Lambda Carrageenan Water-Soluble Film for Home Care Capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for renewable water-soluble films that can be processed using existing capsule technology, which are robust enough for handling and provide optimal dissolution for home care substrate treatment compositions.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble film comprising lambda carrageenan with a thickness of 40-200 micrometers, which includes a high concentration of lambda carrageenan and optional additives like polyvinyl alcohol and plasticizers, allowing for robust handling and efficient capsule formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If water-soluble films are made thinner to improve dissolution speed, then dissolution performance is improved, but handling robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the film thickness parameter to a specific range (40-200 micrometres) that balances dissolution speed and handling robustness. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal value that satisfies both requirements simultaneously rather than making the film arbitrarily thin.
2Strength
If lambda carrageenan concentration is increased to improve film strength, then handling robustness is improved, but dissolution performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a lambda carrageenan concentration range (1-99 wt%, preferably 20-80 wt%) that optimizes both film strength and dissolution performance. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by identifying the concentration window where high strength and fast dissolution coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines lambda carrageenan with other materials such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and plasticizers to create a composite film system. This composite approach allows the film to achieve both high strength from lambda carrageenan and improved dissolution through the synergistic effects of the combined materials.
3Reliability
If renewable materials are used to improve sustainability, then environmental performance is improved, but processability with existing capsule technology deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes physical parameters such as film thickness (40-200 micrometres) and material composition to ensure compatibility with existing capsule manufacturing processes like thermoforming and sealing. This parameter optimization allows renewable lambda carrageenan material to be processed using conventional technology without requiring new manufacturing equipment.
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 lambda carrageenan film achieves optimal dissolution while maintaining robustness, enabling the creation of water-soluble capsules that can effectively contain and release home care compositions, meeting the requirements for processability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
water-soluble film comprising lambda carrageenan... achieves optimum dissolution
Data Source
AI summary
A water soluble comprising lambda carrageenan from 1% wt to 99% wt based on total weight of dry film and has a thickness of 40-200 micrometres. A capsule comprising the water-soluble film. The capsule may have at least one internal compartment enclosed by the water-soluble film, the compartment having an internal space and containing a home care composition within the internal space, where film comprises lambda carrageenan.