Cationic Microcapsule Deposition via Preliminary Polymer Incorporation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The perfumery industry faces challenges with rapid loss of olfactive benefits due to volatility of odoriferous compounds, stability issues in surfactant-based products, and poor deposition of fragrance delivery systems on substrates, particularly in rinse-off and leave-on applications.

Innovation Solution

Development of core-shell microcapsules with a specific composition of cationic copolymers, including acrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride, that improve deposition efficiency on substrates by using a combination of cationic polymers in specific ratios, enhancing the long-lasting delivery of perfumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cationic capsules are used to improve deposition on substrate, then deposition performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple purification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the cationic polymer directly into the capsule wall formation process during the initial manufacturing stage, rather than adding it after capsule formation. This preliminary incorporation eliminates the need for subsequent purification steps to remove free cationic compounds, thereby maintaining improved deposition performance while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the capsule wall formation process with the cationic polymer incorporation process into a single integrated step. By combining these two processes, the patent eliminates the separate purification steps that would otherwise be required to remove excess cationic compounds, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving good deposition performance and maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If cationic polymers are added after capsule formation to improve deposition, then deposition is enhanced, but processing time increases due to multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the cationic polymer incorporation as a preliminary action during the capsule wall formation process itself, before the capsules are fully formed and before any purification steps would be needed. This eliminates the time-consuming post-formation treatment steps while still achieving the desired deposition enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the cationic polymer incorporation as an integral part of the continuous capsule formation process. This eliminates interruptions and additional processing stages, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining continuous production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Duration of action of moving object

If delivery systems are designed for controlled fragrance release, then olfactive performance is improved, but stability in surfactant-based products deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled release performanceVSAvoidstability in surfactant-based products
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by creating a capsule wall that combines the base polymeric material with incorporated cationic polymers. This composite structure provides both the controlled release functionality of the base material and the enhanced stability against surfactants provided by the cationic polymer component, thereby resolving the contradiction between controlled release performance and stability in surfactant-based products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the capsule wall through cationic polymer incorporation. This changes the wall's chemical properties to be more resistant to surfactant degradation while maintaining the structural integrity and controlled release characteristics, thus improving stability without sacrificing olfactive performance.

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 microcapsules demonstrate improved deposition and long-lasting fragrance delivery, outperforming previous deposition aids by maintaining a higher percentage of microcapsules on substrates after rinsing, thereby enhancing the olfactive performance and stability of perfumed products.

Implementation Method 1

microcapsules having an oil-based core and a polymeric shell coated with a composition comprising at least a first cationic copolymer and a second cationic polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS10632443B2Delivery system with improved deposition
Publication Date: 2020.04.28 FIRMENICH SA

AI summary

The invention relates to microcapsules coated by a particular mixture of copolymers, which demonstrate a high rate of deposition when applied on a substrate. Those microcapsules can be used in several industries, in particular in perfumery and rinse-off applications. Perfuming compositions and perfumed consumer products comprising these microcapsules are also objects of the invention.