Core-Shell Silicone Microcapsules for Detergent Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydrophobic oily benefit agents like silicones face challenges in compatibility and deposition efficiency in detergent compositions, especially in alkaline and aqueous environments, due to their viscous nature and limited incorporation levels.

Innovation Solution

A detergent composition featuring a core-shell particle with a core comprising at least 50% silicone and fatty acid, and a shell comprising at least 66% polymer, which improves stability and deposition efficiency by forming a stable core-shell structure that enhances compatibility with other detergent ingredients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrophobic oily benefit agents such as silicone are incorporated into detergent compositions, then the detergent provides hydrophobic benefits, but compatibility with other detergent ingredients deteriorates, especially in highly alkaline and highly aqueous environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrophobic benefitVSAvoidcompatibility with detergent ingredients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The silicone is segmented into microcapsules with a core-shell structure, where the core contains the hydrophobic silicone and the shell provides compatibility with aqueous and alkaline detergent environments. This segmentation allows the silicone to be delivered in a controlled manner while maintaining compatibility with other detergent ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microcapsule shell acts as an intermediary between the hydrophobic silicone and the aqueous/alkaline detergent environment. The shell material mediates the interaction, protecting the silicone from direct contact with incompatible ingredients while still allowing the silicone to be deposited onto fabrics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If silicone is incorporated at very low levels to improve compatibility, then compatibility with detergent ingredients is improved, but deposition efficiency onto the treated surface deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with detergent ingredientsVSAvoiddeposition efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The silicone is transformed from a bulk viscous material into microcapsule form, changing its physical parameters including size, surface area, and release characteristics. This parameter change enables the silicone to be incorporated at low levels while maintaining high deposition efficiency through controlled release and enhanced surface area for transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hydrophobic oily benefit agents are incorporated into detergent compositions, then the detergent provides fabric softening benefits, but the viscous nature of these materials makes them difficult to handle and incorporate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric softening benefitVSAvoidease of incorporation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The silicone is transformed from a viscous liquid phase into a solid microcapsule form that can be easily handled and incorporated into detergent compositions. The phase transition from liquid to solid microcapsules eliminates the handling difficulties associated with viscous silicone while preserving the fabric softening benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 particle composition achieves improved stability and compatibility, leading to enhanced deposition and effectiveness of silicone in detergent applications, even in challenging environments.

Implementation Method 1

a core-shell particle, wherein the core-shell particle comprises a core, wherein the core comprises at least 50% by weight of the core of a mixture of silicone and fatty acid, wherein the core-shell particle comprise a shell, wherein the shell comprises at least 66% by weight of the shell of a polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3144375B1A process for making a detergent composition

Publication Date: 2018.12.26 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present invention relates to a detergent composition comprising a core-shell particle, wherein the core-shell particle comprises a core, wherein the core comprises at least 50% by weight of the core of a mixture of silicone and fatty acid, wherein the core-shell particle comprise a shell, wherein the shell comprises at least 66% by weight of the shell of a polymer.