Multi-Zone Conformable Personal Care Article for Efficient Cleansing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleansing compositions, especially bar soaps, face challenges in providing effective cleansing and benefit agent deposition due to rigidity, leading to inefficient use and increased water consumption, clutter, and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A conformable personal care article comprising multiple zones with different personal care compositions and water penetrable substrates, where at least one composition is non-compliant, allowing for controlled water flux and improved conformity to surfaces, reducing waste and enhancing cleansing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a rigid bar soap is used, then the cleansing composition can be stored and handled easily, but it does not conform to the surface being cleaned, reducing cleansing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible substrate as the base structure for the cleansing composition. The substrate can deform and conform to the surface being cleaned while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and conformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cleansing composition with a flexible substrate to create a composite structure. This composite material integrates the beneficial properties of both components: the cleansing efficacy of the composition and the conformability of the flexible substrate.
2Ease of operation
If cleansing compositions are coupled with implements (washcloths, sponges, puffs), then cleansing experience is enhanced, but clutter and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleansing composition and the implement (substrate) into a single integrated article. The composition is applied directly to the substrate, eliminating the need for separate bottles, bars, or containers, thus reducing clutter while maintaining enhanced cleansing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the implement for application and the carrier for the cleansing composition. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining or enhancing cleansing performance.
3Reliability
If cleansing compositions are coupled with implements, then benefit agent deposition can be improved, but additional application steps are required, increasing water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the benefit agents directly into the cleansing composition that is applied to the substrate. This integration allows benefit agents to be deposited during the single cleansing action, eliminating the need for separate application steps and reducing water consumption.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the total personal care composition is increased to greater than 3,500 wt. %, then longevity and reduced water consumption are achieved, but the article becomes heavier and more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the cleansing composition to greater than 3,500 wt. %, which increases longevity by reducing the frequency of replacement. This parameter change accepts the trade-off of increased weight in exchange for extended usage duration and reduced waste.
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 conformable design enables efficient cleansing and benefit agent deposition, reducing water consumption and clutter, while maintaining desirable lathering characteristics and longevity of the cleansing composition.
Implementation Method 1
The first substrate has a water flux rate of about 0.1 cm3/(cm2*s) to about 60 cm3/(cm2*s)
Data Source
AI summary
A personal care article includes a first personal care composition in a first zone and a second personal care composition in a second zone such that the first and second zones are defined by one or more barriers.