Aerosol Composition Solvent Blend for Reduced Particle Settling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol compositions face issues with excessive settling on surfaces, leading to slip and fall hazards and damage, particularly when used with automatic dispensers that spray at timed intervals, due to larger particle sizes and slower evaporation rates.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous aerosol composition with a solvent blend of low and high volatility solvents, optimized to achieve particle sizes less than 30 microns and increased evaporation rates, ensuring reduced settling and enhanced dispersion of active ingredients, independent of the actuator and container design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If larger particle sizes are used in aerosol composition, then the composition can be delivered more efficiently, but the particles settle on surfaces more quickly causing slip and fall hazards and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidsettlement on surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the aerosol particles by controlling particle size to be less than 30 microns and adjusting the composition to achieve optimal balance between delivery efficiency and reduced settlement. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by making particles small enough to remain airborne longer while maintaining effective delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes evaporation phase transition of the aerosol particles to resolve the contradiction. By formulating the composition with specific volatile components that evaporate at controlled rates, the particles transition from liquid aerosol to vapor phase, reducing settlement while maintaining delivery efficiency through the evaporation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If smaller particle sizes are used in aerosol composition, then the dispersion of active ingredient is improved, but the evaporation rate decreases causing faster settling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive ingredient dispersionVSAvoidevaporation rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the composition parameters including solvent blend ratios, volatile component concentrations, and particle size to achieve less than 30 micron particles with enhanced evaporation rates. This parameter optimization allows small particles to maintain high evaporation rates, preventing premature settling while ensuring active ingredient dispersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material formulation combining multiple solvents with different volatilities and properties to create an aerosol composition that achieves both small particle size and high evaporation rate. The composite solvent system allows simultaneous optimization of dispersion and evaporation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of moving object

If the aerosol composition is sprayed repeatedly at timed intervals, then the active ingredient is delivered continuously, but the residue on surfaces accumulates creating hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous deliveryVSAvoidsurface residue accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes controlled evaporation phase transition to resolve the contradiction. The composition is formulated with volatile components that evaporate at rates matched to the spraying interval, allowing continuous delivery through repeated spraying while preventing residue accumulation. The evaporation process removes the composition from surfaces before hazards can develop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes composition parameters including evaporation rate, particle size, and volatile content to achieve a balance where repeated spraying at timed intervals delivers active ingredient continuously while minimizing surface residue. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain continuous action without harmful accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition achieves improved active ingredient delivery, reduced surface residue, and longer air residence time for smaller particles, minimizing hazards and enhancing consumer experience by maintaining a stable single phase and using Hansen Solubility Parameters for solvent compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

The increase in evaporation rate of volatile components in the composition lead to smaller particle sizes, improved active ingredient delivery, slower settling in the air and less residue from fall-out on surfaces.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

an aerosol composition is provided which is a stable single phase non-aqueous liquid aerosol composition for dispersion of an active ingredient into the air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerosol: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS9138409B2Aerosol composition with enhanced dispersion effects
Publication Date: 2015.09.22 SC JOHNSON & SON INC

AI summary

A stable, high VOC, single phase, non-aqueous liquid aerosol composition having enhanced dispersion based on reduced particle size and increased evaporation rate to result in improved active ingredient dispersion, slower settling in air and less residue on surfaces. The composition includes at least one hydrocarbon propellant, at least one active ingredient and a solvent blend. The solvent blend includes at least one low volatility solvent and at least one high volatility solvent wherein each has a defined vapor pressure and Hansen solubility parameter. The composition upon dispersion as a spray has an aerosol particle size of less than 30 microns.