Polyglycerol Ester Emulsifier for Ambient Temperature Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective emulsifiers and stabilizers in cleaning and personal care products that offer new formulation possibilities and processing benefits, particularly in forming stable oil-water emulsions without the need for extensive work-up processes.
Innovation Solution
The development of a functional fluid derived from the esterification reaction product of a triglyceride or fatty acid with a polyhydric alcohol, specifically polyglycerol, which acts as the sole emulsifier or stabilizer, with specific weight and molar ratios, and reaction conditions, ensuring stability and solubility in both oil and water phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional polyglycerol fatty acid ester mixtures are prepared with extensive work-up and purification processes, then purity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the extensive work-up and purification steps from the conventional manufacturing process. By directly using the esterification reaction product without removal of unreacted starting materials, catalysts, or by-products, the process achieves adequate purity for cosmetic applications while dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction system self-regulates to produce a functional emulsifier mixture where unreacted polyglycerols, fatty acids, and catalysts remain in the final product. These components work together synergistically to provide effective emulsification and stabilization properties, eliminating the need for external purification operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If polyglycerol fatty acid ester mixtures undergo extensive purification, then product quality is improved, but production time and productivity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the time-consuming purification and work-up steps from the production process. The esterification reaction product is used directly after neutralization, reducing production time while maintaining sufficient product quality for cosmetic applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the acceptance criteria for product quality parameters. Instead of requiring high purity levels through extensive purification, the process accepts a broader composition range including unreacted starting materials and by-products, which still provide effective emulsification and stabilization functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple emulsifiers and stabilizers are used in formulation, then emulsion stability is improved, but formulation complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functional components (polyglycerols, fatty acids, and their esterification products) into a single multifunctional emulsifier system. This combined mixture provides both emulsification and stabilization properties, eliminating the need for separate emulsifier and stabilizer ingredients while maintaining emulsion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyglycerol fatty acid ester mixture serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the primary emulsifier and stabilizer in the formulation. The system's ability to perform multiple functions with a single ingredient reduces formulation complexity while maintaining effective emulsion stability.
4Reliability
If polyglycerol polyol composition is optimized for specific emulsification performance, then emulsifier effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the precision requirements for polyol composition by accepting a broader range of polyglycerol molecular weights and compositions. Instead of requiring narrow specifications, the process utilizes the natural distribution of polyglycerol polymers (tri-, tetra-, penta-, and higher glycerols) to achieve effective emulsification performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite emulsifier system where multiple polyglycerol components with different molecular weights and structures work together synergistically. The combined effect of these diverse components provides robust emulsification effectiveness while reducing the need for precise control of individual component specifications.
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 resulting functional fluid effectively stabilizes oil-water emulsions, providing a stable and efficient emulsification solution for various personal care and cleaning products, with examples demonstrating long-term stability and versatility in different formulations.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning product or a personal care product comprising a formulation of oil and water; comprising a functional fluid as an emulsifier or stabiliser or dispersant or suspension aid
Implementation Method 2
the functional fluid is the esterification reaction product... of a) a triglyceride and b) a polyhydric alcohol which consists of b1) a polyglycerol having at least 3 glycerol units
Data Source
AI summary
A functional fluid useful as an emulsion in a cleaning product or a personal care product is the esterification reaction product of a) a triglyceride or a fatty acid or a methyl ester of a fatty acid, and b) an alcohol which comprises b1) a polyglycerol having at least 3 glycerol units (preferably polyglycerol-4), and b2) glycerol and / or diglycerol. The functional fluid is effective as a stabiliser and as an emulsifier for o/w and w/o emulsions. When a triglyceride is used as a reactant, glycerol and fatty acids are generated in situ by an interesterification reaction. Preferred functional fluids provide the significant benefit that they may be mixed into an oil phase and in a water phase before such phases are mixed together, and that such processing may be carried out at ambient temperature.