MXPA02001144A - Method for treating and preventing finger disorders. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of preventing or treating finger disorders. Specifically, the present invention relates to improved methods of delivery and application of nail and cuticle treatment compositions. The method comprises the steps of: A.) providing a dispensing device (10) for dispensing a finger treatment composition comprising: i.) housing (20) defining a chamber (21) having a dispensing end (24) and an actuating end (26), said dispensing end having an application portion (84) providing a smooth and even surface distribution of the finger treatment composition; ii.) a piston (40) located within said chamber (21), said piston having a top side (42) facing towards said dispensing end (24) of said housing and having an advancing mechanism (46) opposite said top side, said top side of said piston forming a variable volume portion (22) of said chamber for storing said nail and cuticle composition; and iii.) an adjuster (51) movably mounted to said housing (20) at said actuating end (26), said adjuster engaging said advancing mechanism (46) for advancing said piston (40) directionally toward said dispensing end; wherein the device is pre filled with the finger treatment composition, the finger treatment composition comprising from about 1.0 % to about 99 % of an oily component and wherein the composition contains less than 1.0 % film forming polymer and less than 0,1 % pigment; and B.) dispensing the finger treatment composition from the dispensing device onto the finger or finger nail.

Description

METHOD TO TREAT AND AVOID DISORDERS FINGER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for preventing or treating disorders of fingers. Specifically, the present invention relates to improved methods of delivery and application of compositions for nail and cuticle treatment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is currently a wide variety of treatments for fingers or finger nails on the market. These treatments for nails vary from solely decorative to almost completely medicinal. Ideally, such treatments for fingers or nails should be decorative and medicinal. These two objectives, however, are often difficult to achieve in single-application treatments. For example, decorative nail treatments typically require non-medicinal components, such as film-forming polymers or pigments that are not designed for application to the cuticle or surrounding skin, and often adversely affect such areas of the skin. finger (for example promote dryness).

