Polyolefin Emulsion Sensory Performance in Personal Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current personal care compositions face challenges in achieving excellent sensory performance, stability, and cost-effectiveness due to the limitations of existing sensory agents such as silicone oils and poly(methyl methacrylate) particles, which often require high temperatures and strong agitation, and result in insufficient conditioning and texture.
Innovation Solution
A concentrated emulsion of a polyolefin is developed, comprising a low density polyolefin, a cosmetically acceptable solvent, and a surfactant, formulated as a high internal phase emulsion, which can be easily incorporated into personal care products at low concentrations without the need for high temperatures, providing improved sensory benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensory agents (silicone oils, PMMA particles, PE particles) are used, then sensory benefits are provided, but processing requires high temperatures and strong agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms polyolefin from solid particle form to liquid emulsion form by changing its physical state and dispersion medium. This parameter change allows the material to be incorporated at ambient temperatures without melting, eliminating the need for high temperature processing while maintaining sensory benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants as intermediary substances to stabilize the polyolefin emulsion and enable its incorporation into personal care compositions. The surfactant mediates between the hydrophobic polyolefin and the aqueous personal care formulation, allowing easy mixing without strong agitation
2Reliability
If conventional sensory agents are used, then sensory benefits are achieved, but use amounts must be high
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrated emulsion formulation changes the delivery mechanism of polyolefin from particulate to emulsified form, enabling much lower use amounts (0.01-10% by weight) to achieve the same or better sensory performance compared to conventional agents that require higher concentrations
3Reliability
If conventional sensory agents are used, then sensory benefits are provided, but costs are relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional sensory agents (silicone oils, PMMA particles) with polyolefin emulsion, which uses cheaper polyolefin materials. This substitution reduces ingredient costs while maintaining or improving sensory performance
Solution Approach 2:
The emulsion formulation allows use of lower grade or less expensive polyolefin materials that would not work in particle form, further reducing costs while achieving desirable sensory effects through the emulsified delivery system
4Ease of manufacture
If high temperature processing is used, then incorporation of sensory agents is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of polyolefin from solid requiring melting to liquid emulsion form, eliminating the need for high temperature heating during incorporation. This parameter change dramatically reduces energy consumption while facilitating easy incorporation into personal care compositions
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 polyolefin emulsion delivers fast-spreading, non-oily, and moisturizing after-feel in personal care products, enhancing sensory performance while reducing production costs and simplifying processing, resulting in a more effective and cost-efficient personal care composition.
Implementation Method 1
from 0.1 to 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the emulsion, of a surfactant
Implementation Method 2
high internal phase emulsions where the volume % internal phase is at least 75%
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a concentrated emulsion and personal care compositions containing the concentrated emulsion. The emulsion comprises: (a) from 60 to 95 wt %, based on the total weight of the emulsion, of an internal phase comprising: (i) a low density polyolefin with a density equal to or below 0.90 g/cm3, and (ii) a cosmetically acceptable solvent; (b) from 0.1 to 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the emulsion, of a surfactant; and (c) balance water as a continuous phase.