EVA Skin Engaging Member for Hair Removal Lubrication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaving aids face challenges in providing consistent lubrication and maintaining structural integrity over multiple uses, particularly due to high processing temperatures required for certain polymers like polystyrene, which can degrade ingredients and limit the range of materials that can be incorporated.
Innovation Solution
A skin engaging member for hair removal devices, comprising a polymeric matrix with a water-soluble polymer and a water-insoluble polymer, specifically ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) with a vinyl acetate content of 18% or less, allowing for processing at lower temperatures and improved mechanical integrity and lubrication performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polystyrene is used as a water insoluble polymer, then structural integrity is improved, but processing temperature increases and ingredients may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing temperature parameter from high (required by polystyrene) to low (below degradation point of ingredients). This is achieved by substituting polystyrene with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, which has a lower melting point and can be processed at temperatures that do not degrade heat-sensitive ingredients while still providing the necessary structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material approach by combining ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with water-soluble polymers and other ingredients to create a shaving aid composition that achieves both structural integrity and low-processing-temperature compatibility. The ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer serves as the structural backbone while allowing gentle processing conditions.
2Strength
If polystyrene is used as a water insoluble polymer, then structural integrity is improved, but the range of incorporable ingredients is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with various water-soluble polymers and ingredients. This composite approach allows incorporation of heat-sensitive and diverse ingredients that would be incompatible with high-temperature polystyrene processing, thereby expanding the range of incorporable materials while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the polymer base from polystyrene to ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and adjusting processing temperature parameters, the patent enables incorporation of a broader range of ingredients including those that are temperature-sensitive, thus increasing adaptability and versatility of the shaving aid composition.
3Ease of manufacture
If ethylene vinyl acetate with high vinyl acetate content is used, then ease of processing is improved, but mechanical integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the vinyl acetate content parameter within a specific range (10-40%) to balance ease of processing with mechanical integrity. This parameter optimization ensures the copolymer is processable at low temperatures while maintaining sufficient structural strength for the shaving aid application.
Data Source
AI summary
A skin engaging member suitable for use in a hair removal device, said skin engaging member comprising ethyl vinyl acetate having a low level of vinyl acetate and a water soluble polymer.