Hydrogen-Bonding Hair Active Ingredient for Dye Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hair treatment agents fail to provide sufficient permeation and fixation of additives, leading to inadequate long-lasting functionality and poor prevention of hair discoloration after coloring.

Innovation Solution

An active ingredient for hair comprising an amine or ammonium compound with a hydrogen-bonding functional group and a carboxylic acid or its salt, at a molar ratio of 0.01:1 to 10:1, which forms a mixture that is liquid at 25°C, enhancing permeation and fixation of hair additives, including coloring agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional hair treatment agents are used, then the formulation is simple, but the permeation and fixation of additives into hair is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermeation and fixation of additivesVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite formulation system consisting of three key components: (A) amine/ammonium compounds with hydrogen-bonding functional groups, (B) carboxylic acids or their salts, and (C) hair additive components. This composite approach creates synergistic interactions where components (A) and (B) form hydrogen-bonding networks that enhance the permeation and fixation of component (C) into hair structures, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high additive fixation and maintaining formulation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes controlled parameter changes, specifically the molar ratio between components (A) and (B), to optimize performance. By adjusting the ratio of amine/ammonium compounds to carboxylic acids/salts within specific ranges, the formulation achieves optimal hydrogen-bonding capacity and additive fixation efficiency without requiring complex multi-component systems, thus improving permeation while controlling formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If conventional hair treatment agents are used, then the application process is simple, but the long-lasting functionality is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-lasting functionalityVSAvoidapplication process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action through the pre-formulation of components (A) and (B) that create a hydrogen-bonding network structure before application. This pre-organized structure facilitates enhanced permeation and deep fixation of hair additives during the application process, ensuring long-lasting functionality without complicating the application procedure. The hydrogen-bonding components are already positioned to maximize additive retention upon contact with hair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional hair treatment agents are used, then the formulation is straightforward, but the prevention of hair discoloration is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of discolorationVSAvoidformulation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces components (A) and (B) as intermediary substances that mediate between the hair additive components (C) and the hair structure. These hydrogen-bonding capable compounds act as intermediaries that form strong associations with both the additives and hair proteins, thereby preventing discoloration and degradation. This intermediary mechanism achieves high reliability in discoloration prevention while maintaining a relatively straightforward three-component formulation structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 active ingredient efficiently permeates and fixes into hair, providing excellent repairment efficacy on both surface and interior regions, improving solubility and permeability of hair additives, and preventing color deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

an amine or ammonium compound having a hydrogen-bonding functional group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Data Source

PatentEP4714426A1Active ingredient for hair
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 MIYOSHI OIL & FAT
  • EP4714426A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4714426A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4714426A1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~4(B)

AI summary

Provided is an active ingredient for hair that efficiently permeates into hair, fixes therein and exhibits excellent repairment efficacy both on the surface and interior regions of the hair. Also provided is an active ingredient for hair that demonstrates excellent solubility of hair additives and exhibits excellent efficacies in terms of permeability and fixation of dyes and coloring agents, particularly for hair coloring treatment. The active ingredient for hair of the present invention contains components (A) and (B) of: (A) an amine or ammonium compound having a hydrogen-bonding functional group; and (B) a carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, wherein the ingredient contains the components (A) and (B) at a molar ratio from 0.01:1 to 10:1.