Lightly Crosslinked Polysorbate Polyesters for Soft Hydrophilic Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polysorbates used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals lack softness, conditioning, and antistatic properties when applied to hair, skin, and textile fibers, and fail to provide enhanced lubricity and hydrophilic properties.

Innovation Solution

A unique polyester is formed by reacting polysorbate units with dimer acid, resulting in a lightly crosslinked polymer with a specific dimer fatty group and water-soluble polysorbate group, which provides improved softness, lubricity, and antistatic properties when applied to various substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If polysorbate is used as a surfactant in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, then water solubility and emulsification are improved, but softness, conditioning, and antistatic properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater solubility and emulsificationVSAvoidlack of softness, conditioning, and antistatic properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polysorbate (providing water solubility and emulsification) with dimer acid (providing softness and conditioning) into a single polyester molecule. This merging allows the surfactant to simultaneously deliver both water-based benefits and fatty acid-based conditioning properties that polysorbate alone cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite polyester material that integrates the hydrophilic polysorbate portion with the hydrophobic dimer acid portion. This composite structure enables the molecule to function as both an effective surfactant and a conditioning agent, resolving the contradiction between water solubility and softness provision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional surfactants with fatty hydrophobe and water soluble hydrophilic portion are used, then surface activity is improved, but lubricity and skin feel are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface activityVSAvoidlack of lubricity and skin feel

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular parameters by incorporating dimer acid units into the polyester structure. This structural modification alters the physical properties of the surfactant, enhancing lubricity and skin feel while maintaining surface activity. The specific parameter change is the introduction of the dimer acid moiety with its characteristic fatty chain structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If polysorbate is applied to hair and skin, then water-based product compatibility is improved, but softness and antistatic properties are not enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater-based product compatibilityVSAvoidlack of softness and antistatic properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the water-based product compatibility of polysorbate with the softness and antistatic properties of dimer acid in a single polyester molecule. This combination allows the ingredient to function effectively in water-based formulations while simultaneously providing the conditioning benefits traditionally associated with fatty acids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 polyesters offer enhanced durability, self-wetting, and hydrophilic surface treatments, making substrates water-loving and suitable for personal care products, while maintaining softness and absorbency.

Implementation Method 1

the polyester's lowest free energy from aqueous solution is one in which the fatty group on the polysorbate is orientated toward the substrate, the water soluble polysorbate polyoxyalkylene groups are orientated away from the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophilic orientation: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 2

This repeating pattern results in a 'sewing together' of groups that are captured on the surface of the substrate. The result is a molecule that is 'entangled' in the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular entanglement: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

polyesters that are lightly crosslinked polyesters made by reacting polysorbate units (linked by the reaction of their hydroxyl groups) to the carboxyl group of dimer acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEsterification reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS7723459B1Polymeric polysorbate softeners

Publication Date: 2010.05.25 T C U S A

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a class of polyesters that are lightly crosslinked polyesters made by reacting polysorbate units (linked by the reaction of their hydroxyl groups) to the carboxyl group of dimer acid. As will become clear, lightly crosslinked as used herein relates to reactions in which there is an excess of hydroxyl groups on a molar basis to carboxylic groups on the dimer acid. The polymers and a contribute softness, lubricity and antistatic properties when applied to hair, skin, textile fiber and paper.