Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Bleaching – Chemical
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2003-04-01
Gupta, Yogendra N. (Department: 1751)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Bleaching
Chemical
C008S405000, C008S406000, C008S407000, C008S408000, C008S102000, C008S103000, C008S101000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06540791
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to stable alkaline hair bleaching compositions which provide improved performance of bleaching agents and increased shelf-life. These compositions contain: (a) an oxidizing agent; (b) a buffering system comprising a borates buffer and/or an alkalizing agent; (c) a stabilizer; and (d) at least one hair care ingredient selected from the group consisting of (i) surfactants, (ii) catalysts, (iii) thickeners, (iv) conditioners, and mixtures thereof. The invention further relates to stable alkaline compositions which provide both bleaching and coloring to the hair, to kits containing the above compositions, and to methods of using the above compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The desire to alter the color of human hair is not a facet of modem times. Since the days of the Roman Empire the color of human hair has been routinely altered to accommodate the changes of fashion, style, and simply personal preference. One aspect of this phenomenon is reflected in an adage in which reputedly “blondes have more fun.” Another aspect is reflected in the noticeably colorful appearance of athletes' hair during competitions recently. However the attainment of precise initial colors which are retained by the hair for a desirable period, without undesirable side effects to the hair and skin, and producing a product with a longer shelf-life, have remained more elusive goals. This has been particularly difficult where lightening, or “bleaching,” of the hair is desired.
The difficulties in the development of hair bleaching and coloring compositions which can deliver precise long-lasting colors are in part due to the inherent structure of the hair itself and in part due to the necessary conditions of effective hair coloration processes. Common difficulties with conventional hair bleaching and coloring compositions include color fade, wash fade, irregular dye uptake, hair damage and brittleness, skin irritation, odor and skin staining. In the case where the hair bleaching and coloring compositions contain oxidizers, these difficulties are compounded by the fact that the oxidizing agent which causes bleaching is typically stored at a low pH and then just prior to use by the consumer, it is mixed with either a high pH buffer or a high pH coloring solution or both. The oxidizer is stored at low pH until just prior to use to increase its stability as oxidizers at high pH tend to degrade quickly over time. This decomposition occurs during the period of distribution from the manufacturer to warehouses to retailers, and finally to consumers. When oxidizer solutions that have been at high pH for some time are applied to the hair, the bleaching effect is very poor.
Currently marketed oxidative hair bleaching products typically include an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, in a solution at low pH (about 4), and a buffering agent, such as ammonium hydroxide or monoethanolamine, in another solution, at high pH (about 10). The consumer mixes these solutions just prior to use and applies the resulting solution, having a pH of about 10, to the hair. The two solutions are stored at differing pH's in order to increase the shelf-life of the bleaching product. However, this results in an inconvenience to the consumer who must store these bottles in limited, and sometimes cramped bathroom storage space, and then mix these two solutions just prior to use. There are some marketed oxidative hair bleaching products which include an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, in a solution at low pH (about 4), in which the consumer sprays this solution onto the hair, and over a period of time, coupled with direct exposure to the sun, some lightening of the hair occurs. However, such products result in poor bleaching quality, and tend to only lighten the hair very little. A need exists for a single solution hair bleaching product that has a longer stable shelf-life and that provides excellent bleaching quality.
Currently marketed products which provide hair bleaching and coloring, combine hair lightening with hair coloring, and typically are of the type which includes either oxidative or non-oxidative hair dyes.
Those hair bleaching and coloring products which contain non-oxidative dyes typically do not include an oxidizing agent, but rather, include a pre-formed dye solution at alkaline pH. Lacking an oxidizer, such products tend to not be able to deliver good gray coverage or provide lightening. Thus, their shade palette is very limited. Up to now, an oxidizer has not been included at least in part because of the shelf-life degradation problems discussed above. Accordingly, a need exists for a single solution hair bleaching and coloring product that has a longer stable shelf-life and which will provide good gray coverage and provide quality lightening.
Those hair bleaching and coloring products which contain oxidative dyes typically include an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, in a solution at low pH (about 4), and a buffering agent, such as ammonium hydroxide or monoethanolamine, at high pH (about 10), with a dye solution which comprises precursor dye intermediates and coupler dye intermediates at high pH (about 10). The consumer mixes both of these solutions just prior to use and applies the resulting solution, having a pH of about 10, to the hair. The two solutions are stored at differing pH's in order to increase the shelf-life of the bleaching and coloring product, and also because introducing the oxidizing agent into the solution containing the dye intermediates is what initiates the formation of color between these intermediates. However, yet again this results in an inconvenience to the consumer who must store these bottles in limited, and sometimes cramped bathroom storage space, and then mix these three solutions just prior to use. A need exists for a hair bleaching and coloring product that has a longer stable shelf-life.
It would be desirable to employ alkaline solutions of oxidizing agents into hair bleaching and coloring products in order to enhance the performance of the oxidizer, to increase shelf-longevity, and to reduce the amount of time and storage space that a consumer must invest in attaining desired hair effects. A reduction in the number of individually bottled solutions necessary would also be desirable for a manufacturer, so as to reduce the cost of manufacturing and shipping, and for both warehousers and retailers, so as to reduce the amount of shelf space required for storage. These cost savings would inevitably be enjoyed by the consumer as well.
In GB 2,072,643 and EP 0,076,166B, Interox Chemicals, Ltd., describes a way to increase the stability of aqueous alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions by employing an aminomethylene phosphonic acid together with a low weight alcohol, such as ethanol or iso-propanol as a stabilizer system, however, the presence of the alcohol inevitably reduces the flash point of the composition and introduces additional processing costs. The incorporation of certain aminomethylene phosphonic acids as stabilizers in alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions has also been described in WO 91/09 807 (Interox).
During the transportation and storage of alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions, there is a tendency for a downwards drift of the solutions' pH to occur. This may be counteracted to some degree by incorporating a buffer that is encompassed within the broad descriptive term “borates,” because a mildly alkaline pH can thereby be maintained longer, however, processing difficulties have been encountered in the incorporation of certain borates. Atochem Company describes the incorporation of certain borate compounds together with a silicate as stabilizer in short-term alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching baths in EP 0,11 9,920B, however, such solutions are not suitable for distribution and sale to the general public because they have a much restricted shelf-life.
In WO 93/13 012, Interox describes a storage stable hydrogen peroxide solution which combines a certain borates buffer with
Gupta Yogendra N.
Hamlin D G
Miller Steven W.
Paul Andrew A.
Rosnell Tara M.
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