WO2022149070A1

WO2022149070A1 - Unit dose article for adding a cosmetic function to a cosmetic base product

Info

Publication number: WO2022149070A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/050060
Authority: WO
Inventors: Afonso GOMES; Cornelius GRUPP; Taliyah JONES; Patricia FIRMIN; Jazmin GONZALEZ; Emma Althea KNIGHT
Original assignee: C-Care, Llc
Priority date: 2021-01-05
Filing date: 2022-01-05
Publication date: 2022-07-14

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a unit dose article that can be used for adding a cosmetic function to and / or altering a cosmetic function of a viscous cosmetic base product. The unit dose article comprises an envelope material and a viscous cosmetic formulation, encapsulated within the envelope material, wherein the envelope material is configured to dissolve when brought in contact with the viscous cosmetic base product thereby releasing the viscous cosmetic formulation into the viscous cosmetic base product. The viscous cosmetic formulation is configured to mix with the viscous cosmetic base product and thereby to add the cosmetic function to the viscous cosmetic base product and / or to alter the cosmetic function of the viscous cosmetic base product. The disclosure is further related to the use of such a unit dose article and to a cosmetic function delivery system comprising such a unit dose article and a suitable viscous cosmetic base product.

Description

UNIT DOSE ARTICLE FOR ADDING A COSMETIC FUNCTION TO A

COSMETIC BASE PRODUCT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims priority of US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/133,864, titled POD FOR DELIVERY OF HAIR PRODUCTS, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on, Januaiy 5, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below in their entirety and for all applicable purposes.

1. Technical field

The present disclosure relates to unit dose articles (e.g., a hair color pod) for adding a cosmetic function (e.g., a hair dying function) to a viscous, e.g., aqueous, cosmetic base product (e.g., a hair care product such as a conditioner). The disclosure also relates to the use of such unit dose articles and to a cosmetic function delivery system comprising such unit dose articles.

2. Technical background

There is an ever-increasing demand for novel cosmetic products such as hair care products, and in particular hair dyes, which are easy to use and to store and which can be freely customized to the specific needs and requirements of an intendent application by a user. There is also the increasing necessity to reduce the environmental impact (e.g., amount of required resources, amount of waste) associated with such customizable cosmetic products as much as possible.

It is known that water-soluble unit dose articles or pods can be used for encapsulating household detergents, e.g., for dish washers or washing machines. For example, US 10,370,627 B2 relates to water-soluble unit dose articles made from a combination of chemically different water-soluble films and containing household care compositions that are enclosed by the water-soluble films.

Further, US 11,045,397 relates to a hygiene product pod comprising a water-soluble envelope and an emulsified liquid hygiene product (e.g., a shampoo) sealed in the envelope. As disclosed in US 11,045,397, water is applied to the pod to dissolve the envelope and release the hygiene product. The hygiene product can then be applied to a body part of a user and subsequently rinsed from that body part. Further, US 8,728,499 B2 relates to a water-soluble film article having a salt layer. The water-soluble film can include a number of suitable water-soluble materials. For instance, the water-soluble film may include a water-soluble film-forming composition including at least some polyvinyl alcohol, PVA. Further prior art that illustrates the general technological background of the present disclosure is provided by US 9,725,685 B2, EP 2570474, EP 3025983 Bi, CN108004070, US 10,731,115 B2, EP 2955219.

3. Summary

Conventional hair color deposition products and systems as well as similar cosmetic compositions, such as skin pigmentation formulations exhibit various disadvantages. For instance, such conventional cosmetic products, and especially hair dyes, are typically filled into metallic or plastic containers which, after use, need to be recycled or will often end-up as long-lived waste products deteriorating the environment. Further, if such containers contain an amount of the respective cosmetic formulation that is larger than what is needed for one application by the user (e.g., one hair dying process in a professional hair saloon), the remaining amount of the formulation in the container typically gets in contact with atmospheric gases, which might induce or accelerate chemical reactions deteriorating the composition and reduce the shelf-life of the formulation. As a result, unused cosmetic formulation might also end-up as additional waste associated with a respective cosmetic treatment / function delivered by the respective cosmetic product / system. For instance, with respect to in-salon applications, a hair color or a dye, in particular oxidative dyes, are provided in a single tube together with an alkaline base material. In some situations, the use of a single tube containing such dye-base mixtures might even lead to a reduced shelf-life and decomposition of the dyes and formulations in the open tube due to atmospheric exposure. In addition, the use of predetermined dye-base mixtures complicates the mixing and matching of the color and base components to achieve the variety of desired individual color preferences of each customer. Thus, the user or the stylist typically must purchase multiple color tubes having an even further limited shelf-life after being opened and brought in contact with the ambient atmosphere. As a result, the freshness of the hair color cannot be ensured for all applications and the amount of waste is increased. Furthermore, the current state of the art requires deoxygenation, nitrogen blanketing, antioxidants and special packaging to sustain product integrity when oxidative dyes are combined with base formulas, increasing complexity, likelihood of failure and costs associated with a hair dyeing process and similar cosmetic applications.

Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for customizable hair care products and similar cosmetics, especially hair dyes, which are easier to use and to store as compared to conventional delivery systems and which can be individually adapted to the specific needs of a user / requirements of an intended cosmetic application or function.

These and related problems are at least partially addressed by the unit dose article according to claim 1, a use of the unit dose article according to claim 11, a cosmetic function delivery system according to claim 16 and a hair color delivery system according to claim 17. Further exemplary embodiments / aspects are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides the unit dose article for adding a cosmetic function (e.g., a hair dying function, a skin smoothing / tightening / pigmentation function, etc.) to and / or for altering an existing cosmetic function of a viscous, (e.g., aqueous), cosmetic base product. The unit dose article includes (i.e., comprises) an envelope material and a viscous (e.g., liquid or gel-like) cosmetic formulation, e.g., a hair dye concentrate, encapsulated within the envelope material, wherein the envelope material is configured to dissolve when brought in contact with the cosmetic base product thereby releasing the viscous cosmetic formulation into the cosmetic base product, but not to dissolve due to being in contact with the viscous cosmetic formulation. The viscous cosmetic formulation is further configured to mix with the cosmetic base product and thereby to add the cosmetic function to the cosmetic base product and / or to alter the existing cosmetic function of the cosmetic base product.

Thus, for instance, the unit dose article provided by the present disclosure is configured to allow a user to further personalize, differentiate, and customize an existing finished cosmetic product, such as a shampoo, a skin moisturizer or similar hair and skin care products.

In this manner, total product weight and volume can significantly be reduced as compared to stand-alone products (e.g., a stand-alone hair dyeing product / system), that are not mixed with an already finished and available base product that, like a shampoo or conditioner, might already be available to the user for providing a different cosmetic function. For instance, non-dye components of conventional hair dye formulations that are also present in a targeted cosmetic base product can be removed from the hair dye formulation encapsulated in the unit dose article, thereby reducing weight, volume, formulation complexity and cost as well as the amount of material needed for encapsulation. In this manner, not only can the amount of waste (e.g., packaging, unused product, etc.) be reduced, but also secondary environmental factors and costs such as energy required for shipping and storage, can be reduced significantly as compared to conventional products providing the respective cosmetic function.

It is important to note that while unit dose articles or pods are known in the prior art to interact with water to perform a single chemical function e.g., as a detergent or a shampoo (see section 2. above) the unit dose articles according to the present disclosure are configured to maintain the primaiy functionality of the cosmetic base product (e.g., a shampoo, a conditioner, a mask) and to complement / enhance it with an additional property or function such as coloring / dyeing or a similar enhancement.

Further, the unit dose articles provided by the present disclosure enable both, direct consumer application at home and professional use, e.g., in a cosmetic studio or hair salon. With respect to in-home applications, the unit dose articles can provide a facilitated color application, wherein the user can make a personal selection of shampoo, conditioner and hair mask in a single step or in successive steps.

With respect to in-salon applications, an easy mix and match of color and respective base products for providing individual color preferences to the consumer is enabled. The user or stylist does not have to purchase multiple color tubes having a limited shelf life after being opened. In contrast to the prior art, the disclosed unit dose articles allow a fresh application of a hair color together with a sustainable package and waste reduction, e.g., as discussed, providing the hair color in the unit dose article without any cream base formulation results in an increased shelf-life of the products.

