Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-15
2001-06-12
Harrison, Robert H. (Department: 1619)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C510S130000, C510S137000, C510S138000, C510S139000, C510S158000, C514S844000, C514S975000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245343
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a foaming pulverulent composition, having a deformable solid appearance, for deep cleaning and/or caring for the skin. The composition can be applied both to the human face and to the human body and is very soft to the touch. The composition, is hydrated before use.
The invention also relates to a cosmetic process for cleaning and/or caring for the skin and to a process for the manufacture of the pulverulent composition.
2. Discussion of the Background
Cleaning compositions for the skin are usually provided in the form of solid bars, such as soaps, or in the form of more or less viscous liquids.
Consumers generally make use of the whole soap when cleaning themselves with soap. The soap has a tendency to soften as it is used, due to contact with water, and, as a result, the soap tends to age badly. In addition, it is often the case that the soap breaks up, and consumers find themselves with small bits of soap that are difficult to use. Furthermore, a wet soap is generally slippery, which makes it difficult to use, particularly by young children. For this reason, it is increasingly common to use liquid cleaners in place of soaps. Unfortunately, the more liquid the compositions, the more difficult they are to measure out because they have a tendency to escape between the fingers, and a greater tendency to escape from their packaging. This can be a great nuisance when the liquid compositions come into contact with clothing, for example, or when being moved.
It is also known to use cleansing masks for the deep cleaning of the face. The cleansing masks are generally provided in the form of a gel or cream, to be applied as a thin layer over the skin, and typically include powders capable of absorbing the fatty substances produced by the skin, such as sebum. These masks may optionally include a cosmetic or dermatologically active principles of the skin for cleaning the skin and/or contributing to the well being of the skin. Such masks are disclosed in particular in U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,945 and WO-A-86/05394. These masks are often heavy to wear, however, and are not very comfortable (e.g. due to their tightness), and the cleaning is not always felt to be effective. Furthermore, these masks are difficult to rinse off.
Accordingly, users are increasingly looking for novel textures and novel types of product that avoid the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a novel composition for cleaning and/or caring for the skin which makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above.
Another object is to provide a foaming composition which is easy to apply, which is very light, which has great softness and which gives an effect of well being after application.
Another object is to provide a composition that has the advantage of rinsing off in an outstanding way and that exhibits an entirely unusual texture.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, of which the first embodiment relates to foaming pulverulent composition for cleaning and/or caring for the skin, which includes:
a cosmetically acceptable binder; and
a pulverulent filler which is insoluble in the binder;
wherein the pulverulent filler includes solid particles of thermoplastic polymer and at least one surfactant in pulverulent form;
wherein the pulverulent filler is present in an amount sufficient to structure the composition and to confer on it the appearance of a deformable solid in which the binder is trapped; and
wherein the composition foams when hydrated.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a cosmetic for cleaning and/or caring for human skin, that includes the composition above.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a cosmetic process for cleaning and/or caring for the skin, that includes hydrating the composition above, thereby causing it to foam, applying to the skin and rinsing the skin.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a process for preparing the composition above, that includes introducing the binder and then the filler into a mixer-extruder and then shaping the composition emerging from the mixer-extruder in a die of desired shape.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Other features of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following descriptions of preferred embodiments, which are given for purposes of illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.
Preferably, the standard composition of the invention is intended more especially for cleaning and/or caring for the human face. It is provided in the form of a deformable or malleable dry solid which does not stain and which resembles marshmallow (see the document U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,659 for the consistency of marshmallow, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference). This solid can be modeled like children's plasticine. It can be easily broken by hand in order to remove only the necessary amount of product. In particular, this composition can be packaged in single-dose form, which is particularly advantageous from the viewpoint of hygiene, for example in the form of small cubes, of balls or of tetrahedra.
Preferably, by virtue of this solid texture, there is no risk of the composition of the invention escaping from its packaging, in particular during its transportation. Furthermore, this composition is very easy to grasp and so does not flow between the fingers; it is much simpler to measure out than standard liquid cleaners and the problem of wear of hard soaps does not exist. Furthermore, it is easy, light and pleasant to apply. Moreover, its storage does not present any problems and its contamination by the surroundings and/or the handling by the consumer is relatively reduced and in any event much less than that of the comparable products of the prior art. In particular, it is not necessary to introduce a preservative in order to provide for its antimicrobial protection.
Preferably, by virtue of the particles of the invention, it is possible in particular to obtain a homogeneous structure (deformable solid) for constituents normally resulting in two separate phases (immiscible constituents, for example oil/water).
The texturizing agent of the invention preferably exhibits the distinguishing feature of being easily removed from the skin by simple dilution. In fact, it acts as a vehicle or reservoir for the cosmetic binder. In addition, it makes it possible, when necessary, to recover the binder and in particular the active principle or principles, trapped in the deformable solid, by simple dilution with water. This is probably due to the fact that the cosmetic medium is housed in the interparticulate spaces of the solid and not in the particles.
For the purpose of obtaining a solid with a pleasant and soft touch, it is preferable to use particles having a particle size of 1 &mgr;m to 300 &mgr;m, for example of
5 &mgr;m
to
200 &mgr;m
and preferably of 10 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m and better still of 15 &mgr;m to 40 &mgr;m.
The great softness contributed by these particles makes it possible for people with sensitive skin to use the composition of the invention. By virtue of the presence of the surfactant and of the thermoplastic polymer in pulverulent form, cleaning is carried out thoroughly and very smoothly, without drying and tightening the skin.
In order to confer a light and airy appearance on the mask of the invention, use is preferably made of particles having a relative density of less than 0.09 and better still of less than 0.06 and even better still of less than 0.04.
For the purpose of obtaining this low relative density, use is advantageously made of hollow particles filled with a gas. This gas can be air, nitrogen, isobutane, isopentane, and the like.
Preferably, the particles are provided in the form of beads. However, it is possible to use particles having the form of fibres.
These particles can be prepared from diff
Daubige Therese
Guillou Veronique
Roulier Veronique
Harrison Robert H.
L'Oreal
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
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