Multi-Population Microcapsule Fragrance Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer products often experience a decline in fragrance noticeability over time due to volatility and habituation, leading to a desire for technologies that enhance the persistence and perception of fragrances.

Innovation Solution

A consumer product composition featuring distinct populations of microcapsules with varying fracture strengths and perfume oil ratios, which release fragrance in multiple blooms, combating habituation by providing a sustained scent experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a single fragrance is used in consumer products, then the product provides initial fragrance noticeability, but the fragrance noticeability declines over time due to volatility and habituation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance noticeabilityVSAvoidfragrance persistence
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fragrance system is segmented into multiple distinct fragrance compositions (first fragrance composition and second fragrance composition), each encapsulated in separate microcapsules with different fracture strengths. This segmentation allows the fragrances to release at different rates, providing sustained noticeability over time as each composition becomes noticeable at different intervals, thereby resolving the contradiction between initial noticeability and long-term persistence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the fragrance delivery system by varying the fracture strength of microcapsules and the composition of fragrance blends. By adjusting these parameters across multiple fragrance compositions, the system maintains noticeable fragrance levels throughout the product lifecycle, preventing the decline that occurs with single-fragrance systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If multiple populations of microcapsules with different fracture strengths are used, then multiple blooms of fragrance are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance release durationVSAvoidmicrocapsule population complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention manages complexity by systematically varying key parameters (fracture strength and fragrance composition) across microcapsule populations. Rather than introducing entirely different mechanisms, the solution changes existing parameters to achieve multiple fragrance blooms, providing extended duration while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple and manufacturable.

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 delivers multiple blooms of fragrance, maintaining fragrance noticeability and enhancing the user experience by preventing habituation through the controlled release of perfume oils.

Implementation Method 1

distinct populations of microcapsules with varying fracture strengths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFracture: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

comprising a partitioning modifier and a first perfume oil at a first weight ratio

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPartitioning: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS11773351B2Compositions containing multiple populations of microcapsules
Publication Date: 2023.10.03 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A consumer product including a fabric and home composition providing for multiple blooms of fragrance, the multiple blooms being provided for by different populations of microcapsules and method related thereto.