For instance, the cosmetic base product can comprise a hair care product and/or cosmetic emulsions, the envelope material can comprise gelatin, cellulose or polyvinyl alcohol, PVA, and/or the viscous cosmetic formulation can comprise a hair color formulation, preferably a hair color concentrate. For instance, gelatin, cellulose and PVA are soluble in water or similar solvents such as base products with an aqueous character and can thus be used for encapsulation of the viscous cosmetic formulation.

Further, a water content of the encapsulated viscous cosmetic formulation and/ or the thickness and/or a porosity and / or an average pore size of the envelope material can be adjusted / be configured to avoid degeneration of the envelope material under normal atmospheric conditions, and to facilitate dissolving of the envelope material when brought in contact with the targeted cosmetic base product.

For instance, water-soluble PVA, cellulose or gelatine films can be used as envelope material. Such films can have, for example, a film thickness in a range of 1 to too microns (pm) or to to too microns or any other thickness suitable for encapsulating a viscous cosmetic formulation such as a hair color concentrate.

Further, such films can be essentially non-porous or can comprise, for example, a porous structure, with a porosity configured to be in a range of 5% to 50% and with an average pore size configured to be in a range of 0.1 to 2 micron, for example.

According to the present disclosure, in some aspects, film thickness, porosity and / or average pore size can be configured to ensure that the envelope material encapsulating a given viscous cosmetic formulation comprising a given effective water content remains stable under ambient atmospheric conditions and substantially longer than a typical shelf-life associated with a given cosmetic application or use case but at the same time dissolves quickly enough when brought into contact with the targeted cosmetic base product. Naturally, many different combinations of film materials and properties such as porosity and average pore size can be configured to achieve this.

In a further aspect, the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation can be matched / configured, e.g., be inversely related or negatively correlated to the water content of a target cosmetic base product to facilitate dissolving of the envelope material. In a further aspect, the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation can be smaller than 20 %, preferably between 0% and 8.5 %, more preferably between 0% and 4.8 % and even more preferably essentially 0%. Further, the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation can be between 4.8 % and 8.5 %, e.g., as discussed above and in the following, to ensure stability of the unit dose article (e.g., having an essentially non-porous envelope material with a thickness in the range given above) under ambient conditions and fast dissolving when brought in contact with a targeted cosmetic base product.

Adjusting the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation with respect to the targeted cosmetic base product can increase water sensitivity and solubility of the overall product. For example, if the water content of the aqueous cosmetic base is low, dissolving of the envelope material of the unit dose article can be enhanced by increasing the water content in the viscous cosmetic formulation. In order to maintain stability of the unit dose article the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation should not exceed a solubility threshold of the envelope material, e.g., in typical atmospheric conditions.

In a further aspect, the thickness of the envelope material can be an increasing function, preferably a linearly increasing function, of the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation.

Additionally, or alternatively to adjusting the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation, the thickness of the envelope material can be adjusted. Increasing the thickness of the envelope material leads to an enhanced envelope stability under ambient / atmospheric conditions, wherein decreasing the thickness results in an enhanced solubility of the unit dose article in the base product. In a further aspect, a porosity of the envelope material can be a decreasing function, preferably a linearly decreasing function, of the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation.

Similar to adjusting the thickness of the envelope material, the porosity of the envelope material and / or the average pore size can be adjusted. Decreasing the porosity of the envelope material can lead to an enhanced envelope stability under ambient conditions, wherein increasing the porosity results in an enhanced solubility of the unit dose article in the cosmetic base product.

In a further aspect the viscous cosmetic formulation can comprise at least one of a hair dye, a color/ oil blend, an oxidative hair dye, or a semi-permanent hair dye. Further, hair dyes can be direct deposit dyes or toning dyes for use in changing or enhancing the color of hair.

In a further aspect, the unit dose article can comprise two or more different compartments comprising different cosmetic formulations or additives or active ingredients.

Using multiple compartments can enable providing conditioning agents and other materials / components separately. For example, one compartment can be provided with a color/oil blend of direct dyes and customer specific oils (like argan, sunflower, etc.), wherein a second compartment can be provided with active ingredients like conditioning agents or consumer specific proteins. In a further aspect, the different compartments can vary in appearance, size and/or shape. In particular, using multiple compartments enables a more intricate pod design based on the aesthetic and functional intent that the customer desires to achieve. In a further aspect, the envelope material of at least one of the compartments can be configured to dissolve faster than the envelope material of another compartment when brought into contact with the cosmetic base product. For instance, in this manner a viscosity adjustment agent or a similar mixing agent can be released first into the base product changing its chemical and / or physical properties to enhance the release and mixing of the viscous formulation that adds the cosmetic function to the base product. Such a compartmented release might be particularly interesting if the different formulations enclosed in the compartments might undergo a chemical reaction reducing shelf-life if not stored separately.

