Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-09
2003-01-14
Ogden, Necholus (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S139000, C510S297000, C510S439000, C424S401000, C424S402000, C424S404000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06506713
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns an effervescent foaming composition in a storage stabilized dry form, the composition preferably being applied for body cleansing and delivered within a water permeable sachet.
2. The Related Art
Classically the process of cleansing skin or other substrates has employed a surfactant composition. Sometimes an implement has joined the composition. Implements such as sachets serve a multi-purpose. One function is as a delivery package for the surfactant. Sachets may also assist in generating foam. They also function as an abrasive assisting in the cleansing function.
An early example of cleansing pad technology is found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,808,834 (Busch Sr.). A fabric pouch is disclosed surrounding a cleansing composition mainly consisting of calcium and sodium carbonate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,442 (Cornelissens) describes a sachet which can consist of a water permeable material filled with an acidic and an alkaline constituent. Adipic, succinic and glutaric acids exemplify the acidic constituent. Sodium bicarbonate and carbonate represent the alkaline ingredient.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,393 (Gergely) describes a cleaning article formed of a porous flexible substrate, especially a cellulosic paper, impregnated with detergent and a gas-generating system. The latter is formed by separating an acidic component such as citric acid from a basic component such as sodium carbonate in two separate areas of the substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,703 (Haq), U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,620 (Lloyd et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,069 (Haq et al.) all describe wiping articles impregnated with surfactant. These do not contain any effervescent ingredients.
WO 97/43366 (Askew et al.) reports an effervescent system to improve dispensability of granular laundry detergent powders into wash water of automatic washing machines. Citric acid and bicarbonate combinations are employed to generate effervescence.
WO 99/48469 (Yagnik et al.) discloses powdered compositions some of which may be delivered via a tea bag. These compositions are formulated with an exothermic ingredient, a pH adjusting agent such as citric acid, optionally sodium bicarbonate for an effervescent effect and an aromatic ingredient for fragrance.
Common to those of the aforementioned systems employing effervescent anhydrous powders is the need to maintain them in a dry state under storage conditions. Seepage of atmospheric moisture into the powders will prematurely activate effervescence.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to stabilize against premature activation a powdered effervescent cleanser composition.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a powdered system for effervescing wherein the powders are stabilized against caking.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cleansing article such as a sachet containing an effervescent system which upon being activated by water generates carbon dioxide to enhance the lathering of cleanser components.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide a cleansing article which imparts a pleasant sensory feel to skin during and after use.
It is to be noted that the subsequently described invention is broader than the objects or technical problems it is directed to solve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cosmetic article is provided for cleansing body surfaces, the article including:
a sachet having at least one water permeable wall, the sachet being sealed along its perimeter; and
an effervescent cleanser composition in the form of an anhydrous dry solid being positioned within the sachet, the composition including:
(i) from about 1 to about 80% of an alkaline material;
(ii) from about 0.5 to about 80% of an acid material; and
(iii) from about 0.1 to about 80% of dried plant solids.
Also provided is a method for cleansing skin involving wetting with water a cosmetic article containing the effervescent composition delineated above, generating foam from the article and contacting skin surfaces with the generated foam, particularly in the context of bathing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Now it has been found that dried plant solids can be interspersed with a powdered composition of alkaline material and acid material to act as a stabilizing agent against premature activation of effervescence. Plant solids of almost any description can be employed. These solids will be in particle form having sizes ranging from about 1 mm to about 40 mm in length, and of comparable width. Preferably, the solids will have particle sizes ranging from about 5 mm to about 25 mm, more preferably from about 10 mm to about 15 mm. So long as they are dried, most any portion of a plant may be employed including stems, flowers and leaves. Leaves are most desirable. Amounts of the plant solids will range from about 0.1 to about 80%, preferably from 5 to 50%, optimally from about 10 to about 30% by weight.
Non-limiting examples of plant solids may include herbs, teas (e.g. green, black and oolong tea) and potpourri. Among suitable plant solids are those derived from the leaves, flowers, stems and roots of such botanicals as wintergreen, bay (leaves) cocoa, eucalyptus, cotton, biti, lemongrass, lily, spanish moss, rosemary, parsley, tarragon, angelica, basil, hops, oregano, thyme, zatar, ginseng, willow, poplar, dandelion, comfrey and combinations thereof. These solids need not be fragrance emitting, and indeed it is preferred to add aroma chemicals separate from the plant solids. In a preferred embodiment, the aroma chemicals and fragrances are sprayed onto a solid substrate, preferably a polysaccharide, and the mixture then incorporated with the alkaline and acid powdered materials.
Cosmetic wiping articles of the present invention when contacted with water billow to many times (more than 10 but often more than 40 times) their dry size when activated by water. The effervescent cleansing system exudes copious amounts of lather. A plumped “pillow” arises from the effervescent action. By careful control of the acidic and alkaline components, a squeaky clean rinsed feeling is felt on a user's skin.
An important component of compositions within the sachet is that of an acidic material. Suitable for this purpose are any acids present in dry solid form. Especially appropriate are C
2
-C
20
organic mono- and poly-carboxylic acids and especially alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids; C
2
-C
20
organophosphorus acids such as phytic acid; C
2
-C
20
organosulfur acids such as toluene sulfonic acid; and peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide. Typical hydroxycarboxylic acids include adipic, glutaric, succinic, tartaric, malic, maleic, lactic, salicylic and citric acids as well as acid forming lactones such as gluconolactone and glucarolactone. Most preferred is citric acid. Also suitable as acid material may be encapsulated acids. Typical encapsulating material may include water soluble synthetic or natural polymers such as polyacrylates (e.g. encapsulating polyacrylic acid), cellulosic gums, polyurethane and polyoxyalkylene polymers. By the term “acid” is meant any substance which when dissolved in deionized water at 1% concentration will have a pH of less than 7, preferably less than 6.5, optimally less than 5. These acids preferably at 25° C. are in solid form, i.e. having melting points no less than 25° C. Concentrations of the acid should range from about 0.5 to about 80%, preferably from about 10 to about 65%, optimally from about 20 to about 45% by weight of the total composition.
Another important component of compositions within the sachet is that of an alkaline material. The alkaline material is a substance which can generate a gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or oxygen, i.e. effervesce, when contacted with water and the acidic material. Suitable alkaline materials are anhydrous salts of carbonates and bicarbonates, alkaline peroxides (e.g. sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate) and azides (e.g. sodium azide). Preferably the alkaline material is sodium or potassium bicarbonate. Amounts of the al
Gott Robert Edward
Slavtcheff Craig Stephen
Znaiden Alexander Paul
Honig Milton L.
Ogden Necholus
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA , division of Conopco, Inc.
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