Solid Antiperspirant Glass Monolith for Reduced Material Usage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antiperspirant compositions, such as sticks, roll-ons, and aerosols, face challenges including complex manufacture, packaging issues, and unpleasant sensory experiences due to the use of waxy carriers, volatile propellants, and significant amounts of solubilizers like water, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

The development of a solid antiperspirant glass monolith with a high content of aluminium or aluminium-zirconium antiperspirant salt and minimal water, which is easy to manufacture, transport, and apply, reducing material usage and packaging needs, and allowing for flexible application methods including direct or indirect contact with the skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If stick compositions with waxy carrier material are used, then antiperspirant active is delivered to skin, but manufacture and packaging become complex and sensory experience becomes unpleasant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpackaging complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the waxy carrier material from the antiperspirant formulation, delivering the active ingredient in a water-based solution without the need for complex stick packaging and dispensing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs aerosol spray technology to deliver the antiperspirant solution, using pressurized gas to propell the formulation onto the skin, eliminating the need for mechanical stick dispensing systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If roll-on compositions with significant water and solubiliser are used, then antiperspirant active is applied to skin, but material usage increases and dispenser problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameters of the formulation, creating a highly concentrated aerosol spray that delivers effective antiperspirant activity with minimal material usage, eliminating the need for large amounts of water and solubilizer required by roll-on formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the roll-ball dispenser mechanism entirely, replacing it with a spray nozzle system that eliminates problems of leakage and sticking while reducing overall material requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If aerosol compositions with volatile propellant are used, then antiperspirant active is sprayed onto skin, but manufacture becomes complex and cold sensation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication speedVSAvoidmanufacture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the flammable volatile propellant from the formulation, replacing it with a non-flammable propellant system that eliminates safety concerns and manufacturing complexities while maintaining rapid spray application capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of flammable propellants into a benefit by selecting non-flammable alternative propellants that provide the same rapid delivery function without the associated safety risks and manufacturing complexities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If conventional antiperspirant compositions are used, then perspiration is reduced, but significant nonfunctional material is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperspiration reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameters of the antiperspirant formulation, delivering a highly concentrated active ingredient solution that provides effective perspiration control with minimal material quantity, eliminating the need for substantial carrier materials required by conventional formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2911645B1Method for reducing perspiration
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 UNILEVER IP HLDG BV

AI summary

A method of reducing perspiration comprising the application to the surface on the human body of a solid antiperspirant glass monolith which is treated with water prior to or during said application, the solid antiperspirant glass monolith having a content of aluminium or aluminium-zirconium antiperspirant salt of from 50 to 90% by weight, a water content of from 5 to 40% by weight, and a minimum surface area of greater than 0.5 cm