Keratin Fiber Styling Copolymer Composite for Hold and Moisture Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current styling agents for temporary hair shaping often lack a balance between high hold, flexibility, and moisture resistance, leading to issues like film plaques and inadequate long-term holding.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic composition combining a non-crosslinked, hydrophobically modified (meth)acrylic acid copolymer with a copolymer comprising styrene, acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid, in specific proportions, to create a synergistic effect for improved hold and moisture resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If synthetic polymers and waxes are used as setting active ingredients to achieve high hold, then the hairstyle hold is improved, but moisture resistance deteriorates and film plaques form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehairstyle holdVSAvoidmoisture resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite polymer system combining polyacrylonitrile (provides hold and flexibility) with hydrophobic polymers (provides moisture resistance). This composite approach allows each polymer to contribute its specific properties, achieving both high hold and moisture resistance without the drawbacks of single-component systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polymers by controlling the degree of hydrophobic modification and the ratio of polyacrylonitrile to hydrophobic polymer (optimally 5:95 to 45:55 by weight). These parameter adjustments optimize the balance between hold, flexibility, and moisture resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If polymer film is made strong to provide high hold, then the hairstyle hold is improved, but flexibility deteriorates causing film plaques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehairstyle holdVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polyacrylonitrile (which provides strength and hold) with hydrophobic polymers (which provide flexibility and prevent film plaques). This composite material approach allows the film to be both strong and flexible, eliminating the brittleness issue of single-polymer systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the polymer film have different properties: the polyacrylonitrile provides structural strength and hold, while the hydrophobic polymer regions provide flexibility and prevent cracking. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10583076B2Agent and method for the temporary deformation of keratin-containing fibers

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Cosmetic compositions for the temporarily shaping of keratinic fibers and methods for using such cosmetic compositions are provided. In one example, a cosmetic composition includes at least one non-crosslinked, hydrophobically modified (meth)acrylic acid copolymer, and at least one copolymer that includes at least in part monomer units. The monomer units include styrene, and acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid.