Silicone Polyester Foaming Formulations for Hand Sanitizers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional alcohol-based antimicrobial compositions used for hand sanitization often cause skin irritation and dryness due to their foaming agents, such as ethoxylated silicones and fluorinated compounds, which also result in poor aesthetics and foam stability, posing environmental and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A foaming formulation using silicone polyesters in hydro-alcoholic solutions, which provides enhanced skin aesthetics, improved foam stability, and antimicrobial efficacy without the need for conventional ethoxylated silicones or fluorinated compounds, utilizing a specific amphiphilic terpolymer structure that stabilizes foam and enhances skin feel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional ethoxylated silicones or fluorinated compounds are used as foaming agents in alcohol-based antimicrobial compositions, then foam generation is achieved, but skin irritation and dryness increase, and aesthetics and foam stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam generationVSAvoidskin irritation and dryness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the foaming agent by using silicone polyesters with specific molecular structures (including siloxane bonds and ester groups) instead of conventional ethoxylated silicones or fluorinated compounds. This parameter change maintains foam generation capability while reducing skin irritation and improving aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material design by combining silicone polyester polymers with specific functional groups (siloxane and ester) to create a foaming agent that integrates multiple beneficial properties: foam stability, skin compatibility, and aesthetic appeal, replacing single-function conventional agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional ethoxylated silicones or fluorinated compounds are used as foaming agents, then foam is generated, but foam stability and aesthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam generationVSAvoidfoam stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the foaming agent by selecting silicone polyesters with specific molecular weights and structural configurations, which optimizes foam stability and aesthetics while maintaining effective foam generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive and environmentally problematic conventional foaming agents (fluorinated compounds) with more sustainable silicone polyester alternatives that achieve similar or superior performance without the environmental and aesthetic drawbacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If alcohol-based antimicrobial compositions are used for effective sanitization, then antimicrobial capacity is maintained, but skin irritation and dryness increase due to viscosity increasing agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial capacityVSAvoidskin irritation and dryness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces silicone polyester as an intermediary substance that mediates between the alcohol-based antimicrobial composition and the skin. The silicone polyester forms a protective foam layer that maintains antimicrobial efficacy while reducing direct contact between alcohol and skin, thereby decreasing irritation and dryness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the formulation by incorporating silicone polyester, which alters the viscosity, surface tension, and evaporation rate of the alcohol-based composition, leading to improved skin compatibility while preserving antimicrobial capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 silicone polyester-based formulation offers effective skin cleansing and sanitization with improved foam stability, aesthetics, and skin feel, reducing skin irritation and environmental concerns while maintaining high antimicrobial capacity.

Implementation Method 1

silicone polyesters that are surprisingly highly efficient foaming agents for hydro-alcoholic solutions... provide outstanding foam... improved foam stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam stabilization: Foam

Implementation Method 2

the relatively high alcohol content (e.g., greater than 60% by weight) in the compositions allows for fast and essentially complete evaporation of the liquid components of the composition from the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2844216B1Foaming formulations including silicone polyesters

Publication Date: 2017.01.11 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

Foaming formulations including silicone polyesters are disclosed. These foaming formulations are useful as cleansing formulations such as used in hand sanitizers. The foaming formulations provide improved aesthetic properties and foaming appearance, while maintaining high antimicrobial capacity.