Similarly, the thickness and / or porosity of the envelope material of one of at least one of the compartments can differ from other compartments, e.g., to ensure that both compartments essentially dissolve at the same time even when encapsulating formulations with different solving properties e.g., with different water contents.

Furthermore, the present disclosure provides for a use of the unit dose article as discussed for the previous aspects for adding a cosmetic function to a cosmetic base product, when dissolved and mixed with a quantity of the cosmetic base product. In a further aspect, the unit dose article can be used for transforming a hair care product into a hair coloring product when dissolved and mixed with a quantity of the hair care product. For instance, the hair care product can comprise at least one of a cream base formulation, a shampoo, a conditioner or a hair mask.

By using a hair care product as cosmetic base product, a cosmetic function (e.g., hair coloring) can be added to the hair care product by dissolving the unit dose article comprising the viscous cosmetic formulation (e.g., a hair color or a dye concentrate). The hair color can comprise a color/oil blend of direct dyes and customer specific oil (argan, sunflower, etc.). Furthermore, using a desired hair dye or color allows converting an existing product (suitable brand of shampoo, conditioner, or hair mask) into a color delivery system. In particular, the present invention allows maintaining the original functionality of the cosmetic base product (shampoo, conditioner, hair mask) and to complement it with an additional function such as a coloring function or similar cosmetic enhancement. With respect to in-salon use, this concept allows the stylist to continue their preferred brand use, while conveniently applying a hair color of choice. In a further aspect, the cream base formulation can comprise a highly alkaline cream formula or a formula containing an alkalizing agent and/or the viscous cosmetic formulation can comprise various types of carrier oil.

Using the unit dose article provided by the present disclosure with respect to oxidative dyes and suitable cream base formulations is also beneficial. For instance, by utilizing a carrier oil or fluid, it is possible to deliver selected oxidative hair dyes comprised in the unit dose article to a cosmetic base product (e.g., a cream base formulation for hair coloring purposes, in particular the purpose of permanently dying hair).

Using the unit dose article provided by the present disclosure can constitute a cost- effective alternative to buying multiple color tubes, and additionally provides a sustainable packaging and waste reduction as discussed above. Furthermore, using the unit dose article as described herein, allows a fresh color application, wherein the dyes and formulations are protected from decomposition. In addition, post-adding of dyes to cream base formulations allows less constraints for storage (e.g., for water-based formulars) and further allows the consumer to mix and match more easily for custom coloring. Furthermore, the mechanism of oxidation can be delayed until application. Using the unit dose article disclosed herein, enables both, direct consumer application at home and professional (e.g., in salon / studio use).

In some aspects, the cosmetic base product can comprise or can be mixed with a hair color developer agent, e.g., contained in a separate compartment of the unit dose article. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a cosmetic function delivery system comprising a cosmetic base product, preferably aqueous, providing a first cosmetic function, and the unit dose article according to the previous aspects providing a second cosmetic function or being configured to alter the first cosmetic function of the base product. Such a deliveiy system can allow post-adding of viscous cosmetic formulation (e.g., concentrated hair dyes as discussed above) to a finished product like a hair care product (such as a cream base formulation, shampoo, conditioner, a hair mask etc.). The hair dyes can be at least one of oxidative dyes, semi-permanent dyes, direct deposit dyes, toning dyes for use in changing or enhancing the color of hair, while, as discussed above, certain components / ingrediencies typically present in conventional formulations can be omitted because they can be substituted by the cosmetic base product. Thus, an encapsulated dye concentrate can deliver vibrant hair color, as an added cosmetic function, to existing hair care products including but not limited to shampoo, conditioner, or hair mask. This allows the user to tailor their existing hair care product to satisfy individual needs and reduce product and packaging waste.

