Microcapsule Fragrance Release Kinetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer products with fragrances often experience a decline in noticeability due to fragrance volatility and habituation, leading to a perception that the product's benefits are dissipating, despite the fragrance still being present.
Innovation Solution
A personal care composition incorporating two distinct populations of microcapsules with varying fracture strengths and perfume oil ratios, which release fragrance at different times, maintaining a noticeable scent experience and preventing habituation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single fragrance is used in the consumer product, then the product provides initial fragrance noticeability, but the fragrance becomes unnoticeable over time due to volatility and habituation
Solution Approach 1:
The fragrance system is segmented into multiple distinct fragrance compositions (first fragrance composition and second fragrance composition) that are released at different times. The first fragrance is released initially upon application, while the second fragrance is released later through microcapsule rupture, creating multiple separate fragrance events rather than a single continuous release.
Solution Approach 2:
The fragrance delivery system employs periodic action by scheduling different fragrance releases at different time intervals. The first fragrance provides initial noticeability, followed by a period where microcapsules remain intact, then a second fragrance release occurs when microcapsules rupture, creating a periodic pattern of fragrance noticeability that combats habituation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microcapsules with uniform fracture strength are used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the fragrance release pattern lacks variation and becomes predictable
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsule population exhibits local quality variation where different subsets of microcapsules have different fracture strengths. This is achieved by varying the shell thickness or shell material properties of microcapsules, creating distinct groups: some microcapsules with lower fracture strength that rupture earlier and others with higher fracture strength that rupture later, providing varied fragrance release patterns.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the fragrance is released continuously, then the fragrance remains noticeable, but the volatility causes the fragrance to dissipate and lose effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by applying the fragrance composition to the skin or hair in advance, where it is absorbed and stored. The microcapsules are distributed within the product matrix before use, and the first fragrance is released immediately upon application, while the second fragrance is prepared for later release when microcapsules rupture, ensuring fragrance presence without continuous volatilization.
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 provides multiple blooms of fragrance, enhancing consumer perception of the product's longevity and effectiveness by varying the release kinetics of the microcapsules, ensuring a sustained fragrance experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first population of microcapsules, the first population having a first median volume weighted particle size and comprising microcapsules comprising a partitioning modifier and a first perfume oil at a first weight ratio; and a second population of microcapsules, the second population having a second median volume weighted particle size and comprising microcapsules comprising the partitioning modifier and a second perfume oil at a second weight ratio
Implementation Method 2
comprising microcapsules comprising a partitioning modifier and a first perfume oil at a first weight ratio
Data Source
AI summary
A consumer product including a personal care composition providing multiple blooms of fragrance, the multiple blooms being provided for by different populations of microcapsules.