Hair Shaping Composition Using C2-4 Monoaldehydes and Urea

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing permanent hair straightening methods damage hair and require professional application, causing chemical damage, unpleasant odors, and scalp irritation by breaking hair disulfide bonds.

Innovation Solution

A hair shaping composition comprising C2-4 monoaldehydes and urea compounds dissolved in an aqueous carrier, applied topically without reducing agents, allowing mechanical shaping without breaking disulfide bonds, which can be done by consumers without professional intervention and maintains shape after washing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If reducing agents are used to break hair disulfide bonds for permanent straightening, then hair can be straightened, but hair is damaged and disulfide bonds are broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair straightnessVSAvoidhair integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the reducing agents from the hair straightening process, achieving straightening through mechanical means alone, thereby preventing chemical damage to hair disulfide bonds while still achieving the desired shape change

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical system (reducing agents breaking disulfide bonds) with a mechanical system (physical manipulation and shaping), achieving hair straightening without chemical damage to the hair structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Shape

If reducing agents are used to break hair disulfide bonds, then hair can be straightened, but unpleasant odor and scalp irritation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair straightnessVSAvoidscalp irritation and odor

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes reducing agents from the formulation, eliminating the source of unpleasant odors and scalp irritation while maintaining the ability to straighten hair through mechanical means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful chemical process into a beneficial mechanical process, where the absence of harsh chemicals becomes the key advantage, providing gentle yet effective hair straightening without side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If professional hairdressers are required to apply straightening compositions, then proper application is ensured, but the process becomes complex and requires professional intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication qualityVSAvoidprofessional intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables consumers to perform hair straightening themselves without professional assistance, simplifying the process while maintaining effectiveness through the gentle mechanical approach that does not require specialized chemical knowledge or skills

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10463586B2Hair shaping composition

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 CONOPCO INC

AI summary

The invention provides a hair shaping composition suitable for topical application to hair, the composition comprising from 1 to 25 wt % of one or more C2-4 monoaldehydes and from 1 to 25 wt % of one or more urea compounds; dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous carrier.