Flexible Solid Cosmetic Composition Using Sulfonate Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cosmetic washing products for keratin materials, such as shampoos, face difficulties in maintaining stability and ease of use due to viscosity and hardness changes over time, especially during temperature cycles, leading to phase separation and usability issues.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous cosmetic composition in flexible solid form, comprising 10-70% anionic surfactants with sulfonate groups, 0.1-15% esters of fatty acids with at least 12 carbon atoms, and 0.1-15% fatty alcohols with at least 16 carbon atoms, with a specific weight ratio and water content, ensuring constant viscosity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cosmetic washing products are formulated as liquids or creams to provide good cosmetic properties, then they are easy to apply, but they tend to run through fingers and leak from packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by transforming the cosmetic composition from liquid/cream phase to flexible solid phase. This is achieved through specific formulation with sulfonate surfactants, fatty esters, and fatty alcohols that create a semi-solid consistency, allowing the product to maintain shape and prevent running while remaining easily applicable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the composition from liquid to flexible solid state by adjusting the formulation parameters. The specific combination of surfactants with fatty esters and fatty alcohols modifies the viscosity and texture parameters, transforming the product into a non-running, moldable form that eliminates leakage issues.
2Loss of substance
If thickeners are added to make the composition more compact and less liquid, then running and leaking are reduced, but cosmetic effects deteriorate and more rinsing water is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for conventional thickeners by using a different approach. Instead of adding thickening agents to achieve compactness, the formulation inherently provides the desired texture through the synergistic combination of sulfonate surfactants, fatty esters, and fatty alcohols, thus avoiding the negative effects of thickeners on cosmetic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining sulfonate surfactants with fatty esters and fatty alcohols. This composite material provides both the desired compact, non-running texture and maintains excellent cosmetic effects, eliminating the trade-off between thickness and performance.
3Shape
If solid cosmetic formulations are used to reduce running and leaking, then compactness is improved, but they are difficult to fractionate and disintegrate on contact with water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic formulation that adapts its physical state based on environmental conditions. The flexible solid composition remains compact and moldable during storage but dynamically transforms and disintegrates upon contact with water, allowing easy fractionation and application. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining compactness and enabling easy disintegration.
4Shape
If compositions are made thicker or solid to reduce running, then compactness is improved, but rapidity of foam initiation becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the formulation parameters to achieve the right balance between compactness and foam initiation speed. The specific concentration ranges of sulfonate surfactants (10-70%), fatty esters (0.1-15%), and fatty alcohols (0.1-15%) are carefully controlled to ensure the composition remains compact while maintaining high foam initiation rapidity upon water contact.
5Shape
If conventional solid formulations are used to improve compactness, then running is reduced, but they require large amounts of water for optimum use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the excessive water requirement associated with conventional solid formulations. The optimized formulation with specific surfactant and fatty substance ratios enables effective use with reduced water amounts, while still achieving complete disintegration and optimal cleaning performance.
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 maintains a consistent texture and stability over time, is easy to apply and rinse, provides a natural feel, and supports rapid foam initiation without requiring thickening agents, making it suitable for efficient use and packaging in single-dose forms.
Implementation Method 1
comprising 10-70% anionic surfactants with sulfonate groups
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible solid cosmetic composition comprising sulfonate anionic surfactants, fatty esters and fatty alcohols, and cosmetic treatment method The present invention relates to an aqueous cosmetic composition in flexible solid form, comprising (i) at least 10% by weight of anionic surfactants comprising a sulfonate group, (ii) esters of fatty acid(s) comprising at least 12 carbon atoms, and (iii) fatty alcohols comprising at least 16 carbon atoms. The composition finds a particular application as a composition for cleaning or washing keratin materials, in particular the hair. The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment method, in particular for caring for, cleaning and/or conditioning keratin materials using said composition.