Mild Shampoo Composition With Stable Conditioning and Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shampoo compositions using anionic surfactants for cleaning result in undesirable hair feel and stability issues when combined with cationic polymers, while non-ionic surfactants lack viscosity and require thickening, leading to unstable compositions.
Innovation Solution
A shampoo composition comprising alkyl polyglucoside, sclerotium gum, and a cationic polymer, which is phase stable and provides consumer-desired wet conditioning and adequate viscosity without using ionic surfactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anionic surfactants are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but hair feel quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes anionic surfactants from the formulation entirely and replaces them with non-ionic alkyl polyglucoside surfactants. This extraction of the harmful component eliminates the harsh stripping effect on hair while maintaining cleaning functionality through the milder non-ionic alternative.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the surfactant from ionic (anionic) to non-ionic. This fundamental parameter change transforms the surfactant's interaction with hair proteins, reducing denaturation and improving hair feel while preserving cleaning effectiveness through the surfactant's amphiphilic structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cationic polymers are combined with anionic surfactants, then moisturization and wet detangle are improved, but composition stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sclerotium gum as an intermediary thickening agent that mediates between the non-ionic surfactant and cationic polymer. This intermediary component provides the necessary viscosity and stability without causing phase separation, as it is electrostatically neutral and compatible with both charged and non-charged components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional thickening system (which would be incompatible with cationic polymers) with sclerotium gum, a natural polysaccharide that copies the thickening function while being chemically compatible with cationic polymers. This substitution maintains product stability while preserving moisturization and detangling benefits.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-ionic surfactants are used, then mildness on skin is improved, but viscosity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sclerotium gum as an intermediary thickening agent that is electrostatically neutral and compatible with non-ionic surfactants. This mediator provides the necessary viscosity to prevent solution dripping while maintaining the mildness of the non-ionic surfactant system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining non-ionic alkyl polyglucoside surfactant with sclerotium gum thickener and cationic polymer. This composite material achieves both mildness and adequate viscosity through synergistic interaction, where the thickener compensates for the low viscosity of non-ionic surfactants without compromising mildness.
4Quantity of substance
If guar gum is used as thickener with cationic polymer, then viscosity is improved, but composition stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts guar gum from the formulation and replaces it with sclerotium gum. This extraction removes the incompatible thickening agent that causes instability with cationic polymers, while the replacement sclerotium gum provides equivalent thickening without phase separation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the thickening agent from guar gum (a galactomannan with specific branching) to sclerotium gum (a beta-glucan with triple helix structure). This parameter change in polymer structure provides compatibility with cationic polymers while maintaining thickening functionality.
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 stable, consumer-friendly hair conditioning with good viscosity and lather, ensuring easy application and effective cleaning without the drawbacks of anionic surfactants.
Implementation Method 1
sclerotium gum with the unique triple helix structure is able to stabilize cationic polymer to achieve a single-phase stable cleansing composition
Implementation Method 2
Application and washing of the soiled hair with a shampoo composition can restore hair to a clean and attractive appearance by removing oil and other soils from the hair
Implementation Method 3
delivering consumer desired wet conditioning and adequate viscosity for ease of use
Implementation Method 4
Cationic polymers are commonly used in anionic surfactant cleansing compositions to provide moisturization and wet detangle to hair
Data Source
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AI summary
A stable mild shampoo composition delivering consumer desired wet conditioning, moisture feel and viscosity. The shampoo may contain 5 wt% to 35 wt% of alkyl polyglucoside, 0.15 wt% to 1.05 wt% sclerotium gum, and 0.05 wt% to 3 wt% of a cationic polymer. The shampoo has a viscosity of 0.6 Pa-s to 20 Pa-s, which allows for ease of use by the consumer. The shampoo contains less than 1 wt % ionic surfactant.