Sugar-Based Hair Styling Composition for Anti-Humidity Volume Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Straightened hair tends to increase in volume and become fluffy, especially in humid conditions, which is a persistent issue in the hair styling market.

Innovation Solution

A non-permanent hair styling composition containing 0.2 to 5wt% maltotriose and/or maltotetraose, combined with a suitable carrier and a hair styling polymer, is applied to straighten hair without breaking inter-cystine disulphide bonds, providing a natural feel and reduced volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional styling products (hairspray, cream, gel, lotion, wax) are applied to retain hairstyle, then holding power is improved, but the hair feels unnatural and volume increases making it appear fluffy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding powerVSAvoidunnatural feel and fluffy appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of styling compositions by replacing conventional resins, gums, and adhesive polymers with specific sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, ribose, xylose, arabinose, rhamnose) and sugar derivatives. This parameter change in composition chemistry provides holding power while maintaining natural hair feel and reducing fluffy appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite styling materials by combining multiple types of sugars and sugar derivatives in specific formulations. These composite sugar-based compositions work synergistically to provide both holding power and natural appearance, avoiding the fluffy effect of conventional single-material products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If straightening process is applied to hair, then straight style is achieved, but volume increases and hair appears fluffy especially in humid conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestraight styleVSAvoidhair volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using specific sugars and sugar derivatives that alter the physical-chemical properties of hair under humid conditions. These sugars form protective structures that maintain hair volume control and straight appearance even when exposed to humidity, preventing the fluffy effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sugars and sugar derivatives as temporary, non-permanent styling agents that provide straightening effect without permanently altering hair structure. These compounds work temporarily to control volume and maintain straight style, then naturally dissipate without cumulative damage or permanent volume changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If film forming agents, resins, gums, and adhesive polymers are used in styling compositions, then holding power is improved, but the natural feel to hair is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding powerVSAvoidloss of natural feel
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the compositional parameters by eliminating conventional film-forming agents, resins, gums, and adhesive polymers. Instead, it uses sugars and sugar derivatives that provide equivalent holding power through different mechanisms, preserving the natural feel of hair while maintaining style retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes harmful conventional styling ingredients (resins, gums, adhesive polymers) from the composition. By taking out these materials that cause unnatural feel, the patent creates a cleaner, sugar-based formulation that maintains holding power without compromising natural hair appearance and feel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2259767B1Hair styling composition
Publication Date: 2014.07.30 UNILEVER PLC

AI summary

A hair non-permanent styling composition comprising: i) an oligosaccharide comprising 3 to 7 sugar units in which the linkage group between the sugar units is an a 1-4 link; and ii) at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of a suitable carrier, a styling polymer or a surfactant.