Antiperspirant Dispenser Dome Applicator Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antiperspirant technologies primarily rely on pore-blocking agents like aluminium and zirconium salts, which may not effectively address excessive sweating at its source and can be inconvenient and unhygienic in application.
Innovation Solution
A topical composition of non-pore blocking inhibitors, such as anti-cholinergic agents like oxybutynin, delivered through a dispenser with a dome-shaped applicator surface and specific viscosity, directly targeting eccrine glands to reduce sweat production without finger contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pore-blocking agents like aluminium and zirconium salts are used, then sweat ducts are blocked and perspiration is reduced, but the method does not address excessive sweating at its source and requires finger contact application which is inconvenient and unhygienic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pumpable composition as an intermediary vehicle to deliver the active ingredient (glycopyrrolate or other anticholinergics) to the target site. This composition is contained in a dispenser device that applies the treatment without requiring finger contact, thus maintaining hygiene and convenience while ensuring effective delivery of the pore-blocking agent to control perspiration at its source
2Reliability
If non-pore blocking inhibitors like anti-cholinergic agents are used to reduce sweat production at its source, then excessive sweating is controlled more effectively, but the application requires a specialized dispenser system to avoid finger contact
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser device is designed to be multi-functional: it contains the pumpable composition, provides the pumping mechanism for application, and ensures hygienic delivery without finger contact. This universal design integrates multiple functions into a single device, managing the complexity while achieving effective delivery of anticholinergic agents to control perspiration at its source
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional antiperspirant compositions are used, then the formulation is simple, but they rely on pore-blocking mechanisms that are less effective for excessive sweating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the active ingredient from pore-blocking agents (aluminium and zirconium salts) to anticholinergic agents (glycopyrrolate, oxybutynin, propantheline bromide, or benzotropine). This parameter change shifts the mechanism of action from blocking sweat ducts to reducing sweat production at the source by inhibiting acetylcholine binding to muscarinic receptors, thereby significantly improving effectiveness for excessive sweating while maintaining a manageable formulation complexity
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 provides effective, hygienic, and convenient control of excessive sweating by efficiently delivering anti-cholinergic agents to eccrine glands, reducing sweat production at its source, particularly in underarm areas.
Implementation Method 1
WO 02/011690 (Unilever) discloses an antiperspirancy method whereby calcium channels with the secretory coil cells of the eccrine glands are blocked, thereby controlling sweat production at its source. U.S. Pat. No. 8,618,160 B2 (Rose U) discloses wipes containing glycopyrrolate, a muscarinic anticholinergic, as a treatment for hyperhidrosis.
Implementation Method 2
EP 2,243,720 A1 (Nossbaum et al, 2010) discloses an apparatus for dispensing viscous substances having a drive mechanism comprising a drive nut and an expulsion member comprising a plunger.
Data Source
AI summary
An antiperspirant composition and a dispenser therefor, the composition being a gel, cream or soft solid of viscosity from 3000 mPa·s to 5200 mPa·s at a shear rate of 16/s comprising a non-pore blocking inhibitor of perspiration and the dispenser comprising a dome-shaped applicator surface of radius of curvature decreasing from a maximum of from 25 to 60 mm at its top/center to a value of from 75 to 95% of its maximum value at a distance of 1 cm from its top/center.