Hydrophilic Perfume Formulation for Plastic Container Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household cleaning, fabric treatment, and deodorizing products packaged in plastic containers experience loss of hydrophobic perfume ingredients due to absorption and transmission through the plastic, leading to reduced fragrance integrity and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

Formulating products with a high proportion of hydrophilic perfume ingredients having a Clog P less than 3 and a boiling point greater than 200°C, and packaging them in plastic containers made of at least 80% hydrophilic perfume-compatible materials to minimize absorption and transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrophobic perfume ingredients are used in household cleaning products packaged in plastic containers, then the fragrance intensity is initially strong, but the perfume ingredients are lost by absorption into and transmission through the polyethylene container during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperfume ingredient retentionVSAvoidperfume ingredient loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the perfume ingredients from hydrophobic to hydrophilic character, specifically selecting ingredients with Clog P less than about 3. This parameter change makes the perfume ingredients incompatible with the hydrophobic polyethylene container material, thereby preventing absorption and transmission loss during storage while maintaining fragrance integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful hydrophobicity of both the perfume ingredients and container material into a beneficial property by selecting hydrophilic perfume ingredients. The hydrophilic character, which would normally cause water solubility issues, becomes advantageous because it prevents partitioning into the hydrophobic plastic container, thus reducing loss and extending fragrance life

Inventive Principle:

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

2Illumination intensity

If perfume ingredients with low boiling points are used, then the fragrance is initially volatile and noticeable, but they are more quickly lost once dispensed from the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance volatilityVSAvoidfragrance life

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the boiling point parameter of the perfume ingredients by selecting compounds with boiling points greater than about 200°C. This parameter change reduces the volatility of the fragrance ingredients, allowing them to remain noticeable and pleasant on treated surfaces for longer durations while preventing rapid loss after dispensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional plastic containers are used for packaging household cleaning products, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but hydrophobic perfume ingredients are absorbed and transmitted through the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer manufacturingVSAvoidperfume integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical compatibility parameter between the perfume ingredients and container material. By selecting hydrophilic perfume ingredients (Clog P < 3), the system achieves compatibility with conventional hydrophobic plastic containers, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring perfume integrity throughout storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Preserves perfume integrity and extends fragrance life by reducing the loss of hydrophilic perfume ingredients, maintaining a noticeable and pleasant fragrance on treated surfaces for a longer duration.

Implementation Method 1

hydrophobic perfume ingredients have a tendency to be lost from the aqueous composition by absorption into and/or transmission through the polyethylene during storage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

transmission of the perfume ingredients into and/or through the plastic container during storage is minimized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS7550416B2Perfumed household products and methods for preserving perfume integrity and extending fragrance life

Publication Date: 2009.06.23 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Household cleaning, fabric treatment, or deodorizing products and methods of preserving the integrity of hydrophilic perfume ingredients and extending fragrance life are disclosed. The product and method include an aqueous composition containing a surfactant and a perfume having a substantial proportion of hydrophilic perfume ingredients with a Clog P of less than about 3 and a boiling point greater than about 200° C. The aqueous composition may be contained in plastic containers constructed of hydrophilic perfume compatible materials. The invention preserves perfume integrity by decreasing migration of hydrophilic perfume ingredients into and/or transmission through plastic containers and extends fragrance life once the hydrophilic perfume ingredients are deposited onto a surface.