GB2488594A

GB2488594A - Method of drying nail polish using an aerosol-based drying product

Info

Publication number: GB2488594A
Application number: GB201103715A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angela Susan Eisenberg; John Daniel Robert Pickering
Original assignee: 32 DEGREES Ltd
Current assignee: 32 DEGREES Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-04
Filing date: 2011-03-04
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-04
Also published as: GB201103715D0; GB2488594B

Abstract

A method of drying polish applied to nails comprises drying subsequent applications using an aerosol-based drying product, which does not inhibit the adhesion of subsequent applications of polish. The aerosol-based drying product may include 5% to 90% by weight of dimethyl ether, may be substantially oil free, may include a plurality of solvents, each having a different rate of volatility, and may include a propellant that also acts as a solvent.

Description

NAIL POLISH DRYING METHOD AND PRODUCT THEREFOR

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method of drying nail polish and/or to a product for drying nail polish.

Background to the Invention

Polish or enamel applied to finger and toenails can take a considerable time to dry. Obviously this inhibits the activity of those whose nails have just been painted. The general problem has been addressed in a number of ways. US Patent 6,238, 651 and European Patent No. 0 869 764 describe fast drying nail polish compositions however, because a manicurist will typically apply a number of layers of differing enamels, each would have to be of the claimed composition. This limits choice in a field in which widespread choice is expected.

An alternative approach has been to apply drying accelerators to conventional polishes or enamels. Examples of such accelerators are described in Japanese Patent Application JP3081214, Swiss Patent Application CH665771, European Patent Application No. 0 774 173 and US Patent 5,804,169. All of these examples include different types of oils, most commonly silicone oils, and are thus not suitable for use when multiple layers of enamel need to be dried quickly. Further, oils tend to leave a greasy film when used.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and/or composition which will go at least some way in addressing the drawbacks mentioned above; or which will at least provide a novel and useful alternative.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect the invention provides a method of drying polish applied to nails, said method being characterized in that it includes drying subsequent applications using an aerosol-based drying product which does not inhibit the adhesion of subsequent applications of polish.

Preferably each application of polish is dried with said aerosol-based product before the next application.

In a second aspect the invention comprises an aerosol-based nail polish drying product, said drying product including 5% to 90% by weight of dimethyl ether.

Preferably said drying product is substantially oil free.

In a third aspect the invention comprises an aerosol-based nail polish drying product, said drying product including a plurality of solvents, each of said solvents having a different rate of volatility.

Preferably said drying product includes three different solvents.

Preferably one of said solvents comprises dimethyl ether.

Preferably said solvents further comprise isopentane and ethanol.

Preferably said drying product further includes one or more of a UV filter, a fragrance and a cooling active.

In a fourth aspect the invention comprises an aerosol-based nail polish drying product said drying product including a propellant that also acts as a solvent.

Preferably said propellant and solvent comprises or includes dimethyl ether.

Many variations in the way the present invention can be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art. The description which follows is intended as an illustration only of one means of performing the invention and the lack of description of variants or equivalents should not be regarded as limiting. Wherever possible, a description of a specific element should be deemed to include any and all equivalents thereof whether in existence now or in the future.

Description of Working Embodiment

The present invention provides a method of drying polish or enamel applied to finger nails and toe nails. In this context the term nail polish' should be interpreted as including any preparation applied to finger or toe nails to achieve a decorative effect.

The method and compositions herein described allow multiple layers of enamel to be applied in relatively quick succession without detracting from the integrity and performance of the final layer; and without leaving a greasy or slippery residue.

A characterizing feature of the invention is that each layer is dried in a very short time before application of the next layer. Conventionally only final layers have been dried.

The drying composition which enables the method to be performed effectively is preferably in the form of an aerosol and is preferably free of oils and silicone-based compounds.

The drying preparation preferably includes dimethyl ether as the major active ingredient. The dimethyl ether may be present in an amount of between 5% and 90% by weight and, more preferably, between 30% and 50% by weight.

A characteristic feature of the dimethyl ether is that it acts both as the propellant and also as a solvent that contributes to the drying function. Given that dimethyl ether is slightly polar, it is believed to have a degree of solvency in the nail enamel, in contrast to conventional butane or propane propellants, and therefore interacts more effectively with the nail enamel.

In addition to the dimethyl ether the solvent blend may also include one or more additional volatile solvents such as, for example, isopentane and ethanol.

The solvents may be chosen to have different rates of volatility and thus provide a graduated drying function. In this regard, dimethyl ether is highly volatile, isopentane very volatile and ethanol fairly volatile. It is believed that the combination of solvents of differing volatilities gives a drying profile that starts very fast, then slows, then slows further resulting in a tougher enamel through control of the evaporation profile.

It should be understood that alternatives may be provided for the named solvents. For example, ethanol may be substituted by an alcohol of similar volatility such as propanol. Other alcohols may also function effectively but their use may be limited or precluded by toxicity concerns. Pentane is a CS atkane and could be replaced or supplemented by other alkanes of similar volatility. For example n-pentane, which is slightly more volatile than isopentane, and hexanes and butanes.

The relative amounts of the individual solvents is not critical to the invention and will be influenced by the desired characteristics of the final spray product.

For example, higher levels of dimethyl ether will produce a very fine choking spray whilst, if the level of dimethyl ether is too low, the resulting spray will be undesirably wet and coarse.

The drying composition may optionally further include one or more fragrances, UV filters and cooling agents. The fragrance is simply a matter of choice. Benzophenone-3 is a suitable UV filter and may be present in an amount up to about 1%. Menthyl lactate provides a suitable cooling sensation on the skin and, again, may be present in an amount of up to about 1%.

Example

A drying preparation as above described was prepared with the following composition: Dimethyl ether: 40% Isopentane: 34% Ethanol 24.7% Fragrance: 1% Menthyl lactate 0.2% Benzophenone-3: 0.1% The resulting preparation exhibited good stability and dried each layer of enamel in the order of? minutes.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of drying polish applied to nails, said method being characterized in that it includes drying subsequent applications using an aerosol-based drying product which does not inhibit the adhesion of subsequent applications of polish.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein each application of polish is dried with said aerosol-based product before the next application.
3. An aerosol-based nail polish drying product, said drying product including 5% to 90% by weight of dimethyl ether.
4. A drying product as claimed in claim 3 being substantially oil free.
5. An aerosol-based nail polish drying product including a plurality of solvents, each of said solvents having a different rate of volatility.
6. A drying product as claimed in claim 5 including three different solvents.
7. A drying product as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein one of said solvents comprises dimethyl ether.
8. A drying product as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein said solvents further comprise isopentane and ethanol.
9. A drying product as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8 further including one or more of a TJV filter, a fragrance and a cooling active.
10. An aerosol-based nail polish drying product including a propellant that also acts as a solvent.
11. A nail drying product as claimed in claim 10 wherein said propellant and solvent comprises or includes dimethyl ether.