Cationic Copolymer Aqueous Preparations for Hair Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for cosmetic preparations that provide improved setting properties, especially for mousse and foam applications, with strong hold at high humidity, easy washout, minimal stickiness, and a pleasant feel, while maintaining good film-forming and conditioning effects on hair.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous preparations containing water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymers with cationogenic groups, comprising monomers with protonatable nitrogen atoms and cosmetically acceptable carriers, adjusted to a pH range of 4 to 6, which are used to create films that enhance hair and skin properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If strong hold setting properties are achieved, then hairstyle stability is improved, but washout difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameter of the aqueous preparation to a specific range (pH 4-6) to optimize the balance between setting strength and washout ease. This parameter change allows the copolymer to form strong films for setting while maintaining sufficient solubility for easy removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a copolymer composed of multiple monomer types (including vinylimidazole, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and other water-soluble monomers) to achieve composite functionality. This composite structure provides both strong film-forming capability for setting and controlled solubility for washout
2Strength
If film-forming properties are enhanced, then conditioning effect is improved, but stickiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the pH parameter (pH 4-6) and the molecular weight of the copolymer to optimize film-forming properties while minimizing stickiness. The specific pH range ensures proper film formation without excessive adhesion
Solution Approach 2:
The copolymer structure incorporates different monomer units with specific functions: vinylimidazole units provide cationic charge for hair interaction, N-vinylpyrrolidone units contribute to film flexibility and reduce stickiness, and other monomers enhance conditioning. This local differentiation of monomer functions achieves good film formation with minimal stickiness
3Reliability
If cationic conditioning polymers are used, then affinity to hair surface is improved, but electrostatic charging prevention is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a copolymer with multiple functional monomer units that work together: the cationic vinylimidazole units provide strong affinity to the negatively charged hair surface, while N-vinylpyrrolidone and other neutral monomers contribute to electrostatic discharge and reduce charging. This composite approach balances affinity and anti-static properties
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 preparations achieve elastic hairstyles with strong hold, easy washout, and a pleasant feel, while maintaining good film-forming properties, addressing the challenges of existing cosmetic formulations.
Implementation Method 1
film-forming polymers are used, for example, as conditioners in order to improve the dry and wet combability, the feel to the touch, shine and appearance
Implementation Method 2
water-soluble polymers with cationic functionalities in hair conditioners which have a greater affinity to the surface of the hair, which is negatively charged as a consequence of its structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to aqueous preparations comprising at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymer with cationogenic groups which comprises at least one monomer with at least one protonatable nitrogen atom and at least one further monomer copolymerizable therewith in copolymerized form, and at least one cosmetically acceptable carrier, where the pH of the aqueous preparation has a value in the range from pH 4 to pH 6.