In further aspects, an encapsulated pigment concentrate can be used as the viscous cosmetic formulation. Using such an encapsulated pigment concentrate, can enable an end user to create a customized facial make-up foundation using unpigmented finished formula. The pigments can include but are not limited to iron oxides, lakes, titanated micas, D&C dyes, and FD&C dyes. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a hair color delivery system comprising a hair care product, and the unit dose article of the second aspect for transforming the hair care product into a hair color product.

4. Short Description of the Figures Various aspects of the present disclosure are described in more detail in the following by reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise precisely specified. These figures show: Fig. la a schematic top-view drawing illustrating an exemplary unit dose article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. lb a schematic top view drawing illustrating an exemplary unit dose article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. lc a schematic side-view drawing illustrating an exemplary unit dose article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2a a schematic graph illustrating how, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the thickness of the envelope material can depend on the total effective water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation; Fig. 2b a schematic graph illustrating how, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the porosity of the envelope material can depend on the total effective water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation; Fig. 3a a schematic top-view drawing illustrating an exemplary unit dose article having multiple compartments according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3b a schematic top-view drawing illustrating an exemplary unit dose article having multiple compartments according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 a schematic drawing illustrating the use of an exemplary unit dose article according to the present disclosure for transforming a hair care product into a hair coloring product / composition.

5. Detailed Description of some exemplary embodiments

In the following, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail, mainly with reference to unit dose articles that contain hair color concentrates. However, the present invention can also be used with any other formulation that is configured to add a cosmetic function (e.g., a skin pigmentation function) to a suitable viscous base product (e.g., a conventional skin care product).

While specific feature combinations are described in the following with respect to the exemplary embodiments / aspects, it is to be understood that not all features of the discussed embodiments must be present for realizing the invention, which is defined by the subject matter of the claims. The disclosed embodiments can be modified by combining certain features of one embodiment with one or more features of another embodiment. Specifically, the skilled person will understand that features, components and/ or functional elements of one embodiment can be combined with technically compatible features, components and/or functional elements of any other embodiments given that the resulting combination falls within the definition of the invention provided by the claims. Figs la to lc illustrate different unit dose articles for adding a cosmetic function to (or altering an existing cosmetic function of) a cosmetic base product, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. l a) and b) represent schematic top views of a unit dose article 100 (or pod) for adding the cosmetic function to or altering the existing cosmetic function of a cosmetic base product. The article includes (i.e., comprises) an envelope material no and a viscous cosmetic formulation 120 encapsulated within the envelope material no. In addition, the envelope no can be configured not to be dissolved by the viscous cosmetic formulation 120, but to dissolve when brought in contact with the cosmetic base product thereby releasing the viscous cosmetic formulation 120. The viscous cosmetic formulation 120 can be configured to mix with the (e.g., aqueous) cosmetic base product and thereby to add the cosmetic function to the cosmetic base product or alter the existing cosmetic function of the aqueous cosmetic base product. As discussed above, the envelope material no can comprise gelatin, cellulose or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH aka PVA aka PVAl) or a combination thereof.

The shape and the size of the unit dose article too are not limited to a specific appearance. Any shape or size including, but not limited to, a square, a rectangular (exemplary illustrated in Fig. la), an oval (exemplary illustrated in Fig. lb), an oblong, and a circular shape, are possible, for example. A side-view of an exemplaiy embodiment of the unit dose article too is given in Fig. lc.

In some embodiments, the viscous cosmetic formulation 120 can comprise at least one of a hair dye or a hair color formulation, a hair color concentrate, direct dyes and toners, a color/oil blend, an oxidative/permanent color (e.g., clear color) and/or one or more active ingredients, such as viscosity adaption agents, gellants, mixing agents, PH- adjustment agents, etc. In some embodiments, the viscous cosmetic formulation 120 can comprise a blend of oils, powders, or otherwise anhydrous materials. Other active ingredients can be ingredients for enhancing the appearance and feel of skin or hair. Further, the cosmetic base product can comprise a hair care product such as a cream base formulation, a shampoo, a conditioner, or a hair mask. In some embodiments, a water content of the encapsulated viscous cosmetic formulation 120 and/ or the thickness and/ or porosity of the envelope material 110 is adjusted / configured to avoid degeneration of the envelope material 110 under normal ambient / atmospheric conditions, and to facilitate dissolving of the envelope material 110 when brought in contact with the cosmetic base product.

