Wax Encapsulation Microcapsule Phase Transition Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The encapsulation of waxy solids, such as beeswax, into microcapsules is challenging due to their viscous and tacky nature, which complicates their practical use as flavor and fragrance carriers, leading to inefficient active release and shorter shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A process involving dispersing waxy solid particles in a water-immiscible liquid, emulsifying with a capsule-forming material, forming a shell, heating above the waxy solid's melting point, and cooling below it, results in microcapsules with a crystalline structure that effectively retains actives and improves handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If waxy solids are used as microcapsule cores, then active partitioning is reduced and shelf life is extended, but the viscous and tacky nature of waxy solids makes encapsulation and handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature of the waxy solid core material. During encapsulation, the wax is heated above its melting point to become liquid, making it easy to handle and fill into capsules. During storage, the temperature is maintained below the melting point so the wax solidifies, providing structural stability and extending shelf life. This temperature parameter control resolves the contradiction between ease of handling and shelf life extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the physical state of the waxy solid core reversible between solid and liquid phases. The core material transitions from solid to liquid during the encapsulation process when heated, enabling easy filling and manipulation. Then it transitions back to solid during cooling and storage, providing structural integrity. This dynamic phase transition allows the system to adapt its properties based on operational requirements, resolving the handling versus shelf life contradiction.
2Duration of action of moving object
If waxy solids are used as microcapsule cores, then active release control is improved, but the viscous and tacky nature complicates practical utilisation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by controlling temperature during the encapsulation process. The waxy solid core is heated above its melting point during manufacturing to transform it into a liquid state, which eliminates viscosity and tackiness problems. This allows easy mixing, filling, and encapsulation. After encapsulation, the temperature is reduced below the melting point, causing the core to solidify and provide controlled active release. This temperature parameter control resolves the contradiction between active release control and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the waxy solid core material above its melting point before encapsulation. This preliminary heating action transforms the wax from a difficult-to-handle solid into an easy-to-manipulate liquid, enabling smooth encapsulation processes. After the encapsulation is complete, the temperature is reduced to allow solidification and controlled release. This preliminary temperature adjustment resolves the manufacturing difficulty while preserving the controlled release functionality.
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
This process enhances the encapsulation of waxy solids, leading to controlled active release and extended shelf life, making them more effective as flavor and fragrance carriers, particularly in applications like toothpastes and chewing gum, while simplifying their handling.
Implementation Method 1
heating the capsules to a temperature above the melting point of the waxy solid material
Implementation Method 2
cooling the capsules to a temperature below the melting point of the waxy solid material
Data Source
AI summary
A process of preparation of microcapsules having a shell and a core that includes a waxy solid, includes(a) dispersing particles of waxy solid material in a water-immiscible liquid in which the waxy solid material is insoluble;(b) emulsifying the resulting dispersion into an aqueous solution of a capsule wall-forming material to form an emulsion of droplets;(c) forming a coating of the capsule wall-forming material on the emulsified droplets containing the dispersed waxy solid particles to provide capsules;(d) heating the capsules to a temperature above the melting point of the waxy solid material; and(e) cooling the capsules to a temperature below the melting point of the waxy solid material.