Alpha-Gel Intermediate Composition for Stable O/W Emulsions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preparing α-gel-containing O/W emulsion cosmetics face challenges with viscosity stability over time, requiring cooling devices that are costly and environmentally burdensome, and struggle to achieve small emulsion particle sizes and stable storage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a bicontinuous microemulsion phase or lamellar liquid crystal-dispersed phase is created by mixing higher alcohols with anionic surfactants and water-soluble solvents at specific ratios, allowing for the formation of α-gel upon cooling, which maintains stability and reduces the need for cooling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling devices are used to prepare α-gel-containing O/W emulsion cosmetics, then α-gel layers are formed around emulsion particles improving stability, but the process requires large amounts of energy and generates waste water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a high-concentration emulsion portion at elevated temperature where α-gel components are dissolved, then diluting with cold aqueous phase to induce α-gel formation during mixing. This eliminates the need for subsequent cooling devices, reducing energy consumption and waste water generation while maintaining emulsion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling temperature during the emulsification process. The oil phase and surfactant are heated to dissolve α-gel components, then the high-concentration emulsion is mixed with cold aqueous phase, causing temperature change that induces α-gel formation. This temperature parameter control achieves stable α-gel-containing emulsion without external cooling devices.
2Reliability
If cooling rate is adjusted slowly to form α-gel, then emulsion stability improves, but the cosmetic becomes too hard and requires costly cooling devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-dissolving α-gel components (higher alcohol and surfactant) in the oil phase at elevated temperature before emulsification. This ensures complete dissolution and uniform distribution, allowing α-gel to form properly during the dilution step without requiring controlled slow cooling devices, thus simplifying the equipment while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not cooling the entire emulsion slowly, but instead mixing a hot high-concentration emulsion portion with cold aqueous phase. This reversal of temperature application achieves α-gel formation through the mixing process itself, eliminating the need for complex cooling rate control devices.
3Loss of energy
If cooling is performed too fast to reduce energy consumption, then energy cost decreases, but crystals of higher alcohol deposit and aggregated mass is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by thoroughly dissolving higher alcohol and surfactant in the oil phase at elevated temperature (70°C or higher) before emulsification. This pre-dissolution ensures uniform distribution of α-gel components, preventing crystal deposition during rapid cooling or mixing, while still allowing energy-efficient processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the temperature parameter by maintaining the oil phase at 70°C or higher during dissolution, then utilizing the temperature difference during mixing with cold aqueous phase to induce α-gel formation. This parameter control prevents crystal deposition while enabling energy-efficient processing without slow cooling devices.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional emulsification methods are used, then simple processing is achieved, but small emulsion particle sizes (1 μm or less) cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the emulsion preparation into two distinct stages: first forming a high-concentration emulsion portion with dissolved α-gel components, then diluting with aqueous phase to generate fine emulsion particles. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving both processing simplicity and small particle sizes (1 μm or less) with good stability.
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 method achieves high viscosity stability and excellent emulsion stability without cooling devices, enabling stable storage and efficient production of α-gel-containing O/W emulsions with small particle sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a bicontinuous microemulsion phase or a lamellar liquid crystal-dispersed phase which is a liquid at 65 to 85° C. and a solid at room temperature
Implementation Method 2
it is a liquid at 65 to 85° C. and a solid at room temperature
Implementation Method 3
α-gel intermediate composition... formation of α-gel upon cooling
Implementation Method 4
α-Gel is an aggregate consisting of lamellar bi-layers (bimolecular membranes) formed by a hydrophilic surfactant and a linear higher alcohol
Implementation Method 5
The higher alcohol and surfactant are orderly arranged in the bi-layers with the molar ratio of 3:1 (specifically, the hydrophilic group of the higher alcohol is positioned at hexagonal corners, and the hydrophilic group of the surfactant is positioned at the hexagonal center) to form a hexagonal system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an intermediate composition enabling to prepare easily and steadily an α-gel-containing O/W emulsion cosmetic that has a very small viscosity change over time and is excellent in emulsion stability, without using a cooling device that has a heavy burden on cost and the environment, and a production method thereof.An α-gel intermediate composition consisting of (A) 20 to 80 mass % of a mixture containing one or more higher alcohols having 16 or more carbon atoms and an anionic surfactant in the mole ratio of 3:2 to 5:1, and (B) 20 to 80 mass % of a mixture containing one or more water-soluble solvents having the IOB value of 1.5 to 3.5 and water in the mass ratio of 5:5 to 8:2, andwherein the composition is a liquid consisting of a bicontinuous microemulsion phase or a lamellar liquid crystal-dispersed bicontinuous microemulsion phase at 65 to 85° C. and a solid at room temperature.