Reducing colour loss from a dyed material by using an amine salt of a carboxylic acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dyed materials, particularly hair, experience significant color loss due to leaching of dye molecules when in contact with water or solvents, leading to reduced color intensity and vibrancy, with existing alternatives like formaldehyde being undesirable due to health concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a composition comprising a salt of n-hexanoic or n-octanoic acid and a secondary or tertiary alkanolamine is applied to dyed materials to prevent color loss, particularly effective for dyed hair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If formaldehyde is used to prevent color loss, then color retention is improved, but health safety deteriorates due to carcinogenic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes formaldehyde from the composition entirely and replaces it with alternative agents (citric acid, EDTA, zinc pyrithione) that provide color protection without the harmful carcinogenic effects. This extraction of the harmful substance while maintaining the protective function resolves the contradiction between color retention and health safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs safer, shorter-acting alternative compounds that provide color protection through different mechanisms (chelation, pH control, antimicrobial action) rather than relying on the long-term crosslinking action of formaldehyde. These alternatives are applied topically and provide protection during the washing process without requiring prolonged exposure or leaving harmful residues.
2Productivity
If dye molecules are made smaller for better penetration, then dyeing efficiency is improved, but color loss increases due to faster leaching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary substances (citric acid, EDTA, zinc pyrithione) that act as mediators between the dye molecules and the hair structure. These intermediaries form protective complexes or modify the local environment to reduce dye leaching, allowing small dye molecules to penetrate effectively while preventing their subsequent loss during washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the washing environment (pH, chelating capacity, ionic strength) through the added compounds to reduce dye solubility and leaching rate. By controlling these parameters, the patent enables the use of small, efficient dye molecules while counteracting their tendency to leach through environmental modification.
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 method effectively reduces, inhibits, or prevents color loss from dyed materials, including dyed textiles, human and animal hair, and dyed animal hair, by effectively addressing the leaching of dye molecules from the material.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the material with a composition comprising a salt of an amine and a carboxylic acid... effectively addressing the leaching of dye molecules from the material
Data Source
AI summary
A method of combatting colour loss from a dyed material, the method comprising contacting the material with a composition comprising an amine salt of a carboxylic acid wherein the carboxylic acid has 4 to 10 carbon atoms.