Patent Picks—Pawpaw Anti-irritant, Degradation Sensor, Fenugreek Saponins and More

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to preservation; ranging from the preservation of product stability, to antimicrobial technologies and a natural preparation to address preservative-induced irritation.

Electrical sensor for monitoring degradation of products from environmental stressors
US Patent 8217669
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Inventors: KS Watkins, Jr.

Disclosed in this patent is an environmental degradation sensor for environmentally sensitive products such as cosmetics that provides an estimated degraded state and remaining life of the product. The sensor is made of a polymeric matrix and conductive filler. A control agent, selected to adjust a reaction rate of the sensor to environmental conditions, allows the correlation of an electrical property of the sensor to a degraded state of the product. The sensor may be integrated with a passive RFID to provide product identification and degradation status wirelessly via reader. The sensor improves product safety, reduces cost of premature product disposal and, combined with RFIDs, improves the security of products through combined product degradation monitoring and tracking.

Stable, transfer-resistant, self-tanning gel containing a water-soluble or water-dispersible gelling agent
US Patent 8216554
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Assignee: L'Oréal (Paris, FR)

According to this patent, aqueous gels give a feeling of freshness to the skin due to their nongreasy feel. However, those utilized for self-tanning applications, especially those based on polycarbonyl compounds such as dihydroxyacetone (DHA), lack storage stability. For example, the stability of an aqueous self-tanning composition containing DHA typically drops approximately 30% to 40% over a period of eight weeks. There is thus a need for a novel self-tanning composition based on a monocarbonyl or polycarbonyl compound in the form of an aqueous gel that does not present this drawback. The inventor has found that it is possible to achieve this objective by using a gelling agent comprised of at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible, crosslinked or non-crosslinked polymer or copolymer.

Process for the extraction of furostanolic saponins from fenugreek seeds
US Patent 8217165
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Inventors: PK Goel

According to the inventor on this patent, there is growing interest in plant natural products such as saponins since they have a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and other industries. An example of plant secondary metabolites are saponins, which have the ability to lower surface tension, in addition to flavoring, sweetening, antioxidant, foaming, complexing, sequestration, anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial properties.

Thus, described by this patent is a novel, commercially viable process for the extraction of high purity (> 70%) bioactive furostanolic saponins including protodioscin (> 30%) from the seeds of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum). This process essentially comprises the steps of powdering of the natural material, followed by a first extraction, an ion-exchange chromatographic purification, a second extraction using a novel composite solvent, and drying of the product under defined conditions. The entire process is carried out essentially at a neutral pH and temperatures of less than 80°C.

Controlled release of biologically active compounds
US Patent 8217134
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Assignee: Bezwada Biomedical LLC

The present invention relates to biodegradable polymers, e.g., polyesters and polyester amides, derived from functionalized biologically active compounds that can provide the site-specific delivery of bioactive compounds upon biodegradation in a controlled manner. By varying the functionalizing moiety or combination of moieties, the rate of biodegradation may be varied over a period of time.

Stabilized body care products, household products, textiles and fabrics
US Patent 8216596
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Assignee: BASF SE

This patent explains how certain sterically hindered amine salt compounds can provide outstanding protection against light-induced fading of home and personal care products. Disclosed are stabilized body care products, household products, textiles and fabrics that comprise said sterically hindered compounds, wherein dyed products and articles are effectively stabilized against color degradation.

Ultrasonic treatment chamber for preparing antimicrobial formulations
US Patent 8215822
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.

Described in this patent is an ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which antimicrobial agents, particularly hydrophobic antimicrobial agents, can be mixed with one or more formulations. Specifically, the treatment chamber includes a housing through which a formulation and antimicrobial agents flow longitudinally from a first and second inlet port to an outlet port. An ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to energize the formulation and antimicrobial agents within the housing.

Anti-infective methods and systems for treating pathogen-induced disordered tissues
US Patent 8217080
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Inventors: RB Johnson

Described in this patent are compositions, methods and systems for treating disordered epithelial tissues, such as that caused by pathogens and/or by toxins produced thereby. The invention relates to the use of an anti-infective and/or antimicrobial active agent in a carrier, with vigorous agitation of the disordered epithelial tissue for topical treatment thereof under such conditions sufficient to achieve clinically discernable improvement of the disordered epithelial tissue. The preferred anti-infective and/or antimicrobial active agent comprises an organohalide, such as a quaternary ammonium halide compound, preferably benzalkonium chloride, to treat cold sores or other herpes disordered tissue. Additionally, disordered tissues include that which has been infected by toxins such as snake or spider venom.

Pawpaw and peach-derived anti-irritant composition
US Patent 8216615
Publication date: July 10, 2012
Assignee: Phoenix Eagle Company Pty., Ltd.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a fruit and/or vegetable-derived composition to treat dermatological and cosmetic disorders caused or worsened by soaps, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals containing ingredients such as preservatives.The process involves heating at least one fruit and/or vegetable pulp to a temperature of about 40°C to 100°C, then mixing between 1% and 40% w/w of a mild base with the heated fruit and/or vegetable pulp.

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