Encapsulated Benefit Agent Particles for Low-Leakage Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Benefit agents in consumer products, such as perfumes and silicones, are often expensive and less effective due to difficulties in improving their delivery efficiencies, which can be attributed to their physical or chemical characteristics and incompatibility with other components or the treated site.

Innovation Solution

The development of benefit agent containing delivery particles comprising a core material surrounded by a wall material, with specific physical and chemical characteristics such as fracture strength, particle size, and leakage rates, to enhance the delivery efficiency of these agents in consumer products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If benefit agents are used at high levels in consumer products, then the effectiveness of benefit agents is improved, but the cost of the product increases and the agents are still less effective due to delivery efficiency issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of benefit agentsVSAvoidamount of benefit agent required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The benefit agent is segmented into individual delivery particles, each containing a core material and wall material structure. This segmentation allows for controlled release and improved delivery efficiency, enabling lower overall quantities of benefit agent to be used while maintaining or enhancing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the benefit agent by encapsulating it within delivery particles with specific fracture strength, particle size, and wall thickness characteristics. This parameter transformation improves delivery efficiency and allows the benefit agent to be more effective at lower concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If benefit agents are used at high levels to compensate for delivery inefficiency, then the effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to the expensive nature of benefit agents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of benefit agentsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the benefit agent into delivery particles, the invention enables more efficient utilization of the expensive benefit agent material. Less benefit agent is required to achieve the same or better effect, directly reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery particle is a composite material structure combining core material (benefit agent) and wall material. This composite structure protects and delivers the expensive benefit agent more efficiently, reducing the total quantity needed and thereby lowering manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If benefit agents are used in consumer products, then the desired benefit is achieved, but the agents are lost due to their physical or chemical characteristics and incompatibility with other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiency of benefit agentsVSAvoidloss of benefit agents
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The wall material acts as an intermediary between the benefit agent core and the external environment (other product components). This intermediary layer protects the benefit agent from incompatibility issues and physical/chemical degradation, preventing loss while maintaining delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Encapsulation within delivery particles changes the physical parameters of the benefit agent, protecting it from loss due to its inherent physical or chemical characteristics. The particle structure maintains stability and prevents premature release or degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9969961B2Benefit agent containing delivery particle
Publication Date: 2018.05.15 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

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.