Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Live skin colorant containing – Lip
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-14
2004-04-20
Spear, James M. (Department: 1615)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Live skin colorant containing
Lip
C424S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06723307
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to cosmetic and therapeutic compositions for the lips containing one or more acids. More particularly, the present invention relates to lip compositions comprising an acid that exhibit a sour taste.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Unprotected skin is very susceptible to drying out and becoming irritated from exposure to the elements. This is especially true with regard to the lips, which have been found to be even more vulnerable to water loss than typical skin. This is due, in part, to the fact that the lips have a thinner stratum corneum, the outermost of three layers comprising skin, and contain a lesser amount of lipids than skin on other parts of the body. When the lipid barrier is depleted or inadequate, lips dry out, becoming irritated and prone to cracking. Lips are susceptible to other harms as well. For example, due to the fact that lips contain less melanin than other areas of skin, they are at risk of sunburn and UV damage.
In response to this, there have been various products introduced by manufacturers to keep the lips in a moisturized, smooth condition and protected from damage. These products most typically contain waxes or oils that mitigate the amount of moisture that escapes from the lips into the atmosphere. Some products may additionally contain moisturizers as well as healing agents to actually replace the moisture that has been lost and/or sooth damaged lips. Various sunscreens are also added to some products to protect the lips from sun damage.
Although useful, the taste and/or consistency of these products often does not appeal to consumers, especially younger users in their adolescent and teenage years. These users often want a tasteful and long lasting lip product that can easily be reapplied as desired. It has been found that slightly sour tasting candies and other products are pleasant to many consumers and in great demand. One only need consider the great variety of sour tasting candy and beverages now on the market to realize this. These products are typically given their sour taste by incorporating a small amount of acid, typically one or more fruit acids, into the product formulation. These acids stimulate taste receptors mainly along the sides of the tongue that are sensitive to such compounds. The concentration of acid in these products must be carefully controlled, great enough such that a pleasant “tanginess” is provided, but not so great that the acid burns or irritates the mouth.
The use of some types of acids in skin products is known. For example, it is known to use various alpha-hydroxy acids in skin lotions and creams to accelerate skin cell turnover by chemically exfoliating the top layer of skin cells. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,085). These products, however, are designed to achieve practically the exact opposite result of the present invention. Whereas the present invention is designed as a humectant and moisturizer and uses a relatively small amount of acid as a gentle flavoring agent, the hydroxy acid containing products are used to treat acne and other skin conditions by removing the cells from the skin surface using an astrigent acid-based composition, in effect “burning off” the upper skin layer. The use of such products on the delicate skin of the lips would be extremely discomforting.
With the great demand for sour tasting products, a need exists for a sour tasting lip product that can easily be reapplied, will not irritate the lips when used as directed, can be formulated with various lip moisturizers and protectors, and that is relatively stable over extended periods of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for making a sour tasting lip product containing one or more acids dissolved in a base composition, and the products formed thereby. The acids used in the invention are generally any of the naturally occurring fruit acids, although other acids may also be used.
Anhydrous acids are first dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as propylene glycol, under heat and stirring. Preferably the solvent and other components of the composition are substantially anhydrous. As used herein, “substantially anhydrous” means containing less than about 5% water by weight. After the acid is fully dissolved, a suitable cosmetic lip base is added to the mixture. As used herein, “cosmetic base” refers to any cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or base composition suitable for use in lip glosses, lip balms, lipsticks, and other compositions appropriate for application on the lips and around mucous membranes. This base may contain any of a number of known ingredients, such as various oils, moisturizers, emollients, etc., in any concentration that does not adversely affect the properties of the final composition. Other components may also be added, such as vitamins, sweeteners and other flavorings, sunblock agents, colorants, etc. The final composition is mixed to form a homogenous composition of the desired consistency.
Depending on the type of flavoring added to the mixture, the final composition will typically have a tart, sour fruit taste. The content of the final composition is preferably about 2% to about 25% by weight acid, about 3% to about 25% solvent, about 1% to about 10% flavoring, and about 55% to about 85% cosmetic lip base. The final composition will preferably have a pH of about 2.00-4.00. Although the final composition may be formulated to have any consistency desired, the lip composition produced by the present invention will typically have a consistency similar to that of a heavy lotion or skin cream. Therefore it may easily be stored in small cosmetic bottles and applied to the lips using an applicator colloquially known as a “doe-foot” applicator. This type of applicator consists of a small absorbent tip on the end of a thin tubular body. The absorbent tip is dipped in the composition and then dabbed on the lips, transporting the composition from the tip to the lips.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a process for producing sour tasting cosmetic lip products containing one or more acids dissolved in a cosmetic lip base composition, and the products formed from this process. Other ingredients may be incorporated into the lip products of the present invention, including, but not limited to, moisturizing aids, vitamins, and sunblocks.
The acids suitable for use in the present invention include any acid that will produce a stable mixture and a sour flavor when combined in specific concentrations with a cosmetic lip base composition, but, when combined in a final product, will not burn the lips or mouth even after heavy use. By “heavy use”, the applicants are generally referring to continuous extended exposure of 24 hours or greater and/or repeated applications within that time. Preferably, the acids used in the present invention include one or more of the acids naturally occurring in various fruits, including but not limited to citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, and lactic acid. These acids are weaker than some of the stronger mineral acids, such as hydrochloric acid, and produce a pleasing sour taste, especially when combined with complementary fruit flavorings in the final composition. Therefore, although other acids are contemplated by the invention, fruit acids will be used in all subsequent discussion for clarity and convenience. Similarly, while the subsequent discussion may refer to a single acid, it must be remembered that any combination of one or more fruit acids may be used in formulating a composition according to the present invention. A preferred formulation of acids for use in the present invention is citric acid or a combination of citric acid with one or more other fruit acids. Preferably, the total amount of acid in the final product is from about 2% to about 25% by weight, more preferably about 2% to about 15% by weight. In the case of the use of multiple acids, the combined amount of all such acids will fall within these concentra
Breha, III Paul J.
Cashmere Barbara L.
Rose, III Albert C.
Thompson Janet W.
Bonne Bell, Inc.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Howard S.
Spear James M.
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