Crosslinked Alkyl Polyglycoside Surfactants for Skin Conditioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial alkyl polyglycosides have limited water solubility and drying effects on skin due to their low degree of polymerization, making them less suitable for cosmetic applications, despite efforts to blend with traditional surfactants which do not address the underlying issues.

Innovation Solution

Cross-linking hydrophobic alkyl polyglycosides with hydroxypropyl linkages and incorporating functional groups like alkoxy, sulfate, sulfonate, quaternary, and phosphate groups to create high molecular weight polymers that enhance water solubility and cosmetic properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If alkyl polyglycosides are used with low degree of polymerization, then water solubility is limited and drying effects occur on skin, but if degree of polymerization is increased through cross-linking, then molecular weight increases and cosmetic properties improve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater solubilityVSAvoidmolecular structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining alkyl polyglycoside units with hydroxypropyl crosslinking bridges to create a polymeric composite structure. This composite approach allows the material to achieve both water solubility (from the glycoside units) and enhanced cosmetic properties (from the polymeric structure), resolving the contradiction between solubility and molecular complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the molecular structure into repeating units of alkyl polyglycoside connected by hydroxypropyl linkages. This segmentation creates a polymeric structure where each unit contributes to water solubility while the overall polymer chain provides the desired molecular weight and cosmetic performance, effectively resolving the solubility-complexity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional surfactants are blended with alkyl polyglycosides, then cosmetic performance improves, but underlying issues of solubility and drying effects are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecosmetic performanceVSAvoiddrying effects on skin

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the inherently hydrophobic nature of alkyl polyglycosides, which causes drying effects, into a benefit by crosslinking these units. The crosslinked polymeric structure traps the hydrophobic segments within the polymer matrix, reducing their direct contact with skin while maintaining the overall water solubility and cosmetic benefits of the polymer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If functional groups are incorporated into the polymeric structure, then foam, alkali tolerance, and emulsification properties increase, but molecular structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional propertiesVSAvoidmolecular structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves multi-functionality by incorporating various functional groups (sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate, alkoxy) into the polymeric structure. Each functional group provides specific properties (foam, alkali tolerance, emulsification) while the universal polymeric backbone maintains water solubility and cosmetic performance, allowing one material to fulfill multiple functions without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 resulting polymers provide improved skin and hair conditioning, increased foam, alkali tolerance, and emulsification, resulting in more functional and mild products for personal care applications.

Implementation Method 1

polymeric (that is cross linked with hydoxypropyl linkages)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCross-linking:

Implementation Method 2

The inclusion of the additional functional groups provide increased foam (sulfate and sulfonate)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam: Foam

Implementation Method 3

alkali tolerance (phosphate)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlkali tolerance:

Implementation Method 4

emulsification (alkoxy)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS7375064B1Functionalized polymeric surfactants based upon alkyl polyglycosides

Publication Date: 2008.05.20 SURFATECH

AI summary

The invention relates to a series of multifunctional polyglycosides derivatives that are made by the polymerized by the reaction of polyoxyalkylene containing crosslinking reagent and polyglycosides, together with a functionalizing agent that contains a sulfate, sulfonate, quaternary nitrogen, or a phosphate group. The preferred polymers are cross linked having more than one group per molecule. They are made with mild reagents to avoid discoloration and mal odor.