Agar Shell Capsule Stability in Liquid Cosmetic Formulations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capsule-containing aqueous cosmetics become turbid over time due to capsule damage and leakage, leading to impaired appearance and reduced moisturizing effects, with low molecular polyols exacerbating the issue by extracting oil components from capsules.

Innovation Solution

A liquid cosmetic with agar shell capsules in an aqueous medium containing a low molecular polyol and at least one polymer, such as an alkyl (meth)acrylic copolymer or polysaccharide, which reduces capsule damage and leakage, maintaining transparency and skin moisturizing effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional capsules are used in aqueous cosmetic, then the cosmetic can provide moisturizing effect, but the capsules become damaged and leak over time causing turbidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapsule stabilityVSAvoidturbidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional capsule shells with agar-based shells that have flexible yet stable properties. The agar shell maintains structural integrity over time while allowing the cosmetic components to remain encapsulated, preventing leakage and turbidity formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material formulation by combining agar with specific polymers (alkyl (meth)acrylic copolymer and/or polysaccharide) to create a capsule shell that exhibits both mechanical stability and resistance to degradation in aqueous environment, thereby preventing capsule damage and subsequent turbidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If low molecular polyol is added to aqueous medium, then moisturizing effect is enhanced, but oil components are extracted from capsules causing turbidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisturizing effectVSAvoidturbidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The agar shell acts as an intermediary barrier between the low molecular polyol in the aqueous medium and the oil components inside the capsules. This barrier prevents the polyol from extracting oil components while still allowing the moisturizing effect to be achieved through the capsule formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the capsule shell by using agar with specific gel strength and molecular structure, which alters the shell's permeability characteristics to resist extraction by low molecular polyol while maintaining moisture retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If colorant is added to capsules, then aesthetic quality is enhanced, but colorant leaks with capsule contents making instability conspicuous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic qualityVSAvoidproduct stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The agar-based capsule shell provides a stable containment structure that prevents colorant leakage while maintaining the aesthetic appearance. The shell's structural integrity ensures that colorant remains encapsulated, preventing the instability that would otherwise become conspicuous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Illumination intensity

If capsules have different specific gravity from aqueous medium, then aesthetic quality is improved with separated layers, but capsules separate from medium requiring shaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic qualityVSAvoiddispersion maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the specific gravity of the aqueous medium by modifying its composition (adding polymers, adjusting concentration) to match or closely approximate the specific gravity of the agar capsules. This parameter adjustment allows the capsules to remain suspended in the medium without separation, eliminating the need for shaking while maintaining aesthetic quality.

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 solution significantly reduces turbidity and maintains the cosmetic's original moisturizing effect over extended periods, ensuring the oil components remain encapsulated and the cosmetic's aesthetic quality is preserved.

Implementation Method 1

the capsule comprises agar shell encapsulating an oil component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

the low molecular polyol capable of functioning as the humectant, thus increasing and also helping to prolong the skin-moisturizing effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumectant property: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the moisture-retaining property of the agar itself functions together with the low molecular polyol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture retention: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the aqueous medium comprises a low molecular polyol and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an alkyl (meth)acrylic copolymer and a polysaccharide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion stabilization: Suspension

Data Source

PatentEP3727281B1Liquid cosmetic with agar shell capsule
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 LVMH RECH

AI summary

The invention provides a liquid cosmetic that contains capsule in an aqueous medium, wherein the capsule comprises agar shell encapsulating an oil component, and the aqueous medium comprises a low molecular polyol and one selected from the group consisting of a (meth)acrylic polymer and a polysaccharide.