Water-Soluble Nonionic Polyurethane Shampoo for Stable Hair Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shampoos fail to effectively volumize and smooth hair without causing dryness, stickiness, or environmental harm from silicone compounds, and anionic polyurethane systems affect stability and transparency.

Innovation Solution

Aqueous nonionic polyurethane dispersion with specific particle size and polyoxyethylene chain segments, combined with detersive surfactants and conditioners, forms a protective film on hair, enhancing volume and smoothness while maintaining transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If silicone compounds are used to smooth hair, then hair smoothness is improved, but environmental harm and difficulty of biodegradation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair smoothnessVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces silicone compounds with polyoxyethylene chain segments (nonionic surfactants) that have different chemical properties. The polyoxyethylene chains provide smoothness through hydrophilic interactions rather than the hydrophobic silicone layer, achieving the same functional effect without the environmental persistence and biodegradation issues of silicone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses biodegradable polyoxyethylene chain segments instead of persistent silicone compounds. These polyoxyethylene chains are environmentally friendly, easily biodegraded, and do not accumulate on hair and scalp, providing a temporary smoothness effect that naturally breaks down without environmental harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Shape

If anionic polyurethane is used to provide styling effect, then hair styling is improved, but system stability and transparency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair stylingVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the charge type from anionic (negative) to nonionic (neutral) polyurethane. This inversion eliminates the electrostatic repulsion and incompatibility issues that occur when anionic polyurethane is mixed with cationic conditioners, thereby improving system stability while maintaining hair styling effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the polyurethane from anionic to nonionic by incorporating polyoxyethylene chains instead of charged groups. This parameter change improves compatibility with other shampoo ingredients, enhances system stability, and maintains transparency without the instability problems of anionic systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If hair scales are opened to increase volume, then hair volume is improved, but hair dryness and combing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair volumeVSAvoidhair dryness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies polyoxyethylene chain segments specifically to the hair surface where they provide localized moisturizing and smoothing effects. These chains concentrate at the hair-cuticle interface, providing hydration exactly where needed to prevent dryness while allowing the overall hair volume to increase through scale opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where polyoxyethylene chains are grafted onto polyurethane backbone, forming amphiphilic molecules that combine the volume-enhancing properties of polyurethane with the moisturizing properties of polyoxyethylene chains. This composite material simultaneously achieves volume increase and dryness prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 nonionic polyurethane dispersion improves hair volume, smoothness, and glossiness, reduces stickiness, and maintains shampoo transparency, with improved stability and compatibility with other hair care ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

The nonionic polyurethane dispersion improves hair volume, smoothness, and glossiness... forms a protective film on hair

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

at least one monohydric alcohol and/or diol containing a polyoxyethylene chain segment... improves compatibility with other hair care ingredients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Data Source

PatentEP3892258B1Composition containing water-soluble non-ionic polyurethane dispersion, and preparation method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 WANHUA CHEM GRP CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a composition containing water-soluble non-ionic polyurethane, comprising (a) 0.1-30 parts of water-soluble non-ionic polyurethane dispersions by weight; (b) 10-30 parts of decontaminating surfactants by weight; (c) 0.01-5 parts of conditioning agents by weight; and (d) 100 parts of aqueous carriers by weight. The composition in the present invention is used as shampoo, and can make hair naturally strong and extend the volumizing duration of hair.