Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Dyeing involving animal-derived natural fiber material ,... – Hair dyeing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-18
2002-08-27
Einsmann, Margaret (Department: 1751)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Dyeing involving animal-derived natural fiber material ,...
Hair dyeing
C008S654000, C008S657000, C008S659000, C008S102000, C008S110000, C008S111000, C424S062000, C132S208000, C132S209000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06440177
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to hair bleach and coloring compositions capable, in a single step, of lightening hair color by as much as seven levels while simultaneously depositing color tones that may either neutralize the warmth generated by the bleaching treatment, or add other desirable colors to the lightened hair; and methods of using such one-step bleach and coloring compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Inside the cortex of the hair fiber is the substance called melanin. Melanin is what gives the hair its natural color. It is the pigment of the hair. Two general classes of such pigments have been identified: eumelanins (characteristically brownish black) and pheomelanins (characteristically reddish orange). The concentration and combination of these two types of pigments are responsible for the natural color of hair. Dark hair has a higher concentration of the eumelanin, while red hair contains more pheomelanin. Light hair has reduced levels of both.
Hair bleaching is a chemical process by which a bleaching agent gradually destroys the melanin granules in the cortex, resulting in a lighter color of the hair. When an ammonical solution of hydrogen peroxide diffuses through the cuticle and enters the cortex, it starts to attack and disperse the melanin granules. The different types of melanin granules are not destroyed at the same rate. Generally, the eumelanins are easier to breakdown than the pheomelanins. Because of this property, dark hair, when bleached, experiences a visual enhancement of the red pigments during the bleaching process, and the casting of a reddish orange or “brassy” tone to the resultant bleached hair. In order to neutralize this warmth, hair colorants of a generally drabbing nature are typically applied during or after a bleaching treatment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,291 to Said classifies hair bleach into two categories based on chemical composition and strength. “Category 1” bleaches are mild liquid or crème compositions typically utilizing alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions and the like to oxidize and bleach the melanin. These compositions are generally used in conjunction with a hair coloring process. These compositions may lighten the hair as much as four levels at the most. Where category 1 bleaches are being used with commercial permanent hair colorants, the toners are mostly in the form of oxidative dyes. Some may contain Direct, Disperse, Acid or Basic dyes or combinations thereof. The environment of this type bleach is mild enough to allow the survival of several types of dyes. Typically, these category 1 bleach and coloring compositions will neutralize brassiness and produce natural and fashion shades but are limited in the amount of lightening.
“Category 2” bleaches are generally stronger than category 1 bleaches and are capable of over seven levels of lift, or lightening. They are utilized whenever more than four levels of lift are desired, such as when lifting light brown hair or darker to a pale blonde.
Category 2 bleaches are typically powder compositions based on persulfate salts of ammonium, potassium or sodium as booster supplies of active oxygen and silicate and/or carbonate salts as sources of alkalinity. Just before use, the powders are mixed with hydrogen peroxide solutions to form a workable crème that can be applied to hair. The working crème preferably has an alkaline pH to increase the speed of the oxidation reaction of the melanin for lightening and to swell the hair fiber to facilitate penetration of the product. For example, the pH of these systems is generally from about 9 to about 11. Some powder bleaches have hydrogen peroxide incorporated in a solid form, such as urea peroxide or sodium percarbonate and potassium percarbonate (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,989) to be mixed with water to activate. Quite often, a third separately packaged component, typically referred to as bleach oil, which may contain humectants and other conditioning agents and the like, is added to the bleach powder and peroxide at the time of use.
Because of the underlying tones that are exposed at the various levels of bleaching, a toning or coloring process to neutralize the warmth and give the hair a natural look usually follows hair lightening. The disadvantages to following the lightening process with such a toning process include additional products needed for the service, additional time necessary to perform the service and the additional cost of the service.
The above-described category 2 bleach medium is intolerant of most dyes. The combination of the high alkalinity and stronger oxidizing conditions act synergistically to destroy most dye molecules within a short period of time.
The patent literature includes only a few references in relation to compositions that simultaneously lighten the hair by more than four levels and deposit coloring tone at the same time. The dyes that have been identified to date that are both stable in powder bleaches and capable at the same time of dyeing hair efficiently are limited. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,291 to Said includes in the bleach composition disperse dye molecules which are stable in the bleach and are capable of depositing desired tones on the hair. Note, however, disperse dyes are only slightly soluble in water and must be blended in the dry form in the bleach powder composition for use.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,991,228 and 5,224,964 disclose the use of pigment-type colorants blended into bleach powder. Although the colorants are stable in the bleaching medium, they are unable to deposit significant tone to the hair.
What is desired is a bleach and coloring composition that can lightened the hair up to seven levels and effectively deposit coloring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a single step process and composition of a category 2 bleach system which can simultaneously lighten the hair up to seven levels and effectively neutralize undesirable warmth that accompanies the lightening process, provide natural tones or deposit fashion shades. This is achieved by including in the bleach mixture a solution containing basic dye molecules that have been found to be stable in the bleach and capable of depositing the desired amount of tone on the hair.
More particularly, the invention comprises a powder bleach composition including a basic dye, that remains active in the bleach and can impart toning or coloring to the lightened hair. The basic dyes found to be useful in the invention are typically azo dyes.
The advantages of a powder bleach with a built-in toner composition are significant. A single-step process will reduce the amount of time of the hair lightening process. It reduces prolonged contact between the skin with alkalinity, peroxide and oxidation dyes. It also allows for single-step natural and fashion shades to be created on the hair.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hair bleach composition that can lighten up to seven levels and includes dye for adding coloring to the lightened hair.
It is another object of the present invention to provide hair bleach and coloring composition including a basic azo dye that is stable in the bleach and can impart toning or coloring to hair.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a powder bleach and basic dye composition that is stable and may be applied to hair in a single step for both bleaching the hair up to seven levels and effectively neutralizing the undesirable warmth that accompanies the lightening process.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a one-step method of applying a bleach and coloring composition that can simultaneously lighten hair up to seven levels while effectively adding coloring.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a one-step method of applying a bleach and coloring composition including a basic azo dye that is stable in the bleach and can impart toning or coloring to hair.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a one-step method of applying a powder
Artec Systems Group
Einsmann Margaret
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
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