Compact Sulfate-Free Shampoo Composition for Stable Foam Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Formulating a stable, compact shampoo composition that is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants is challenging due to issues with lather volume, cleansing, stability, and clarity, especially when high surfactant levels lead to phase separation and product instability.
Innovation Solution
A shampoo composition comprising 18% to 40% surfactant system with a weight ratio of acyl glutamate to total surfactant between 0.30 to 1, pH of 6 to 8, and viscosity of less than 35 centipoise, using a combination of acyl glutamate, anionic, and zwitterionic surfactants without sulfate-based surfactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high surfactant levels are used to achieve acceptable lather volume and cleansing in sulfate-free shampoos, then lather volume and cleansing performance are improved, but product stability deteriorates due to phase separation and coacervate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the pH within a narrow range of 6.0-8.0 and limiting acyl glutamate to 5-40% of the composition. These parameter adjustments prevent the surfactant-cationic polymer interactions that cause phase separation, while maintaining sufficient surfactant levels for acceptable lather volume and cleansing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining acyl glutamate with other surfactants (such as amino acid surfactants, alkyl polyglucosides, or sulfonate surfactants) and cationic polymers. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve adequate lather and cleansing without relying on excessive acyl glutamate levels that would cause instability.
2Quantity of substance
If high surfactant levels are used to achieve acceptable cleansing performance in sulfate-free shampoos, then cleansing is improved, but viscosity increases making dispensing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls viscosity by maintaining pH between 6.0-8.0 and limiting acyl glutamate to 5-40%, preventing excessive thickening that would occur at higher surfactant levels. This allows the shampoo to remain pumpable and easy to dispense while achieving adequate cleansing performance through the balanced surfactant system.
3Quantity of substance
If sulfate-based surfactants are used to achieve high lather volume and stability, then lather performance is improved, but gentleness to hair and skin deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates sulfate-based surfactants from the formulation, replacing them with gentler alternative surfactants such as amino acid surfactants (e.g., sodium cocoyl glutamate), alkyl polyglucosides, or sulfonate surfactants. This removal of harmful sulfates maintains lather performance while significantly improving gentleness to colored hair and skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system using multiple gentle surfactant types (amino acid surfactants, alkyl polyglucosides, sulfonates) that work synergistically to provide adequate lather volume and stability without the harsh effects of sulfates, particularly on colored hair.
4Quantity of substance
If compact foam form is used to increase surfactant concentration, then surfactant efficiency is improved, but formulation stability deteriorates due to phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling pH (6.0-8.0) and acyl glutamate content (5-40%) to prevent phase separation in compact foam formulations. These parameter adjustments allow high surfactant concentration for compactness while maintaining formulation stability by avoiding the coacervate formation that occurs at higher acyl glutamate levels.
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 achieves phase stability, acceptable lather volume, and cleansing performance while maintaining clarity, suitable for delivery through mechanical pump foamers.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant system wherein the surfactant system comprises: i) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, acyl glutamate; ii) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, co-surfactant wherein the co-surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a compact, stable shampoo composition comprising: from about 18% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system wherein the surfactant system comprises: i) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, acyl glutamate; ii) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, co-surfactant wherein the co-surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof; wherein the shampoo composition is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants; wherein the weight ratio of acyl glutamate to total surfactant is from about 0.30 to about 1; wherein the pH is from about 6 to about 8; wherein the composition has a viscosity of less than or equal to about 35 centipoise (cP).