Effervescent Sunscreen Composition with Phase-Stable Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial sunscreens often lack phase stability and effervescence, making them difficult to apply on uneven surfaces or hard-to-reach areas, and existing formulations do not provide a high volume of vigorous bubbling with low energy input.
Innovation Solution
A phase-stable oil-in-water emulsion containing a UV-absorbing compound and a combination of propellants, specifically dimethyl ether and hydrocarbons like butane and propane, which creates a stable, effervescent foam when dispensed from a pressurized aerosol container, with the propellant concentration optimized between 20% to 30% by weight and each propellant between 8% to 15% weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If commercial sunscreen formulations are used, then UV protection is provided, but phase stability and effervescence are insufficient making application difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sunscreen formulation by incorporating a specific combination of propellants (hydrocarbon and HFA-134a) at optimized concentrations (20-30% by weight), along with specific emulsifiers and thickeners, to transform the product into a phase-stable effervescent foam that is easy to apply on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite formulation combining multiple components including UV filters (octocrylene, avobenzone, homosalate, benzophenone-3), emulsifiers (steareth-2, steareth-100), thickeners (xanthan gum, mannan), and a proprietary propellant blend, which together provide both phase stability and effervescence for improved application
2Quantity of substance
If conventional sunscreen formulations are used, then UV protection is provided, but high volume vigorous bubbling and effervescence are not achieved with low energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by incorporating pressurized propellants (hydrocarbon and HFA-134a) that generate internal pressure to propel the foam formulation outward, creating high volume vigorous bubbling and effervescence without requiring external energy input from the user
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits phase transitions of the propellant components, which transition from liquid to gas upon release from the pressurized container, generating the effervescent foam structure and vigorous bubbling action that expands the product volume significantly
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 forms a flowable, spreadable, and long-lasting effervescent foam that provides effective UV protection and is stable for three months without noticeable phase separation, offering improved application and skin protection.
Implementation Method 1
The propellant combination comprises at least two propellants selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether, a hydrocarbon, or mixtures thereof, and 1, 1-difluoroethane. The compositions provide a phase-stable, effervescent foam when dispensed from a pressurized aerosol container.
Implementation Method 2
The compositions provide a phase-stable, effervescent foam when dispensed from a pressurized aerosol container
Implementation Method 3
a phase-stable oil-in-water emulsion comprising a discontinuous oil phase homogenously distributed within a continuous water phase
Data Source
AI summary
An effervescent composition is provided which contains a phase-stable oil-in-water emulsion comprising a discontinuous oil phase homogenously distributed within continuous water phase, wherein the discontinuous oil phase comprises a UV-absorbing compound; and from about 20% to about 30% by weight of the composition of a combination of at least two propellants selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether, a hydrocarbon, or mixtures thereof, and 1, 1-difluoroethane, where the composition includes from about 8% to about 15% by weight of each propellant in the propellant combination, and where the composition provides a phase-stable, effervescent foam when discharged from a pressurized aerosol container.