Shellac Film Forming Polymer Sprayable Sunscreen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sprayable sunscreens rely on non-biodegradable and expensive acrylic-based film forming polymers, which are not environmentally friendly, despite providing desirable tactile sensations and water resistance.

Innovation Solution

The use of shellac, particularly dewaxed shellac, as a film forming polymer in alcohol-based sprayable topical pharmaceutical compositions, offering biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and similar tactile sensations to acrylic and acrylamide polymers while maintaining water resistance and SPF effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If acrylic-based film forming polymers are used in sprayable sunscreen, then water resistance and tactile sensation are improved, but environmental biodegradability deteriorates and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidnon-biodegradability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from synthetic acrylic polymers to natural shellac polymer, transforming the material's biodegradability parameter from non-biodegradable to biodegradable while maintaining the film-forming properties necessary for water resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive synthetic acrylic polymers with cheaper natural shellac polymer, reducing manufacturing cost while accepting that the film is temporary and biodegradable, aligning with sustainable consumer product trends

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If acrylic-based film forming polymers are used in sprayable sunscreen, then water resistance and tactile sensation are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive acrylic polymers with inexpensive natural shellac, directly addressing the cost issue while maintaining adequate performance through proper formulation and application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material source parameter from petroleum-based synthetic polymers to natural insect-derived shellac, altering both cost structure and environmental profile while preserving functional performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If shellac is used as film forming polymer, then biodegradability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but film formation capability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidfilm formation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes shellac concentration, alcohol solvent ratio, and drying conditions to ensure proper film formation parameters are achieved while maintaining the biodegradable nature of the material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replicates the functional performance of acrylic polymer films using shellac, creating a comparable film structure that provides equivalent water resistance and tactile properties through natural material properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Shellac provides effective water and rub-off resistance, maintains SPF values, and offers a comparable tactile sensation to conventional polymers, making it a suitable and sustainable alternative for sprayable sunscreen formulations.

Implementation Method 1

a small but suitable amount of film forming polymer, which forms a protective coating to resist loss of the active ingredient through contact with water ('water resistance') or other physical contact ('rub-off resistance')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm formation: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

alcohol-containing sunscreen and other topical pharmaceutical compositions which are sprayable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP2755625B1Shellac based sprayable sunscreen
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 MANTROSE HAEUSER CO INC

AI summary

A sprayable alcohol-based sunscreen comprises an alcohol carrier, at least one sunscreen additive, and a film forming polymer comprising shellac.