JP2006513022A - Cosmetic spray generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

(I) mechanically pressurizing a free flowing liquid cosmetic composition to a pressure of 1.0 to less than 5.0 MPa; (ii) moving the composition through a vortex chamber; and (iii) 100 to 200. Spraying the liquid cosmetic composition onto the surface of the human body, comprising discharging the composition onto the surface of the human body through a micron outlet nozzle.

Description

  This description is in the field of cosmetic spray products and spray generation methods. In particular, the invention relates to generating a spray of a liquid cosmetic composition without using a volatile propellant gas.

  In the prior art cosmetic spray tools, various means for generating a spray are utilized. One widely used option is to formulate a liquid cosmetic composition with a volatile propellant gas, such as a liquefied hydrocarbon or chlorofluorocarbon. However, it has become increasingly recognized that the addition of VOC / greenhouse gas to the atmosphere has detrimental consequences for the environment, and another means of spray generation is sought.

  As an alternative to the use of volatile propellant gas, a cosmetic spray can be generated by ejecting the liquid cosmetic composition through a nozzle using mechanical pressure. Currently marketed cosmetic spray tools that operate in this manner include squeeze sprays and trigger sprays. Unfortunately, such devices tend not to produce well-characterized sprays, in part as a result of the limited pressure that can be applied to the composition. Due to the poor spray characteristics, it is often felt uncomfortable when applied to the human body.

  A higher pressure can be generated by the spring drive mechanism. Devices incorporating such mechanisms are used as “inhalers” to deliver medication through the respiratory tract. Such devices are described in US Pat. No. 5,331,954 (Novo Nordisk, A / S, 1994), US Pat. No. 6,109,479 (Bespak plc, 2000), and WO 91/14468 (Dune Miller Weston Ltd., 1991). Year) and references cited in these patents.

  Unfortunately, these publications do not contain any description of how a cosmetic spray suitable for application to the human body surface can be generated. The devices described in these publications are above the pressure that would be desirable in a cosmetic spray applicator and / or at a pressure that would not deliver a spray with sufficient flow rate or spray characteristics when applied in cosmetics. Operate.

In the first aspect of the present invention,
(I) mechanically pressurizing the free flowing liquid cosmetic composition to a pressure of 1.0 to less than 5.0 MPa;
(Ii) moving the composition through a swirl chamber; and (iii) ejecting the composition onto a human surface through a 100 to 200 micron exit nozzle;
A method of spraying a liquid cosmetic composition onto a human body surface is provided.

  In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product comprising a free-flowing liquid cosmetic composition and a hand-held spraying tool suitable for spraying the composition on a human body, the tool comprising the A pre-atomization chamber of a cosmetic composition, means for pressurizing the cosmetic composition to 1.0 to less than 5.0 MPa, for the cosmetic composition leading from the pre-atomization chamber to a vortex chamber The vortex chamber has a 100-200 micron outlet nozzle for the spray produced by the cosmetic composition.

  Throughout this specification, reference to application to the body surface should be understood to mean application exclusively to the skin and / or hair. Preferably such application should be a non-intervening application. The products and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for application to human skin.

  The present invention describes a method for producing a cosmetic spray that gives a good feel when applied to the human body without the use of a volatile propellant gas. A good feel results from the good spray characteristics achieved by the combination of the appropriate device components and the appropriate mechanical pressure described herein. Furthermore, according to the present invention, cosmetic spray can be applied to the human body surface at an appropriate flow rate.

  The benefits of proper flow rate and good spray properties are very advantageous in the application of liquid cosmetic compositions to the human body surface. Consumers are eager to apply products, often quick, that can be achieved at the right flow rates, and good spray characteristics provide the sensory or “comfortable to use” advantage. A spray with poor properties contains large droplets and often feels cold and damp when applied to the human body, but the spray produced by the present invention gives a good feel.

  Mechanical pressurization of a liquid cosmetic composition requires a mechanical force that is applied to the composition in some way. It is not sufficient that the composition is pressurized simply by the presence of the liquefied volatile propellant gas as a component of the composition. In practice, it is preferred that the composition does not contain such components. The pressure generated must be at least 1.0 MPa, preferably at least 1.5 MPa, more preferably at least 2.0 MPa, and the maximum pressure is less than 5.0 MPa, preferably less than 4.5 MPa, more preferably Must be less than 3.5 MPa.

