Patent Picks—Sulfate-free Clarity, Rheology, Scalp Care and More

Patent Picks are compiled by the editors from publicly available sources. This edition features the latest patents related to sulfate-free products, including technologies to improve their characteristics, and some that simply provide sulfate-free formula examples.

Polysaccharide products with improved clarity
U.S. Patent 8796196
Publication date: Aug. 5, 2014
Assignee: Hercules Inc.

Disclosed in this patent is a process for producing anionic, nonionic, amphoteric or cationic derived polysaccharide products that demonstrate high clarity in surfactant-based compositions. The polysaccharide polymer is reacted for a sufficient time at a sufficient temperature in the presence of water, caustic and at least one surfactant, or it may be reacted with an oxidizing agent, hydrolytic or proteolytic enzymes, molecular weight reducing agents and a cationizing agent and nonionic agent. The polysaccharide formed has a lower clarity in water than in an aqueous surfactant system and can be used in personal care or household care products.

Provided is a sulfate-free formulation suggestion, including: deionized water, qs to 100% w/w; cocamidopropyl betaine (30%), 15.00% w/w; sodium lauroylsarcosinate (30%), 10.00% w/w; sodium lauroamphoacetate (35%), 6.00% w/w; anhydrous glycerin, 1.00% w/w; alkylpolyglucosides, 2.00% w/w; disodium EDTA, 0.10% w/w; biocide, 0.10% w/w; and polymer, 0.50% w/w.

Rheology modifier polymer
U.S. Patent 8784786
Publication date: July 22, 2014
Assignee: Rhodia

This invention relates to a rheology modifier polymer that includes: a) one or more first monomeric units, each independently comprising at least one bicycloheptyl-polyether, bicycloheptenyl-polyether or branched (C₅-C₅₀) alkyl-polyether group per monomeric unit, wherein one group may optionally be substituted on one or more ring carbon atoms by one or two (C₁-C₆) alkyl groups per carbon atom; and b) one or more second monomeric units, each independently comprising at least one pendant linear or branched (C₅-C₅₀) alkyl-polyether group per monomeric unit, provided that the first and second monomeric units cannot both comprise a branched (C₅-C₅₀) alkyl-polyether group. This polymer is useful as a component in liquid compositions, such as aqueous latex coating compositions, personal care compositions, home care compositions, and institutional or industrial care compositions. In one embodiment, a sulfate-free personal care facial scrub is provided by combining a mixture of disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (DLS) and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (CAPHS) and the polymer. The inventors note that this sulfate-free surfactant system cannot be thickened through standard salt addition.

Scalp and/or hair treatment compositions and combinations
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/106126
Publication date: July 3, 2014
Assignee: RAK Holdings, LLC

According to this patent, the current global market (professional and at-home) for hair color is about $12 billion (per Euromonitor) and growing. Procter & Gamble claims that 92% of women in developed markets have colored their hair at some point; the beauty industry claims that number is about 80%. In addition, the hair straightening market is growing exponentially with the advent of milder, no-lye straighteners safe for all hair types. Thus, there is a need for a hair care line designed to effectively treat related scalp irritations without compromising the integrity of the hair color, texture and shine. The current patent provides sulfate-free and/or sodium chloride-free scalp and/or hair treatment compositions comprising corticosteroid, combinations containing these compositions, kits and methods, particularly for treating hair and/or treating and/or preventing itchy scalp.

Anti-itch scalp treatment compositions
U.S. Patent Application 20140187518
Publication date: July 3, 2014
Inventors: R Kazin, IA Palefsky, W Fontaine and Y Melendez

In relation to the above patent application, WO/2014/106126, provided herein are sulfate-free and/or sodium chloride-free scalp treatment compositions comprising corticosteroid, combinations containing these compositions, kits and methods, particularly for treating and/or preventing itchy scalp.

