Self-Heating Post-Foaming Shave Gel with Segmented Exothermic Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current post-foaming shave gels do not provide a self-heating feature, which is desirable for user comfort and skin hydration during shaving, despite attempts to incorporate warmth through exothermic reactions in shaving foams, no self-heating shaving gels have been commercialized.
Innovation Solution
A self-heating post-foaming shave gel is developed by separating an oxidant component and a reductant component in the gel, which undergo an exothermic reaction upon mixing, generating heat and providing a warm sensation, using a non-ionic surfactant emulsifier-based formulation with a blend of fatty alcohol ethoxylates and including a neutralizing agent to prevent skin irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an exothermic reaction is incorporated into shaving foam, then warmth is provided to the skin, but the product complexity increases and stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shaving gel is divided into two separate components: an oxidant component (containing hydrogen peroxide) and a reductant component (containing a reducing agent). These components are kept separate in the container and only mix upon dispensing, allowing the exothermic reaction to occur only when needed for skin warmth, while maintaining product stability during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxidant and reductant components are prepared separately and pre-packaged in the container. When the user dispenses the gel, the components automatically mix and initiate the exothermic reaction before application to the skin, providing warmth in advance of the actual shaving action.
2Ease of operation
If traditional soap-based formulations are used, then lather is generated, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation transitions from traditional soap-based (ionic) surfactants to non-ionic surfactant systems. This parameter change in surfactant chemistry maintains the ability to generate lather and foam while eliminating the skin irritation problems associated with soap-based formulations, particularly in the presence of the exothermic reaction components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple non-ionic surfactants working together, including fatty alcohol ethoxylates and other non-ionic surfactants. This composite approach provides effective lather generation and skin compatibility that neither single surfactant could achieve alone, while remaining compatible with the exothermic heating components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-ionic surfactant system is used with exothermic components, then skin compatibility is improved, but formulation stability becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system combining multiple non-ionic surfactants including fatty alcohol ethoxylates (such as C12-15 Pareth-2 to C12-15 Pareth-20), and other non-ionic surfactants. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect that provides both skin compatibility and adequate emulsion stability in the presence of exothermic reaction components.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation optimizes the concentration ranges of various components to achieve stability. The non-ionic surfactants are used at specific concentrations (typically 1-10% of the composition) that provide sufficient emulsification and stability while maintaining skin compatibility and working effectively with the exothermic oxidant-reductant system.
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 self-heating shave gel provides a pleasant warm feeling, hydrates the beard, and maintains lubricity and skin-friendliness, offering improved comfort and stability of the lather during and after heating, while being safe for use on the skin.
Implementation Method 1
The shave gels are heated after dispensing by an exothermic reaction that occurs when two components of the shave gel that are separated prior to delivery are mixed during or after dispensing
Implementation Method 2
it produces a foam lather generated by the volatilization of the volatile hydrocarbon foaming agent
Data Source
AI summary
Self-heating, post-foaming shave gels and shave gel products are provided. In some implementations, the shave gels include a non-ionic emulsifier system, e.g., including one or more fatty alcohol ethoxylates.