Alcohol Sanitizer with Cationic Compatible Thickeners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional alcohol-based antimicrobial skin sanitizing compositions cause skin dehydration and damage due to their dehydrating and defatting properties, leading to compliance decline, and are incompatible with cationic compounds that provide skin conditioning benefits.

Innovation Solution

An alcohol antimicrobial skin sanitizing composition combining alcohols with cationic compounds and a thickening system that is compatible, using thickeners like PEG-150 stearate and polyglyceryl-10 behenate/eicosadioate to maintain skin health and microbiocidal efficacy without phase separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional alcohol-based compositions are used for antimicrobial control, then bactericidal activity is achieved, but skin dehydration and damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebactericidal activityVSAvoidskin dehydration and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful dehydrating effect of alcohol into a beneficial outcome by adding humectants that attract and retain moisture. The alcohol's drying effect is counterbalanced by hygroscopic substances like glycerin and propylene glycol, which draw water to the skin and prevent dehydration, thus transforming the harmful property into a manageable condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation combining alcohol (for antimicrobial activity) with cationic compounds (for skin conditioning), humectants (for moisture retention), and thickening agents (for stability). This composite system maintains the bactericidal efficacy of alcohol while adding multiple protective and conditioning components that prevent skin damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cationic compounds are added to provide skin conditioning benefits, then skin moisturizing and protection are improved, but compatibility with conventional thickening systems is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin conditioning benefitVSAvoidcompatibility with thickening system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the thickening system by selecting specific polymers (carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, xanthan gum) that are chemically compatible with cationic compounds. These thickeners have functional groups that do not interact adversely with quaternary ammonium compounds, maintaining both skin conditioning benefits and formulation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses compatible thickening agents as intermediaries that bridge the alcohol-based antimicrobial system and the cationic skin conditioning system. These thickeners stabilize the formulation without interfering with the electrostatic interactions of cationic compounds, allowing all components to coexist harmoniously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If standard humectants and emollients are included to protect skin, then minimal damage protection is provided, but the compositions break down and skin damage resumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin damage protectionVSAvoidlong-lasting conditioning effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components in a composite system: humectants (glycerin, propylene glycol) for moisture attraction, cationic compounds (quaternary ammonium salts) for long-lasting skin conditioning and film formation, and emollients for softening. This multi-component composite provides sustained protection that prevents both immediate and long-term skin damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous skin protection through the synergistic action of components that work together over time. The humectants continuously attract moisture, cationic compounds form a persistent conditioning film on the skin, and the stable thickening system maintains formulation integrity, ensuring uninterrupted protective action with each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9381150B2Alcohol antimicrobial skin sanitizing compositions including cationic compatible thickeners

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to alcohol antimicrobial skin sanitizing compositions for use in hand washing and skin sanitizing. The antimicrobial skin sanitizing composition comprises an alcohol for providing effective antimicrobial control, one or more cationic compounds for moisturizing and protecting the skin, and a compatible thickening system for thickening the antimicrobial skin sanitizing composition. The antimicrobial skin sanitizing compositions can be used alone or in combination with personal care products.