Crosslinking Hair Compositions for Cortex Repair and Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Human hair is prone to damage from various sources, including environmental, chemical, and mechanical factors, leading to loss of protein, brittleness, and reduced strength, with existing compositions failing to effectively repair or protect the hair.

Innovation Solution

A hair composition comprising a first component with gluconamides and alkyl ammonium gluconate salts, and a second component with bifunctional α,β-unsaturated compounds and ionic/non-ionic crosslinking agents, synergistically repairing the hair cortex, protecting the cuticle, and maintaining hair integrity through crosslinking and bonding mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hair care compositions are used, then basic cleaning and conditioning are achieved, but they fail to effectively repair damaged hair cortex and protect against further damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair repair effectivenessVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite composition comprising multiple active ingredients including gluconamides, alkyl ammonium gluconate salts, bifunctional α,β-unsaturated compounds, and ionic/non-ionic crosslinking agents. These components work synergistically to repair hair cortex, protect cuticle, and maintain hair integrity through crosslinking and bonding mechanisms, thereby achieving effective hair repair without excessive formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes chemical parameter changes through the application of crosslinking agents and bonding compounds that form covalent bonds with hair proteins. This chemical modification transforms the hair structure by creating crosslinks within the cortex and strengthening the cuticle, enabling effective repair of damaged hair while maintaining composition manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If hair undergoes chemical treatments like dyeing and bleaching, then color change is achieved, but protein loss and structural damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair color flexibilityVSAvoidhair tensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies crosslinking agents and bonding compounds that can be used before, during, or after chemical treatments to prevent protein loss and maintain structural integrity. The composition proactively strengthens hair by forming crosslinks and bonds that protect against the damaging effects of dyeing and bleaching, thereby maintaining tensile strength while allowing color versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effects of chemical treatments into beneficial outcomes by using crosslinking and bonding mechanisms to reinforce hair structure after chemical exposure. The composition repairs damage caused by dyeing and bleaching by rebuilding protein bonds and crosslinks, transforming chemically weakened hair into strengthened hair with improved integrity.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If thermal styling appliances are used frequently, then styling versatility is improved, but mechanical damage and protein loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestyling flexibilityVSAvoidprotein loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a protective layer of crosslinking agents and bonding compounds that cushion hair against thermal damage before exposure to styling appliances. This pre-protection mechanism reduces protein loss by forming a protective barrier and strengthening the hair structure, allowing frequent styling while minimizing mechanical and thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts thermal and mechanical stress into an opportunity for structural reinforcement by using heat-activated or moisture-activated crosslinking mechanisms. The composition repairs protein damage caused by styling appliances through bond formation and crosslinking, transforming damaged hair into strengthened hair that can withstand frequent styling.

Inventive Principle:

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

4Productivity

If harsh surfactant-based shampoos are used for frequent washing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cuticle damage and protein loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcuticle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces crosslinking agents and bonding compounds as intermediaries that protect the cuticle during washing. These components mediate between the cleaning action of surfactants and the hair structure, allowing effective cleaning while preventing cuticle damage and protein loss through crosslinking and bond formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the hair surface through crosslinking and bonding, changing the cuticle's resistance properties. This chemical modification enables the cuticle to withstand the mechanical and chemical stress of frequent washing with surfactant-based shampoos, maintaining cleaning efficiency while protecting against damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition significantly increases hair strength, reduces damage, and enhances moisture retention, shine, softness, and thermal protection, while protecting against chemical aggressions without affecting color or build-up.

Implementation Method 1

a nonionic crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of polyols, saccharides or a combination thereof; and an ionic cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of hydrolyzed proteins, amino acids or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a first component comprising at least one of a compound of Formula (I) and a compound of Formula (II) wherein R1-R4 and R1′-R4′ are independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, a sulfhydryl group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMichael addition: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The strength of the structures formed in keratin is also related to the formation of hydrogen bonds, coulombic interactions, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions present between different amino acid residues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVan der Waals forces: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic interactions: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS20250319008A1Hair compositions uses and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 FUNCTION INC

AI summary

The application disclosed compositions that act in the hair restoration and strengthening, their uses and hair treatment methods. The active ingredients of the present composition act synergistically in increasing resistance to damages, to repair damages, as well as acting in the retention of moisture, thickening, shine, softness, thermal protection, sealing the cuticles and improving the sensorial properties of the hair.