Benefit Agent Delivery Particle with Optimized Solubility Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing benefit agents in consumer products, such as perfumes and fragrances, face challenges in delivery efficiency due to physical or chemical incompatibilities with other components, leading to poor encapsulation and leakage issues in microcapsules.
Innovation Solution
The development of benefit agent delivery particles with a core material and a shell material that have an optimized solubility parameter difference, resulting in increased encapsulation efficiency and minimal leakage, achieved through a process involving the preparation of an organic phase with a core material and a first shell forming material, followed by interfacial polymerization with a second shell forming material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the core material and shell are compatible, then the core material may act as a plasticizer and increase diffusion through the shell, but encapsulation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the solubility parameter difference between core and shell materials. By optimizing this parameter within a specific range (0.5-2.0 MPa^1/2), the invention achieves both shell integrity and encapsulation efficiency, resolving the contradiction between compatibility and leakage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the core material with a shell material that has a specifically matched solubility parameter. This composite structure allows the shell to maintain integrity while preventing core material diffusion, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and reliability
2Reliability
If the shell and core material are incompatible, then encapsulation efficiency may be poor, but diffusion through the shell is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by precisely controlling the solubility parameter difference within an optimal range. This parameter optimization ensures that the materials are neither too compatible (which would cause leakage) nor too incompatible (which would cause poor encapsulation), achieving both high encapsulation efficiency and shell stability
3Quantity of substance
If benefit agents are employed at high levels in consumer products, then effectiveness may be increased, but cost and physical/chemical incompatibilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the delivery particle as an intermediary between the benefit agent and the consumer product formulation. This intermediary structure protects the benefit agent from incompatibilities with other formulation components, allowing higher concentrations to be used without suffering from the usual compatibility problems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible shell structure that can accommodate the benefit agent while protecting it from the external environment. This shell acts as a barrier that prevents physical and chemical incompatibilities between the benefit agent and other formulation components, enabling higher effective concentrations
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
This approach enhances the encapsulation efficiency of benefit agents, minimizing leakage and achieving a desired fracture profile, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of these agents in consumer products.
Implementation Method 1
microcapsules manufactured by an interfacial polymerization process comprising the formation of a shell at an oil/water interface. Generally, such processes require that a first shell forming material be dissolved in a core material. Upon adding a second shell forming material, the first and second materials react to form a shell that encapsulates the core material.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to benefit agent containing delivery particles, compositions comprising said particles, and processes for making and using the aforementioned particles and compositions. When employed in compositions, for example, cleaning or fabric care compositions, such particles increase the efficiency of benefit agent delivery, there by allowing reduced amounts of benefit agents to be employed. In addition to allowing the amount of benefit agent to be reduced, such particles allow a broad range of benefit agents to be employed.