Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Heterogeneous arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-28
2002-07-16
Boyer, Charles (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Heterogeneous arrangement
C510S130000, C510S208000, C510S213000, C510S226000, C510S276000, C510S300000, C510S305000, C510S342000, C510S356000, C510S421000, C510S432000, C510S438000, C510S392000, C510S442000, C510S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06420333
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
A process of encapsulating a variety of ingredients, the process resulting in capsules suitable for incorporation into detergent or personal care compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many articles of commerce, particularly consumer products, it is desirable to separate certain ingredients, yet have them disposed in a common container. Separation is particularly beneficial where one or more ingredients have negative interactions with each other. For example, in laundry detergents, enzymes are useful in removing stains but it is also best to separate them from other constituents, such as sources of alkalinity and surfactants, especially anionic surfactants like linear alkylbenzene sulfonates or alkyl sulfates. Bleaches, vitamins, perfumes, vegetable oils, plant extracts and ceramides are further examples of ingredients that sometimes need to be separated from the rest of the detergent or personal care composition.
A known technique for separating ingredients in a common container includes encapsulation. Encapsulation technology is well known for different applications. Generally, encapsulation includes a medium that surrounds at least one component and thereby provides a barrier between the “encapsulated” component and other components. The barrier is typically temporary and is designed to break down and release the encapsulated material at a desired time, such as at a particular temperature, upon reaction or dissolution with chemicals, or due to mechanical stress. Methods of encapsulation include coacervation, liposome formation, granulation, coating, emulsification, atomization and spray-cooling.
See, for instance, the disclosures of enzyme encapsulates and encapsulation processes: Falholt et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,396, UK 2,186 884, and EP 0 273 775), Tsaur et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,434,069 and 5,441,660), Ratuiste et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,370). JP 41003667 discloses a dialysis of a protein solution against polyol-base polymer. WO 01/05949 discloses a method for densifying enzyme capsules. See also Mitchnik et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,531) and Leong (U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,166).
Some of the prior art techniques have particular drawbacks. For example, atomization methods can require special air handling techniques (to avoid respiratory risks). Capsule geometry (size/shape) can also be hard to control. An additional particular problem is to prevent capsule agglomeration after formation—known capsules frequently agglomerate due to tacky hydrophobic encapsulating materials at the capsule surface.
An additional challenge exists when capsules, e.g., enzyme capsules have a lower density than a liquid composition for which they are intended, especially liquid detergent composition. In this case, the density of the enzyme capsule is less than one as a result of the density of the hydrophobe (typical encapsulating material) ranging from 0.8 to 0.9 g/L. Since most liquid detergents have a density of slightly greater than 1, and the density of the enzyme capsule is less than 1, the enzyme capsules will float and form a layer on the top portion of the liquid formulation. Such formulation is unfavorable because a uniform distribution of the capsules is required for the formulation to be delivered consistently, as well as the appearance of the formulation is undesirable. In addition, capsule concentration at the surface of the composition is conducive to further agglomeration.
Consequently, reliable, efficient and cost effective methods of manufacturing encapsulated products are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a process for forming encapsulated benefit agent and/or colorant for personal care or detergent compositions, the process comprising immersing droplets of an emulsion or a dispersion containing a hydrophobic material and the benefit agent and/or colorant into an aqueous curing solution, the aqueous curing solution containing a high HLB surfactant and/or a super-wetting agent.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4090973 (1978-05-01), Maguire, Jr. et al.
patent: 4801544 (1989-01-01), Munk
patent: 4898781 (1990-02-01), Onouchi et al.
patent: 4906396 (1990-03-01), Falholt et al.
patent: 5281356 (1994-01-01), Tsaur et al.
patent: 5296166 (1994-03-01), Leong
patent: 5354669 (1994-10-01), Kaluza et al.
patent: 5434069 (1995-07-01), Tsaur et al.
patent: 5441660 (1995-08-01), Tsaur et al.
patent: 5589370 (1996-12-01), Ratuiste et al.
patent: 5733531 (1998-03-01), Mitchnick
patent: 5879694 (1999-03-01), Morrison et al.
patent: 0 273 775 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 2 186 884 (1987-08-01), None
patent: 91/01366 (1991-02-01), None
patent: 01/05949 (2001-01-01), None
Derwent Abstract of SU 1 311 253—published Mar. 10, 1995.
Abstract of JP 41 003 667 6A—published Feb. 10, 1998.
Bae-Lee MyongSuk
Bowens Tracy
Ehrnsperger Eric Charles
Hsu Feng-Lung Gordon
Neuser Kristina Marie
Boyer Charles
Mitelman Rimma
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA , division of Conopco, Inc.
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