Foam Cleanser Viscosity Control for Dense Foam Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cleansing agents in non-aerosol foaming containers face challenges in achieving a dense and elastic foam without increasing the pressure for dispensing, as thickening agents can lead to excessive viscosity and clogging.
Innovation Solution
A liquid cleansing agent formulation comprising an anionic surfactant and a water-soluble polymer with specific viscosity characteristics, which allows for the dispensing of an elastic and dense foam without increasing the pressure for pressing the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a thickener such as a water-soluble polymer is added to improve foam quality, then the foam becomes more elastic and dense, but the liquid viscosity increases excessively causing clogging and dispensing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the water-soluble polymer by selecting specific types (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, or their salts) and controlling their concentration (0.01-5 mass%) to achieve the optimal balance between foam quality and dispensing ease. This parameter optimization allows the formulation to pass through mesh while maintaining creamy foam characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation by combining anionic surfactants (0-40 mass%) with water-soluble polymers (0.01-5 mass%) in a synergistic ratio. This composite approach allows the surfactant to provide foaming power while the polymer provides foam stability, achieving both dense foam quality and easy dispensing without excessive viscosity increase.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid viscosity is increased to enhance foam density and elasticity, then the foam quality improves, but the pressure required for dispensing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameters by selecting specific water-soluble polymers and controlling their concentration at 0.01-5 mass%, which provides sufficient foam density and elasticity while keeping the liquid viscosity low enough for easy dispensing without excessive pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water-soluble polymers that mimic the protective and stabilizing functions of natural substances, providing foam quality enhancement without the heavy viscosity increase associated with traditional thickeners, thus maintaining low dispensing pressure.
3Reliability
If a water-soluble polymer is added to improve foam elasticity, then the foam becomes more stable, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the formulation by selecting from a limited range of water-soluble polymers (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, or their salts) and optimizing their concentration at 0.01-5 mass%. This parameter control achieves reliable foam stability without requiring complex multi-component polymer systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The selected water-soluble polymers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as thickening agents, foam stabilizers, and viscosity modifiers. This multi-functionality reduces formulation complexity by eliminating the need for separate additives for each function.
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 formulation enables the dispensing of a dense and elastic foam with improved quality and reduced pressure requirements, maintaining the ease of dispensing and rinsability.
Implementation Method 1
the ratio of viscosity v2 at a shear rate of 1.0×10−2 (s−1) to viscosity v1 at a shear rate of 1.0×10−1 (s−1) is v2/v1≥5
Data Source
AI summary
A cleanser including a non-aerosol foaming container and a liquid cleansing agent filled in the non-aerosol foaming container, the liquid cleansing agent containing the following components (A), (B) and (C): (A) an anionic surfactant, (B) from 0.1 to 2.5 mass % of a water-soluble polymer, wherein, in terms of the viscosity of a 1-mass % aqueous solution thereof, the ratio of viscosity v2 at a shear rate of 1.0×10−2 (s−1) to viscosity v1 at a shear rate of 1.0×10−1 (s−1) is v2/v1≥5, and (C) water.