Silica-Shell Perfume Capsules for Consistent Fabric Care Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid fabric care products with perfume capsules suffer from inconsistent perfume leakage, leading to undesirable olfactory experiences and quality control issues due to varying leakage rates of different perfume raw materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of capsules with substantially inorganic shells comprising a condensed layer and a nanoparticle layer, surrounded by a second inorganic shell component, which controls perfume leakage through uniform microchannels, ensuring consistent and low permeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polymeric capsule shells are used to encapsulate perfume, then the capsules can deliver perfume benefit to target surfaces, but the capsules leak perfume in the liquid environment of the consumer product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapsule integrityVSAvoidperfume leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the capsule shell from organic polymeric materials to substantially inorganic materials (silica-based). This fundamental material parameter change provides superior chemical stability and resistance to hydrolysis in aqueous environments, thereby preventing perfume leakage while maintaining capsule integrity throughout the product's shelf life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite shell structure comprising multiple inorganic layers including a silica-based shell with specific thickness (0.5-5 micrometers). This composite inorganic structure combines the advantages of chemical stability, mechanical strength, and controlled permeability, effectively preventing perfume leakage while enabling reliable perfume delivery to target surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional capsule shells are used, then perfume can be encapsulated, but different perfume raw materials leak at different rates causing inconsistent olfactory experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperfume composition consistencyVSAvoiddifferential perfume leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the shell material parameter from polymeric to substantially inorganic (silica-based), which provides uniform and predictable permeability characteristics. This parameter change ensures that all perfume raw materials leak at consistent rates determined by the inorganic shell's controlled porosity and structure, rather than experiencing differential leakage based on material compatibility with polymeric shells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a homogeneous shell structure with uniform inorganic composition and controlled thickness (0.5-5 micrometers). This homogeneity ensures consistent interaction with all perfume raw materials regardless of their chemical nature, resulting in uniform leakage rates and maintaining the intended perfume composition consistency throughout the product's shelf life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 inorganic shell structure maintains consistent perfume release, providing a satisfactory and uniform olfactory performance by regulating perfume leakage rates, thus enhancing consumer satisfaction and product quality.

Implementation Method 1

the shell includes (a) a substantially inorganic first shell component that includes a condensed layer and a nanoparticle layer, where the condensed layer includes a condensation product of a precursor, where the nanoparticle layer includes inorganic nanoparticles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

controls perfume leakage through uniform microchannels, ensuring consistent and low permeability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4229166B1Liquid fabric care compositions comprising capsules
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP4229166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4229166B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4229166B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Liquid fabric care compositions that include certain fabric treatment adjuncts and/or water, where the compositions further include capsules characterized by substantially inorganic shells, for example silica-based shells. The present disclosure further relates to methods of making and using such compositions.