Solid Emulsifier System for Low-Temperature Cosmetic Emulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emulsifier systems for cosmetic and dermatological products require high temperatures and additional stabilizers to produce stable emulsions, which increases process costs and time, and often result in emulsions that are not stable during storage.
Innovation Solution
A solid emulsifier system comprising a base emulsifier, a consistency agent/co-emulsifier, and a wetting agent with specific molecular weight and HLB value, allowing for the formation of stable, attractive emulsions at temperatures below 70-80°C without additional stabilizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high temperatures (75-85°C) are used for emulsion formation, then emulsion stability is improved, but energy consumption increases and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the emulsifier system from liquid to solid form. This phase transition enables the system to function effectively at lower temperatures (below 75-85°C), reducing energy consumption while maintaining emulsion stability. The solid emulsifier system undergoes phase change at lower temperatures, allowing emulsion formation without high thermal energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite emulsifier system combining multiple components (emulsifiers, co-emulsifiers, and stabilizers) in a solid matrix. This composite structure provides synergistic effects where the combined system achieves stable emulsion formation at lower temperatures than individual components could achieve alone, reducing the energy requirement for emulsion production.
2Reliability
If additional stabilizing substances are added to prevent droplet coalescence, then emulsion stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solid emulsifier system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: emulsification, stabilization, and droplet protection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate stabilizing substances that would otherwise be required, simplifying the formulation while maintaining emulsion stability throughout storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of emulsifiers, co-emulsifiers, and stabilizers into a single integrated solid emulsifier system. By combining these components in a solid matrix with specific ratios, the system achieves both emulsion formation and long-term stabilization without requiring additional separate additives, reducing formulation complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If liquid emulsifier systems are used to reduce processing temperatures, then energy consumption is reduced, but emulsion stability during storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the emulsifier system from solid to liquid state during processing, then back to solid upon cooling. The solid phase provides structural stability during storage, preventing droplet coalescence, while the temporary liquid phase during processing enables low-temperature emulsion formation. This phase transition mechanism reconciles low energy consumption with high storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during processing to temporarily melt the solid emulsifier system, enabling emulsion formation at low temperatures. After emulsion formation, the system is cooled to return to solid state, providing stability during storage. This dynamic parameter change allows the system to achieve both low energy consumption and high stability.
4Reliability
If solid emulsifier systems are used, then storage stability is improved, but processing requires higher temperatures increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melting point parameter of the solid emulsifier system to be below 75-85°C. This parameter change allows the system to be processed at lower temperatures than conventional solid emulsifiers, reducing energy consumption while maintaining the storage stability benefits of the solid state formulation.
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 emulsifier system enables the production of stable, fine, and attractive emulsions at reduced temperatures, improving microbiological stability and skin feel, while reducing energy input and storage instability issues.
Implementation Method 1
They thereby reduce the interfacial tension between the phases
Implementation Method 2
Emulsifiers are amphiphilic molecules which, due to their molecular structure, accumulate at the interface between the two phases
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Emulsifier system (I) comprises: (a) at least one base emulsifier comprising esters or partial esters of optionally saturated 16-22C fatty acids, and an alcohol component comprising lactylate, polyglycerol or citric acid ester of glycerol; (b) at least one consistency regulator and/or co-emulsifier comprising optionally saturated 16-22C fatty alcohols and/or monoglycerides of optionally saturated 16-22C fatty acids; and (c) at least a wetting agent with a molecular weight of 100-250 g/mole, comprising glycerol monoesters with 6-10C fatty acids or 5-10C 1,2-alkane diols. Emulsifier system (I) comprises: (a) at least one base emulsifier comprising esters or partial esters of optionally saturated 16-22C fatty acids, and an alcohol component comprising lactylate or polyglycerol with a polymerization degree of 2-10 or citric acid ester of glycerol; (b) at least a consistency regulator and/or co-emulsifier comprising optionally saturated 16-22C fatty alcohols and/or monoglycerides of optionally saturated 16-22C fatty acids; and (c) at least a wetting agent with a molecular weight of 100-250 g/mole and a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of 6-12, comprising glycerol monoesters with 6-10C fatty acids or 5-10C 1,2-alkane diols. Independent claims are included for: (1) a cosmetic and/or dermatological product comprising (I); and (2) producing the product comprising providing components of the product to be emulsified, providing (I), and preparing an emulsion using the components (a) and (b) at 50 (preferably maximum 40)[deg] C.