Multi-Phase Personal Care Composition for Clear Phase Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-phase personal care compositions with fatty acid amides fail to maintain a clear interface after shaking, which is unappealing to consumers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a nonionic surfactant with a weight ratio of at least 5:1 to fatty acid amide in the composition, using specific nonionic surfactants like condensation products of aliphatic alcohols or polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, ensures a clear interface between the aqueous and oil phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a multi-phase personal care composition containing fatty acid amide is shaken to generate dispersion, then the product becomes well-dispersed, but the interface between phases becomes unclear and distinct after standing
Solution Approach 1:
A nonionic surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the aqueous phase containing fatty acid amide and the oil phase. The surfactant molecules position themselves at the phase interface with hydrophilic heads in the aqueous phase and hydrophobic tails in the oil phase, forming a protective barrier that prevents emulsification and maintains clear phase separation after shaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to fatty acid amide is optimized to be at least 5:1. This specific parameter change ensures sufficient surfactant concentration at the interface to maintain phase clarity while avoiding excessive surfactant that could cause emulsification. The surfactant concentration is carefully controlled to achieve the desired phase separation stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If nonionic surfactant is added to maintain clear interface, then phase separation is improved, but the composition requires specific weight ratio control
Solution Approach 1:
By establishing a specific weight ratio parameter (nonionic surfactant to fatty acid amide at least 5:1), the formulation complexity is managed through a clear quantitative guideline. This parameter specification provides a straightforward rule for formulation development and quality control, transforming a complex multi-component system into one with a defined compositional relationship.
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 clear interface is maintained after shaking, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the multi-phase personal care composition.
Implementation Method 1
an aqueous phase comprising fatty acid amide and nonionic surfactant... wherein the weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the fatty acid amide is at least 5:1, the aqueous phase is visually distinct from and in physical contact with the oil phase
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a multi-phase personal care composition comprising an aqueous phase comprising fatty acid amide and nonionic surfactant and an oil phase, wherein the weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the fatty acid amide is at least 5:1, the aqueous phase is visually distinct from and in physical contact with the oil phase, and the nonionic surfactant is different from the fatty acid amide.