Stable lotion emulsion composition and wet wipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wet wipes face a challenge in balancing effective cleaning with skin gentleness, as preservative compounds required for microbial control can be harsh on human skin, particularly for infants and young children, and current preservative systems may not meet regulatory standards for microbial growth while providing desired consumer attributes like faster drying and improved skin feel.
Innovation Solution
A lotion emulsion composition incorporating a preservative enhancing agent such as sorbitan caprylate or glyceryl caprylate/caprate, combined with a rheology modifier like xanthan gum, at low concentrations (<0.3% by weight), which forms a stable system for hydrophobic ingredients, enhancing antimicrobial performance and reducing tack and drying time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional preservative compounds are used to control microbial growth, then regulatory standards for microbial growth are met, but skin gentleness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative system by using a combination of preservative enhancing agents (sorbitan caprylate, glyceryl caprylate/caprate) at low concentrations (0.01-0.5% each) instead of conventional high-concentration preservatives. This parameter change maintains microbial control efficacy while reducing skin irritation, as the new compounds work at much lower levels than traditional preservatives like parabens or formaldehyde releasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite preservative system combining multiple agents (preservative enhancing agent + rheology modifier + pH adjuster) that work synergistically. This composite approach allows each component to contribute to microbial control while the overall system maintains gentleness on skin, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and mildness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If higher levels of preservative enhancing agent and rheology modifier are used to improve stability, then emulsion stability improves, but skin gentleness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using low concentrations (0.01-0.5% for preservative enhancing agents, 0.01-0.1% for rheology modifiers) that are sufficient to achieve the desired stability and microbial control without exceeding the threshold that would cause skin irritation. This optimized dosing resolves the contradiction between stability and gentleness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional lotion formulations are used, then ingredient compatibility is maintained, but drying rate is slow and tackiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the lotion formulation by incorporating rheology modifiers (xanthan gum, carbomer, or hydroxyethylcellulose at 0.01-0.1%) that alter the flow and evaporation characteristics. These parameter changes enable faster drying and reduced tackiness while maintaining ingredient compatibility through proper pH adjustment (3.0-5.0) and gentle surfactant selection.
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 composition achieves effective microbial control, faster drying, and reduced tack, while maintaining skin gentleness, thus addressing the dual aim of effective cleaning and mildness, and meeting regulatory standards for microbial growth.
Implementation Method 1
the preservative enhancing agent may provide sufficient emulsification of hydrophobic materials, for example perfumes or silicone-containing materials
Implementation Method 2
the use of low levels of a rheology modifier and a preservative enhancing agent, such as xanthan gum and sorbitan caprylate or glyceryl caprylate/caprate, deliver a faster lotion drying rate
Implementation Method 3
deliver a faster lotion drying rate
Data Source
AI summary
A lotion emulsion composition comprising a preservative enhancing agent and a rheology modifier, wherein the preservative enhancing agent comprises one of sorbitan caprylate, glyceryl caprylate/caprate, or a combination thereof, the rheology modifier comprises a hydrocolloid, the pH of the lotion emulsion composition is less than about 4.2, and the combined amount of preservative enhancing agent and rheology modifier is less than about 0.3% by weight of the total lotion emulsion composition.