Cationic Cellulose Composition to Reduce Hair Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair, skin, and fiber treatments using cationic polymers face issues of cumulative adsorption leading to stiffness, decreased elasticity, and loss of smoothness due to excessive use, with limited options for high nitrogen content cationic cellulose production.

Innovation Solution

A composition utilizing cationic cellulose with controlled molecular weight (300,000 to 2,900,000) and nitrogen content (2.3% to 3.2%) to prevent cumulative adsorption, enhance flexibility, and transfer active ingredients, incorporating a crosslinking-mediating component and carbodiimide-based compounds to maintain component integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cationic polymer is used in high content to provide conditioning effect, then hair smoothness and ease of combing is improved, but cumulative adsorption occurs causing hair stiffness and loss of elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of combingVSAvoidhair flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the cationic cellulose to a specific range (10,000 to 1,000,000) to optimize the balance between conditioning effect and cumulative adsorption. This parameter adjustment allows the polymer to provide sufficient conditioning while reducing excessive accumulation on hair that causes stiffness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cationic cellulose as a composite material that combines the benefits of cationic polymers (conditioning effect) with cellulose backbone stability. This composite structure provides conditioning functionality while the cellulose framework reduces the harmful cumulative adsorption effects of conventional cationic polymers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If nitrogen content in cationic cellulose is reduced to decrease degree of cationization, then cumulative adsorption is improved, but production yield decreases and steric hindrance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecumulative adsorptionVSAvoidproduction yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the nitrogen content parameter within a specific range (0.5 to 3.0 mmol/g) to balance cumulative adsorption reduction with production efficiency. This controlled parameter adjustment maintains adequate cationization for conditioning while preventing excessive nitrogen content that would cause steric hindrance and reduce production yield

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If cationic polymer is adsorbed on anionic hair to form cumulative adsorption layer, then conditioning effect is achieved, but polymer sensation is generated and hair becomes stiff

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconditioning effectVSAvoidhair stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the molecular weight parameter of cationic cellulose to control the thickness and density of the adsorption layer on hair. By optimizing this parameter, the patent achieves sufficient conditioning effect while preventing the formation of excessive polymer layers that cause stiffness and polymer sensation

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 effectively prevents stiffness and enhances smoothness by reducing cumulative adsorption, maintains hair and fiber flexibility, and efficiently transfers active ingredients while preserving internal components during washing.

Implementation Method 1

Cationic cellulose is adsorbed on the anionic hair during shampoo to impart a conditioning function

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

Cationic cellulose is adsorbed on the anionic hair during shampoo

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 3

incorporating a crosslinking-mediating component and carbodiimide-based compounds to maintain component integrity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3711743B1Cationic cellulose and composition for treating hair, skin, or fiber including same
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 LG HOUSEHOLD & HEALTH CARE LTD
  • EP3711743B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3711743B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3711743B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

The present invention provides a composition for treating hair, skin, or fiber, comprising a cationic cellulose polymer. In the present invention, the cationic cellulose polymer may be used for various purposes by adjusting the molecular weight. Specifically, the present invention provides the use of the cationic cellulose polymer for imparting flexibility to hair, skin, or fiber, the use for cumulatively adsorbing active ingredients onto hair, skin, or fiber by allowing the active ingredients to be bound to the cationic cellulose polymer, the use for transferring active ingredients to hair, skin, or fiber by allowing the active ingredients to be bound to the cationic cellulose polymer, and the use of the cationic cellulose polymer, a crosslinking-mediating component having a carboxyl group or amine group, and a carbodiimide-based compound for preventing the loss of hair, skin, or fiber components.