Core-Shell Polymer Particles for Fabric Fragrance Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for encapsulating benefit agents like perfume in laundry detergents are costly and inefficient, with high losses during formulation, transport, and storage, and poor deposition and retention on fabrics during washing.
Innovation Solution
The development of core-shell polymer particles with a pre-formed benefit agent core and an outer shell comprising a polysaccharide-binding polymer, such as locust bean gum, which enhances deposition and retention on cellulose-based fabrics by forming an impermeable and substantive shell during washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If microencapsulation methods are used to improve perfume deposition and retention, then the duration of fragrance release is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the shell material into two distinct components: a polymer matrix providing structural integrity and a polysaccharide component (such as locust bean gum) providing cellulose binding capability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while using cost-effective, readily available materials, thereby reducing manufacturing costs compared to complex commercial microencapsulation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is constructed as a composite material combining polymer and polysaccharide components. The polymer provides mechanical strength and structural stability, while the polysaccharide component enables binding to cellulose fibers in the fabric. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of different materials to achieve both durability and fabric affinity without requiring expensive proprietary encapsulation technologies.
2Reliability
If complex microencapsulation processes are used to improve benefit agent retention, then the reliability of benefit agent delivery is improved, but the loss of substance during formulation and transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shell material is pre-formed as a stable polymer-polysaccharide composite structure before the perfume core is introduced. This preliminary preparation of the shell ensures that the encapsulation matrix is ready to reliably contain and deliver the benefit agent, minimizing losses during subsequent formulation, transport, and storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the shell by incorporating polysaccharide components with specific binding properties (such as locust bean gum) that have high affinity for cellulose. This parameter change in the shell composition enhances the reliability of benefit agent delivery to fabric while reducing losses during handling and formulation through improved adhesion and stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional encapsulation shells are used, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the deposition and adherence of benefit agent on fabric is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with local quality differentiation: the polymer component provides general structural properties for ease of manufacture, while the polysaccharide component (such as locust bean gum) is specifically positioned to provide localized binding activity toward cellulose fibers. This local specialization of functional properties enables both easy manufacturing and precise fabric deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite shell structure combines polymer and polysaccharide materials, where the polymer provides structural integrity for straightforward manufacturing and the polysaccharide component provides targeted adhesion to cellulose-based fabrics. This composite approach achieves both manufacturing simplicity and deposition precision through the complementary roles of different materials.
4Reliability
If expensive commercial microencapsulation technologies are used, then the benefit agent retention is improved, but the overall productivity of the formulation process decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inexpensive, readily available natural polysaccharides (such as locust bean gum) as the binding component of the shell, replacing expensive commercial microencapsulation materials. This substitution maintains effective benefit agent retention while significantly improving formulation process productivity through the use of cost-effective, easily processed materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite shell structure using polymer and natural polysaccharide materials provides effective benefit agent retention through the polysaccharide's binding capability while maintaining high formulation productivity. The natural materials are easily processed and integrated into existing formulation workflows, avoiding the complex, time-consuming processes associated with expensive commercial microencapsulation technologies.
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 core-shell polymer particles improve the deposition and retention of benefit agents on fabrics, providing a longer-lasting and more intense fragrance, while reducing losses and costs associated with encapsulation and formulation.
Implementation Method 1
an outer shell comprising a structural polymer and an uncharged polysaccharide which is substantive to cellulose
Implementation Method 2
improve the deposition and retention of benefit agents on fabrics
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an encapsulate comprising a benefit agent core (preferably containing perfume), one or more inner shells (preferably of melamine urea or melamine formaldehyde) and an outer shell comprising a polymer (for example locust bean gum, tamarind xyloglucan, guar gum or mixtures thereof) which is substantive to cellulose (preferably in the form of cotton), at least one of said shells being impermeable to the benefit agent.