Micro-scale Heterogeneous Emulsion for Custom Cosmetic Formulations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional batch processes for producing complex, multiphase consumer products face challenges such as long processing times, difficulty in scaling up, and instability of multiphase substances, limiting product variety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of micro-scale heterogeneous emulsions, which consist of multiple internal phases with distinct chemical makeups stabilized within an external phase, allowing for customizable and stable cosmetic compositions, and enabling increased batch output, reduced cycle time, and decreased cleaning and weighing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If batch processing is used to produce complex multiphase emulsions, then product variety can be achieved, but processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The emulsion is segmented into multiple distinct phases (water-immiscible phase, aqueous phase, and additional functional phases) that can be independently formulated and then combined. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized separately for different functions while maintaining overall product variety, and the modular nature enables more efficient processing compared to traditional batch methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested phase structure where one phase is dispersed within another phase (e.g., water-immiscible phase droplets within an aqueous continuous phase, or vice versa). This nested architecture allows complex multiphase emulsions to be built from simpler sub-emulsions, enabling product differentiation through phase composition and ratio adjustments while streamlining the manufacturing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If batch processing is used to produce complex multiphase emulsions, then product variety can be achieved, but processing time increases and cycle time lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares individual phases and sub-emulsions in advance as separate modules before final assembly. These pre-formulated phases can be stored and then quickly combined to create different final products, significantly reducing the time required for product development and manufacturing cycles while maintaining the ability to offer diverse product varieties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiphase substances are used to expand product variety, then consumer preference can be addressed, but stability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
Each phase within the multiphase emulsion is formulated with specific local qualities and properties tailored to its function. The water-immiscible phase, aqueous phase, and any additional phases are each optimized with appropriate surfactants, viscosity modifiers, and stabilizers suited to their specific role, ensuring overall emulsion stability while maintaining product variety through phase composition variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite multiphase emulsion system where each phase acts as a distinct material component with specific properties. By carefully selecting and combining these composite phases with compatible surfactants and stabilizers, the system achieves both product differentiation through phase composition and enhanced stability through synergistic interactions between the phases.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional emulsion methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal platform of core phases (water-immiscible phase, aqueous phase) that can serve multiple product functions. By adjusting the composition, ratio, and combination of these universal phases, different consumer products can be manufactured using the same base infrastructure and phase system, reducing resource consumption through material reuse and minimizing the need for separate formulation processes for each product variant.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion is provided. In some examples, the micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion can include at least two internal phases and an external phase. A method of producing a micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion is also disclosed herein. A method of providing a stable, custom cosmetic composition is also disclosed herein.