In some embodiments, the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation 120 can be matched, for example, but not limited to, inversely related or negatively correlated (e.g., with a negative proportionality constant, e.g., -1 and a positive offset, e.g., 20w%) to the water content of a target cosmetic base product to facilitate dissolving of the envelope material 110.

Some of the characteristics of the unit dose article too (e.g., of the viscous cosmetic formulation) can be configured with respect to the dedicated cosmetic base product it is intended to be dissolved in. In particular, providing the viscous cosmetic formulation 120 with an adjusted water content can be beneficial for enhanced dissolving of the unit dose article too, as base products like shampoo have a higher water content than a base product like conditioner or hair mask.

Thus, without any adjustment of the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation 120, it appears likely that the unit dose article too can be more easily dissolved in shampoo than in conditioner or hair mask. Thus, adjusting the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation 120 with respect to the cosmetic base can increase water sensitivity and solubility of the overall product (and thereby fast mixing) while at the same time ensuring a prolonged shelf-life under ambient conditions.

An exemplary viscous (e.g., liquid) cosmetic formulation 120 of the unit dose article too can be configured to be dissolved and mixed with a typical shampoo or a typical hair mask as can be found in Table 1. In particular, increasing the water content in the cosmetic formulation 120 intended for the hair mask, increases the solubility of the unit dose article too with respect to the hair mask, which has a lower total effective water content as compared to a typical shampoo.

However, in both cases and in general, the overall water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation should be below the threshold of the solubility of the envelope material for the unit dose article too.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the envelope material 110 can also depend on the overall water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation and, for example, be in the range discussed above. In particular, limitations in water content within the unit dose article too can vary from o - 20%. In some embodiments, the water content of the cosmetic formulation 120 can be smaller than 20 %, or between 0% and 8.5 %, between 0% and 4.8 % and even essentially 0%, or between 4.8 % and 8.5 %.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the envelope material 110 can be an increasing function (as illustrated in Fig. 2a), for instance a linearly increasing function, of the water content of the cosmetic formulation. Fig. 2a) illustrates an exemplary linear correlation (solid line) and an exemplary non-linear correlation (dashed line) of thickness of the envelope material no and water content of the cosmetic formulation 120.

Alternatively or additionally, a porosity of the envelope material may be a decreasing function (as illustrated in Fig. 2b), for example a linearly decreasing function, of the water content of the cosmetic formulation. Fig. 2b) illustrates an exemplary linear correlation (solid line) and an exemplary non-linear correlation (dashed line) of porosity of the envelope material and water content of the encapsulated cosmetic formulation 120.

Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate further exemplary unit dose articles too according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the unit dose article too can comprise two or more different compartments comprising different cosmetic formulations or additives and / or active ingredients. Fig. 3a) and b) illustrate the exemplary unit dose articles too, having a first liquid cosmetic formulation 120 in a first compartment 310 and a second liquid cosmetic formulation 220 in a second compartment 320.

Conditioning agents and other materials can be compartmentalized but are not limited to separation. In some embodiments, the first compartment 310 can be provided with a color/oil blend of direct dyes and customer specific oils (like argan, sunflower, etc.), wherein the second compartment 320 can be provided with active ingredients like conditioning agents or consumer specific proteins. Furthermore, using multiple compartments allows for more intricate pod designs based on the aesthetic and intent that the customer desires to portray.

As illustrated in Figs. 3a) and b), the different compartments can vary in appearance, size and / or shape. In some embodiments, an adaptable appearance of the unit dose article allows providing a design with an increased envelope-stability and reduced material consumption for the envelope. In some embodiments the envelope material 110 of at least one of the compartments, for example, but not limited to, the first compartment 310 dissolves faster than the envelope material of another compartment, for example, but not limited to, the second compartment 320 when brought into contact with the cosmetic base product. This can allow, for example, to ensure a successive reaction and or mixing of different components with the base product. For instance, in this manner a viscosity adjustment agent or a similar mixing agent can be released first into the base product changing its chemical and / or physical properties to enhance subsequent release and mixing of the viscous cosmetic formulation that adds the cosmetic function to the base product.

The present disclosure further relates to a use of the unit dose article too as discussed above for adding a cosmetic function to (or altering the existing cosmetic function of) a viscous (e.g., aqueous) cosmetic base product when dissolved and mixed with a quantity of the cosmetic base product.