Anti-dandruff composition
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/095625
Publication date: June 26, 2014
Assignee: L'Oréal

Described herein are compositions and processes/methods for the cosmetic treatment of the hair and/or of the scalp, specifically compositions comprising, in an aqueous medium: a) at least one anti-dandruff agent; b) at least one viscosity modifying agent; c) at least one acrylic-based polymeric compound different from the viscosity modifying agent; d) at least two surfactants chosen from amphoteric surfactants and zwitterionic surfactants; and e) optionally, at least one conditioning agent. The present invention also relates to a process for the care of hair and/or scalp using such a composition.

Further, this patent notes that while sulfate-free products currently exist on the market, they tend to lack: lathering or foaming; gentle cleansing performance; clarity, especially in the presence of oils and fragrances; and they have poor overall viscosity. The current invention therefore provides a composition with improved sustainability that is biodegradable and non-toxic, as compared to traditional shampoo formulations, and that maintains favorable viscosity, foaming and cleansing properties.

Conditioning and/or styling polymer composition
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/071354
Publication date: May 8, 2014
Assignee: Hercules Inc.

Described herein is a personal care conditioning and/or styling composition for a keratin substrate. It comprises: i) 50-95% w/w of at least one cationic or pseudo-cationic monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC) and/or vinylpyrrolidone (VP); ii) ~30% w/w of at least one anionic monomer selected from the group consisting of a) acrylic acid (AA), b) acrylamido methylpropyl sulfonate (AMPS), and/or c) sodium methyl allyl sulfonate (SMAS); and iii) 0.1-20% w/w of at least one hydrophobic monomer selected from the group consisting of a) polyoxyethylene (PEG)-18-behenylether-methacrylate (BEM) b) lauryl-ethoxylated- methacrylate (LEM), c) stearyl acrylate (SA), d) stream-10-allyl-ether, e) vinylcaprolactam (V-cap), and/or f) hydroxyethyl-pyrrolidone-methacrylate (M06). Also described is a process of preparing said polymer, and its method of use.

Provided in this patent is an example sulfate-free shampoo composition, including: water (aqua), qs 100% w/w; PolyAPTAC, 0.2% w/w; APTAC/AA/BEM, 0.2% w/w; disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, 8.16% w/w; cocamidopropyl betaine, 3.85% w/w; alkylamidopropyl betaine sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, 2.70% w/w; methylisothiazolinone, phenylpropanol and propylene glycol, 0.2% w/w; sodium hydroxide; and citric acid.

Skin care repair compositions and methods
U.S. Patent Application 20140066837
Publication date: March 6, 2014
Inventors: RL Moy

The skin care composition disclosed here can include a growth factor, such as an epidermal and/or keratinocyte growth factor (EGF, KGF); a DNA repair enzyme encapsulated by a liposome; and a carrier suitable for topical administration of the EGF and/or KGF and DNA repair enzyme to a subject's skin. One, two or more modalities, such as sonophoresis, can additionally be used to increase the transdermal penetration of compositions. In one embodiment, it is applied in a renewal foaming cleanser that is produced from a naturally derived, sulfate-free cleansing agent. Here, the amino acid glycolic complex can stimulate cell turnover and wash away damaged epithelial cells to prime skin for maximum regeneration.

Clear cosmetics containing lipophilic materials
U.S. Patent 8658582
Publication date: Feb. 25, 2014
Assignee: L'Oréal

This invention is directed toward a composition incorporating: a) at least one alkoxylated monoamine; b) at least one alkoxylated monoacid; c) at least one lipophilic compound; d) at least one surfactant; e) optionally, at least one auxiliary ingredient; and f) at least one cosmetically acceptable carrier, wherein the ratio by weight of b:a is greater than 1 and wherein the ratio by weight of a+b:c is greater than 2. The invention also relates to methods for cleansing and conditioning hair to provide improved shine, conditioning, manageability and styling ability. Also provided is a sulfate-free composition, meaning it is: substantially free, i.e., contains less than 0.25%, of sulfate-based anionic surfactants; essentially free, i.e, contains less than 0.1%, of sulfate-based anionic surfactants; and is completely free, i.e., 0%, of sulfate-based anionic surfactants.