APTAC Polymer Shampoo Composition for Silicone Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair care products face challenges in retaining silicone conditioning benefits during and after washing, as silicone is often deterged by subsequent conditioner use, and sulfate-based surfactants negatively impact foaming properties and viscosity, necessitating high surfactant levels.

Innovation Solution

A sulfate-free shampoo composition incorporating a pre-formed emulsified silicone, a cationic deposition polymer, and a hair substantive APTAC polymer, along with a specific ratio of alpha olefin sulfonate and amphoteric surfactants, enhances silicone retention and maintains viscosity without additional thickening agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sulfate-based surfactants are used in high levels to maintain viscosity and foaming properties, then foaming and viscosity are improved, but mildness to skin and hair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoaming and viscosityVSAvoidmildness to skin and hair
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by replacing sulfate-based surfactants with sulfate-free alternatives (alpha olefin sulfonate and amphoteric surfactant), and adjusts the concentration parameters to achieve optimal foaming and viscosity without harsh chemicals, thereby maintaining mildness while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining alpha olefin sulfonate anionic surfactant with amphoteric surfactant in specific ratios, creating a synergistic formulation that achieves both good foaming/viscosity properties and enhanced mildness, resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If silicone is deposited onto hair from shampoo, then conditioning benefits are provided, but silicone is largely deterged during subsequent conditioner washing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconditioning benefitsVSAvoidsilicone retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using a cationic deposition polymer in the shampoo formulation that pre-prepares the hair surface and creates a binding mechanism to hold silicone in place before the conditioning step, preventing silicone loss during subsequent washing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cationic deposition polymer acts as an intermediary between the silicone and the hair, facilitating silicone deposition and retention on the hair surface, thereby maintaining conditioning benefits while preventing silicone detergence during conditioner use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 deposits and retains silicone on hair, providing improved conditioning benefits with reduced surfactant use, maintaining foamability and viscosity while ensuring mildness to skin and hair.

Implementation Method 1

a cationic deposition polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a hair substantive cationic conditioning polymer which is an APTAC polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12403084B2Cleansing composition
Publication Date: 2025.09.02 CONOPCO INC

AI summary

An aqueous, sulphate free shampoo composition for hair and scalp comprising:—a. a pre-formed emulsified silicone; b. a cationic deposition polymer; c. a hair substantive cationic conditioning polymer which is an APTAC polymer having a molecular weight of less than 1 million Daltons, preferably selected from a homopolymer of (3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride and a (3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride/acrylamide copolymer; d. a total amount of anionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant and zwitterionic surfactant consisting of: (i) from 3 wt % to 13 wt %, by weight of the total composition at 100% activity, of an alpha olefin sulfonate anionic surfactant of general formula (I): R1—CH═CH—CH2—SO3−M+(I) in which R1 is selected from linear or branched alkyl groups having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof; and M is a solubilizing cation; (ii) from 1 to 6%, by weight of an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, selected from an alkyl betaine of general formula (II) R2—N+(CH3)2—CH2—COO−M+(II) wherein R2=C12 (Lauryl) or Coco derived; an alkyl hydroxy sultaine of general formula (III), R3—N+(CH3)2—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—SO3M+(III) wherein R3=C12 (Lauryl) or Coco derived; an alkyl aminopropyl hydroxy sultaine of general formula (IV), R4—CO—NH—(CH2)3—N+(CH3)2—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—SO3−M+(IV) wherein R4=C12 (Lauryl) or Coco derived; an alkyl amphoacetate of general formula (V), R5—CO—NH—(CH2)2—N(CH2—CH2—OH)(CH2—COO−M+) (V) wherein R5=C12 (Lauryl) or Coco derived; and mixtures thereof; and e. a suspending agent in which the weight ratio of (i) to (ii) ranges from 1:1 to 6:1 and the pH of the composition is from 3 to 6.5; and wherein the composition has a viscosity from 3,500 to 15,000 mPa·s, preferably from 4,000 to 12,000 mPa·s when measured using a Brookfield V2 viscometer using a spindle RTV5, for 1 minute at 20 rpm at 30° C. results in superior deposition and retention of silicone on hair.