Lightly Crosslinked Silicone Polyester Softeners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surfactants like polysorbates lack softness, conditioning, and antistatic properties when applied to hair, skin, and textile fibers, and their high viscosity makes them less effective as lubricants.
Innovation Solution
A class of lightly crosslinked polyesters is created by reacting alkoxyglyceryl units with terminal di-hydroxyl silicone compounds and dimer acid, providing a unique combination of softness, lubricity, and antistatic properties through a reaction that balances hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, resulting in improved skin feel and hydrophilic surface treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polysorbates are used as surfactants, then emulsification and solubilization properties are achieved, but softness, conditioning, and antistatic properties are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polysorbate surfactants with polyesters containing di-hydroxyl silicone and alkoxyglyceryl groups to create a composite material that provides both emulsification properties and softness/conditioning benefits. This composite approach allows the system to achieve multiple functions that neither component could provide alone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional surfactants are used, then surface active properties are achieved, but viscosity is high reducing lubrication effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure by incorporating linear di-hydroxyl silicone groups with specific chain lengths (a1-a50) and alkoxyglyceryl units, which changes the physical parameters of the surfactant system. This structural modification reduces viscosity while maintaining surface activity, thereby improving lubrication effectiveness.
3Reliability
If polyesters are made with excess hydroxyl groups to carboxyl groups ratio, then light crosslinking and durability are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a particular molar ratio parameter (excess hydroxyl groups to carboxyl groups) that enables light crosslinking and improved durability. By controlling this compositional parameter during synthesis, the patent achieves reliable crosslinked structures without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
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 resulting polyesters offer enhanced durability, self-wetting, and conditioning effects, making them suitable for personal care products and absorbent applications by providing improved hydrophilic properties and reduced viscosity.
Implementation Method 1
lightly crosslinked polyesters made by reacting alkoxyglyceryl units, terminal di-hydroxyl silicone compounds (linked by the reaction of their hydroxyl groups) to the carboxyl group of dimer acid
Implementation Method 2
The presence of the linear silicone not only confers improved silicone solubility, but also lowers the viscosity of the resulting product when compared to the same polymer lacking the silicone
Implementation Method 3
The presence of the specific dimer fatty group, and water-soluble alkoxyglyceryl group provides unique and heretofore unobtainable properties on a variety of substrates
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a class of polyesters that are lightly crosslinked polyesters made by reacting alkoxyglyceryl units (linked by the reaction of their hydroxyl groups) to the carboxyl group of dimer acid. As will become clear, lightly crosslinked as used herein relates to reactions in which there is an excess of hydroxyl groups on a molar basis to carboxylic groups on the dimer acid. The polymers and a contribute softness, lubricity and antistatic properties when applied to hair, skin, textile fiber and paper.