Ethanol-Free Perfume Microemulsion Reducing Stickiness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ethanol-free perfume oil compositions face challenges with stickiness, skin irritation, and regulatory issues, making them unacceptable to consumers, and existing solutions with surfactants or vicinal diols still feel sticky.

Innovation Solution

A microemulsion comprising water, vicinal diols, and specific solvents like glycerol or isobutyric acid esters, which reduce stickiness and improve skin feel, while being thermodynamically stable and non-clouding, with a solvent content of 1-20% by weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surfactants are used to solubilize perfume oils in ethanol-free compositions, then solubility is improved, but skin irritation and stickiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidskin irritation and stickiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydroxy acids and their esters as intermediary substances that facilitate the solubilization of perfume oils without the harmful effects of conventional surfactants. These intermediaries act as bridging molecules that enable oil-water mixing while maintaining skin compatibility and avoiding stickiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by selecting specific hydroxy acids (lactic acid, glycolic acid) and their esters with controlled molecular weights and hydrophobicity. By adjusting these chemical parameters, the formulation achieves solubility without the adverse effects of traditional surfactants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If vicinal diols are used as solvents in ethanol-free perfume compositions, then ethanol-free formulation is achieved, but stickiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveethanol-free formulationVSAvoidstickiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite solvent system combining vicinal diols with hydroxy acids and their esters. This composite material leverages the solubility benefits of vicinal diols while the hydroxy acid components counteract the stickiness, achieving a balanced formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different components for different functions: vicinal diols provide solubility and ethanol-free formulation, while hydroxy acids and their esters specifically address the stickiness issue. Each component is optimized for its local function within the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If conventional ethanol-containing formulations are used, then perfume performance is improved, but skin irritation and safety concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperfume performanceVSAvoidskin irritation and carcinogenic potential

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of ethanol by replacing it with a carefully designed alcohol-free system using hydroxy acids and their esters. These alternative components provide similar or improved performance while eliminating the harmful effects of ethanol, including skin irritation and carcinogenic potential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If aqueous formulations are used instead of ethanol, then safety and non-flammability are improved, but stickiness and consumer acceptance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and non-flammabilityVSAvoidstickiness and consumer acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces hydroxy acids and their esters as intermediary substances that mediate between the aqueous phase and the perfume oils. These intermediaries enable the aqueous formulation to achieve proper texture and application properties, eliminating stickiness while maintaining safety and non-flammability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution significantly reduces stickiness and skin dryness, maintaining stability and transparency, making the perfume oil microemulsion more consumer-friendly and compliant with regulations.

Implementation Method 1

Ethanol-free perfume oil microemulsions comprising or consisting of (a) water, (b) one or more vicinal diol(s), (c) one, two or three solvents for reducing stickiness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicroemulsion: Microemulsion

Implementation Method 2

surfactants which are used to solubilize the perfume oil(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubilization: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP2316408B1Ethanol-free perfume oil microemulsion

Publication Date: 2013.07.03 SYMRISE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An ethanol-free perfume oil microemulsion is described, comprising or consisting of (a) water, (b) one or more vicinal diols, (c) one, two, or three solvents for reducing stickiness, selected from the group consisting of glycerol, isobutyric acid 1-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-3-pentyl ester, and isobutyric acid 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1-pentyl ester, and (d) one or more fragrances, as well as (e) optionally one or more further substances. Uses and methods for reducing the stickiness of ethanol-free perfume oil microemulsions are also described, as well as articles comprising perfume oil microemulsions according to the invention.