Encapsulated Benefit Agent Particles with Polymer Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Benefit agents in consumer products, such as perfumes and fabric softening agents, face challenges in delivery efficiency due to physical or chemical interactions, leading to loss during application, necessitating improved delivery methods.

Innovation Solution

The development of high efficiency particles comprising an agglomerate with a core, shell, and coating, where the shell is coated with a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer, specifically using quaternary ammonium and unprotonated carboxylic, alcohol, or thiol moieties, to enhance the encapsulation and retention of benefit agents in consumer products like laundry detergents and fabric softeners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If benefit agents are used at high levels in consumer products, then their effectiveness should improve, but they are lost due to physical or chemical interactions and incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of benefit agentVSAvoidloss of benefit agent
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The benefit agent is nested within multiple protective layers: first encapsulated in a core, then surrounded by a shell, and finally coated with a polymer coating. This nested structure protects the benefit agent from physical and chemical interactions throughout the product lifecycle, preventing loss while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer coating acts as an intermediary between the benefit agent and the external environment (other compositional components and the situs being treated). This intermediary layer prevents direct harmful interactions while allowing the benefit agent to deliver its intended effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If encapsulated benefit agents are used, then delivery efficiency improves, but agents are still lost before or after application due to mechanical or chemical interactions and charge interactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiency of benefit agentVSAvoidloss of encapsulated benefit agent
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system uses composite materials with distinct functional properties: an encapsulation shell made from specific polymers and a coating made from cationic and/or anionic polymers. This composite structure provides both the encapsulation needed for delivery efficiency and the additional protection against mechanical, chemical, and charge interactions that causes loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the benefit agent by enclosing it in an encapsulated structure with specific shell and coating properties. This transformation allows the benefit agent to withstand conditions that would otherwise cause loss, while maintaining its delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If benefit agents are used at high levels, then their effectiveness should improve, but they are expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of benefit agentVSAvoidcost of benefit agent
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By transforming the benefit agent into an encapsulated form with protective coating, the invention changes its physical parameters to improve stability and prevent loss. This allows smaller quantities of expensive benefit agents to achieve the same or better effectiveness compared to using larger quantities of unprotected agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach significantly improves the delivery efficiency of benefit agents by protecting them from mechanical and chemical interactions, ensuring their effectiveness throughout the application process and extending their performance in consumer products.

Implementation Method 1

said coating comprising a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer, wherein: a) said cationic polymer comprising a quaternary ammonium moiety; b) said anionic polymer comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of an unprotonated carboxylic group, an unprotonated alcohol group, an unprotonated thiol group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interactions: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

said coating coating the outer surface of said shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2496678B2High efficiency particle comprising benefit agent
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present application relates to high efficiency particles and compositions, such as consumer products, comprising such high efficiency particles as well as processes for making and using such high efficiency particles and compositions comprising such high efficiency particles. Such high efficiency particles and compositions provide enhanced benefit agent delivery to a situs that is treated with such high efficiency particles and compositions. An encapsulate comprising a core, a shell having an inner and outer surface and a coating, said coating coating the outer surface of said shell, said coating comprising a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer.