Foaming Cleansing Composition with Polyol and Thickener Synergy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foaming cleansing compositions based on synthetic anionic surfactants produce low-quality lather that is thin and lacks creaminess, and there is a need for formulations that generate high volumes of stable foam while reducing packaging usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a significant amount of polyols and a combination of inorganic and cellulosic thickeners in non-soap anionic surfactant-based compositions, with specific weight ratios and viscosity ranges, to create a high-volume, stable, and creamy foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If synthetic anionic surfactants are used in foaming cleansing compositions, then lather volume is increased, but lather quality deteriorates (thin and lacks creaminess)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines synthetic anionic surfactants with amphoteric surfactants and specific thickening agents (cellulose derivatives, inorganic thickeners) to create a composite formulation. This composite approach allows the synthetic surfactant to provide high lather volume while the amphoteric surfactant and thickeners contribute to improved lather quality, creaminess, and stability, resolving the contradiction between quantity and quality of foam
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameter ranges including surfactant concentration (2-30% anionic, 1-20% amphoteric), thickener content (0.5-10% cellulose derivatives, 0.1-5% inorganic thickeners), and pH (5-9) to achieve the desired balance between lather volume and quality. By carefully controlling these parameters, the formulation achieves both high foam quantity and superior foam quality
2Manufacturing precision
If amphoteric surfactants are added as co-surfactant to improve lather quality, then lather creaminess is improved, but lather volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratio between anionic surfactants (2-30%) and amphoteric surfactants (1-20%), ensuring the anionic surfactant remains the dominant component for volume generation while the amphoteric surfactant is present in sufficient amounts to improve quality. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where quality enhancement does not excessively compromise volume
3Quantity of substance
If more cleansing composition is used to generate high lather volume, then lather quantity is increased, but packaging material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates the composition to achieve maximum lather expansion ratio (lather volume per unit of product), optimizing surfactant concentration, thickener content, and other parameters to ensure that a small amount of product generates a large volume of stable foam. This reduces the total product volume needed in packaging while maintaining high lather output
Solution Approach 2:
The composite formulation with synergistic combinations of surfactants and thickening agents creates a highly efficient foam-generating system that maximizes lather volume per unit of product, thereby reducing the total amount of product required and consequently the packaging material needed
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 generates exceptionally high lather volume with a pleasant, well-structured, and firm foam, reducing the amount of product needed per wash and maintaining color patterns during storage.
Implementation Method 1
5 to 25 wt. % of thickeners, comprising a combination of: a) inorganic thickener selected from silica, chalk, talc, clay and combinations thereof; b) cellulosic thickener selected from cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters and combinations thereof
Implementation Method 2
The composition generates exceptionally high lather volume with a pleasant, well-structured, and firm foam
Implementation Method 3
4 to 12 wt. % of non-soap anionic surfactant; 0 to 8 wt. % of amphoteric surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
A cleansing composition for cleansing the skin, comprising by weight of the composition, — 20 to 65 wt. % of one or more polyols; and —5 to 25 wt. % of thickeners, comprising a combination of: a) inorganic thickener selected from silica, chalk, talc, clay and combinations thereof; b) cellulosic thickener selected from cellulose, cellulose ether, cellulose ester and combinations thereof; wherein the weight ratio of the inorganic thickener to the cellulosic thickener is in the range of 4:1 to 40:1; —4 to 12 wt. % of non-soap anionic surfactant; —0 to 8 wt. % of amphoteric surfactant; and wherein the weight ratio of the one or more polyols to the thickeners is in the range of 1:1 to 13:1 and wherein the viscosity of the composition is in the range of 200 to 400 Pa-s, measured at 25° C. after 1 minute at 5 rpm.