GB2167429A - Shaving gel and package - Google Patents

Abstract

A shaving gel comprises: 0.05 to 2% of a carboxypolymethylene; 5 to 50% of a lower alkanol; up to 3% of an antipruritic agent; up to 0.5% of a preservative agent; up to 0.5% of a chelating agent; up to 0.5% of a neutralizing agent; up to 10% of a solubiliser; and up to 5% of a perfume. A package comprises the gel in a sachet and optionally includes a substrate for applying the gel, a bladed razor, and a disposable towel for wiping off the gel.

Description

SPECIFICATION Shaving gel and package The present invention relates to a shaving gel and to a shaving package including a shaving gel.

At present there are two accepted shaving methods, generally referred to as the 'wet' and 'dry' shaving methods. The 'dry' shaving method uses an electric shaver which may be operated from a mains electricity supply or by batteries. The use of an electric shaver, especially a battery operated shaver, is very convenient, particularly for people on journeys.

However, many people are not satisfied with the quality of the shave given by an electric shaver, which often leaves a rough feeling on the skin. Moreover, it is frequently difficult to shave properly all the desired areas of the skin because of the shape of the electric shaver.

The alternative 'wet' shaving method involves the use of a blade-type razor, for instance of the cut-throat or safety varieties.

However, it is necessary to soften the skin and hair to be shaved in order to enable the razor to operate efficiently. Originally, this was achieved by use of a soap-and-water lather.

This method is still used, but has been supplemented with the use of non-lathering shaving soaps and aerosol foam shaving soaps.

However, with both these developments it is preferable to moisten the area to be shaved before application of the soap and it is generally necessary to wash away excess soap after the area has been shaved. This is somewhat inconvenient especially for people on journeys, as it is necessary to have access to a water supply to be able to carry out a satisfactory wet shave. The quality of a wet shave, however, is generally far superior to that of a dry shave, and it is usually possible to shave all of the desired area by appropriate manipulation of the razor.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a shaving package which at least in part is as convenient to use as a dry shaver but which gives a shave of comparable quality to a wet shave.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a shaving gel comprising: 0.05 to 2% of a carboxypolymethylene; 5 to 50% of a lower alkanol; up to 3% of an antipruritic agent; up to 0.5% of a preservative agent; up to 0.5% of a chelating agent; up to 0.5% of a neutralizing agent; up to 10% of a solubiliser; and up to 5% of a perfume, the remainder of the gel comprising water.

In this specification, all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

The carboxypolymethylene may be any of those vinyl polymers with active carboxyl groups known in the cosmetic art. A particularly preferred such polymer is sold under the designation Polyacrylic Acid (Carbopol 940) by B.F. Goodrich Chemicals Limited. Preferably, the gel comprises 1% of the carboxypoly-methylene.

The lower alkanol is preferably ethanol and the gel comprises 27% thereof. However, the lower alkanol may also be, for instance a propanol, such as isopropanol, a butanol, such as n-butanol, or an amyl alcohol.

The antipruritic agent may be present to prevent as far as possible the skin from feeling rough or itchy after the shaving. Any of the known antipruritic agents may be used.

However a particularly preferred antipruritic agent is menthol especially in view of its pleasant odour. Preferably the gel comprises from 1 to 2% of the antipruritic agent.

It is preferred that the gel comprises at least 0.1 % of a preservative agent, which may be a single compound of a mixture of compounds. A preferred preservative agent is 4hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester (methylparaben). Advantageously, the gel comprises 0.2% methylparaben.

Preferably, the gel contains at least 0.05% of a chelating agent to chelate and thus solubilize the various ionic impurities, such as calcium magnesium or manganese ions, which may be introduced into the gel. A suitable chelating agent is ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) which is conveniently present at a level of 0.1%.

The neutralizing agent is preferably present in an amount of about 0.1%. Any of the neutralizing agents known in the cosmetic art may be used, but it is preferred that it is lower alkanolamine such as monoethanolamine or monoisopropylamine. Preferably the gel comprises 0.1% monoisopropylamine.

The solubiliser need only be present if any of the other components of the gel are to any extent incompatible. However, in most cases it is desirable to have a solublizer in the gel at a level of at least 2%. Any of the solubilizers known in the cosmetic art may be used. A preferred solubiliser is PEG 60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Akyporox C0600) supplied by Chemische Fabriek of Emmerich, West Germany.

The gel need not contain a perfume, particularly if the antipruritic agent is menthol. However, if it is desired to add an odour to the gel or mask the menthol odour of a gel containing it, any suitable perfume may be used.

Such perfumes are well known in the cosmetic art and therefore need no further description.

The gel may also, if necessary, contain an U/V stabilizer.

Preferably, the gel does not contain any fillers or colouring agents so that the gel is transparent. However, if desired, conventional fillers and/or colouring agents may be used to provide an unusual aesthetic effect to the gel.

