Composite Microcapsule Shells for Stable Perfume Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

The perfumery industry faces challenges with the rapid loss of olfactive benefit from odoriferous compounds due to volatility, particularly top-notes, and the instability of microcapsules in aggressive consumer product bases, leading to leakage and reduced impact.

Innovation Solution

Development of microcapsules with a composite shell comprising a plant-based coacervate and a polymeric material, encapsulating hydrophobic materials like perfume oil, to enhance stability and controlled release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If microcapsules are used to encapsulate volatile odoriferous compounds, then olfactive performance is improved, but chemical stability in aggressive consumer product bases deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveolfactive performanceVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining coacervate (from plant proteins like gelatin or casein) with synthetic or natural polymers (such as polyurea, polyurethane, or cellulose derivatives) to form a hybrid shell structure. This composite shell leverages the biodegradability and eco-friendliness of coacervate while gaining the chemical resistance and mechanical strength from the polymer component, thereby maintaining olfactive performance while improving stability in aggressive consumer product bases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If high levels of surfactant detergents are used in consumer products, then cleaning performance is improved, but microcapsule stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidmicrocapsule stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the shell composition to include polymers with specific chemical properties (such as polyurea or polyurethane) that exhibit resistance to surfactant degradation. The cross-linking density, polymer molecular weight, and coacervate-to-polymer ratio are adjusted to optimize the shell's resistance to high levels of surfactant detergents, enabling the microcapsules to maintain integrity even in high-performance cleaning products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If eco-friendly plant-based materials are used for microcapsule shells, then environmental friendliness is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges coacervate (made from plant-based proteins such as gelatin, casein, or soy protein) with structurally robust polymers (like polyurea, polyurethane, or chitosan) to create a composite shell. The coacervate provides the eco-friendly, biodegradable characteristic, while the polymer matrix contributes mechanical strength and resistance to physical forces such as crushing. This synergistic combination achieves both environmental sustainability and adequate mechanical stability for consumer product applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provide improved chemical and mechanical stability, ensuring sustained olfactive performance and eco-friendly delivery of active ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

a coacervate comprising a first polyelectrolyte and a second polyelectrolyte, wherein the first polyelectrolyte comprises a plant-protein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoacervation: Coacervate

Implementation Method 2

performing microcapsules encapsulating a hydrophobic material such as perfume oil could be obtained by forming a homogeneous composite shell comprising (or made of) a plant-based coacervate material and a polymeric material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterfacial polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20260034034A1Composite microcapsules
Publication Date: 2026.02.05 FIRMENICH SA
  • US20260034034A1 patent drawing
  • US20260034034A1 patent drawing
  • US20260034034A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed herein are microcapsules including both a core and a composite shell including a plant-based coacervate and a polymeric material.