Aqueous Cleansing Composition Balancing Viscosity, Clarity, and Foam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleansing compositions face challenges in achieving optimal viscosity, clarity, stability, and foam generation, which affect consumer perception and performance.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous cleansing composition comprising a surfactant system with a combination of anionic, amphoteric, and nonionic surfactants, along with viscosity modifying agents, to achieve a viscosity range of 500 cP to 1300 cP and improved stability, foam generation, and oil emulsification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a surfactant system with multiple types of surfactants is used, then cleansing performance and foam generation are improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleansing performanceVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite surfactant system comprising multiple types of surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric) working synergistically. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve superior cleansing performance and foam generation while maintaining formulation stability through balanced interactions between different surfactant classes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The surfactant system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: cleansing, foaming, emulsifying, and conditioning. By selecting surfactants with diverse functional capabilities, the formulation achieves comprehensive performance across multiple parameters without requiring separate additive systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If viscosity is increased to improve consumer perception, then product stability and perceived quality improve, but pumpability and application ease deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct stabilityVSAvoidpumpability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes viscosity by carefully controlling the concentration and molecular weight of polymeric thickeners, adjusting them to achieve a viscosity range that provides perceived stability while maintaining acceptable pumpability. The formulation balances thickening agent levels to optimize the trade-off between stability perception and application ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If flash foam volume is increased to improve consumer perception, then visual appeal and perceived cleaning performance improve, but foam stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appealVSAvoidfoam stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different foam characteristics at different stages: high flash foam volume for immediate visual appeal upon dispensing, followed by controlled foam stability for sustained performance. This is achieved by selecting surfactants and additives that promote rapid foam generation while maintaining adequate foam persistence through balanced surface tension reduction and foam film stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 composition exhibits enhanced stability, increased flash foam, improved oil emulsification, and clarity, providing a better consumer experience and cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

a surfactant system comprising a plurality of surfactants dispersed in the aqueous base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

improved oil emulsification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS12577497B2Cleansing compositions and methods for the same
Publication Date: 2026.03.17 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

Aqueous cleansing compositions and methods for the same are disclosed herein. The aqueous cleansing compositions may include an aqueous base and a surfactant system. The surfactant system may include a plurality of surfactants dispersed in the aqueous base. The plurality of surfactants may include one or more anionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more nonionic surfactants, or a combination thereof. The aqueous cleansing composition may have a viscosity of from about 500 cP to about 1300 cP.