Hair Care Composition Agglomeration Control via Additive Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair care compositions containing zinc pyrithione often experience agglomeration issues, leading to undesirable product appearance and equipment sticking, particularly with larger particle sizes exceeding 400 microns, which are not effectively addressed by current methods.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of an emulsion with a cationic surfactant system, high melting point fatty compound, and aqueous carrier, followed by the addition of perfumes, silicones, phenoxyethanol, and benzyl alcohol before incorporating the antidandruff agent, specifically using a high shear field to mix the oil and aqueous phases, reducing agglomeration by adding the antidandruff agent at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zinc pyrithione is added to the composition using conventional methods, then the antidandruff benefit is provided, but agglomeration occurs leading to larger particle sizes (400 microns or more) causing undesirable product appearance and equipment sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding perfumes, silicones, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, and/or parabens to the emulsion before incorporating the zinc pyrithione. This preliminary addition of conditioning agents and additives creates a favorable environment that prevents agglomeration of the antidandruff agent, ensuring uniform distribution and controlling particle size to prevent formation of large agglomerates (400 microns or more) that cause product appearance issues and equipment sticking.
2Device complexity
If zinc pyrithione is added after all other components, then the formulation is simple, but agglomeration increases and deposition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the conventional addition sequence by performing preliminary action - adding perfumes, silicones, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, and/or parabens to the emulsion before incorporating zinc pyrithione. This sequence change is justified by the technical benefit of reduced agglomeration and improved deposition, demonstrating that formulation complexity is acceptable when it resolves the agglomeration problem.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional addition sequence is used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but larger particle size agglomeration occurs causing equipment sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating perfumes, silicones, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, and/or parabens into the emulsion before adding zinc pyrithione. This sequence modification prevents the formation of large agglomerates (400 microns or more) that would otherwise stick to manufacturing equipment, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of equipment sticking while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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
This approach significantly reduces agglomeration of antidandruff agents, particularly larger particles, enhancing their deposition and improving the product's appearance and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a high shear field to mix the oil and aqueous phases
Implementation Method 2
Mixing the cationic surfactant system, high melting point fatty compound and aqueous carrier to form an emulsion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a hair care composition comprising a step of adding perfume, silicone, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, and/or parabens perfumes and/or silicones, before adding antidandruff agents. Preferably, perfumes and/or silicones are added before adding antidandruff agents. The method of the present invention provides reduced agglomeration of antidandruff agent selected from metal pyrithiones.