Patent Picks—Green Patents, from Natural and Bio-empowering to Eco-friendly

Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources, and cover recently issued patents or patent applications in the cosmetic, personal care and peripheral markets. This edition features "green" technologies, ranging from natural solutions and bio-empowering actives, to eco-friendly materials and processes.

Natural lycopene for anti-aging
US Patent 8507014
Publication date: Aug. 13, 2013
Assignee: Nestec S.A.

The current patent covers a natural lycopene concentrate obtained from a plant structure after alkalinization, solid-liquid separation, acidification and a second solid-liquid separation. The concentrate obtained is highly bioavailable and water-soluble at room temperature. The present invention also relates to use of the powder in a cosmetic composition to slow skin aging and/or the damage caused by UV exposure.

Probiotics to minimize microbes, maximize therapeutic effects
US Patent 8506952
Publication date: Aug. 13, 2013
Assignee: James Madison Innovations, Inc.

According to these inventors, more recently, probiotics have been explored for their dermatological applications, such as topical antifungals; although none have included Janthinobacterium species and/or strains thereof, such as Janthinobacterium lividum. Thus, described here are probiotic compositions and a process of applying Janthinobacterium over a host and/or host area(s) to both minimize microbe(s) and/or maximize therapeutic effects.

Process of growing and harvesting algae in seawater with feather additive
US Patent 8507254
Publication date: Aug. 13, 2013
Inventors: Abuhasel, Khaled Ali

Desribed herein is a process for mixing seawater, feather additive and one or more algae to prepare a nutrient-rich feedstock for cultivating, growing and harvesting algae. The harvested algae are processed to produce biofuel, oil, nutrient supplements and polymers for cosmetics. Seawater presents a plentiful and viable resource for growing and harvesting microalgae for commercial production, and using seawater as a nutrient source for microalgae offers many advantages.

Purification of seawater for human consumption is difficult and costly; however, growing microalgae in seawater reduces the salinity of the seawater and as a result, the purification of seawater with reduced salinity is easier. Further, a feather nutrient source can be added to the seawater, which may be present in quantities of more than 80%. The feather may provide carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, amino acids, and/or similar organic materials for algae growth, as well as may increase carbon dioxide absorption by algae. The feather fiber may also concurrently or separately serve as a physical structure upon which algae may grow. 

Tissue culture media as cosmetic components
US Patent 8507276
Publication date: Aug. 13, 2013
Assignee: La Prairie Group AG

A cosmetic or dermatological preparation is described here that comprises one or more tissue culture media, in particular skin cell culture media. This preparation allows the skin to regenerate itself without harmful side effects for use in skin care, hair care and body care, and also for the treatment of skin irritations and burns.

Polyphthalate plasticizers that do not release endocrine-disrupting compounds
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/116818
Publication date: Aug. 8, 2013
Assignee: The Regents of the University of California

This invention discloses novel polyphthalate compounds that do not release phthalate esters under environmental conditions, and methods for making the same. These methods may use any suitable type of polymerization reaction, many of which are known in the art. For example, Nitroxide Mediated Radical Polymerization (NMRP) may be used, or other controlled and uncontrolled polymerization reactions with one or more types of monomer reactant. Also encompassed are compositions comprising a plastic in need of plasticization, such as PVC, blended with such compounds and articles made with them; i.e., food packaging, medical devices and some toys, and articles such as rain coats and cosmetics.

Enzyme compositions for wound healing
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/116732
Publication date: Aug. 8, 2013
Assignee: Curelon LLC, JM Fallon, MF Heil, J Szigethy and J Fallon

Compositions including digestive enzymes and methods of using them for wound healing are provided in this patent. The enzymes may include one or more protease, lipase and amylase. The compositions can be formulated as topical pharmaceutical compositions and used for faster healing without scarring via stimulation of epidermal cells. Said compositions may deposit a short-term fibrosis and help to prevent re-opening of wounds.

By improving the recruitment of white blood cells, the compositions induce or enhance growth factor and immune system activation via an enzyme antibiotic effect. They also may enhance epidermal integrity beyond that of the normal physiological restorative process. Further, application of the compositions may result in a greater re-growth of hair on regions healed with the enzymes.

Inducing heat-shock protein synthesis, enhacing skin repair and reducing side effects from aggressive cosmetic procedures
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/115683
Publication date: Aug. 8, 2013
Assignee: SY Lechkov, NS Vikhreiva and SP Krechetov 

Disclosed herein is an agent to induce heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis. It comprises at least one phenol compound selected from cinnamic acid derivatives or a mixture of such compounds, and a nonionic surfactant or mixture of the same. According to the inventors, this combination activates the most intense synthesis of HSPs possible without the need for applying additional stress.

Purifying minerals, pigments and/or fillers and preparing precipitated earth alkali carbonate
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/113614
Publication date: Aug. 8, 2013
Assignee: Omya International AG

The present invention relates to the purification of minerals, pigments and/or fillers and/or the preparation of precipitated earth alkali carbonate and/or mineralization of water. Here, "precipitated earth alkali carbonate" refers to a synthesized material, generally obtained by precipitation following the reaction of carbon dioxide and, e.g., lime, in an aqueous environment. Or, by precipitation of an earth alkali and carbonate source in water or carbonate ions, for example CaCl2 and Na2C03, out of suspension.The inventors surprisingly found out that such an installation enables the preparation of minerals, pigments and/or fillers and/or precipitated earth alkali carbonate with high purity in an efficient, economic and ecological way.

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