Lamellar Phase Cleansing Composition Freeze-Thaw Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated lamellar phase cleansing compositions tend to lose stability under freeze-thaw conditions, requiring higher surfactant concentrations and restricting the choice of surfactants, which increases costs and affects consumer experience.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous lamellar structured skin cleaning composition with a specific ratio of synthetic anionic surfactants, co-surfactants, and C12 to C18 linear alkyl fatty acids, combined with small hydrophobic molecules as freeze-thaw stabilizers, to maintain viscosity and enhance lather quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If higher surfactant concentrations are used to form lamellar phase, then the composition achieves high zero shear viscosity and good suspending ability, but the choice of surfactants is restricted and formulation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameters of surfactants and co-surfactants to specifically form a lamellar phase microstructure. By optimizing the ratio and concentration of these components, the formulation achieves high zero shear viscosity and excellent suspending ability while maintaining formulation flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple types of surfactants and co-surfactants working together. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve the desired lamellar phase and suspending properties while expanding the range of available surfactant options beyond what a single surfactant could provide
2Stability of the object's composition
If higher surfactant concentrations are used to form lamellar phase, then the composition achieves high zero shear viscosity and good suspending ability, but formulation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of surfactants and co-surfactants to achieve the minimum effective concentration needed to form the lamellar phase. This parameter optimization reduces the total quantity of expensive surfactants required while maintaining high suspending ability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces co-surfactants as intermediary components that assist the primary surfactants in forming the lamellar phase. These co-surfactants enhance the effectiveness of the surfactant system, allowing reduced surfactant concentrations while maintaining suspending performance
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional lamellar phase compositions are used, then high zero shear viscosity is achieved, but the compositions lose stability under freeze-thaw conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates freeze-thaw stabilizers into the formulation beforehand to prevent viscosity loss during freeze-thaw cycling. These stabilizers cushion against the destabilizing effects of temperature fluctuations, maintaining the lamellar phase structure and high zero shear viscosity through storage conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces freeze-thaw stabilizers as intermediary components that mediate between the lamellar phase structure and the destabilizing freeze-thaw conditions. These stabilizers protect the microstructure from collapsing during temperature cycling, ensuring reliability
4Stability of the object's composition
If lamellar phase compositions are used, then good suspending ability and shear thinning properties are achieved, but lather quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration and ratio parameters of surfactants and co-surfactants to achieve a balance between maintaining lamellar phase structure for suspending ability and ensuring adequate lather quality. By fine-tuning these parameters, both requirements are satisfied
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 achieves improved lather volume, speed to lather, and freeze-thaw stability, providing a soft gel texture and maintaining viscosity, thus enhancing consumer experience and product efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When there is sufficient surfactant to form micelles (concentrations above the critical micelle concentration or CMC), for example, spherical, cylindrical (rod-like) or discoidal micelles may form. As surfactant concentration increases, ordered liquid crystalline phases such as lamellar phase, hexagonal phase or cubic phase may form. The lamellar phase, for example, consists of alternating surfactant bilayers and water layers.
Implementation Method 2
Concentrated lamellar phase liquid personal cleansing composition that is able to lather appreciably and in a preferred embodiment resist freeze-thaw destabilization
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to concentrated liquid cleansing compositions in lamellar phase which possess a lotion-like appearance conveying signals of enhanced moisturization. The use of a specific ratio of synthetic anionic surfactant(s) and co-surfactant(s)to fatty acid(s) in a structured liquid product was found to improve lather production by moderating or eliminating the increase in viscosity upon dilution. Ina further embodiment,specific small hydrophobic molecules were found to improve freeze/thaw stability and thereby cause the inventive composition to maintain noticeable moisturization signals.