Patent Picks—Antimicrobials, Cleansers, Fragrance/Malodor and Delivery

Chosen biweekly by Rachel Grabenhofer, editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to hygiene, cleansing and fragrance.

Antimicrobial compositions
US Patent 7847123
Publication date: Dec. 7, 2010
Assignee: Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH (Essen, Germany)

This invention relates to antimicrobial compositions and their use in cosmetic preparations. There is reportedly a need for compounds that permit selective control of undesired microorganisms, in particular those that are established on the skin. Additionally, there is a need for compounds that are stable in nonpolar and polar (in particular aqueous) systems, and that have good skin compatibility as well as the ability to be formulated into cosmetic formulations.

Compounds that can be used according to this invention are, for example, based on glycolic acid, hydroxybutyric acids, hydroxyvaleric acids, hydroxycaproic acids and, in particular, lactic acid. In particular, these compounds permit selective control of undesired microorganisms on the skin and skin appendages without greatly influencing the normal flora present. The compounds of the invention are also stable to hydrolysis over a large pH range and can be incorporated into various cosmetic standard formulations. Moreover, the effectiveness of the compounds of the invention has no noteworthy dependence on the pH.

Ceramide emulsions
US Patent 7846969
Publication date: Dec. 7, 2010
Assignee: Kao Corp. (Tokyo, Japan)

This patent discloses a process for the production of a stabilized ceramide emulsion by adding one or more ceramides to one or more sphingosines, then adding an acidic compound and water to form one or more sphingosine salts wherein the sphingosine salts emulsify the ceramides to form the emulsion. The ceramide emulsion is excellent in improving rough skin and barrier properties. In addition, it exhibits a good safety profile storage stability. The patent further notes the inventors have found that emulsification of ceramides with sphingosines and a specific acid makes it possible to maintain ceramides without crystallization.

Personal care composition comprising a cationic active
US Patent Application 20100305169
Publication date: Dec. 2, 2010
Inventors: LR Robinson (Loveland, OH, USA), GR Kelm (Cincinnati, OH, USA) and DM Faulk (Hyde Park, OH, USA)

This patent discloses a personal care composition in the form of an o/w emulsion comprising: a water phase, an oil phase, an anionic pairing agent, a cationic active, and an anionic thickener. In one embodiment, the anionic pairing agent is pre-formed from the neutralization of an acid with a base. In another embodiment, the anionic pairing agent is formed in situ from the neutralization of an acid with a base. At least 25% by weight of the cationic active is present in the oil phase.

According to the patent, the personal care composition allows for previously unattainable levels of the cationic active to locate within the oil phase of the emulsion. In addition, it provides enhanced deliverability of the cationic active to keratinous tissue via the ion-pairing of an anionic pairing agent with the cationic active.

Skin cleansing compositions
US Patent Application 20100305015
Publication date: Dec. 2, 2010
Assignee: Innovation Deli Limited (Lincolnshire, Great Britain)

This invention covers an exfoliating body cleansing scrub having, as the exfoliant, solid salt suspended in saturated brine. The salt may comprise sodium chloride, potassium chloride and/or magnesium chloride. The scrub additionally contains sufficient surfactant to form, with said brine, a structured, solid suspending system and optionally an oil dispersed in said brine. According to the inventors, it has now been found, contrary prior art, that stable exfoliant compositions can be obtained by suspending particulate, solid salt in saturated brine containing sufficient surfactant.

Foaming alcohol compositions with selected dimethicone surfactants
US Patent 7842725
Publication date: Nov. 30, 2010
Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc. (Saint Paul, MN, USA)

This patent discloses foaming alcohol compositions with selected dimethicone surfactants. The dimethicone surfactants are PEG-8 to PEG-12 linear dimethicone surfactants and, in particular, PEG-10 linear dimethicone surfactant. The compositions are reportedly useful as antimicrobial agents, in particular in hand care or skin care products.

