Shaving Aid Using Polyhalogenic Post-Foaming Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shaving creams rely on volatile hydrocarbons for foaming, which reduce lubricity and cause skin irritation, and are linked to environmental issues, necessitating a foaming shaving cream that does not use hydrocarbons and provides improved lubrication.

Innovation Solution

A shaving aid composition that uses an organic polyhalogenic post-foaming agent, such as methoxynonafluorobutane, to induce foaming without hydrocarbons, combined with a hydrophilic surfactant like triethanolamine stearate and water, offering enhanced lubricity and reduced irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If volatile hydrocarbons are used for foaming in shaving cream, then foaming action is achieved, but lubricity is reduced and skin irritation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoaming actionVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing volatile hydrocarbon foaming agents with an aqueous gel base containing fluorinated surfactants and thickening agents. This parameter change maintains foaming capability while eliminating the skin irritation and lubricity reduction caused by hydrocarbons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful volatile hydrocarbon component from the shaving cream formulation while retaining the essential foaming function through alternative ingredients such as fluorinated surfactants and aqueous gel matrices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If volatile hydrocarbons are used for foaming, then foaming is achieved, but the product requires storage under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoaming capabilityVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the volatile hydrocarbon propellant component that necessitates pressurized storage, replacing it with an aqueous gel system that generates foam through surfactant action without requiring pressure containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameters from a pressurized aerosol system to an aqueous gel system at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for specialized pressure storage containers while maintaining foaming functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional lathering creams with high soap content are used, then foaming is achieved, but pH is elevated causing skin irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelathering propertiesVSAvoidskin irritation from high pH
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter by replacing high-alkali metal hydroxide saponification processes with alternative foaming mechanisms using fluorinated surfactants in an aqueous gel, achieving lathering properties at lower, skin-friendly pH levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the high concentrations of metal hydroxides and traditional soaps that cause elevated pH, replacing them with amine-based surfactants that provide equivalent foaming at reduced pH.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If non-lathering oil-water emulsions are used, then pH is lowered reducing irritation, but foaming depth and appearance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoidfoaming appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite formulation combining aqueous gel base, fluorinated surfactants, and thickening agents to achieve both the low pH benefits of non-lathering emulsions and the superior foaming appearance of lathering creams, eliminating the trade-off between these properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention develops a multi-functional aqueous gel system that simultaneously provides pH control, foaming generation, foam stabilization, and skin conditioning properties that were previously distributed across different product types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides effective foaming and increased lubricity, reducing razor friction and skin irritation, while being environmentally friendly by eliminating the need for hydrocarbon storage under pressure and promoting therapeutic delivery during shaving.

Implementation Method 1

The foaming action is due to vaporization of aliphatic hydrocarbons during application

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

A shaving aid also includes a hydrophilic surfactant, illustratively triethanolamine stearate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

Shaving creams are designed to provide a soothing affect by adding moisture to the shaved area and lubricate the interface between the blades and the skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS9561164B2High lubrication shaving aid
Publication Date: 2017.02.07 KULESZA JOHN E

AI summary

A shaving aid composition is provided that includes an organic polyhalogenic agent that both promotes post application foaming and increases lubricity. The shaving aid is optionally used to deliver one or more therapeutics to the skin of a subject and is therefore operable to prevent or treat a skin condition.