Solid Conditioning Composition for Stable Large-Particle Deposition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer product compositions containing hydrophobic conditioning agents face challenges in maintaining stable, large particle sizes to effectively deposit and retain these agents on treated surfaces, leading to wastage due to their small particle size and instability in aqueous liquid formulations.

Innovation Solution

A non-porous dissolvable solid structure is used to house hydrophobic conditioning agents, maintaining their desired mean particle size during packaging, shipping, and storage, which dissolves to form an aqueous treatment liquor, ensuring effective deposition on treated surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If hydrophobic conditioning agents are incorporated in aqueous liquid compositions as emulsions with small particle size, then the formulation stability is improved, but the deposition and retention on treated surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoiddeposition and retention on surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle size parameter of the hydrophobic conditioning agent from small (typically <1 μm in emulsions) to large (1 μm to 2000 μm). This parameter change enables the conditioning agent to maintain both formulation stability in aqueous compositions and effective deposition/retention on treated surfaces, resolving the technical contradiction between stability and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If encapsulation systems are used for hydrophobic conditioning agents, then the deposition and retention on surfaces is improved, but the effectiveness of the conditioning agents deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition and retention on surfacesVSAvoideffectiveness of conditioning agents
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the hydrophobic conditioning agent from encapsulation systems and uses it in its native large particle size form (1 μm to 2000 μm) directly in aqueous compositions. This extraction eliminates the encapsulation barrier that was interfering with the conditioning agent's effectiveness, while still achieving improved deposition and retention through the larger particle size itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If small particle size conditioning agents are used, then the formulation stability is improved, but the wastage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidwastage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle size parameter from small to large (1 μm to 2000 μm), which reduces wastage by improving deposition and retention on surfaces. The large particles are less prone to being washed down the drain and are more effectively retained on treated surfaces, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining formulation stability.

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 solution allows for enhanced deposition and retention of hydrophobic conditioning agents on surfaces, providing improved consumer benefits such as softness and silky feel, as the large particles maintain their size and distribute evenly.

Implementation Method 1

a non- porous dissolvable solid structure comprising a carrier material, and a hydrophobic conditioning agent disposed within the carrier material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP3283172B1Solid conditioning composition
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3283172B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3283172B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3283172B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A consumer product composition comprises a non-porous dissolvable solid structure comprising a carrier material and a hydrophobic conditioning agent disposed within the carrier material, wherein the hydrophobic conditioning agent has a viscosity at 25°C of at least about 0.01 Pa-s. Preferred products are shampoos, hair conditioners, laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Preferably the carrier material comprises a polyethylene glycol and the conditioning agent comprises a silicone or polyisobutene. The conditioning agent is preferably disposed in the carrier as particles having a mean particle size of 2 to 2000 microns. A method of treating a surface comprises dissolving the consumer product composition in an aqueous solution to form an aqueous treatment liquor and contacting the surface with the liquor.