Liquid Cooling Composition with Isomenthol and Menthyl Acetate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Menthol-based preparations face issues with poor storage stability, clumping, and sublimation, leading to inconsistent product quality due to their solid form and tendency to cake, which complicates handling and processing.

Innovation Solution

A coolant preparation comprising L-menthol, D-menthol, and additional cooling agents like isomenthol, menthyl acetate, and menthyl acetic acid lactate, which remain liquid over a wide temperature range (5-20°C) and maintain stability without sublimation, ensuring ease of processing and encapsulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If L-menthol is supplied as a solid crystal form, then it exhibits good flowability at low fill levels, but it increasingly clumps together under higher loads and/or temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflowabilityVSAvoidclumping tendency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of L-menthol from solid to liquid by adding specific compounds (isomenthol, menthyl acetate, and/or menthyl acetic acid lactate) that lower the melting point and prevent crystallization, thereby eliminating clumping while maintaining flowability through the entire handling temperature range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite liquid mixture comprising L-menthol combined with isomenthol, menthyl acetate, and/or menthyl acetic acid lactate in specific ratios, where the composite maintains liquid state and prevents clumping while preserving the desired sensory properties of pure L-menthol

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If L-menthol is kept as a liquid melt in heated containers, then it avoids clumping, but it requires continuous heating and complex packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid form stabilityVSAvoidheating and packaging requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thermal parameters of L-menthol by adding compounds that permanently lower the melting point and broaden the liquid temperature range to 5-20°C, allowing the substance to remain liquid at ambient temperatures without continuous heating, thereby simplifying packaging and handling infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pure L-menthol is sold as solids, then it maintains product purity, but it requires closed cold chain or shaping methods to reach the end consumer in free-flowing form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct purityVSAvoiddistribution and handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state from solid to liquid by adding specific compounds, which eliminates the need for cold chain maintenance during distribution while preserving product purity through controlled formulation, allowing free-flowing liquid menthol to be distributed under normal storage conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces isomenthol, menthyl acetate, and/or menthyl acetic acid lactate as intermediary substances that modify the physical properties of L-menthol, acting as mediators that prevent crystallization and clumping while maintaining the active cooling properties of pure L-menthol

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 mixture provides high storage stability, maintains a liquid form at ambient temperature, and retains the cooling and sensory properties of menthol, improving handling and application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Implementation Method 1

The melting points of these various modifications range between 33 and 43 °C... the melting point of the stable α-modification is between 42 and 43 °C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

provided that they are in liquid form within a temperature range of 5 to 20 °C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

Menthol is a naturally occurring substance that produces a cooling effect upon contact with mucous membranes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

a liquid cooling composition... cosmetic products and in particular capsules containing these, their use for the manufacture of cosmetic products and a method for cooling skin and mucous membranes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3294262B1Liquid cooling compositions
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 SYMRISE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to liquid coolant preparations containing: a) L-Menthol, b) D-Menthol, and c) at least one additional coolant selected from the group formed from isomenthol, menthyl acetate (L), menthyl acetate (D), menthyl acetate (iso), acetic acid menthyl lactate (iso) and acetic acid menthyl lactate (neo). Provided that, in cases where component (c) is isomenthol, the preparations contain no alkanediols.