Polymeric composition, polymer capsule, and fabric softener composition including same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fabric softeners fail to provide a lingering aroma due to early release of fragrance, leading to consumer dissatisfaction, and struggle with adhesion to fibers during washing.
Innovation Solution
A polymerizable composition that forms cationic polymer capsules with a crosslinkable monomer and cationic surfactant, chemically bonding cationic groups to the surface, enhancing adhesion and controlling fragrance release through light friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional fragrance microcapsules are used, then fragrance is released during washing, but the aroma disappears within a short period due to early release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the capsule shell by using a specific copolymer composition (methacryloyl ethyl betaine, PEG-9 methacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with controlled molecular weight and composition ratios. This creates a shell with optimized mechanical strength and fracture characteristics that enables controlled release only under light friction conditions, extending aroma persistence from minutes to multiple wash cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite polymer shell structure combining multiple monomer units with different properties: methacryloyl ethyl betaine provides cationic charge for fiber adhesion, PEG-9 methacrylate contributes to shell flexibility and controlled permeability, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate enhances shell strength. This composite material achieves both early release prevention and controlled fragrance dispersion.
2Reliability
If fragrance is released early during washing, then fragrance is lost without being attached to fibers, but adhesion to fibers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface charge parameter of the capsule shell by incorporating cationic methacryloyl ethyl betaine units, which provide positive charges that electrostatically attract and bind to negatively charged fiber surfaces. This parameter change ensures reliable fiber adhesion while preventing premature fragrance release, as the fragrance remains trapped until the capsule fractures under light friction.
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 polymer capsules effectively encapsulate fragrance, ensuring prolonged aroma release and improved adhesion to fibers, even with small fragrance amounts, maintaining a pleasant scent during multiple wash cycles.
Implementation Method 1
imparting a cationic group to the capsule surface through chemical bonding
Implementation Method 2
rupture of the capsule shell material by light friction
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a polymerizable composition, polymer capsules and a fabric softener composition. The fabric softener composition of the present application comprises polymer capsules in which cationic groups are introduced on the surfaces thereof, so that early release of a fragrance can be suppressed and aromas can be generated depending on rupture of a shell material of the polymer capsules by light friction at certain times. In addition, the polymer capsules of the present application have high adhesion to fibers and are not attached to fibers during washing to minimize the discharged fragrance, so that sufficient aromas can be provided even if a small amount of fragrance is used.