Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-17
2004-03-16
Mruk, Brian P (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S122000, C510S128000, C510S434000, C510S476000, C510S477000, C424S070200, C424S070150, C424S070160, C424S401000, C008S127510
Reexamination Certificate
active
06706674
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates a nonaqueous hair styling composition for creating a temporary shape or configuration in hair. The invention also relates a method for making and using the nonaqueous hair styling composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a widespread desire to be able to impart particular shapes or configurations to hair (human or animal) and to be able to simultaneously provide shine, manageability, body, weight and a moisture barrier to the hair.
One approach to imparting a particular shape or configuration to hair involves permanent alteration of the hair. Permanent alteration generally involves the use of chemical agents to react with the hair in order to achieve the desired alteration. Permanent alterations are time consuming procedures that involve strong chemicals along with lengthy and sometime uncomfortable procedures. Due to the use of the chemical agents, permanent alterations may result in damage to the hair and may impact the hair's texture, resilience and shine.
Another approach to imparting a particular shape or configuration to hair is accomplished through temporary alteration of the hair. Temporary alteration typically involves applying a hair styling composition to the hair that can be later removed with water and/or detergent.
Hairdressing in the past decade has undergone a transition from the heavy dependence on permanent alteration processes to the relatively simple and safe techniques of applying hair styling compositions to impart a particular temporary shape or configuration to hair.
This technique is aided by a wide variety of hair styling compositions such as hair sprays, mousses, lotions and gels that fix or hold the hair in a particular shape or configuration. These products are typically applied to wet or dampened hair and are generally not rinsed out. The hair styling composition is then combed or spread through the hair, and the hair is shaped into a desired configuration and allowed to dry. The shape or configuration that is obtained varies depending on the styling composition utilized. Alternatively, hairsprays containing high concentrations of ethyl alcohol are generally applied to styled hair after drying. They are intended to create an invisible matrix on the hair surface that imparts rigidity to the desired style and resistance to moisture and mechanical agitation.
A simple hair styling composition typically includes a film forming polymer, plasticizer, solvent, disentangling agent, softening agent, glossing agent and fragrance. The desired action of these compositions for maintaining hairstyles derives mainly from the influence of the film forming polymer(s). A thin coating comprising a polymeric film former is deposited on the hair surface and is intended to have the following effects:
1. To exert a “mechanical” effect on the individual hair fibers. Film forming polymers adhere to the hair surface creating a transparent sheath which remains on the hair after drying. This film aids in physically retaining the desired shape or configuration and slows down the return of the fiber to its natural shape by gravity or mechanical agitation.
2. The polymer makes the hair sufficiently rigid, fusing the individual hairs together at points of contact for better cohesion and resistance to deformation.
3. The film forming polymer if formulated correctly creates a moisture barrier on the surface of the hair. This temporarily protects the hair from reversion to its natural shape due to high humidity conditions.
Early hair styling compositions consisted of aqueous and hydroalcoholic gels of natural polymers such as gum tragacanth, karaya gum, gum arabic, alginates, etc. They created excessively hygroscopic, dulling films which became tacky in a humid atmosphere, causing fibers to fuse together in clumps and stick to the head. The first hairsprays were nothing more that alcohol solutions of shellac (hair lacquers). Unfortunately, while this material held the hair in place, it produced a water insoluble film that was difficult to wash out.
Today a formulating chemist can select from numerous commercially available synthetic film forming polymers with varying degrees of solubility in water and alcohol. Formulation of styling products can however still cause a dilemma to the chemist because the desired characteristics are numerous and sometimes contradictory in nature. A relatively sophisticated set of criteria which consumers desire in hair styling compositions has been developed in order to meet the consumer's demand for performance and aesthetic appeal. For example, the polymer film deposited by the hair styling composition should hold the hair in the desired style or configuration despite the weather conditions such as high humidity and wind and the rigors of agitation. In addition, the hair styling composition should leave the hair with a glossy sheen, body, sufficient weight, and softness. The hair styling composition should provide these properties without leaving the hair feeling unmanageably stiff, harsh, brittle, sticky, greasy, tacky or excessively coated. The hair styling composition should be sufficiently water soluble to be readily removed by detergents and water. The hair styling composition should deposit a transparent, colorless, continuous film, and provide the glossy sheen of natural, healthy hair. In addition, the hair styling composition should be compatible with other hair styling compositions so that it can be used for touch-up of a previously arranged hairdo.
Most hair styling compositions that are used to hold hair in place are alcoholic (almost exclusively ethanol), hydroalcoholic or aqueous based compositions containing one or more film forming polymers.
The ethanol based styling compositions have the advantage of quick dry-time. The ethanol volatilizes quickly (relative to water) leaving behind the film former. The disadvantage however lies in the dehydrating effects of ethanol containing compositions on both keratin fibers and human scalp. After several successive uses hair typically becomes quite dry in texture and dull in appearance, scalp may flake, hair loses it natural elasticity becomes brittle and typically splits or cracks. Concurrently, the cuticle layers of the keratin fibers begin to raise or lift creating frizz. Polymeric film formers exclusively soluble in ethanol and ethanol/water containing compositions typically are quite substantive to hair hindering easy removal with water and detergent and have the tendency to flake and/or lose their hold properties when combed or brushed.
Aqueous compositions suffer from inordinately long dry times and therefore can not be applied to already dried hair without causing reversion of hair to its natural configuration or shape with loss of style. Typically water soluble polymers are either quite susceptible to high humidity conditions or have weak hold properties. Typically, these hold properties are lost if treated hair is combed or brushed.
For the foregoing reasons, there exists a need for a nonaqueous hair styling composition which can provide hold to the hair while simultaneously providing shine, manageability, weight and body, frizz control, conditioning and moisturization to hair without the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, an improved hair styling composition is provided which includes at least one vinyl copolymer and at least one nonaqueous solvent therefor. In a preferred embodiment, the hair styling composition includes, in addition to the vinyl copolymer at least one urethane copolymer, at least one polyester and at least one additional nonaqueous solvent therefor. Various performance enhancing additives may be provided for special purposes including film formers, viscosity controlling agents, humectants, occlusives, hair conditioning agents, sunscreens, emollients, antistatic agents, fragrances, natural oils, alaphatic hydrocarbons and silicones. A preferred hair styling composition in accordance with the invention of the type having two primary components may be on
Cincotta Joseph J.
Coppola Linda
Kelber Steven B.
Mruk Brian P
Piper Rudnick LLP
The Andrew Jergens Company
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