Artificial Protein Fiber Curl Stability via Polycation Crosslinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Artificial protein fibers, such as regenerated collagen fibers, used in hair products often experience loosening of curls when shampooed, due to insufficient shampoo resistance, despite treatments with crosslinking agents like aldehyde compounds or metal salts.

Innovation Solution

Crosslinking protein fibers with organic compounds and/or metal salts, followed by treatment with polycations, such as polyamine compounds, to enhance water-insolubility and maintain curl shape during shampooing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If regenerated collagen fibers are crosslinked with aldehyde compounds or metal salts to improve water resistance and heat resistance, then the fibers become insoluble in water, but the curls loosen when shampooed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidcurl stability during shampooing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple crosslinking mechanisms by using both organic crosslinking agents (aldehyde compounds, epoxide compounds) and metal salts (zirconium salts, aluminum salts) to create a composite crosslinked structure. This composite approach provides both water resistance and curl stability during shampooing, resolving the contradiction between water resistance and shampoo resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the crosslinking degree and the ratio of different crosslinking agents to achieve the desired balance between water resistance and shampoo resistance. By controlling the crosslinking parameters, the fiber structure becomes sufficiently stable to maintain curls during shampooing while remaining insoluble in water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If regenerated collagen fibers are made insoluble through crosslinking, then heat resistance is improved, but shampoo resistance remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidshampoo resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite crosslinking system combining organic crosslinking agents and metal salts. The metal salts (particularly zirconium salts) provide enhanced thermal stability and heat resistance, while the organic crosslinking agents ensure sufficient curl stability during shampooing. This composite approach simultaneously addresses both heat resistance and shampoo resistance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 treated protein fibers exhibit high shampoo resistance, preventing curl loosening after repeated shampooing and maintaining their shape effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The protein fibers for artificial hair contain polycations... crosslinking the regenerated collagen fibers with aldehyde compounds such as formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, epoxide compounds, or metal salts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

crosslinking the regenerated collagen fibers with aldehyde compounds such as formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde... to make the regenerated collagen fibers insoluble in water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

crosslinking the regenerated collagen fibers with... metal salts such as chrome salt, aluminum salt, or zirconium salt... to impart water resistance and heat resistance to the fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetal salt crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10604868B2Artificial protein fibers for hair, manufacturing method therefor and head accessory containing same
Publication Date: 2020.03.31 KANEKA CORP

AI summary

Protein fibers for artificial hair include a polycation, wherein the protein fibers for artificial hair are crosslinked with an organic compound and/or a metal salt, and the protein fibers for artificial hair have curls. A method for producing the protein fibers for artificial hair includes treating artificial protein fibers that are crosslinked with an organic compound and/or a metal salt with a treatment solution containing a polycation, and curling the artificial protein fibers, or curling artificial protein fibers that are crosslinked with an organic compound and/or a metal salt, and treating the curled artificial protein fibers with a treatment solution containing a polycation.