Encapsulating Water-Soluble Benefit Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encapsulation processes for solid, water-soluble benefit agents are ineffective due to dissolution during the emulsification step and negative interactions with shell materials, leading to degradation and loss of benefits in consumer products.
Innovation Solution
Employing a protective suspension agent in the encapsulation process to minimize interactions between the benefit agent and shell materials, using shell materials like polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polymers derived from hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers to create stable particles that encapsulate the benefit agent effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid, water soluble benefit agents are used in encapsulation processes, then the benefit agents can provide desired benefits to the product, but the benefit agents dissolve during the emulsification step and cannot be effectively encapsulated
Solution Approach 1:
The benefit agent is suspended in a protective suspension agent before the emulsification step. This preliminary suspension prevents the benefit agent from dissolving during subsequent processing steps, allowing effective encapsulation to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
A protective suspension agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the benefit agent and the emulsification process. This intermediary protects the benefit agent from direct interaction with the emulsification environment that would cause dissolution
2Productivity
If benefit agents are used without protective suspension, then the encapsulation process can proceed, but negative interactions occur between the benefit agent and shell materials during particle making and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The protective suspension agent serves as a mediator that prevents direct harmful interactions between the benefit agent and shell materials during particle making and processing, while still allowing the encapsulation process to proceed efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The protective suspension agent provides beforehand cushioning by creating a protective environment around the benefit agent before any harmful interactions can occur during the encapsulation process
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 ensures effective encapsulation of solid, water-soluble benefit agents, preventing degradation and ensuring controlled release, thereby enhancing the performance and stability of consumer products.
Implementation Method 1
a protective suspension agent, said protective suspension agent that comprises a silicone material
Implementation Method 2
said shell material encapsulating said core material
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to encapsulated, solid, water soluble benefit agents and products comprising such encapsulates, as well as processes for making and using such encapsulates and products comprising such encapsulates. The encapsulation processes disclosed, offer solutions to emulsification problems and minimize negative interactions between the benefit agent and shell materials that occur during particle making and processing, by employing a protective suspension agent.