Alkyl Cellulose Volatile Composition for Temperature-Controlled Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional volatile compositions, such as air fresheners, experience excessive volatilization of volatile substances at high temperatures due to limited gel strength and variable thermal gelation temperatures of thermosensitive polymers, leading to uncontrolled release of active ingredients.

Innovation Solution

A volatile composition comprising alkyl cellulose with specific viscosity and storage elastic modulus, combined with a volatile substance and solvent, to control and suppress the volatilization of active ingredients across a wide temperature range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional thermosensitive polymers (methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose) are used to control volatilization, then the gelation temperature is around 60°C, but the gel strength is small and the suppression effect is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegelation temperatureVSAvoidgel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polymer by using alkyl cellulose with specific alkyl groups (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl) and specific viscosity ranges (4,000-11,000 mPa·s at 20°C), which fundamentally alters the gelation temperature to below 50°C and significantly increases gel strength compared to conventional methyl cellulose

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system by combining alkyl cellulose with specific volatile substances (aroma ingredients, insecticidal ingredients, insect control ingredients, or insect repellent ingredients) and solvents (water, alcohol solvents, or glycol ether solvents) in specific proportions to achieve both desired gelation temperature and gel strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If other thermosensitive polymers are used to achieve different gelation temperatures, then the gelation temperature varies, but it is greatly variable depending on coexistent aroma chemicals or surfactants making practical use difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegelation temperatureVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects alkyl cellulose with specifically controlled viscosity parameters (4,000-11,000 mPa·s at 20°C for 1% aqueous solution) and controls the storage elastic modulus G'(65°C) between 3,000-4,500 Pa, which stabilizes the gelation temperature below 50°C and reduces variability caused by interactions with aroma chemicals or surfactants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the volatilization rate increases at high temperature, then the volatile substance is rapidly consumed, but the volatilization amount far exceeds the required amount in a fixed space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolatilization rateVSAvoidvolatilization amount
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using alkyl cellulose to form a gel structure that prevents excessive volatilization before it occurs. The gel network physically restricts the volatilization process, counteracting the natural tendency of rapid volatilization at high temperatures and maintaining controlled release rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameters of the volatile composition by forming a gel with specific rheological properties (storage elastic modulus G'(65°C) of 3,000-4,500 Pa), which fundamentally alters the volatilization behavior from rapid unconstrained release to controlled sustained release

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 effectively regulates the volatilization of volatile substances, maintaining consistent odor intensity and reducing excessive release at high temperatures, ensuring controlled release of active ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

a thermosensitive polymer causing thermoreversible aggregation or gelation is used in combination with a volatile substance to control the volatilization rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoreversible aggregation or gelation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

such a polymer has a thermal gelation temperature region which is greatly variable depending on a coexistent aroma chemical or surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal gelation: Gel

Data Source

PatentEP3216465B1Volatile composition
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP3216465B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Provided is a volatile composition having a small difference in volatilization amounts of a volatile substance within a wide temperature range from the normal temperature and enabling the control of the volatilization amount even at a high temperature by suppressing the volatilization amount of the volatile substance and by increasing the gel strength of the volatile composition. Specifically provided is a volatile composition comprising an alkyl cellulose having such a viscosity that a viscosity at 20°C of a 1% by weight aqueous solution of the alkyl cellulose is 4,000 to 11,000 mPa·s as determined by a Brookfield viscometer and having such a storage elastic modulus that a storage elastic modulus G'(65°C) at 65°C of a 1.5% by weight aqueous solution of the alkyl cellulose is 3,000 to 4,500 Pa; a volatile substance; and a solvent.