Melamine Formaldehyde Encapsulation of Water-Soluble Agents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encapsulation processes for solid, water-soluble benefit agents, such as those using melamine formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde, fail to effectively encapsulate these agents due to dissolution during the emulsification step, leading to interaction with melamine or urea during polymerization, resulting in instability and ineffective release in consumer products.
Innovation Solution
A process that employs cross-linked melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde encapsulation, where a protective suspension agent and hydrophobic organic material are used to coat the solid, water-soluble benefit agents, achieving a fracture strength of at least 0.1 MPa to 5 MPa and ensuring stable storage with controlled release upon use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde encapsulation process is used, then encapsulation of benefit agents is achieved, but solid water soluble benefit agents dissolve during the emulsification step and interact with melamine or urea during polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective suspension agent as an intermediary substance that coats the solid water soluble benefit agents before encapsulation. This protective layer acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the benefit agent and water during the emulsification step, thereby preventing dissolution and subsequent harmful interactions with melamine or urea during polymerization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary protection by coating the benefit agents with a protective suspension agent and hydrophobic organic material before the encapsulation process begins. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier that prevents the benefit agent from dissolving during subsequent processing steps, particularly during emulsification and polymerization.
2Reliability
If encapsulation is achieved, then protection of benefit agents is provided, but fracture strength of encapsulates is insufficient for stable storage and controlled release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple components in the encapsulation shell: cross-linked melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde polymer matrix, protective suspension agent, and hydrophobic organic material. This composite structure provides both the necessary protection during storage and the appropriate fracture strength for controlled release upon activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the fracture strength parameter of the encapsulate by controlling the cross-linking degree of the melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde polymer and by selecting appropriate protective suspension agents and hydrophobic organic materials. This parameter optimization ensures the encapsulate remains stable during storage but releases the benefit agent when subjected to appropriate mechanical stress during use.
3Reliability
If solid water soluble benefit agents are used, then desired benefits (stain removal, bleaching) are provided, but they degrade or are degraded by other product components before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the benefit agent from direct contact with potentially degrading product components by enclosing it within an encapsulate. The protective suspension agent and hydrophobic organic material coating, combined with the encapsulation shell, effectively separate the benefit agent from other product components that might cause degradation, thereby extending the stability period before use.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation shell and protective coating act as intermediaries that prevent direct interaction between the solid water soluble benefit agent and other product components. This intermediary barrier protects the benefit agent from degradation while maintaining its efficacy, and allows for controlled release when the encapsulate is activated during product use.
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 encapsulated particles remain stable in consumer products and release a majority of the benefit agent when needed, maintaining effectiveness and stability throughout the product's lifecycle.
Implementation Method 1
a protective suspension agent and hydrophobic organic material are used to coat the solid, water-soluble benefit agents
Implementation Method 2
melamine formaldehyde and/or urea formaldehyde encapsulation process
Implementation Method 3
cross-linked melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde encapsulation
Implementation Method 4
achieving a fracture strength of at least 0.1 MPa to 5 MPa and ensuring stable storage with controlled release upon use
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to encapsulated, solid, water soluble benefit agents and products comprising such encapsulates, as well as processes for making and using such encapsulates and products comprising such encapsulates. In one aspect, the present application relates to a melamine formaldehyde and/or urea formaldehyde encapsulation process that offers as solution to the dissolution of solid, water soluble benefit agents during the process's emulsification step.