Multi-layer Water-soluble Skin Patch for Painless Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skin care products and patches face challenges such as difficulty in long-term application, aesthetic issues due to tackiness and dust accumulation, and painful removal, which necessitate the development of a self-adhesive, multi-layer article that is easy to apply, comfortable to wear, and readily removable without causing discomfort or skin injury.
Innovation Solution
A self-adhesive, multi-layer article comprising a top and bottom water-soluble film layer with hexylresorcinol as a benefiting agent, where the bottom layer includes a glyceride emulsifier for enhanced transport, allowing for extended wear and easy removal with water, ensuring comfort and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional skin care preparations (emulsions, creams, ointments) are left on the skin for long periods, then cosmetic or therapeutic benefit is provided, but the preparation may rub off and stain clothing or bedding, and may accumulate dust or dirt causing aesthetic issues and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the skin care preparation into distinct functional layers: a water-soluble film-forming layer that provides the cosmetic/therapeutic benefit and a separate adhesive layer that provides attachment. This segmentation allows the film layer to be non-tacky and resistant to dust and stains, while the adhesive layer handles the attachment function, resolving the contradiction between long wear duration and resistance to staining/dust accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble film-forming polymer acts as an intermediary between the cosmetic/therapeutic ingredients and the skin. It creates a protective matrix that delivers the active ingredients while being inherently resistant to rubbing off and staining, thus mediating between the need for long-term application and the need to prevent staining and dust accumulation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If adhesive patches are used to deliver topical ingredients, then extended wear is achieved, but forceful removal is required which causes discomfort or skin injury
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the adhesive layer by making it water-soluble. This allows the adhesive to maintain strong attachment during wear but to readily dissolve upon contact with water during removal, thereby enabling extended wear duration while eliminating the harmful effect of skin injury during removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer undergoes a phase transition from a solid, adhesive state during wear to a dissolved state upon contact with water. This phase change allows the patch to remain firmly attached during the treatment period but to easily and gently remove when water is applied, resolving the contradiction between extended wear and painless removal.
3Ease of operation
If water-soluble polymeric films are used that adhere when wetted, then easy removal with water is achieved, but adhesive strength may be insufficient for extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the film into two distinct layers with different functions: the water-soluble film-forming layer provides cosmetic/therapeutic benefits and easy water-based removal, while the separate water-soluble adhesive layer provides reliable adhesive strength for extended wear. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining two different water-soluble polymers: one optimized for film formation and cosmetic delivery, and another optimized for adhesion. This composite material approach allows the product to simultaneously achieve easy water-based removal and reliable adhesive strength for extended wear duration.
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 article provides a cosmetic or therapeutic benefit while being comfortable to wear for extended periods and easily removable without scrubbing, enhancing user experience and skin treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first top layer and second bottom layer comprises a water-soluble film former and the article is readily removable from the skin upon application of water thereto
Implementation Method 2
The second bottom layer further comprises an effective amount of a glyceride emulsifier to enhance transport of the benefiting agent therefrom
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An article suitable for providing a cosmetic and/or therapeutic benefit to the skin upon topical application of the article thereto is provided, which article includes a first top layer having a top surface facing outwardly from the skin and a second bottom surface opposite the top surface facing towards the skin, a second bottom skin-contacting layer including a first surface facing and adhered to the bottom surface of the first top layer and a second outwardly -facing surface for contacting and adhering the article to the skin when the article is applied thereto, where the bottom skin-contacting layer contains a cosmetic and/or therapeutic benefiting agent, each of the first top layer and second bottom layer includes a water-soluble film former, and the article is readily removable from the skin upon application of water thereto.