Encapsulated Benefit Agent Agglomerates for Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for incorporating encapsulated benefit agents into dry products often result in premature release due to damage of the encapsulate, leading to inefficient delivery of the benefit agents in personal care and fabric care compositions.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the formation of agglomerates or extrudates using encapsulated benefit agents with a cross-linked melamine formaldehyde shell, combined with a plasticizer and binder, and a dusting agent, to create a stable benefit agent delivery composition that minimizes premature release when incorporated into dry consumer products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If encapsulated benefit agents are incorporated into dry products, then delivery efficiency is improved, but the encapsulate is damaged and benefit agent is prematurely released
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulated benefit agent is segmented into agglomerates consisting of multiple individual encapsulates clustered together. This segmentation allows the encapsulates to be handled as a unified structure during dry product incorporation, preventing individual capsule damage while maintaining controlled release capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where multiple encapsulated benefit agents are bound together with a binder material to form agglomerates. This composite approach provides mechanical protection to individual capsules during processing while maintaining the functional properties of the encapsulated benefit agents.
2Quantity of substance
If benefit agents are used at high levels, then effectiveness is improved, but cost increases and delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the benefit agent delivery system by using encapsulated forms in agglomerates rather than free benefit agents. This parameter change allows for controlled release at lower concentrations, improving delivery efficiency while reducing the total quantity of benefit agent needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If encapsulated benefit agents are made into slurry, then agglomerated encapsulated benefit agents are formed, but damage occurs during drying and premature release happens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a sacrificial binder material that is intentionally designed to be removable. The binder holds agglomerates together during manufacturing but can be easily removed or degraded, leaving behind intact encapsulated benefit agents that maintain their structural integrity and controlled release properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The binder acts as an intermediary material during the agglomeration process. It temporarily holds encapsulates together in a controlled manner during manufacturing, then can be removed or degraded to leave the encapsulates intact, preventing the damage that would occur with direct drying of slurries.
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 process enhances the delivery efficiency of benefit agents by maintaining their stability and controlled release, thereby maximizing their effectiveness in consumer products such as cleaning compositions and fabric care products.
Implementation Method 1
a plasticizer, wherein said plasticizer comprises water
Implementation Method 2
said encapsulated benefit agent comprises a perfume microcapsule, said perfume microcapsule comprising a shell, said shell comprising cross-linked melamine formaldehyde
Implementation Method 3
combining said mixture with a dusting agent, wherein said dusting agent comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicas; aluminosilicates preferably zeolite; clays; and mixtures thereof to form a material
Implementation Method 4
a binder, wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of celluloses preferably methylcellulose, more preferably CMC, and derivatives thereof; alginate and derivatives thereof; starches; polyvinyl alcohols; polyethylene oxide; polyvinylpyrolidone; polysaccharides preferably chitosan and/or natural gums preferably carrageenan; polyacrylates preferably cross-linked polyacrylates; waxes; polyethylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight of greater than 4000 Da or even from 4000 Da to 15,000 Da; alcohol ethoxylates; surfactants and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to agglomerates/particles comprising encapsulated, benefit agents, compositions comprising such agglomerates/particles, and processes for making and using such agglomerates/particles and compositions comprising such agglomerates/particles. Such agglomerates/particles are processed to a form that minimizes or eliminate certain drawbacks associated with incorporating encapsulated benefit agents in consumer products.