Hydratable Surfactant Composition Thickens Upon Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid cleansing compositions in concentrate form often require consumers to add water and stir, leading to non-homogeneous products with undesirable viscosity, and they typically contain sulfate and oil, contributing to plastic waste. There is a need for a pourable, sulfate-free, and oil-free surfactant composition that thickens upon dilution to reduce plastic usage.
Innovation Solution
A hydratable concentrated surfactant composition comprising C6-C14 acids or alcohols, anionic surfactants like acyl isethionate and acyl taurate, and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, which transforms from a lamellar to an isotropic phase upon dilution, increasing viscosity from 25 to 10,000 mPa.s when diluted with water at a 1:1 to 1:10 ratio, suitable for use in personal care products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional liquid cleansing compositions are sold in concentrate form requiring consumers to add water and stir, then plastic waste is reduced, but the resulting product is non-homogeneous and has undesirable viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the surfactant composition by selecting specific surfactant types (amphoteric and/or zwitterionic combined with anionic surfactants) and their ratios, which fundamentally alters how the composition behaves upon dilution. This parameter change enables the composition to thicken rather than thin when water is added, resolving the contradiction between concentrate form and desirable viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite surfactant system combining multiple surfactant types (amphoteric, zwitterionic, and anionic surfactants) in specific proportions. This composite approach creates synergistic effects that enable the composition to maintain stability and develop desirable viscosity upon dilution, while still being available in concentrate form to reduce plastic waste.
2Productivity
If conventional concentrates require consumers to add water and stir, then product concentration is reduced for use, but the preparation process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant composition performs self-thickening upon dilution, eliminating the need for consumers to actively stir or adjust the mixture. The composition automatically transforms from a thin concentrate to a thick, ready-to-use product through its inherent rheological properties, making the preparation process as simple as pouring and automatically achieving the desired consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition exhibits dynamic rheological behavior where its viscosity automatically changes in response to dilution. This dynamic property allows the product to transform from a pourable concentrate to a thick, stable formulation automatically upon contact with water, reducing preparation complexity and time.
3Ease of operation
If conventional liquid cleansing compositions are formulated with customary viscosity for easy evacuation, then packaging plastic usage increases, but environmental concerns require reduction of plastic waste
Solution Approach 1:
The composition utilizes dynamic rheological properties to be pourable in concentrate form for easy evacuation from packaging, then automatically thickens upon dilution to provide the desired tactile and functional characteristics. This dynamic behavior allows the same product to satisfy both ease of dispensing and plastic reduction goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the viscosity parameter dynamically - the concentrate has low viscosity for easy pouring and evacuation from packaging, while the diluted end-use product has high viscosity for desirable consumer experience. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and plastic waste reduction.
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 allows for easy preparation of a ready-to-use product with desirable viscosity in under five minutes, reducing plastic waste through refill packaging and ensuring the end product is substantially free of sulfate and oil, providing a homogeneous and effective personal care solution.
Implementation Method 1
The composition is in lamellar phase, and unexpectedly, thickens and transforms to an isotropic phase upon dilution
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a hydratable concentrated surfactant composition. The composition is pourable, easy to dilute, substantially free of sulfate and oil, comprises a C6-C14 acid, alcohol or both, an anionic surfactant comprising acyl isethionate and an amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant or both. The composition is in lamellar phase and thickens and transforms to an isotropic phase upon dilution. The composition can be used as a concentrate in small volumes and diluted as used and needed or can be diluted with water in refill packaging to ensure a reduction in plastic waste.