Solid Cosmetic Composition Eliminates Packaging Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surfactant products, such as bubble baths and shampoos, generate significant waste packaging and lack interactive or entertaining elements, particularly for children, while requiring mild formulations for both adults and children.
Innovation Solution
A solid cosmetic composition comprising corn starch, a bulking agent, a surfactant, and glycerine, formulated to create a soft, moldable dough-like product that can be shaped and used for washing without packaging, incorporating optional colors and fragrances for enhanced appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surfactant products are provided in liquid or paste form in containers, then the functional delivery of surfactant is achieved, but waste packaging is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the surfactant product from liquid or paste to solid form. This transformation eliminates the need for containers and packaging while maintaining surfactant functionality. The solid composition achieves this through specific formulation including surfactant, glycerine, and other ingredients in controlled proportions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the packaging component entirely from the product system. By formulating a solid surfactant composition that is self-contained and does not require external containers, the patent eliminates packaging waste while preserving the core surfactant function
2Reliability
If packaging is used to protect and deliver surfactant products, then product protection is achieved, but environmental waste is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The solid surfactant composition is self-protecting through its own physical structure and formulation. The solid form inherently maintains product integrity without requiring external packaging protection, allowing direct use and disposal without generating harmful waste
3Adaptability or versatility
If surfactant products are made exciting and interactive for children, then user engagement is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single solid composition: surfactant action for cleaning, glycerine for skin conditioning, and various additives for sensory appeal (color, fragrance, foam). This integration provides exciting user experience while maintaining a relatively simple unified formulation rather than multiple complex separate components
4Object-affected harmful factors
If mild formulations are provided for both adults and children, then skin safety is improved, but product appeal may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating mild ingredients suitable for sensitive skin (surfactant, glycerine) while adding localized sensory enhancements (colorants, fragrances, foam-producing agents) in the solid composition. This creates different functional zones within the product that simultaneously provide skin safety and visual/olfactory appeal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a solid cosmetic composition comprising (i) corn starch in an amount of from about 20% to about 40%; (ii) bulking agent in an amount of from about 20% to about 50%; (iii) surfactant in an amount of from about 5% to about 30%; and (iv) glycerine in an amount of from about 15% to about 30%, present in an amount by weight of the total composition.