If a filler or colouring agent is used, it should be ensured that its addition does not adversely affect the required properties of the gel.

The gel should have such a viscosity that when applied to an area of skin to be shaved it should not readily flow off, but preferably should not be so viscous that it cannot be absorbed on a substrate of the type described below. The viscosity of the gel may be adjusted by varying the amount of the carboxypolymethylene therein.

The gel is used by applying it to the area to be shaved as set out below. The properties of the gel are such that it will cling to the area to be shaved and wet and soften both the skin and the hair in that area. The area may then be shaved using a conventional bladed razor. Any excess gel may then be wipped off. Thus, the use of the gel eliminates the need to use any water, yet provides a shave of comparable quality to a wet shave. An additional advantage of the gel is that it 'freshens up' the person using it as it also is effective in removing sweat and dirt from the area to which it is applied.

Preferably the gel is used in a disposable shaving package comprising a sealed sachet containing the gel, which may, if desired, be absorbed on a substrate. The substrate preferably comprises a woven, non woven or knitted fabric which, if desired, may be adhesively bonded or rubberised. A suitable rubberised nonwoven fabric is sold under the trade name 'Spontex'. However, it is preferred that the substrate is nonrubberised non woven fabric, conveniently having a basis weight of about 50g.

The present invention also provides a shaving package comprising a sealed sachet containing a shaving gel, which may, if desired, be absorbed onto a substrate.

If the gel is not absorbed onto a substrate, the package may include a dry substrate for use in applying the gel to the area to be shaved. Any of the substrates mentioned above may be used, but it would also be possible to use a crepe or semi-crepe paper of equivaient basis weight.

In use, the substrate with the gel absorbed or poured onto it will be wiped over the area to be shaved. It is therefore necessary for the substrate to have sufficient structural integrity for it to be able to withstand such use when wet. In particular, since the area to be shaved will have on it bristles or hairs, the substrate should have such properties as to ensure as far as possible that small pieces thereof are not torn off by the hairs or bristles.

The sachet may comprise an envelope of a water-proof paper, for instance of aluminiumlined paper or of a polymeric film, for instance of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene or polyester. Conveniently the film is a Cellophsne film. (Cellophane is a registered trade mark).

Alternatively the sachet may comprise a moulded tray sealed by a polymeric film, for instance of any of the materials referred to above. The tray may comprise moulded water proofed cardboard, or a moulded polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene.

Preferably, the shaving package also includes a disposable blade-type razor. The razor may be either held in a second polymeric film envelope which also contains the sachet, or located in a suitable moulded area in the tray and held in place by the polymeric film.

Advantageously, the razor is provided in two parts, being the head part and the handle part, which can be snap fitted together prior to use. This arrangement enables the dimensions of the shaving package to be reduced considerably.

Instructions for use of the shaving package, the manufacturer's name and any trade marks, logos or other such material may be printed on the waterproof paper or on the polymeric film, either on the outer envelope or on the tray. Alternatively, where an outer envelope is used, such material could be printed on acardwhich is inserted with the sachet and the razor in the envelope.

The shaving package may also include or be supplied with a disposable towel to enable the user to wipe the shaved area after use. Since the area will have been shaved and the towel will be dry, the towel will not need to be as strong as the substrate. Thereafter a soft tissue paper or non-woven, woven or knitted fabric may be used.

In use of the shaving package, the user will open the sachet and use the substrate to apply the gel over the area to be shaved. The user will then use the razor to shave the area, and, after shaving will remove any excess gel and any shaved hair remaining on the area by use of the towel. It will therefore be seen that the shaving package may be readily and conveniently used by people or journeys, for instance in cars, aeroplanes, buses or trains, even where there is no readily available water supply, to give a shave of a quality comparable to that of a wet shave.

The gel may also be supplied in a tube or a jar for application by hand or brush respectively. In such cases, the gel may be somewhat more viscous than as used in the shaving package. The jar may be glass, ceramic or plastics. Even with gel supplied in this way, there is no need for access to a water supply, as the gel can be applied and removed readily merely by wiping or brushing.

Some embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only.

Example 1.

To about 30 parts of water are added 1 part of Carbopol 940, 27 parts of ethanol, 1 part of menthol, 0.1 parts of EDTA and 0.2 parts of methylparben. The mixture is stirred until all the components have dissolved and then while the mixture is being stirred, sufficient water to make the total up to 100 parts is added. This forms a clear gel.

Example 2.

The procedure of Example 1 is followed except that additionally 0.1 parts of monoisopropylamine is added to the 30 parts of water. A clear gel was again formed.

Example 3.

The procedure of Example 1 is followed except that 2 parts of menthol and additionally 0.1 parts of monosiopropylamine is added to the 30 parts of water. A clear gel was again formed.

Example 4.

