Rheological Solid Composition Using C13-C20 Crystalline Mesh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-water containing rheological solid compositions, such as those using sodium carboxylate-based crystallizing agents, lack sufficient firmness, aqueous phase expression, and thermal stability, making them impractical for commercial use.

Innovation Solution

A personal care rheological solid composition comprising a crystalline mesh formed from a salt of fatty acids with chain lengths between 13 to 20 carbon atoms, which provides firmness, aqueous phase expression, and thermal stability, while maintaining a high water content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If sodium carboxylate-based crystallizing agents are used in high-water containing compositions, then the composition can maintain high water content, but the composition lacks sufficient firmness, aqueous phase expression, and thermal stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater contentVSAvoidfirmness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chain length parameter of the sodium carboxylate crystallizing agent from conventional lengths to specifically C13-C20, which fundamentally alters the crystal habit from platy to elongated fiber-like structures. This parameter change enables the formation of a rigid crystalline mesh that provides sufficient firmness while maintaining high water content (greater than 80%) and enabling aqueous phase expression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where elongated fiber-like crystals form a three-dimensional mesh network that acts as a rigid framework. This crystalline mesh composite provides structural support and firmness while the spaces within the mesh accommodate and allow expression of the aqueous phase, resolving the contradiction between water content and firmness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater contentVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chain length parameter of the sodium carboxylate to C13-C20, which fundamentally alters the thermal properties and crystal habit. This parameter change results in elongated fiber-like crystals that form a thermally stable mesh structure, enabling the composition to maintain thermal stability while containing greater than 80% water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If conventional gelling agents are used to provide firmness, then the composition achieves sufficient firmness, but the aqueous phase expression and cooling sensation are muted or eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefirmnessVSAvoidloss of cooling sensation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chain length parameter of the sodium carboxylate to C13-C20, which fundamentally alters the crystal habit from platy to elongated fiber-like structures. This parameter change enables the formation of a rigid crystalline mesh that provides sufficient firmness while simultaneously allowing aqueous phase expression, thereby preserving the cooling sensation that would otherwise be muted by conventional gelling agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite crystalline mesh structure where elongated fiber-like crystals form a three-dimensional network with spaces that accommodate aqueous phase. This mesh composite provides firmness through its rigid framework while allowing water expression that maintains the cooling sensation, resolving the contradiction between firmness and cooling effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If polyols are added as solubility aids during processing, then the composition can be processed, but the crunch and glide feel and cooling sensation are eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprocessabilityVSAvoidloss of skin feel properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chain length parameter of the sodium carboxylate to C13-C20, which fundamentally alters the crystal habit and processing requirements. This parameter change enables the formation of elongated fiber-like crystals that provide firmness and aqueous phase expression without requiring high levels of polyols, thereby preserving the crunch and glide feel and cooling sensation that would otherwise be eliminated by polyol addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a firmness range of 0.1 N to 50.0 N, thermal stability between 40°C to 95°C, and aqueous phase expression of 100 J m-3 to 8,000 J m-3, making it suitable for practical commercial applications.

Implementation Method 1

a crystalline mesh formed from a salt of fatty acids with chain lengths between 13 to 20 carbon atoms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250025389A1Rheological solid composition for use in personal care compositions

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A rheological solid composition comprising a crystallizing agent and an aqueous phase.