  In a second aspect of the invention, the liquid cosmetic composition is retained in the pre-atomization chamber just prior to being forced through the transfer conduit into the vortex chamber. Usually, the liquid cosmetic composition in the pre-atomization chamber is not pressurized until the latching means is released and an applied pressure is generated and the composition is pushed away from the pre-atomization chamber.

  In many embodiments, the mechanical pressing of the liquid cosmetic composition is achieved by a distorted spring. The consumer usually needs to distort the spring each time before using the product to produce a cosmetic spray. In a preferred embodiment, the spring is distorted by manipulation of the lever; moving the lever distorts the spring. In such embodiments, the latching means can hold the spring in a distorted state, and the latching means is released when it is desired to apply pressure to the liquid cosmetic composition using the distorted spring. .

  The vortex chamber is an important element of the present invention. This promotes atomization of the composition as it exits the exit nozzle by swirling the liquid cosmetic composition. A typical vortex chamber has one or more radial inlet holes or slots. Preferably. Such holes or slots are arranged tangentially to the cross section of the vortex chamber, which cross section is preferably essentially circular. In order to obtain the best effect, there are preferably more than two holes or slots, in particular two to four, which are present at the bottom of the vortex chamber, i.e. farthest from the outlet nozzle. The plurality of inlets, if present, are arranged and arranged to encourage vortexing in the same direction (whether it is clockwise or counterclockwise).

  The exit nozzle from the vortex chamber is typically of circular cross section with a diameter of 100 to 200 microns. The exit nozzle represents the exit orifice from the vortex chamber and is pressurized and swirled to atomize the liquid cosmetic composition exiting the vortex chamber.

  The relative sizes of the inlet to the vortex chamber and the outlet from the vortex chamber can affect the characteristics of the resulting spray. The total cross sectional area of the inlet is preferably larger than the cross sectional area of the outlet nozzle, in particular the inlet: outlet area ratio, ie the ratio of the total cross sectional area of the inlet to the area of the outlet nozzle is from 2.5: 1. 3: 1 is preferred. In determining the referenced cross-sectional area, the minimum value of the inlet / outlet area connected to the vortex chamber having a space that is not a vortex chamber should be employed.

  The liquid cosmetic composition used according to the present invention is free flowing. In the present invention, free-flowing should be understood to represent a liquid cosmetic composition that swirls when introduced into a vortex chamber at a temperature of 20 ° C. and under a pressure of 1.0 to 5.0 MPa. is there. Suitable compositions are 0.8 mPa · s to 200 mPa · s, especially 1 mPa · s to 100 mPa · s, especially 1 mPa · s, measured at a shear rate of 100 / s and a temperature of 20 ° C. To 50 mPa · s. The surface tension of the liquid cosmetic composition is usually 23 to 100, in particular 30 to 80, in particular 30 to 50 mN / m at a temperature of 20 ° C.

  Liquid cosmetic compositions sprayed according to the present invention often contain C2 to C4 alcohols such as ethanol, propylene glycol, propanol, or isopropanol. Particularly good sensory benefits can be realized when such compositions are used. The composition may comprise C2 to C4 alcohol at a level of 1% to 99%, in particular 1% to 50%, in particular 5% to 15%, based on the weight of the composition.

  The composition may contain water in an amount of 1% to 99% by weight, in particular 25% to 99% by weight, in particular 50% to 99% by weight. The maximum level is preferably up to 95% by weight, especially when a preferred minimum level of 50% by weight of water is applied. The composition used can be a solution or an emulsion, in particular an oil-in-water emulsion.

  Suitable cosmetic compositions include hair sprays, body sprays, deodorants, antiperspirants, and perfumes. Body spray is particularly appropriate.