For instance, the unit dose article ioo can be used to transform a hair care product into a hair coloring product (i.e., a product having the added cosmetic function of hair coloring) when dissolved and mixed with a suitable quantity of the hair care base product. For instance, the hair care product can comprise at least one of a shampoo, a conditioner, or a hair mask. For example, when the cosmetic base product corresponds to the hair care product (for example, but not limited to, shampoo or hair mask, etc.), a cosmetic function of hair coloring can be added by dissolving the unit dose article 100 comprising a color/oil blend of direct dyes and customer specific oil (argan, sunflower, etc.) in the hair care product e.g., as illustrated in Table 1 above. Furthermore, using the unit dose article 100, as specified in the present disclosure, allows converting the existing product (suitable brand of shampoo, conditioner, or hair mask) into a color delivery product. In some examples, the unit dose article too with a volume of approximately 5 ml can be added to 250 ml of shampoo, or the unit dose article too with a volume of approximately 2 ml can be applied to 200 ml of conditioner. Increasing the number of the unit dose articles too (i.e., pods) or decreasing the amount of cosmetic base product will increase the intensity of the hair dying process. Decreasing the number of pods or increasing the amount of cosmetic base product will reduce the intensity of the final result.

In general, such unit dose articles too can be applied for both in-home and in-salon.

For these reasons, this present disclosure allows to fulfill consumer hair coloring requirements while allowing for the use of personal choice in shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask. The unit dose articles too as disclosed herein also have the potential for in-salon application as most stylists have a preference in brand for shampoos and conditioners. This concept would allow the stylist to continue their preferred brand use, while conveniently applying a pre-measured hair color of choice. The hair care product can comprise a cream base formulation. The cream base formulation can comprise a highly alkaline cream formula or a formula containing an alkalizing agent and/ or the liquid cosmetic formulation comprises a carrier oil. Utilizing a carrier oil or fluid, it is possible to deliver selected oxidative hair dyes comprised in the unit dose article too to a cosmetic base product (cream base formulation for hair color purposes, in particular the purpose of permanently dying hair).

Using the unit dose article 100 as described herein, allows a fresh color application, wherein the dyes and formulants are protected from decomposition. In particular, the shelf-life of base is increased, as storing the base together with dyes can destabilize the finished product. The post-adding of dyes to cream base formulations allows less constraints for storage (e.g., for water-based formular) and allows the consumer to mix and match more easily for custom coloring. Furthermore, the mechanism of oxidation is delayed until application. An example of a viscous cosmetic formulation for permanently dying hair (oxidative hair dye) is given in Table 2.

For the purpose of permanently hair dying, the unit dose article too comprising the oxidative, or semi-permanent hair dye is dissolved and mixed with a quantity of the cosmetic base product, e.g., a cream base formulation, like a highly alkaline cream base formula or a formula containing an alkalizing agent for hair color purposes. An exemplary a cream base formulation is given in Table 3:

For instance, one unit dose article too can be mixed with 50 ml cream base formulation or any other suitable amount. Further, the amount of cream base can be increased / decreased in the mixture to achieve a lighter / darker hair color. Further, the cosmetic base product can comprise or can be mixed with a hair color developer agent, e.g., contained in one compartment of a multi-compartment pod. In other embodiments, a recommended quantity of hair color developer agent can be added to the mixed cream base formulation via the unit dose article too.

In other embodiments, encapsulated (skin) pigment concentrates can be used as viscous cosmetic formulation to allow a user to create a customized facial make-up foundation using unpigmented finished formulas. The pigments can include but are not limited to iron oxides, lakes, titanated micas, D&C dyes, and FD&C dyes.

Furthermore, the present disclosure also relates to a hair color delivery system, which can comprise a hair care product and the unit dose article too transforming the hair care product into a hair color product.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the unit dose article too can be inserted into and mixed 410 with a suitable amount of hair care product, e.g., in an original hare care product container 415 to transform 420 the conventional hare care product into a hair coloring composition 425.

