Aqueous Conditioner Polymer for Humidity-Resistant Hair Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rinse off hair conditioners do not effectively improve hair alignment in thermally styled hair, leading to a need for improved formulations that enhance and maintain the shape of thermally styled hair.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous conditioner formulation comprising a modified carbohydrate polymer with trialkyl ammonium moieties and hydrophobic substituents randomly distributed across a cellulose ether base material, which is used to enhance hair alignment and maintain shape under humid conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional rinse off hair conditioners are used, then hair conditioning is provided, but hair alignment in thermally styled hair is not effectively improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair alignmentVSAvoidconditioning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the carbohydrate polymer by changing its chemical parameters - specifically functionalizing with trialkyl ammonium moieties and hydrophobic substituents having 16 carbon atoms. These parameter changes enable the polymer to provide both conditioning and alignment benefits that conventional conditioners lack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite modified carbohydrate polymer that combines multiple functional groups (cellulose ether base material, trialkyl ammonium moieties, and hydrophobic substituents) into a single material that delivers multiple benefits including hair alignment, conditioning, and styling durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If thermally styled hair is exposed to humid conditions, then natural hair shape is maintained, but thermal style durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal style durabilityVSAvoidhumidity effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by using hydrophobic substituents that specifically resist humidity (the harmful factor) while maintaining thermal style durability. The hydrophobic groups repel water molecules in humid environments, preventing the hair from absorbing moisture that would cause the thermal style to deteriorate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If standard conditioner formulations are used, then basic conditioning is achieved, but styling durability under humid conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestyling durabilityVSAvoidperformance under humid conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating hydrophobic substituents with specific 16-carbon chains at particular locations on the carbohydrate polymer structure. This localized modification provides targeted humidity resistance at the hair surface where it is most needed, while the rest of the polymer maintains its conditioning properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 formulation significantly improves hair alignment and maintains the shape of thermally styled hair even after incubation in a 50% humidity environment for a week, providing enhanced styling durability.

Implementation Method 1

a modified carbohydrate polymer, comprising a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

hydrophobic substituents having 16 carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises 0.005 to 1.5 wt %, based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS12350358B2Aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 ROHM & HAAS CO

AI summary

An aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair is provided, including: an aqueous carrier; and a modified carbohydrate polymer, comprising a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I)wherein R1 is independently a C1-7 alkyl group and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of 0.75 to 2.5 wt %; and (ii) hydrophobic substituents having 16 carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises 0.005 to 1.5 wt %, based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of >1,000,000 Daltons; and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has <0.001 wt %, based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units.