Keratin Fiber Styling via Copolymer and Cellulose Composite

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current styling agents for temporary hair shaping often fail to provide a balance between strong hold, flexibility, moisture resistance, and long-term holding, with existing polymers sometimes resulting in brittle film plaques or inadequate humidity curl retention.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic composition combining a non-crosslinked, hydrophobically modified (meth)acrylic acid copolymer with a quaternized cellulose, specifically in ratios that enhance film-forming and setting properties while maintaining flexibility and moisture resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If synthetic polymers are used as setting active ingredients to provide strong hold, then the hairstyle hold is improved, but the polymer film becomes too brittle and forms film plaques that detach during hair movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehairstyle holdVSAvoidfilm flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different polymers with distinct properties: a cationic polymer (polyquat) providing strong hold and a cellulose ether providing flexibility and film-forming capabilities. This composite approach allows the styling agent to achieve both strong hairstyle hold and film flexibility, preventing the brittleness and plaque formation associated with single synthetic polymers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If waxes are used as setting active ingredients to provide strong hold, then the hairstyle hold is improved, but the same brittleness and film plaque formation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehairstyle holdVSAvoidfilm flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces waxes with a polymer composite system consisting of a cationic polymer and a cellulose ether. This combination provides the necessary hold strength while maintaining film flexibility through the cellulose ether component, eliminating the brittleness and plaque formation problems associated with wax-based formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of stationary object

If styling agents are formulated to provide long-term holding, then the duration of action is improved, but moisture resistance and humidity curl retention become inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term holdingVSAvoidmoisture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polymer formulation by selecting specific polymers with appropriate molecular weights, charge densities, and hydrophilic-lipophilic balances. The cationic polymer provides long-term holding through strong adhesion to hair, while the cellulose ether enhances moisture resistance and humidity curl retention by forming a flexible, moisture-resistant film that maintains hairstyle integrity in humid conditions.

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

The combination achieves a synergistic effect, providing a strong hold and improved moisture resistance without brittleness, as demonstrated by the High Humidity Curl Retention Test, with enhanced long-term holding and universal applicability across hair types.

Implementation Method 1

the polymers provide a polymer film which, on the one hand, gives the hairstyle a strong hold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

non-crosslinked, hydrophobically modified (meth)acrylic acid copolymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS10653606B2Agent and method for the temporary deformation of keratin-containing fibers
Publication Date: 2020.05.19 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Cosmetic composition for the temporary shaping of keratinic fibers and methods using such cosmetic compositions are provided. In one example, a cosmetic composition for the temporary shaping of keratinic fibers includesa) at least one non-crosslinked, hydrophobically modified (meth)acrylic acid copolymer, andb) at least one quaternized cellulose.