The terms and terminology used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include, such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any form contain, such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Therefore, any method, process, composition, product, or device that "comprises", "has", "includes" or "contains" one or more steps, components, or elements possesses at least those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps, components, or elements in all embodiments. Likewise, a step of a method or process or an element or component of a composition, product, or device that "comprises", "has", "includes" or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features in all embodiments. Finally, a composition, product, or device that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but can also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The foregoing description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications within the scope of the invention may be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

Claims l. A unit dose article including a cosmetic function, the unit does article comprising: an envelope material; and a viscous cosmetic formulation, encapsulated within the envelope material, wherein the envelope material is configured to dissolve when brought in contact with a viscous cosmetic base product to release the viscous cosmetic formulation into the viscous cosmetic base product; and wherein the viscous cosmetic formulation is configured to mix with the viscous cosmetic base product and to do at least one of add the cosmetic function of the unit dose article to the viscous cosmetic base product and alter an existing cosmetic function of the viscous cosmetic base product.

2. The unit dose article of claim 1, wherein the viscous cosmetic base product comprises a hair care product; and / or the envelope material comprises gelatin, cellulose or polyvinyl alcohol, PVA; and

/ or the viscous cosmetic formulation comprises a hair color formulation or a hair color concentrate.

3. The unit dose article of claim l or 2, wherein at least one of a water content of the encapsulated viscous cosmetic formulation, a thickness of the envelope material, and a porosity of the envelope material is configured to avoid degeneration of the envelope material under normal atmospheric conditions, and to facilitate dissolving of the envelope material when brought in contact with the viscous cosmetic base product.

4. The unit dose article of claim 3, wherein the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation is configured to be inversely related or negatively correlated to the water content of a target viscous cosmetic base product to facilitate dissolving of the envelope material.

5· The unit dose article of any of claims 3 or 4, wherein the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation is smaller than 20

%, preferably between 0% and 8.5 %, more preferably between 0% and 4.8 % and even more preferably essentially 0%; or wherein the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation is between 4.8 % and 8.5 % and / or wherein the thickness of the envelope material is in the range of 1 pm to too pm, or 10 pm to too pm; and / or wherein the porosity of the envelope material is in the range of 5% to 50%; or wherein the envelope material is essentially non-porous.

6. The unit dose article of any of the preceding claims 3 - 5, wherein the thickness of the envelope material is an increasing function or a linearly increasing function of the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation.

7. The unit dose article of any of the preceding claims 3 - 6, wherein a porosity of the envelope material is a decreasing function or a linearly decreasing function of the water content of the viscous cosmetic formulation.

8. The unit dose article of any of the previous claims, wherein the viscous cosmetic formulation comprises at least one of a hair dye, a color/oil blend, an oxidative hair dye, or a semi-permanent hair dye. 9. The unit dose article of any of the previous claims, comprising two or more different compartments comprising one of different cosmetic formulations, additives, and active ingredients.

10. The unit dose article of claim 9, wherein the different compartments vary in at least one of an appearance, a size, a shape, and wherein the envelope material of at least one of the compartments is configured to dissolve faster than the envelope material of another compartment when brought into contact with the viscous cosmetic base product. 11. A method of use of a unit dose article of any of the preceding claims for at least one of adding a cosmetic function to a viscous cosmetic base product when dissolved and mixed with a quantity of the viscous cosmetic base product, and altering an existing cosmetic function of a viscous cosmetic base product when dissolved and mixed with a quantity of the viscous cosmetic base product.

12. A method of use of a unit dose article of any of the preceding claims 2 - 10 for transforming a hair care product into a hair coloring product when dissolved and mixed with a quantity of the hair care product.

13. The method of use of the unit dose article according to claim 12, wherein the hair care product comprises at least one of a cream base formulation, a shampoo, a conditioner and a hair mask. 14. The method of use of the unit dose article of claim 13, wherein the cream base formulation comprises at least one of a highly alkaline cream formula or a formula containing an alkalizing agent, and the viscous cosmetic formulation comprises a carrier oil.

15- Use of the unit dose article of 13 or 14: wherein the viscous cosmetic base product comprises a hair color developer agent. i6. A cosmetic function delivery system comprising: a viscous cosmetic base product, configured to provide a first cosmetic function; and a unit dose article according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 10 configured to provide at least one of a second cosmetic function, and an altering of the first cosmetic function of the viscous cosmetic base product.

17. A hair color delivery system comprising: a hair care product; and a unit dose article according to any of the preceding claims 2 - 10 configured to transform the hair care product into a hair color product.