Two-Phase System Using Lecithins and Glycerol for Stable Dispersion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-phase systems face challenges in achieving physical, chemical, and microbiological stability, often requiring synthetic emulsifiers and preservatives, which can be allergenic and unsuitable for certain populations, while also being prone to dripping and dosing issues due to stickiness with application devices.

Innovation Solution

A two-phase system comprising lecithins, glycerin, and specific oils, which forms micelles with small droplet sizes, avoiding synthetic surfactants and preservatives, and using glycerol for preservation, allowing for stable dispersion and easy dosing without significant loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic emulsifiers and preservatives are used to achieve physical stability and preservation, then the emulsion maintains stable distribution and prevents microbial growth, but the system becomes allergenic and unsuitable for certain populations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical stabilityVSAvoidallergenicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes synthetic emulsifiers and preservatives from the formulation, extracting the harmful components while retaining the essential emulsion structure through natural alternatives like lecithins and glycerin-based systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces lecithins as a natural intermediary substance that mediates between the oil and water phases, providing emulsification without the allergenic properties of synthetic surfactants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the emulsion is made transparent with nanometer-range droplet sizes, then the aesthetic appearance and user acceptance improve, but the system requires considerable amounts of emulsifier and co-emulsifier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet sizeVSAvoidemulsifier content
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the emulsifier concentration parameter to optimized levels that achieve transparent appearance with nanometer droplet sizes while minimizing the total amount of emulsifier required through efficient formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If preservatives are added to ensure microbiological stability in water-containing systems, then microbial growth is prevented, but the preservatives can trigger intolerances and allergies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobiological stabilityVSAvoidintolerances and allergies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes traditional preservatives from the formulation, eliminating the source of intolerances and allergies while maintaining microbiological stability through the inherent properties of the glycerin-based system and optimized pH

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the system to preserve itself through the natural microbiological stability provided by the glycerin-rich aqueous phase, which creates an environment unfavorable for microbial growth without requiring additional preservative agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the two-phase system is made drip-capable for easy application, then the ease of operation improves, but the system may stick to application devices causing dosing losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrip capabilityVSAvoidlipophilic phase loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the viscosity and surface tension parameters of the emulsion to achieve optimal drip capability that allows easy flow through application devices while minimizing adhesion losses through balanced rheological properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3801070B1Two-phase system
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 PM INT

AI summary

The invention relates to a two-phase system comprising a lipophilic phase and an aqueous phase, wherein: - the two-phase system contains lecithins; - the two-phase system contains 0.02 wt % to 8.02 wt %, preferably 0.02 wt % to 7.77 wt %, especially preferably 0.02 wt % to 7.52 wt % lipid; - the sum of the wt % of lecithins and lipid in the two-phase system is 0.5 wt % to 8.5 wt %, preferably 0.5 wt % to 8.25 wt %, especially preferably 0.5 wt % to 8.0 wt %; - and the two-phase system contains 45 wt % to 91 wt %, preferably 68 wt % to 91 wt % glycerol.