Dissolvable Personal Care Sheet Eliminates Plastic Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hair care products, such as shampoos, are predominantly packaged in plastic bottles, which contribute to environmental pollution and pose health risks due to the use of fossil fuels and potential microplastic contamination.

Innovation Solution

A solid, dry, flexible shampoo sheet that is activated by water and completely dissolves when in contact with water, eliminating the need for plastic bottles. The sheet comprises a combination of anionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants, polyvinyl alcohol, a thickener, an oil, and optional additives, which are mixed and then dried to form the sheet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic bottles are used to package shampoo, then the product can be stored and transported effectively, but environmental pollution and health risks increase due to fossil fuel use and microplastic contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct storage and transport effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and microplastic contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the plastic bottle packaging from the shampoo system, replacing it with a water-soluble sheet format that dissolves completely during use, thereby removing the source of microplastic contamination and environmental pollution while maintaining product functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the shampoo from a liquid stored in bottles to a solid sheet format that dissolves in water, transforming the delivery mechanism from persistent plastic to biodegradable material that disappears after use, eliminating harmful environmental factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a water-soluble sheet format is used to eliminate plastic bottles, then environmental friendliness improves, but the sheet must dissolve completely which requires specific formulation challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidformulation complexity for complete dissolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite material system consisting of water-soluble polymers, surfactants, and conditioning agents formulated in specific ratios to ensure complete dissolution of the sheet in water while maintaining effective hair care functionality, balancing environmental benefits with manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adjusts the physical and chemical parameters of the sheet formulation, including moisture content, polymer type, and additive composition, to optimize dissolution characteristics while maintaining product performance, making the complete dissolution achievable through controlled formulation parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the sheet dissolves too slowly, then formulation stability improves, but the product becomes gummy and lumpy, failing to provide uniform cleansing effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoiduniform cleansing effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the dissolution rate by adjusting formulation parameters such as polymer molecular weight, moisture content, and the presence of solubilizing agents, ensuring the sheet dissolves at an optimal pace that prevents gummy formation while maintaining formulation stability during storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates local variations in the sheet formulation, with different regions having slightly different compositions or additives that promote uniform dissolution across the entire sheet surface, ensuring consistent cleansing effect while maintaining overall formulation stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 shampoo sheet provides effective hair cleansing, is eco-friendly, reduces carbon impact, and leaves no trace of the delivery technology, while being cost-efficient to produce and distribute.

Implementation Method 1

a personal care dissolvable sheet can include a first anionic surfactant; a second anionic surfactant; a third amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant; a polyvinyl alcohol or an analog or a derivative

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

a first anionic surfactant; a second anionic surfactant; a third amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

a thickener

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThickening:

Implementation Method 4

an oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS20250025380A1Personal care dissolvable sheet, compositions, methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 IPX LLC

AI summary

Personal care dissolvable sheets which can effectively eliminate the use of plastic bottles for packaging and delivery are provided. Solid, dry, lightweight, flexible shampoo sheets, which are activated by water and completely dissolves when in contact with water are also provided. Additionally, compositions and methods for preparing and using shampoo sheets are provided.