Trekkers in Tibet can purchase
oxygen in a can.
Photo: National Geographic
March 2020 SPRAY 33
Product formulators have a difficult challenge in keeping
up with all the elements that must be tested or otherwise
considered. Over 500,000 ingredients are available, as well as
hundreds of can and valve choices. Any significant selection
error could set a development program back many months
or even cast it into limbo...
conditions. When the product was
shown to aero-starch manufacturers
by marketers, it was rejected
for two main reasons. Consumers
could not know if a particular shirt
or blouse had been sprayed one
wash cycle ago (thus not needing a
re-spray) or many cycles ago (thus
needing a re-spray). However, the
larger problem was that the synthetic
product could replace several
cans of natural starch, therefore
greatly diminishing the existing
aero-starch market.
Another major marketer developed
a series of “cola type” beverage
concentrates. A large aerosol can
would hold enough product to produce 24 eight-ounce (236mL) drinks when added
to water and cracked ice. The carbon dioxide propellant directed a forceful stream
of 16–20mL of product into the water, making stirring unnecessary. The product
was marketed and almost immediately produced a plethora of consumer complaints.
People could not judge how much concentrate to add. However, the greatest problem was when the
highly colored streak of concentrate careened off floating ice cubes, bouncing onto clothing, napkins,
tablecloths and other surfaces. The products were quickly withdrawn.
In Japan and China, consumers can purchase aerosols with 85% to 99% oxygen gas. They can be
used—among other purposes—to energize tired shoppers, temporarily relieve bronchitis or help prevent
older people from fainting when traveling from China to Tibet or Nepal, where roads can exceed
18,000 feet in altitude. The cans are sometimes returnable to the retailer, especially if the store has a
large oxygen cylinder and pressure regulating equipment. Most stores will charge for the oxygen, even
if the dispenser was never used. They claim the gas is so lightweight that the cans appear to be empty,
whether they have been used or not. There have been periodic attempts to introduce oxy-aerosols into
U.S. markets, but there have been U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT)-based regulatory concerns,
and more importantly, no one seems to want them.
Finally, a somewhat similar situation exists when nitrogen-propelled aerosols are used to dispense
honey, syrups and other “low water activity” food products. The viscous liquid looks perfectly normal
for the first few seconds, but then turns opaque and white as millions of nitrogen gas bubbles materialize.
After a few minutes, the bubbles further coalesce, rise to the liquid surface and disappear,
leaving the product clear and normal. However, most consumers are concerned (even frightened) by
these mysterious changes, often thinking they may indicate microbial spoilage events. A few specialty
marketers offer these products, but the sales volume is small.
Never discouraged
Aerosol product development laboratories are continuing to work on novel products, as well as modifying
existing mainstream ones, creating flankers, making adjustments to cope with regulatory and
environmental concerns, and so forth. Being aware of the many pitfalls can improve the possibility for
commercial success. Spray