Dissolvable Solid Structure With Dual-Molecular-Weight Structurants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dissolvable solid structures containing high melting point fatty compounds and cationic surfactants face challenges in achieving adequate strength during manufacturing while maintaining a good usage feel for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A homogeneous mixture comprising specific molecular weight ranges of first and second polymeric structurants, high melting point fatty materials, and cationic surfactants, forming a dissolvable solid structure that balances strength and usage feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dissolvable solid structure contains high melting point fatty compounds and cationic surfactants, then the structure provides conditioning benefits and durability, but the structure lacks adequate strength during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system combining high melting point fatty compounds (behenyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol), cationic surfactants (behentrimonium methosulfate), and polymeric structurants (polyvinylpyrrolidone) to create a dissolvable solid structure that achieves both manufacturing strength and conditioning performance. The specific combination and ratios of these materials enable the structure to maintain integrity during manufacturing while providing the desired hair care benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including the molecular weight of polymeric structurants (K30 with MW 66,800 g/mol and K60 with MW 396,000 g/mol), the ratios of fatty compounds to surfactants, and the melting points of individual components to achieve the right balance between strength and dissolvability. These parameter adjustments allow the structure to be strong enough for manufacturing yet dissolvable for consumer use.
2Strength
If the dissolvable solid structure uses higher molecular weight polymeric structurants, then the structure gains strength during manufacturing, but the usage feel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dual molecular weight strategy for polymeric structurants, using both K30 (MW 66,800 g/mol) and K60 (MW 396,000 g/mol) varieties of polyvinylpyrrolidone in specific ratios. This parameter optimization allows the structure to achieve manufacturing strength through the higher MW component while maintaining usage feel through the lower MW component, effectively balancing both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where polymeric structurants work synergistically with high melting point fatty compounds and cationic surfactants. This composite approach allows the polymeric structurants to provide structural integrity during manufacturing while the fatty compounds and surfactants ensure pleasant usage feel, overcoming the limitations of using high MW polymers alone.
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 structure provides adequate strength during manufacturing and maintains a pleasant usage feel when applied by consumers, addressing the trade-offs in existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the dissolvable solid structure is formed by a homogeneous mixture comprising, by weight of the structure: from about 1% to about 10% of a first polymeric structurant... from about 10% to about 20% of a second polymeric structurant... from about 10 wt % to about 85 wt % of one or more high melting point fatty material... and from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt % of a cationic surfactant
Implementation Method 2
dissolvable solid structure... completely soluble in water or it provides a uniform dispersion upon mixing in water
Data Source
AI summary
A dissolvable solid structure that is formed by a homogeneous mixture. The mixture includes from about 1% to about 10% of a first polymeric structurant having a molecular weight of from about 1,000,000 g/mol to about 4,000,000 g/mol, from about 10% to about 20% of a second polymeric structurant having a molecular weight of from about 50,000 g/mol to about 500,000 g/mol, from about 10 wt % to about 85 wt % of one or more high melting point fatty material having a carbon chain length C12-C22 or mixtures thereof and a melting point above 25° C., and from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt % of a cationic surfactant. The dissolvable solid structures can provide an adequate strength during manufacturing, while not deteriorating usage feel when used and/or applied by consumers.