaO.5.