Foam Precursor Liquid with Cellulose Ether and Surfactant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleansing foam products often require thick precursor liquids to produce desirable foam, which can clog dispensers and make refilling difficult, and typically include costly quaternary ammonium compounds that are incompatible with anionic surfactants.
Innovation Solution
A liquid concentrate composition comprising cellulose ether and surfactants, specifically hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with defined substitution values, and a combination of anionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants, which maintains a pourable consistency and prevents thickening, allowing for easy dispensing and refilling without quaternary ammonium compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thick precursor liquid is used to produce desirable foam, then foam quality is improved, but dispenser clogging occurs and refilling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using specific cellulose ether types (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with DS 1.77-1.94 and MS 0.10-0.25) and controlled surfactant ratios (anionic to amphoteric/zwitterionic from 5:1 to 1:5), which alter the liquid's rheological properties to achieve optimal foam quality without excessive thickening that would clog dispensers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite surfactant system combining anionic, amphoteric, and/or zwitterionic surfactants in specific ratios, along with cellulose ether, to create a formulation that delivers desirable foam characteristics while maintaining pumpability and preventing dispenser clogging
2Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used as foam boosters, then foam characteristics are improved, but cost increases and formulation compatibility becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the foam-enhancing mechanism by eliminating quaternary ammonium compounds and instead using controlled combinations of anionic, amphoteric, and/or zwitterionic surfactants in specific ratios (5:1 to 1:5), which provide desirable foam characteristics without the compatibility and cost issues of quaternary compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic quaternary ammonium compounds from the formulation, replacing them with a compatible surfactant system based on anionic, amphoteric, and/or zwitterionic surfactants that achieves the same foam-boosting effect without the drawbacks
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 produces a foam with excellent lather and foam characteristics while preventing dispenser clogging, enabling convenient refilling and reducing costs by eliminating the need for quaternary ammonium compounds.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid concentrate composition for a cleansing foam precursor liquid and a cleansing foam precursor liquid that comprise a cellulose ether and surfactant... maintains a pourable consistency and prevents thickening
Implementation Method 2
from 5 to 70% by weight of anionic surfactant, and from 5 to 70% by weight amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant... results in a foam with excellent lather and foam characteristics
Implementation Method 3
results in a foam with excellent lather and foam characteristics upon dispensing from a pump foam dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a foam precursor liquid and foam cleansing composition that comprise a cellulose ether and surfactant. The precursor liquid results in a foam with excellent lather characteristics upon dispensing from a pump foam dispenser, and the liquid does not thicken to impede or clog the dispenser it is dispensed from. The foam precursor liquid is easily pourable prior to dispensing and makes refilling and reusing pump foam dispensers very convenient for consumers conscious about using less plastic.