Polyalkylene Oxide-Modified Polymer for Stable Cosmetic Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cosmetic compositions that provide excellent feel, moisture, and smoothness without stickiness and durability issues, especially when exposed to washing and sweating, are not effectively maintained due to sedimentation, agglomeration, and poor water compatibility of organic powders.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic composition comprising a pulverized polyalkylene oxide-modified product, obtained by reacting a polyalkylene oxide compound, a diol compound, and a diisocyanate compound, in combination with water or a lower alcohol aqueous solution, with specific properties such as median diameter, water absorption capability, and water elution amount, to achieve stability and smoothness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If organic powder is used to improve smoothness and reduce stickiness, then the cosmetic provides excellent feel in usage, but the organic powder sediments and agglomerates during storage requiring re-distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeel in usageVSAvoidstability during storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system combining hydrophilic polyether polyurethane polymer with specific organic powders (spherical thermoplastic resin with diameter 1-10 μm). The polymer matrix prevents sedimentation and agglomeration of the organic powder particles, maintaining stability during storage while preserving the smooth feel in usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If thickener is added to prevent sedimentation of organic powder, then the distributed state is maintained, but the thickener covers the circumference of organic powder reducing silkiness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of sedimentationVSAvoidsilkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophilic polyether polyurethane polymer acts as an intermediary substance between the organic powder particles and the cosmetic base. It provides steric stabilization and prevents direct contact between powder particles, avoiding the formation of a thick coating that would reduce silkiness, while still maintaining the distributed state and preventing sedimentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If porous water-absorbable powder is used to maintain smooth effect, then the powder absorbs water and reduces stickiness, but the powder peels off when washed with water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth effectVSAvoiddurability after washing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the water-absorbable organic powder particles with the hydrophilic polyether polyurethane polymer matrix. The polymer binds the powder particles to the skin surface and to each other, creating a cohesive structure that maintains the smooth effect while preventing peeling off during washing. The combination achieves both smoothness and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Quantity of substance

If superabsorbent polymer is used to absorb water, then water absorption capability is extremely high, but gel-absorbed water adheres to skin surface causing poor smooth feeling and reduced durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater absorption capabilityVSAvoidsmooth feeling
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality control by using fine spherical organic powder particles (1-10 μm diameter) with controlled porosity, rather than large superabsorbent polymer beads. This localized approach allows water absorption at the particle level without forming large gel structures that would adhere to the skin surface and compromise smoothness and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

5Ease of operation

If polyalkylene oxide-modified product is used for hair dressing, then the product provides styling effect, but the product washes off with sweat reducing longevity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestyling effectVSAvoidlongevity after application
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system where polyalkylene oxide-modified products are combined with hydrophilic polyether polyurethane polymer and spherical organic powders. This composite structure anchors the styling agents to the hair, preventing them from washing off with sweat, while maintaining the desired styling effect and significantly improving longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 exhibits excellent stability and smoothness with no stickiness, maintaining its effects even after washing, suitable for various applications including skin and hair care.

Implementation Method 1

the pulverized polyalkylene oxide-modified product has a water absorption capability of 10 to 40 g/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the pulverized polyalkylene oxide-modified product has a water elution amount of 10 to 40 mass%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater elution: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

a pulverized polyalkylene oxide-modified product obtained by reacting a polyalkylene oxide compound, a diol compound, and a diisocyanate compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2826463B1Cosmetic composition
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEM CO LTD
  • EP2826463B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2826463B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP2826463B1 patent drawingFigure 4b

AI summary

The present invention provides a cosmetic composition that is stable, not sticky when used, has excellent moisture and smoothness, and maintains the effects for a long time without deterioration due to washing and/or sweating. Specifically, the present invention provides a cosmetic composition that comprises: (i) a polyalkylene oxide-modified product obtained by reacting a polyalkylene oxide compound, a diol compound, and a diisocyanate compound; and (ii) water or a lower alcohol aqueous solution, wherein the cosmetic composition comprises 0.3 mass% or more polyalkylene oxide-modified product.