The procedure of Example 1 is followed except that aditionally 0.1 parts of monoisopropylamine and 2.5 parts of perfume and 3.0 parts of Akyporox C0600, a solubiliser, dissolved in 3 parts of ethanol are added to the 30 parts of water. A clear gel was formed.

Example 5.

The procedure of Example 1 is followed except that 35 parts of ethanol are added in place of the 27 parts of ethanol, 2 parts of menthol are added and 0.1 part of monoethanolamine are added to the 30 parts of water.

A clear gel was formed.

Example 6.

About 3ml of a gel prepared according to any one of Examples 1 to 5 was filled into an 8 cm X 6 cm aliminium lined paper envelope which was then sealed to form a sachet.

Example 7.

A 8 cm X 12 cm sheet of 459 basic weight non-woven fabric was saturated with a gel prepared according to any one of Examples 1 to 5. The saturated sheet was then folded up and inserted into 8 cm X 6 cm aluminium lined paper envelope which was then sealed to form a sachet.

Example 8.

A gel saturated fabric sheet was prepared as described in Example 7 above. The sheet was folded up and placed in one compartment of a moulded polyethylene tray. A two-part snap fitting disposable safety razor was placed in a second compartment of the tray.

The compartments of the tray were sealed by applying thereover a Cellophane film. The sealed tray was then wrapped in a sheet of tissue paper.

The gel of any one of Examples 1 to 5 was applied to a man's unshaven face either manually or by brush. The face was shaved using a conventional safety razor and wiped free of excess gel and shaved hair using a towel. The quality of shave was comparable with that given by a conventional wet shave.

After storage for 7 days at room temperature, the sachets of Example 6 were opened and the gel applied to a man's unshaven face manually or by use of a brush. The face was then shaved and wiped as set out above, with similar results.

After storage for seven days at room temperature, the sachets of Example 7 were opened and the gel applied to a man's unshaven face by use of the saturated non-woven fabric. The application did not leave any bits of fabric on the face. The face was then shaved and wiped as set out above, with similar results.

The shaving package of Example 8 was used as follows. The tissue paper sheet was removed from the package and the sealing Cellophane film removed. The gel was applied to a man's unshaven face using the saturated fabric. The application did not leave any bits of fabric on the face. The razor was snap fitted together and used to shave the face, which was then wiped with the tissue paper.

The results where similar to those noted above.

It will thus be seen that the gel of the present invention can be used conveniently to enable a 'wet' quality shave to be obtained in the absence of a supply of water. The gel is particularly useful in the shaving package described above which, it is envisaged, will be of particular use for people on journeys.

It will also be appreciated that the present gel and package can be used not only for Men's facial shaving, but also for shaving other parts of the body, for instance ladies' leg or areas of the body to which sticky plasters are to be applied or on which surgical operations are to be carried out. For the latter operation the whole package may be sterilized by, for instance, ultraviolet radiation or ethylene oxide treatment.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above described examples can be made by the skilled person without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (24)

1. A shaving gel comprising: 0.05 to 2% of a carboxypolymethylene; 5 to 50% of a lower alkanol; up to 3% of an antipruritic agent; up to 0.5% of a preservative agent; up to 0.5% of a chelating agent; up to 0.5% of a neutralizing agent; up to 10% of a solubilizer; and up to 5% of a perfume, the remainder of the gel comprising water.

2. The gel of claim 1 which contains 1% of the carboxypolymethylene.

3. The gel of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lower alkanol is ethanol.

4. The gel of claim 3, which contains 27% ethanol.

5. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 4, which contains from 1 to 2% of the antipruritic agent.

6. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antipruritic agent is menthol.

7. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 6, which contains at least 0.10/o of a preservative agent.

8. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the preservative agent is 4-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester.

9. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 8, which contains at least 0.05% of a chelating agent.

10. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the chelating agent is EDTA.

11. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 10, which contains about 0.1% of a neutralizing agent.

12. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the neutralizing agent is monoisopropylamine.

13. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 12, which contains at least 2% of a solubilizer.

14. The gel of any one of claims 1 to 13, which includes a U/V stabilizer.

15. A shaving package comprising a gel according to any one of claims 1 to 14 contained in a sealed sachet.

16. The shaving package of claim 15, wherein the gel is absorbed on a substrate.

17. The shaving package of claim 15, which includes a substrate for applying the gel.

18. The shaving package of any one of claims 15 to 17 which includes a disposable bladed razor.

19. The shaving package of any one of claims 15 to 18, which includes a disposable towel.

20. The shaving package of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the sachet comprises a sealed envelope.

21. The shaving package of claim 20, wherein the envelope is made of aluminium lined paper.

22. The shaving package of any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the sachet comprises a moulded tray sealed by a polymeric film.

23. A shaving gel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Examples 1 to 5.

24. A shaving package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Examples 6 to 8.