  Large flow rates, for example from 0.1 g / s to 1.0 g / s, in particular from 0.2 g / s to 0.6 g / s can be achieved while maintaining good spray properties. The spray characteristics can be defined by the fineness of the droplets realized and / or by the narrowness of the droplet size distribution of the droplets. In many applications it is desirable to achieve a Sauter D [4,3] average droplet size of 7 μm to 60 μm, in particular 10 μm to 50 μm, in particular 15 μm to 35 μm. More preferably, in each of the preferred ranges of Sauter D [4,3] shown above, the Sauter D [3,2] average droplet size is also within the same range. The measurement is also carried out on the volume median diameter of the droplets (Sauter D [v, 0.5]), which is preferably 7 μm to 60 μm, in particular 10 μm to 50 μm, in particular 15 μm to 35 μm. . Regarding the narrowness of the droplet size distribution, the distance between the value of Sauter D [v, 0.1] and the value of Sauter D [v, 0.9] is 50 microns or less, more preferably 45 microns or less, In particular, it is preferably 40 microns or less.

  The droplet size measurements referred to herein can be performed using standard equipment based on light scattering methods.

  The invention will now be more specifically illustrated by the description of specific embodiments of suitable spraying tools and the description of specific embodiments of suitable nozzle assemblies (described below). Reference is made to FIGS.

(Brief description of the drawings)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a particular embodiment of a spraying device suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the center of a particular embodiment of a nozzle assembly suitable for use with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the center of the upper portion (22) of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG.
4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the center of the lower portion (23) of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the lower portion (23) of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG.

  The spray tool shown in FIG. 1 is similar in many respects to the tool described in the aforementioned WO 91/14468. It comprises a body (1), in which a circular cross-section cylinder (2) is defined, in which is mounted a reciprocating piston (3). The cylinder (2) leads to a pre-atomization chamber (4) with a small cross section. The piston (3) has a small diameter part (5), and the plastic sealing cap or ring on the piston part (5) allows the part (5) to fit snugly within the pre-atomization chamber (4). Get stuck.

  The compression spring (6) is located in the cylinder (2) between the thick part of the piston (3) and the end wall surface on the opposite side of the cylinder (2). An operating rod (7) is coupled to the piston (3), passes through the spring (7) and penetrates the passage (8) of the body (1). The rod (7) is latched into the latching means (9) attached to the main body (1), and the rod (7) is latched at the position where the surrounding spring (6) is compressed (ie, distorted). Fix (latch). The rod (7) is connected to one end of the lever (10) by a pivot (11) at a position outside the tool body (1). The lever (8) passes over a fulcrum (12) attached to the body (1) at a position close to the latching means (9). In order to release the latching means (9), a start or trigger push button (13) is provided.

  Also defined within the body (1) is a cavity (14) in which a wilting bag (15) containing a liquid cosmetic composition (16) is contained. The interior of the bag (15) leads to an inlet passage (17), which in turn leads to a chamber (4) via a check valve (18).

  Coupled to the chamber (4) is an outlet passage or transfer conduit (19) to the nozzle assembly (20) via a valve (21) that functions as a check valve and a pressure relief valve.

  The nozzle assembly shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is believed to be suitable for use with the spray tool shown in FIG. The nozzle assembly has a circular cross section and comprises an upper part (22) and a lower part (23). The top surface (38) of the lower part (23) fits securely on the bottom surface (29) of the upper part (22). The vortex chamber (30) comprises a lower cylinder part (37) and an upper frusto-conical part (31), as will be explained below, with the upper part (22) of the nozzle assembly and the lower part. It is defined between the side part (23).

  The upper part (22) of the nozzle assembly is shown in FIG. 3 and comprises a circular cross section cylinder (24) into which the lower part (23) fits snugly. Above the cylinder (24) is the uppermost part (25) of the upper part, a conical cut (27) is defined in the surface of the uppermost part (25), and an outlet orifice / There is a nozzle (28). The bottom surface (29) of the upper portion (22) is defined with a smaller frustoconical cut (30), the end of which is connected to the central outlet orifice / nozzle (28). Yes. The smaller conical cut (30) defines the upper portion of the vortex chamber (31) shown in FIG.

  The lower portion (23) of the nozzle assembly is shown in FIGS. It comprises a cylinder (32) with a circular cross section, whose outer surface is bevelled at the top (33) and whose diameter is small at its lower end (34). The liquid cosmetic composition passes from the pre-atomization chamber (4) through the transfer conduit (19) and the opening in the lower surface (36) of the lower part (23) of the nozzle assembly to the lower side of the nozzle assembly. Move to chamber (35) of part (23). From this latter chamber (35), the liquid cosmetic composition is pumped upwards through circular cross-section transfer tubes (39) and (40). At the lower end of the transfer pipes (39) and (40), the outer part of the transfer pipes (39) and (40) is semicircular cuts (41A) and (41B) that are inclined to the side wall of the chamber (35). It is connected to.

