Propellant-Free Shaving Foam Pump Dispenser Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaving foams, whether soap-based or cream-based, often require propellant gases for foaming, leading to stability issues that result in dry, flaky textures, poor skin wetting, and skin pH imbalances, causing razor blade corrosion and skin dryness, while lacking in skin care and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A propellant-free shaving foam formulation using an aqueous surfactant solution with plant-based moisturizers, adjusted pH, and natural thickeners, specifically excluding ethoxylated surfactants and mineral oils, which forms a stable, skin-friendly foam when dispensed from a pump dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If propellant gas containers are used to create spray foams, then the foam can be obtained with very fine bubbles and is stable, but the foam becomes too stable causing it to feel dry and flaky, not wet the skin enough, and not distribute well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using an alkaline reserve (pH 9-11) in combination with a weak acid (pH 3-6) to create a buffer system that maintains optimal pH during foam formation. This allows the foam to have reduced stability (for better skin contact) while maintaining overall formulation stability through the buffer capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite surfactant system combining anionic surfactants (for foam generation) with amphoteric surfactants (for skin compatibility and pH buffering). This composite approach allows the foam to have both adequate stability for delivery and reduced stability for skin contact, resolving the contradiction between foam stability and skin wetting.
2Ease of manufacture
If soap or saponified fatty acids are used in shaving foam, then the foam can be formed, but the razor blades become blunt and corrode more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the pH parameter of the final foam to be within 5-8 (neutral to slightly acidic), which is significantly different from traditional alkaline shaving soaps. This pH change prevents razor blade corrosion while maintaining foam formation through the use of appropriate surfactants that are effective at near-neutral pH.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional soap-based formulations with synthetic surfactant systems that are more durable and less corrosive to metal blades. While individual surfactant molecules are consumed during use, the overall formulation is designed to be less damaging to disposable razor blades, extending their effective lifespan.
3Productivity
If alkaline shaving aids are used, then the foam can be formed effectively, but the skin's own pH value is greatly changed and the skin is severely dried out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the pH parameter from alkaline (9-11) to near-neutral or slightly acidic (5-8), matching the skin's natural pH. This pH adjustment maintains effective foam formation through surfactant selection while eliminating the harmful drying effect on skin that occurs with alkaline formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the traditionally harmful alkaline pH into a beneficial near-neutral pH range. The alkaline reserve in the formulation is no longer a source of skin damage but rather a controlled buffering system that maintains pH stability without disrupting skin's acid mantle, thus protecting skin while maintaining foam performance.
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 solution provides a comfortable, easy-to-use shaving foam that moisturizes the skin, protects razor blades, and maintains skin pH, meeting natural cosmetics standards and being easily biodegradable, while preparing the skin for shaving and washing off cleanly.
Implementation Method 1
a pump dispenser (foamer) which pressurizes the mixture to be foamed to expel it through a nozzle
Implementation Method 2
anionic and/or nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactants, in particular sugar-based surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
Use of a mixture comprising surfactant (5-25 wt.%) from at least an anionic or non-ionic surfactant, at least an oil or cosmetic moisturizer (0.5-15 wt.%) under exclusion of mineral oil or mineral oil based moisturizers, ethanol and/or ethanolic biomass distillates (4-25 wt.%), polyol (0-25 wt.%), further additives (0-25 wt.%) and water (up to 100%) for foaming a propulsion gas-free shaving foam, which can be delivered by means of pumping donor. An independent claim is included for a shaving foam-pumping donor comprising the propulsion gas-free foamable mixture in a reservoir.