Method for manufacturing emulsion bead by low-temperature cooling, and emulsion bead yielded thereby

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing emulsion beads fail to maintain their shape at room temperature without swelling or disintegration, and when applied to the skin, they do not disintegrate smoothly, causing an unpleasant foreign substance feeling.

Innovation Solution

A cryogenic freezing method is used to form solid round emulsion beads by dropping liquid emulsion into a low-temperature refrigerant, and these beads are coated with a solution that is solid at room temperature or can form a gel, allowing them to maintain shape stability and easily disintegrate into a liquid emulsion when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If emulsion beads are prepared by conventional methods, then they can be formed into bead shape, but they swell or disintegrate at room temperature and do not disintegrate smoothly when applied to skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebead shape stabilityVSAvoiddisintegration smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the emulsion beads by freezing them at low temperature (e.g., -20°C to -80°C) to transform them from a soft, unstable state to a solid, stable state. This parameter change allows the beads to maintain their shape at room temperature while still being able to disintegrate smoothly when applied to skin, as the freezing process creates a stable solid structure that can controllably transition back to liquid form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite emulsion beads by combining the emulsion phase with freezing agents or encapsulating materials that form a solid matrix when frozen. This composite structure provides both the stability needed to maintain bead shape at room temperature and the controlled disintegration properties needed for smooth skin application, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If emulsion beads are stored at room temperature, then they are easily accessible, but they lose their shape and disintegrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidbead shape maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions by freezing the emulsion beads into a solid state for storage. The beads are frozen at low temperatures to form solid beads that maintain their shape during storage and transport. When needed, the beads can be applied to skin where they transition from solid to liquid state, providing both shape maintenance during storage and ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Ease of operation

If emulsion beads are made to disintegrate easily on skin, then they provide smooth application, but they cannot maintain shape stability during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication smoothnessVSAvoidshape stability during storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature state of the emulsion beads. During storage, the beads are maintained in a frozen solid state to preserve shape stability. During application, the temperature increases causing the beads to transition to liquid state for smooth skin application. This parameter change allows the system to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different stages.

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 method enables the production of stable solid emulsion beads that can be stored at low temperatures and convert to a liquid form without swelling or damage, providing a smooth application without grainy feelings on the skin.

Implementation Method 1

dropping liquid emulsion into a low-temperature refrigerant to form solid round emulsion beads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Implementation Method 2

A cryogenic freezing method is used to form solid round emulsion beads by dropping liquid emulsion into a low-temperature refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCryogenic freezing: Cryogenics

Implementation Method 3

coated with a solution that is solid at room temperature or can form a gel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 4

coated with a solution that is solid at room temperature or can form a gel, allowing them to maintain shape stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 5

convert to a liquid form without swelling or damage, providing a smooth application

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP2979690B1Method for manufacturing emulsion bead by low-temperature cooling, and emulsion bead yielded thereby
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 KPT
  • EP2979690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2979690B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2979690B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing solid round emulsion beads by dropping liquid emulsion into a cryogenic freezing refrigerant. The obtained solid round emulsion beads can be stored and used at a low temperature. The solid round emulsion beads can be coated with a solution containing a material which is solid at room temperature or which can form gel. The emulsion beads can be prepared by using liquid emulsion containing additional material, which is solid at room temperature or can form gel, in the water phase of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion or the oil phase of oil-in-water (W/O) emulsion. The emulsion beads prepared by the present invention can maintain its shape without swelling and/or damage but with stability and does not give any grainy feeling when the liquid emulsion was applied on the skin.