Conditioning Gel Phase Mixing Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair conditioning compositions do not effectively balance thermal energy at the point of mixing, leading to poorly mixed systems, low viscosity, and suboptimal conditioning benefits, including next-day greasiness and static issues.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the controlled mixing of a comelt of fatty alcohol and cationic surfactant with water at a specific temperature range (56-60°C) to form an isotropic phase, optimizing the formation of a lamellar conditioning gel phase for superior conditioning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the water temperature is too cold when mixing with the comelt, then the comelt solidifies resulting in a poorly mixed system, but this leads to low viscosity and suboptimal conditioning benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the water temperature (56-60°C) to optimize the mixing process. This temperature range is specifically selected to prevent comelt solidification while avoiding excessive heat that would form vesicles, thereby achieving both good mixing quality and optimal viscosity through thermal parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by carefully managing the thermal state of the comelt during mixing. The controlled temperature ensures the comelt remains in a suitable phase for mixing without solidifying or forming unwanted vesicles, demonstrating control over phase behavior to achieve the desired gel structure and viscosity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the water temperature is too high when mixing with the comelt, then it forms vesicles, but this also results in lower viscosity and suboptimal conditioning benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the water temperature (56-60°C) to optimize the mixing process. This temperature range is specifically selected to prevent comelt solidification while avoiding excessive heat that would form vesicles, thereby achieving both good mixing quality and optimal viscosity through thermal parameter optimization.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the weight ratio of cationic surfactant to fatty alcohol is too high, then it can lead to eye irritancy, but if it is too low, then it can make the hair feel squeaky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the weight ratio of cationic surfactant to fatty alcohol within specific ranges (1:1.5 to 1:8, optimally 1:2 to 1:5). This ratio optimization balances the competing requirements of minimizing eye irritancy while preventing squeakiness, demonstrating how compositional parameter control resolves conflicting performance requirements.
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 process results in conditioning compositions with enhanced next-day benefits, improved deposition of solids, reduced greasiness, and better hair feel, while maintaining a balanced viscosity and avoiding eye irritancy or squeakiness.
Implementation Method 1
The comelting of the fatty alcohol and the cationic surfactant forms an isotropic phase. This means that the development of structure, i.e. the formation of the lamellar conditioning gel phase, can be controlled by the temperature and rate of mixing of the comelt and the water.
Implementation Method 2
The improvement thus resides in the balance of thermal energy at the point of mixing the water with the comelt. Preferably, the water in the second vessel is maintained at 56-60°C
Data Source
AI summary
Process for making a conditioning gel phase comprising: - forming a 'comelt' in a first vessel comprising fatty alcohol and cationic component and 0-15% wt. comelt of water (A) adding the 'comelt' to a second vessel containing water at 50-60°C (B) - mixing wherein the temperature of the mixture of the comelt and the water in the second vessel (B) is controlled such that it is maintained from 56-65°C, preferably from 58-62°C, more preferably 60°C, wherein the fatty alcohol has from 8 to 22 carbons and wherein the cationic component comprises from 0-70% wt. cationic component, cationic surfactants have the formula N+R1R2R3R4, more preferably from 30-60% wt. cationic surfactant component, and wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently (C1 to C30) alkyl or benzyl and process for manufacturing a conditioning composition by forming a conditioning gel phase obtained by any of claims 1 -7 and then adding any remaining ingredients.