Electrolyte-Sensitive Polymer Shave Care Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composition dispensing razors fail to effectively reduce skin irritation and improve shave closeness while providing adequate moisturization and lubrication, as they often result in runny formulations that do not stay on the skin or are too thick to dispense properly.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispensing razor with a shave care composition comprising water, lipophilic skin conditioning agents, electrolyte-sensitive polymers, emulsifying agents, and lubricants, which 'drop out' key ingredients during shaving to enhance skin comfort and moisturization, utilizing a combination of chemistry that synergistically interacts to improve shave experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the composition is made thinner to dispense properly, then dispensing performance is improved, but the composition runs off the skin and cannot stay in place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using electrolyte-sensitive polymers that change their viscosity properties in response to electrolyte concentration changes during shaving. The composition maintains a thinner, more dispensable state initially, then transforms to a thicker state upon contact with skin electrolytes, allowing it to stay in place while dispensing properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition exhibits dynamic rheological properties through the use of electrolyte-sensitive polymers that respond to changing environmental conditions (electrolyte concentration). The viscosity is not static but dynamically adjusts during the shaving process, transitioning from a flowable state during dispensing to a more stable state on the skin.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the composition is made thicker to stay on skin, then composition stability is improved, but dispensing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte-sensitive polymers undergo parameter changes in response to electrolyte concentration, allowing the composition to be thin and dispensable in the reservoir, then transform to a thicker state when electrolytes from skin or sweat are present, ensuring it stays on the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition's viscosity is dynamic rather than static, adjusting in real-time based on electrolyte concentration. This allows the composition to be pumpable and dispensable during storage and application, then become more stable and adherent once applied to the skin.
3Stability of the object's composition
If thickeners are added to increase viscosity, then composition stability is improved, but the composition becomes stringy or tacky
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using traditional thickeners that create stringy or tacky textures, the patent uses electrolyte-sensitive polymers that change viscosity in response to electrolyte concentration. This allows viscosity control without the harmful textural side effects, as the thickening effect is triggered only by electrolyte presence rather than constant polymer-network formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte-sensitive polymer acts as an intermediary mechanism between the composition and the skin environment. Rather than directly thickening the composition in a static manner, it mediates the viscosity change in response to electrolyte concentration, avoiding the formation of stringy or tacky structures while still achieving stable composition on skin.
4Stability of the object's composition
If traditional thickeners are used to increase viscosity, then composition stability is improved, but the composition becomes cloudy or opaque
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte-sensitive polymers provide viscosity control without interfering with the optical properties of the composition. Unlike traditional thickeners that may scatter light and cause cloudiness, these polymers maintain composition clarity while still achieving the desired viscosity modulation through electrolyte-responsive mechanisms.
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 solution provides a significant step-change in skin condition and moisturization benefits by ensuring key lubricating and conditioning ingredients are released during shaving, reducing friction and improving shave closeness while maintaining consistent fluid properties for effective dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
The advantage of including electrolyte sensitive polymers in the shave care composition chemistry is its ability to 'drop out' the benefit ingredients during shaving to improve functionality or efficacy. The electrolyte sensitive polymer loses suspension capability in the presence of very little electrolyte (salt in water, surfactant left on the skin, electrolyte on the skin) causing the formula to release key lubricating and conditioning ingredients.
Implementation Method 2
The emulsifying agents work in concert with this 'drop-out' behavior to even out spreading across the cartridge/skin and also to enhance deposition of the dispersed phase ingredients onto the skin.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid dispensing razor including a reservoir containing a shave care composition. The shave care composition comprises water; one or more lipophilic skin conditioning agents; one or more thickening agents including electrolyte sensitive polymers; one or more emulsifying agents; and one or more lubricants. The shave care composition is delivered to the skin by the razor to provide skin comfort and moisturization benefits during the shave. The combination of the chemistry in the razor results in step change in skin condition in consumer and technical skin moisturization benefits.