Care Polymer Composition for Surfactant Compatibility and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Care polymers, particularly silicones, face incompatibility and stability issues due to their high glass transition temperature, leading to increased costs and reduced performance in consumer products, especially when combined with anionic surfactants.
Innovation Solution
Development of nonionic care polymers with judiciously selected or synthesized glass transition temperatures, combined with appropriate emulsification techniques, to enhance compatibility and stability while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional silicone care polymers are used, then softness and hair conditioning benefits are provided, but incompatibility with anionic surfactants and high cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the care polymer by selecting monomers with specific glass transition temperatures (Tg) and charge densities. Nonionic care polymers with Tg between -50°C to 0°C and cationic care polymers with Tg between 0°C to 50°C are specified to achieve compatibility with anionic surfactants while maintaining performance benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite care polymer systems by combining polymers of different charge types (nonionic and cationic) with specific Tg ranges. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve both compatibility with anionic surfactants and desired performance characteristics through the synergistic effects of the different polymer components.
2Reliability
If silicone care polymers are used, then performance benefits are achieved, but high cost due to raw materials and emulsification step occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive silicone-based care polymers with more economical polymer alternatives that can be synthesized from readily available monomers. The specified polymer classes (polyacrylates, polyamides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose) are significantly less costly than silicone materials, reducing both raw material and processing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameters to eliminate the need for expensive emulsification steps by selecting polymers that can be directly incorporated into formulations. The specified polymer classes can be used in their native forms or with minimal processing, eliminating the costly silicone emulsification step while maintaining performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If care polymers with high glass transition temperature are used, then structural stability is provided, but incompatibility and stability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by specifying polymers with low glass transition temperatures (nonionic: -50°C to 0°C; cationic: 0°C to 50°C) rather than high Tg. This parameter change ensures adequate chain mobility and flexibility for compatibility with anionic surfactants while maintaining sufficient structural stability through optimized molecular weight and charge density parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to care polymers and fabric and home care compositions comprising such care polymers, as well as processes for making and using such care polymers and such compositions. The performance of the care polymers that Applicants teach, can be further increased by following the emulsification teaching of the present specification and/or combining such care polymers with silicone materials.