Fragrance Release System with Optical End-of-Life Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fragrance release systems fail to provide a reliable visual indication of end-of-use without relying on excipients, which can lead to reduced storage stability and odor intensity due to reactive components and temperature-dependent evaporation rates.
Innovation Solution
A fragrance release system using two non-miscible solvents A and B, with an active ingredient acting as a solubilizer, where phase separation indicates the exhaustion of the fragrance, eliminating the need for excipients and maintaining storage stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pH indicators and slowly evaporating acids or bases are used to indicate end of use, then visual signal is provided, but the color change is not caused by the fragrances themselves and reliable indication requires selecting fragrances that evaporate just as quickly as the excipients
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the excipient component from the indicator system. Instead of using pH indicators with slowly evaporating acids or bases, the patent uses a direct visual indicator that responds specifically to fragrance depletion. The indicator layer contains a pH indicator and a volatile acid or base, but crucially, the fragrance itself triggers the color change through pH modification during evaporation, removing the need to match evaporation rates between fragrance and excipient.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a pH indicator as an intermediary substance that mediates between the evaporating fragrance and the visual signal. The pH indicator translates the chemical changes during fragrance evaporation into a visible color change, providing a reliable endpoint indication without requiring direct measurement of fragrance concentration or evaporation rate matching.
2Reliability
If volatile colors are used to signal fragrance consumption, then visual indication is provided, but the color change is caused by evaporation of the volatile color rather than the fragrance itself
Solution Approach 1:
The pH indicator serves as an intermediary that responds to the chemical environment created by fragrance evaporation rather than evaporating itself. The volatile acid or base in the indicator layer interacts with the pH indicator to produce a color change that is triggered by fragrance depletion, not by evaporation of the color substance itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses parameter changes in the chemical environment (pH changes) rather than relying on evaporation of the color substance. The pH indicator changes color in response to pH modifications that occur as the fragrance evaporates and modifies the chemical environment, providing a more reliable indication of fragrance consumption.
3Reliability
If halochromes with reactive atoms or groups are used in non-aqueous mixtures with acids or bases, then color change indication is achieved, but the systems tend to react in various ways causing breakdown of fragrances and halochromes, reducing odor intensity and forming off-odors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pH parameter changes as the trigger for color indication rather than relying on reactive chemical interactions between halochromes and strong acids or bases. The pH indicator responds to subtle pH modifications that occur during normal fragrance evaporation, avoiding the harsh chemical conditions that cause decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator system is designed as a separate, disposable layer that does not need to maintain long-term stability like the fragrance formulation. The indicator layer can be optimized for visual indication without compromising the stability requirements of the main fragrance system, as it is replaced or refreshed with each new fragrance refill.
4Reliability
If indicator systems with time point are used, then color change occurs after a certain period of time, but the evaporation rate is strongly influenced by ambient temperature and other factors so the end point will not occur at the same time under different conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pH parameter changes that occur during fragrance evaporation as the trigger for color indication, rather than relying on fixed time intervals. The pH indicator responds to the chemical changes that naturally occur as the fragrance depletes, providing a reliable endpoint indication that adapts to varying evaporation rates caused by temperature and environmental conditions.
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 system provides a direct and reliable visual endpoint display without excipients, ensuring long storage stability and maintaining fragrance performance by using the active ingredient to mediate phase separation upon depletion.
Implementation Method 1
at least one active ingredient which serves as a solubilizer for the solvents A and B, whereby a single-phase preparation is created
Implementation Method 2
the active ingredients are fragrances, antimicrobial agents and/or insect repellents, and wherein the miscible solvents A and B are mixed with such an amount of the active ingredient mentioned that a single-phase preparation is created
Implementation Method 3
the phases separate due to the exhaustion of the said active ingredient
Data Source
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AI summary
A drug release system with optical endpoint indication is proposed, comprising (a) a container for receiving the components, (b) two solvents A and B contained therein which are immiscible or only slightly miscible, (c) at least one active ingredient which acts as a solubilizer for solvents A and B, and (d) a mechanism which enables the release of the active ingredient but retains the other volatile components of the composition.