Polyurethane Dispersion Sunscreen Water Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun protection products face issues with water resistance, application ease, skin comfort, and preventing the 'balling effect' due to their formulation, leading to an unpleasant sticky and greasy feel.

Innovation Solution

A sun protection composition using water-insoluble, non-water-dispersible isocyanate-functional polyurethane prepolymers reacted with amino-functional compounds, specifically those with sulfonate groups, to create a polyurethane dispersion that enhances water resistance while maintaining ease of application and comfort on the skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water-in-oil emulsions or hydrophobic film-forming agents are used to achieve water resistance, then water resistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult spreading and unpleasant waxy or sticky feeling on skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidease of application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using specific polyurethane prepolymers with controlled molecular weight (1000-10000 g/mol) and specific functional groups (isocyanate groups), along with amino-functional compounds containing sulfonate groups, to achieve water resistance without the unpleasant feel of conventional formulations. This parameter optimization allows the formulation to maintain water resistance while improving spreadability and skin comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system by combining polyurethane prepolymers with amino-functional compounds containing sulfonate groups. This composite approach produces a synergistic effect where the polyurethane provides film-forming and water resistance properties while the amino-functional compounds with sulfonate groups enhance water solubility and prevent the waxy/sticky feel, achieving both water resistance and ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If hydrophobic film formers are used to improve water resistance, then water resistance is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to sticky, greasy, and oily feeling and balling effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidballing effect and sticky feeling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the typically harmful hydrophobic property into a benefit by using polyurethane prepolymers that form water-resistant films while incorporating amino-functional compounds with sulfonate groups that provide hydrophilic character. This conversion allows the formulation to achieve water resistance without the balling effect and sticky feeling associated with conventional hydrophobic film formers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by having different components perform different functions within the same formulation: the polyurethane prepolymer provides localized water-resistant film formation, while the amino-functional compounds with sulfonate groups provide localized hydrophilicity and prevent aggregation. This spatial differentiation of properties eliminates the balling effect while maintaining water resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves excellent water resistance without the 'balling effect,' providing a non-sticky and comfortable skin feel, while ensuring effective sun protection.

Implementation Method 1

reacting one or more water-insoluble, non-water-dispersible, isocyanate-functional polyurethane prepolymers A) with one or more amino-functional compounds B)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

film-forming, water-soluble or water-dispersible polyurethane for improving the water resistance of a cosmetic or dermatological preparation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm formation: Thin Films

Data Source

PatentEP2271305B1Sunscreen compositions
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
  • EP2271305B1 patent drawing
  • EP2271305B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to sun protection compositions for applying to the skin, containing special polyurethanes and to the use of the above-mentioned polyurethanes for producing sun-protection products.