Multi-functional Anti-microbial Polymers for Cosmetic Formulations

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cosmetic formulations, such as dental resins, lotions, and hand sanitizers, face challenges due to incompatibility issues between components like rheological modifiers, preservatives, and surfactants, leading to increased complexity and cost, as well as environmental concerns from fossil fuel-derived materials.

Innovation Solution

Development of multi-functional anti-microbial polymers composed of polymerizable units with a cyclic aromatic moiety and quaternary ammonium or phosphonium moieties, which also serve as rheology modifiers, thickeners, and surfactants, derived from plant or fruit extracts, reducing the need for multiple additives and minimizing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components (rheological modifiers, preservatives, surfactants) are used in cosmetic formulations, then each component can perform its specific function, but the formulation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (rheological modifier, preservative, surfactant) into a single multi-functional polymer molecule. The polymer backbone provides rheological modification, while quaternary ammonium/phosphonium/sulfonium side chains provide both surfactant and preservative functions, eliminating the need for separate additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invented polymer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thickening agent through its polymer structure, as a surfactant through its amphiphilic nature with hydrophobic aromatic moieties and hydrophilic ionic side chains, and as a preservative through the inherent antimicrobial activity of quaternary ammonium/phosphonium/sulfonium groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used in cosmetic formulations, then each component can perform its specific function, but the formulation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidformulation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (rheological modifier, preservative, surfactant) into a single multi-functional polymer molecule. The polymer backbone provides rheological modification, while quaternary ammonium/phosphonium/sulfonium side chains provide both surfactant and preservative functions, eliminating the need for separate additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional preservatives and rheological modifiers are used together, then antimicrobial protection is provided, but incompatibility issues arise between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidcomponent compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (rheological modifier, preservative, surfactant) into a single multi-functional polymer molecule. The polymer backbone provides rheological modification, while quaternary ammonium/phosphonium/sulfonium side chains provide both surfactant and preservative functions, eliminating the need for separate additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If fossil fuel-derived materials are used for polymer production, then conventional materials are available, but environmental friendliness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial availabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the source parameter of the polymer materials from fossil fuel-derived to plant-derived renewable resources. Specifically, it uses plant-derived aromatic monomers (like those from lignin or terpenes) and plant-based quaternary ammonium/phosphonium/sulfonium compounds, maintaining functional performance while improving environmental sustainability.

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 multi-functional anti-microbial polymers effectively inhibit microbial growth, stabilize formulations, and act as rheology modifiers, reducing the complexity and cost of formulation development while providing environmental benefits by using plant-derived materials.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the monomer further comprises an anti-microbial moiety which is a quaternary ammonium moiety, a quaternary phosphonium moiety or a sulfonium moiety

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial activity: Preservative

Implementation Method 2

a first monomer comprising a polymerizable cyclic aromatic moiety wherein the aromatic moiety is covalently incorporated into the polymer backbone through loss of aromaticity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

a second monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double or triple bond and a quaternary ammonium moiety or a quaternary phosphonium moiety

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11497701B2Multi-functional anti-microbial polymers and compositions containing same

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 GHANDI KHASHAYAR

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to multi-functional anti-microbial polymers comprising a first monomer having a polymerizable cyclic aromatic moiety which forms part of the backbone of the polymer and a second monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a double or triple bond and a quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium moiety.