Mannitol Oligosaccharide Hair Styling Composition for Humidity Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Straightened hair tends to increase in volume and appear fluffy, especially in humid conditions, which existing hair styling products fail to effectively address.

Innovation Solution

A hair styling composition containing specific oligosaccharides, such as mannitol or sorbitol, combined with hair styling polymers like block copolymers and carboxylated polyurethane resins, is applied to the hair, followed by a heating step to maintain a straight style in humid conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional hair styling products (hairsprays, mousses, gels) are used, then hair can be styled, but straightened hair increases in volume and appears fluffy in humid conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair straightnessVSAvoidhair volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by using specific oligosaccharides (mannitol, sorbitol, isomalt) instead of conventional styling agents. These sugars create a film on the hair that resists humidity, preventing the fluffy appearance and volume increase that occurs with traditional products in humid conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines oligosaccharides with film-forming agents and styling polymers to create a composite styling composition. This composite material provides both the straightening effect and humidity resistance, addressing the volume increase problem that plagues conventional single-component styling products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If sugars are added to hair care compositions, then moisturisation is enhanced, but not all sugars provide the same styling properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisturisation effectivenessVSAvoidstyling property consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of local quality by selecting specific types of sugars (oligosaccharides like mannitol, sorbitol, and isomalt) that have particular properties suitable for both moisturisation and straightening. Rather than using any sugar, the invention specifies particular sugar types that provide the desired local effect of humidity resistance and volume control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If reducing sugars are used instead of non-reducing sugars, then styling effectiveness is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestyling effectivenessVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the sugar type from non-reducing to reducing sugars, specifically selecting oligosaccharides with reducing properties. This parameter change improves styling effectiveness and humidity resistance, and the patent provides detailed formulation guidance to manage the associated formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively maintains straight hair without volume increase in humid conditions, as demonstrated by reduced volume retention compared to other sugars like sucrose and fructose.

Implementation Method 1

The active materials in these compositions are generally film forming agents, resins, gums, and/or adhesive polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm formation:

Implementation Method 2

maintain this straight style in humid conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidity resistance:

Implementation Method 3

WO 2004/037217 describes heat activated durable styling compositions comprising saccharides and film forming agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat activation: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8273335B2Method of treating hair
Publication Date: 2012.09.25 CONOPCO INC

AI summary

A method of styling hair comprising the step of applying to the hair a composition comprising an oligosaccharide comprising mannitol.