Lubricant Mousse Formulation for Condom Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 2-in-1 massage and personal lubricant mousses face challenges in achieving stability and viscosity balance, leading to rapid drying and incompatibility with condoms, while existing mousse formulations often result in unsatisfactory lubrication due to increased surface area and viscosity differences.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant composition comprising a gel base with propylene glycol alginate as a thickener, humectants, and an aqueous carrier, formulated to have a viscosity of 50 cP to 2000 cP, which is pressurized with a propellant to form a mousse that is stable for application but quickly breaks down to provide long-lasting, condom-compatible lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the mousse is made very stable to maintain formulation integrity, then the mousse structure is preserved, but the mousse is not readily converted into base lubricant in use
Solution Approach 1:
The mousse formulation is designed to be dynamically stable during storage but dynamically unstable during use. The propellant-gel-water system maintains structural integrity in the container but readily collapses when applied to skin, converting to the desired lubricant base. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stability for storage and instability for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the formulation by using a propellant-gel-water system that transitions from a stable aerosol mousse state to an unstable liquid lubricant state upon application. The gel base (50-2000 cP viscosity) combined with propellant creates a mousse that is stable in container but converts readily on skin contact, solving the stability-conversion contradiction.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the mousse is made to break down quickly to provide lubrication, then the lubricant is released, but the resulting lubricant has low viscosity and flows off the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a gel base with controlled viscosity (50-2000 cP) that maintains adequate lubricant quantity while allowing mousse breakdown. The specific viscosity range ensures the lubricant remains on the skin during the brief mousse stability period, then provides sufficient lubrication when the mousse collapses, resolving the contradiction between quick breakdown and adequate viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation combines propellant, gel base, and water in a composite aerosol system. The gel base (providing viscosity control) and water (providing lubrication) are combined with propellant to create a mousse that breaks down appropriately. This composite approach allows the lubricant to have both adequate viscosity and appropriate breakdown characteristics.
3Reliability
If oil-based lubricants are used to provide lubrication, then lubrication is supplied, but the lubricants are not compatible with latex condoms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using a water-based gel formulation instead of oil-based lubricants. The water-soluble polymer gel base (50-2000 cP) provides effective lubrication while maintaining compatibility with latex condoms, resolving the contradiction between lubrication effectiveness and condom compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble polymer gel acts as an intermediary that provides lubrication without the harmful oil-based components. The gel base serves as a mediator between the propellant-aerosol delivery system and the skin, providing condom-compatible lubrication that eliminates the need for oil-based formulations.
4Ease of manufacture
If massage mousses are designed to be absorbed by skin as moisturizers, then skin moisturization is achieved, but the lubricity is short-lived and insufficient for personal lubricant use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the formulation parameters by using a propellant-gel-water aerosol system instead of traditional skin-absorbing moisturizer formulations. The gel base (50-2000 cP) combined with propellant creates a mousse that provides long-lasting lubrication rather than being rapidly absorbed, resolving the contradiction between manufacturability as moisturizer and duration of lubricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The propellant-gel-water aerosol system acts as an intermediary delivery mechanism that provides long-lasting lubrication. The gel base serves as a mediator that resists rapid skin absorption while still allowing the mousse to collapse and release lubricant, achieving both formulation feasibility and extended lubricity duration.
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 formulation achieves superior lubricity and stability, with increased viscosity and longevity, minimizing residue and tack, and ensuring compatibility with condoms, providing a more effective and user-friendly 2-in-1 lubricant mousse.
Implementation Method 1
pressurized with a propellant to form a mousse
Implementation Method 2
from 0.5% w/w to 5% w/w thickener comprising propylene glycol alginate
Implementation Method 3
from 10% w/w to 30% w/w of one or more humectants/slip agents
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant composition capable of being formed into a mousse is suitable for use as both a massage lubricant and a personal lubricant. A method of making a massage and personal lubricant comprises providing a lubricant composition capable of being formed into a mousse; filling the composition into a container; and pressurising the container with propellant.