Antibacterial composition comprising Salvia extracts
US Patent Application 20100292318
Publication date: Nov. 18, 2010
Inventors: Zhong, Zhong (Beijing, China)

The present invention relates to a selectively purified tanshinone compounds-containing extract from the root of a Salvia spp comprising cryptotanshinone, cihydrotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA. It comprises at least 15%, by weight of the said identified tanshinone compounds and at least 4% by weight, of cryptotanshinone. The extract and formulations thereof have been found to exhibit excellent antimicrobial properties against MRSA in particular.

Perfuming ingredients capable of imparting woody odors
US Patent 7846890
Publication date: Dec. 7, 2010
Assignee: Firmenich SA (Geneva, Switzerland)

This invention relates to the field of perfumery and concerns a diether or a 1,3-dioxolane derivative of 1,8a-methano-2,4a,8,8-tetramethyldecahydro-2,3-naphthalenediol and its use as perfuming ingredient. The present invention also concerns the perfuming compositions or perfumed articles associated with the compound.

Solubilizing systems for flavors and fragrances
US Patent 7846889
Publication date: Dec. 7, 2010
Assignee: Firmenich SA (Geneva, Switzerland)

This patent provides for compositions and clear oil-in-water microemulsions containing up to 80% w/w of an oil, a surfactant system, a w/w oil/surfactant system ratio between 1 and 3, and a solubilizing aid ingredient that neither a surfactant nor a VOC compound, the latter being present in an amount sufficient to ensure that the ratio oil/(surfactant + solubilizing aid) is comprised between 0.1 and 5. The invention also concerns the articles and products associated the compositions and microemulsions and methods to manufacture them.

Cysteine derivatives that counteract malodor
US Patent 7846887
Publication date: Dec. 7, 2010
Assignee: Givaudan SA (Vernier, Switzerland)

This patent describes cysteine derivatives and their use as malodor counteractants. In addition, a process for their production and consumer products comprising them are described. According to the inventors, although perfume may cover the unpleasant odor of a product, frequently malodorous materials may be deposited on a treated substrate causing it to have malodor, which may become more evident in time as the co-deposited perfume evaporates. Such malodors are exacerbated at elevated temperatures, i.e., above ~30° C, and high humidity , i.e. about 50% relative humidity or higher.

Furthermore, in some parts of the world, the use of bar soap derived from relatively cheap animal and vegetable fats for washing clothing, textiles, skin, hair, cooking utensils and dishes is commonplace. The effects of the climate and presence of various additives can cause these bars become rancid and thus malodorous. The addition of perfume can musk this to some degree but this solution is not completely effective and it adds considerably to the cost of the bars.

Other consumer products, such as hair colorants, depilatory products, permanent wave products, skin bronzers, skin lighteners or hair removal products, have a strong smell due to their active ingredients, which may include for example, ammonia and thioglycolic salts. Other approaches to reducing malodors have been the elimination by absorption of the malodor by a porous or cage-like structure, often in combination with aroma chemicals, and the avoidance of the formation of malodors by such routes as the addition of antimicrobials and enzyme inhibitors.

While these approaches have yielded improvements in malodor control, in certain cases this approach is not applicable to consumer products comprising actives possessing strong smells. Thus, the present invention meets the need for further compounds that are more efficient against malodors. It has been found that the addition of a new class of 4-aza-7-thiadecadione derivatives to the consumer product may substantially or even completely overcome this problem.

Perfume delivery systems for consumer goods
US Patent Application 20100305021
Publication date: Dec. 2, 2010
Inventors: Dykstra, Robert Richard (West Chester, OH, USA)

This patent relates to perfume delivery systems, products comprising such systems, and the use of same. According to the inventors, unfortunately current perfume delivery systems do not always provide the most preferred or ideal sensory experience. Thus there is a need for one or more perfume delivery systems that obviate the shortcomings of the current perfume delivery technologies. The systems of the present invention meet the aforementioned need as they employ symbiotic combinations.

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