Microemulsion and Shaving Apparatus Comprising a Microemulsion

• US 20090158595A1
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Pty Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Pty Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Ellis, Paul, Acher, David, Heeson, Tracey
• Application Number:
  US12/083,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20090158595A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 30/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/068 Microemulsions
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/447 containing sulfur
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 9/02 Shaving preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 9/04 Depilatories
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 19/40 Lubricating
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/44 Means integral with, or attached to, the razor for storing shaving-cream, styptic, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/443 Lubricating strips attached to the razor head

Abstract

A microemulsion comprising an oil phase, an aqueous phase, a surfactant, and a hair modification active. The microemulsion is suitable for being impregnated therein or deposited thereon a substrate.

Claims

1. A microemulsion comprising

an oil phase,

an aqueous phase,

a surfactant, and

a hair modification active.

2. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oil phase comprises at least one oil selected from polysiloxane, silicone, mineral oil and essential oil.

3. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant.

4. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 3, wherein the surfactant comprises a polyethylene glycol derivative of a triglyceride of a fatty acid.

5. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises a co-surfactant.

6. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 5, wherein the co-surfactant is a fatty acid ester and/or polyglycerol.

7. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 6, wherein the co-surfactant is a triglyceryl diisostearate.

8. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the depilatory active is selected from one or more of glycerol monothioglycolate, N-acetyl-L-Cysteine, cysteamine potassium thioglycolate and a Bowmann-Birk Inhibitor.

9. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oil phase comprises 30 to 90 weight % of the microemulsion.

10. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, which comprises 5 to 40 weight % water.

11. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, which comprises 1 to 30 weight % surfactant.

12. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, which additionally comprises a glycol ether.

13. A microemulsion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the droplets of the dispersed phase are less than 200 nm in size.

14. A microemulsion according to claim 1, which further includes at least one skin enhancing agent.

15. A microemulsion according to claim 14, wherein the skin enhancing active comprises alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs), salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, trichloracetic acid, a Polyhydroxyacid (PHA), and/or gluconalactone.

16. A microemulsion according to claim 14, wherein the skin enhancing active is present in an amount in the range 0.1 to 2.0 by weight of the composition.

17. A composite for use in a shaving apparatus, which composite comprises

a support, and

the microemulsion of claim 1 deposited on the support.

18. A composite as claimed in claim 17, wherein the microemulsion is impregnated into the support.

19. A composite as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support is formed from a polymer.

20. A shaving apparatus comprising

a shaving head, and

the composite of claim 17, said composite being configured to release at least some of the microemulsion from the shaving apparatus when the apparatus is in use.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the shaving head contains at least one blade and wherein the composite is located adjacent the at least one blade.

24. A shaving apparatus comprising

a shaving head, and

means containing the microemulsion of claim 1, said means for releasing at least some of the microemulsion from the shaving apparatus when the apparatus is in use.

25. A method of modifying hair comprising:

applying the microemulsion of claim 1 onto the skin, optionally, in the presence of water,

leaving the microemulsion on the skin for a residence time sufficient to degrade hairs on the skin, and

removing the microemulsion and depilated hairs from the skin.

22. A shaving apparatus which includes:

a shaving head, and

a support member having deposited thereon, or impregnated therein, a microemulsion containing a depilatory active.

23. A shaving apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the support includes PTFE, a porous material, a fibrous material, leather or a cellulose based material.