Polymerizable composition, polymer capsule and fabric softener composition comprising the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fabric softeners fail to maintain a lingering aroma effect over time, leading to consumer dissatisfaction, and struggle to effectively adhere fragrance to fibers during washing.

Innovation Solution

A polymerizable composition is developed to form cationic polymer capsules with a cationic group introduced on the surface through chemical bonding, which encapsulates fragrance and enhances adhesion to fibers by controlled release upon light friction, ensuring sustained aroma even with small fragrance amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional fabric softener is used, then basic softening function is achieved, but lingering aroma disappears within short time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelingering aroma durationVSAvoidaroma persistence reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fragrance is segmented and encapsulated within polymer capsules, separating the fragrance material from the external environment. This encapsulation structure allows controlled release of fragrance over time, preventing rapid evaporation and maintaining lingering aroma for extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fragrance is pre-encapsulated in polymer capsules before use, preparing a controlled release mechanism in advance. The capsule shell is designed to maintain integrity during washing and only rupture under light friction conditions, ensuring fragrance is released at the appropriate time for prolonged aroma persistence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If fragrance is released during washing, then adhesion to fibers occurs, but excessive fragrance is lost without attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance attachment quantityVSAvoidfragrance loss during washing

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer capsule shell provides preliminary protection against fragrance loss during washing by maintaining structural integrity under water flow and mechanical agitation. The shell prevents premature rupture and fragrance release, counteracting the harmful effect of water and friction that would otherwise cause fragrance loss before fiber attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule shell material parameters are optimized to withstand washing conditions (water, temperature, mechanical stress) while allowing rupture under light friction. This parameter adjustment ensures fragrance is retained during washing and only released when appropriate for fiber adhesion, minimizing unnecessary fragrance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If polymer capsule shell is made strong, then fragrance is protected, but light friction cannot rupture the shell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule shell strengthVSAvoidshell rupture ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule shell exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations and under different stress conditions. The shell is designed to be strong against water flow and mechanical agitation during washing, but has localized weak points or specific structural characteristics that allow rupture under light friction conditions, enabling controlled fragrance release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule shell's mechanical response is dynamic rather than static - it maintains strength under washing conditions but transitions to a rupturable state under light friction. This dynamic behavior allows the shell to adapt its strength characteristics based on the applied stress type, ensuring both protection during washing and ease of rupture for fragrance release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 polymer capsules effectively encapsulate fragrance, minimizing release during washing and providing a sustained aroma, while improving adhesion to fibers, thus addressing the limitations of conventional fabric softeners.

Implementation Method 1

imparting a cationic group to the capsule surface through chemical bonding... improving adhesion with fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

encapsulates fragrance and enhances adhesion to fibers by controlled release upon light friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11214759B2Polymerizable composition, polymer capsule and fabric softener composition comprising the same

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

A polymerizable composition, polymer capsules and a fabric softener composition are provided. The fabric softener composition includes polymer capsules in which cationic groups are introduced on the surfaces thereof, so that early release of a fragrance can be suppressed and aromas can be generated depending on rupture of a shell material of the polymer capsules by light friction at certain times. In addition, the polymer capsules have high adhesion to fibers and are not attached to fibers during washing to minimize the discharged fragrance, so that sufficient aromas can be provided even if a small amount of fragrance is used.