Non-spherical Microcapsule Deposition via Asymmetry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcapsules for home and personal care products face inefficiencies in deposition onto substrates, particularly when incorporated into products, due to interactions with ingredients, and there is a need for improved deposition efficiency onto skin.
Innovation Solution
Development of non-spherical microcapsules with an aspect ratio of 3:1 to 12:1 and a weight ratio of 1:5 to 50:1 of water-insoluble solid particles to benefit agents, where the particles comprise cellulose and have pores for encapsulating fragrances, prepared through dissolving in an organic solvent and adding water, enhancing deposition efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional spherical microcapsules are used, then the formulation process is simple, but the deposition efficiency onto skin is poor when incorporated into products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from conventional spherical microcapsules to non-spherical microcapsules with specific aspect ratios (3:1 to 12:1). This asymmetric geometry enhances deposition efficiency onto skin by improving interaction with skin surfaces and facilitating better penetration, while the aspect ratio control maintains manufacturability through defined processing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates porous water-insoluble solid particles within the microcapsule structure. These porous particles provide a matrix for encapsulating benefit agents while maintaining water-insolubility. The porous structure enables controlled release and enhances deposition onto skin, resolving the contradiction between deposition efficiency and structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If deposition aids are used to improve deposition efficiency, then deposition efficiency improves, but the product formulation becomes more complex and may have unwanted side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by designing microcapsules with inherent deposition-enhancing properties through their non-spherical geometry and porous particle structure. The microcapsules themselves provide the deposition efficiency without requiring external deposition aids, thereby simplifying the overall formulation while maintaining high deposition performance onto skin.
3Adaptability or versatility
If microcapsules are incorporated into skin cleansing compositions, then the product becomes more functional, but deposition efficiency decreases due to ingredient interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the microcapsule aspect ratio (3:1 to 12:1) and the weight ratio of water-insoluble particles to benefit agent (1:5 to 50:1). These parameter optimizations ensure that the microcapsules maintain high deposition efficiency even when incorporated into complex skin cleansing compositions, resolving the contradiction between product functionality and deposition performance.
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 microcapsules demonstrate improved deposition efficiency even when included in skin cleansing compositions, effectively releasing fragrances with enhanced sensory experience.
Implementation Method 1
the water-insolvable solid particle comprises a plurality of pores throughout the particles and the benefit agent is encapsulated inside the pores
Implementation Method 2
dissolving the water-insolvable solid and benefit agent in an organic solvent which is miscible in water
Implementation Method 3
the microcapsules may be deposition onto the substrates, for example onto clothes, and broken by action of pressure and/or rubbing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a microcapsule comprising benefit agent and water-insolvable solid particle, wherein the microcapsule has an aspect ratio of from 3:1 to 12:1 and the weight ratio of the particle to the benefit agent is 1:5 to 50:1, where aspect ratio means the ratio of the length to width of the microcapsule as measured by optical microscopy, where length refers to the longest measurable distance of the microcapsule in the optical image and width refers to the longest measurable distance of the microcapsule along the direction perpendicular to the length of the microcapsule in the optical image, and where water- insolvable refers to a material that dissolves in water to give a solution with a concentration of less than 1 gram per litre, wherein, the water-insolvable solid particle comprises a plurality of pores throughout the particles and the benefit is encapsulated inside the pores