  The transfer tubes (39 and 40) lead to the recessed portion (42) of the uppermost surface (38) of the lower portion (23) of the nozzle assembly, as shown in FIG. The recessed portion (42), along with the bottom surface (29) of the upper portion (22) of the nozzle assembly, is arranged to encourage swirling in the same direction (in FIG. 5, clockwise when viewed from above). Two rectangular cross-sectional passages (43 and 44) leading to the lower part (37) of the vortex chamber (31) through the two tangential inlet slots (45 and 46) formed. The ratio of the total cross sectional area of the two inlet slots (45 and 46) to the area of the outlet nozzle (28) is 2.7: 1.

A series of experiments were performed using 100, 150, and 200 micron sized exit nozzles using the vortex chamber shown in FIGS. The following liquid cosmetic model compositions were used (details in Table 1):
1: Deodorant base composition;
2: hydroalcoholic solution antiperspirant composition;
3: Oil-in-water emulsion antiperspirant composition;
4: 50 mPa · s standard

  For each of the liquid compositions, Schmidt, Kranz & Co. The pressure shown in Table 2 was applied using a G15 DVE maximeter (Maximator®) high pressure pump manufactured by GmbH. Table 2 shows the spray data for Compositions 1 and 3 with a 100 micron nozzle, Composition 2 with a 200 micron nozzle, and Composition 4 with a 150 micron nozzle. Yes. Particle size measurements were performed using a Malvern Mastersizer light scattering instrument.

  Table 2 shows the excellent spray characteristics that can be achieved by using the present invention. Significantly, the flow rate and spray characteristics (both in terms of droplet fineness and droplet size distribution) are inferior when operated at 0.69 MPa, ie outside the scope of the present invention. Good results were obtained when operating within the scope of the present invention using each of the compositions in Table 1 and any nozzle examined.

  Experiments similar to those described above were performed to contrast the spray characteristics achieved with the present invention with those achieved using a standard nozzle with a 270 micron nozzle. In these experiments, ethanol was used as a liquid cosmetic model composition. The results are shown in Table 3 and show the excellent spray characteristics achieved by the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a particular embodiment of a spraying device suitable for use in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the center of a particular embodiment of a nozzle assembly suitable for use with the present invention. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the center of the upper portion (22) of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the center of the lower portion (23) of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the lower portion (23) of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG.

Claims (10)

(I) mechanically pressurizing the free flowing liquid cosmetic composition to a pressure of 1.0 to less than 5.0 MPa;
(Ii) moving the composition through a vortex chamber; and (iii) discharging the composition through a 100 to 200 micron outlet nozzle;
A method for spraying a liquid cosmetic composition onto a human body surface.   The method of claim 1, wherein the vortex chamber has one or more radial inlet holes or slots disposed tangentially to a cross section of the vortex chamber.   The method of claim 2, wherein the total cross-sectional area of the inlet (s) is greater than that of the outlet nozzle.   The method of claim 3, wherein the inlet: outlet area ratio of the vortex chamber is from 2.5: 1 to 3: 1.   5. A method according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the vortex chamber has between two and four inlet holes or slots.   6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the free flowing liquid cosmetic composition is mechanically compressed to a pressure of 1.5 to 3.5 MPa.   A free-flowing liquid cosmetic composition and a hand-held spraying tool suitable for spraying the composition on a human body, the tool being a pre-atomization chamber for the cosmetic composition, the cosmetic composition Means for pressurizing to a pressure of 1.0 to less than 5.0 MPa, a transfer conduit for the cosmetic composition leading from the pre-atomization chamber to the vortex chamber, wherein the vortex chamber is formed of the spray produced by the cosmetic composition Product with an outlet nozzle of 100-200 microns for.   8. The product of claim 7, wherein the means for pressurizing the cosmetic composition is a distorted spring.   9. The method of claim 8, wherein the spring is distorted by manipulating a lever.   10. A product as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the cosmetic composition is pressurized following release of the latching means.

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