Nail drug treatments help soften and soften the nail surface. Specifically, such treatments care for and soften the cuticle and surrounding skin tissues while reducing the fragility of the nail itself. This is particularly important for 5 people with dry and brittle nails. Additionally, the application of treatments for fingers or nails should be convenient and controllable. The consumer must maintain control over the amount of treatment applied for efficacy as well as for aesthetic purposes (ie even and uniform applications). Such ease-of-use and control properties also avoid excessively messy applications of the treatment composition and help promote improved compliance by the consumer in relation to the use of such treatments. The inventors of the present have found that the methods of the present invention provide an improved supply of compositions for treatment of fingers or nails, resulting in improved convenience, improved aesthetics and improved compliance by the consumer in relation to said treatments. . Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide new and improved methods for treating or preventing finger disorders, especially nail and cuticle disorders. An additional aspect is to provide methods for moisturizing, softening, and softening the surface of the nails and the skin and tissues surrounding the nail.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide methods for moisturizing, softening, and smoothing the surface of the nails and of the skin and tissues surrounding the nail comprising the application of compositions for treatment of fingers or nails using an application device. improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods for treating or preventing finger disorders comprising the steps of: A) providing a supply device for supplying a finger treatment composition comprising: i) a housing defining a chamber having a supply end and a drive end, said supply end has an application portion and the chamber has an interior surface, the application portion provides a smooth and uniform surface distribution of the finger treatment composition. ii) a piston located within the chamber, the piston is capable of translational movement within said chamber, the piston has an upper side facing toward the supply end of the housing and having a forward advancing mechanism opposite the upper side , the upper side of the piston forms a variable volume portion of the chamber between the chamber and the upper side of the piston, whereby the variable volume portion is for storing the composition for nails and cuticle; and iii) an adjuster movably mounted to the housing and movably engaging with the inner surface of the drive end of the housing, said adjuster engages the advancing mechanism to advance the piston directionally toward the supply end; characterized in that the device is pre-filled with the finger treatment composition, the finger treatment composition comprises from about 1.0% to about 99% of an oily component and in which the composition contains less than 1.0% forming polymer of film; and B) supplying the finger treatment composition from the delivery device to the finger or fingernail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the specification concludes with claims that stand out in particular and distinctly claim the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numbers Identify identical elements and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the delivery device of the present invention; Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the delivery device shown in Figure 1 without the lid; and Figure 3 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the delivery device shown in Figure 1 with the lid installed and having an alternate embodiment of the product elevator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Delivery device With reference to the drawings, a finger treatment delivery device generally 10 is illustrated for supplying a finger treatment composition, such as a fluid, cream, semisolid, gel, paste, liquid, or Similary. The delivery device 10 comprises, in part, an adjuster, which can be a movable hand wheel, indicated generally at 51, movably connected to a housing 20 which is attached to an applicator, generally indicated as 80. The adjuster can be any suitable mechanism for advancing a piston. For example, a push button or thrust-type ratchet advance mechanism are suitable alternatives. A lid 14 having a closed end 17 and an open end 18 is also provided, optionally. The lid 14 is removably connected to the device a-J * h .., *, - a, «» _ *, ~ * ».« fc? ». The supply 10 is, for example, frictionally coupled with the applicator 80. Referring next to FIG. 2, in which a vertical cross-sectional view of the supply device 10, housing 20 is hollow and elongated and has an axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The housing 20 has a chamber 21 therein and includes an open supply end 24 located opposite a drive end 26 with the drive end 26 having an interior surface 28. Preferably the interior surface 28 is cylindrical. Cylindrical, as used herein, refers to a three-dimensional shape that is elongated while also having a generally circular cross-section. Preferably, the inner surface 28 extends from the drive end 26 to the supply end 24 of the housing 20. The cross-sectional shape of the chamber 21 may alternatively be of various shapes, such as oval, rectangular, oblong, irregular or similar. At the driving end 26, the inner surface 28 includes a lip 30 and at least one retainer 32. The retainer 32 comprises a substantially localized indentation, recessed or protruding area on the inner surface 28. The inner surface 28 may include a plurality of recesses. detents 32 and preferably these detents 32 are spaced radially along the inner surface 28. Preferably the lip 30 is positioned adjacent to and aft of the radially spaced detents 32. The dispensing end 24 may include a first reducer 23 which acts to reduce or decrease the cross section through which the product passes when it is supplied. Preferably, the first reducer 23 is frustoconically shaped. Additionally, the supply end 24 of the housing 20 preferably has an outer surface 34 that includes a ridge 36. The outer surface 34 is preferably cylindrical. The housing 20 is preferably constructed of a material such as nylon, acrylonitrilebutadienestyrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), or more preferably, a material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) with ABS, or more preferably, a rubber-modified acrylonitrile copolymer which is available can be used commercially as BAREX.TM 210 of BP. A piston 40 is located within the chamber 21 of the housing 20. This piston 40 is preferably limited to axial or translational movement within the chamber 21 and preferably does not rotate relative to the interior surface 28. The piston 40 has an upper side 42 facing the supply end 24 of the housing 20 and a bottom side 44 opposite the upper side 42. As the piston 40 moves axially within the chamber 21, the upper side 42 of the piston 40 forms a variable volume portion 22 within of the chamber 21. This portion of variable volume 22 is used to store the product to be supplied from the supply device by twisting 10. In a preferred embodiment, the upper side 42 of the piston 40 is provided with a seal edge superior 43 the which sealingly couples the inner surface 28. The bottom side 44 of the piston 40 can also be provided with a lower seal edge 45 which sealingly engages the inner surface 28. Extending radially outward from the upper side 42 and the bottom side 44 of the piston 40, is the upper seal edge 43 and the lower seal edge 45, respectively. Preferably, the upper seal edge 43 and the lower seal edge 45 prevent the product stored in the variable volume portion 22 from leaking past the piston 40 towards the drive end 26 of the housing 20 or any other part of the chamber 21. The sealing coupling and the frictional forces between the upper seal edge 43 and the lower seal edge 45 with the inner surface 28 inhibit the rotation of the piston 40. In this way, the piston 40 is generally limited to translational movement. . These frictional forces can be increased or decreased by varying the amount of surface contact between the upper seal edge 43 or the lower seal edge 45 and the inner surface 28. The housing 20, as shown, is preferably cylindrical in shape. It has a generally circular cross section. Alternatively, the housing 20 may have a generally oval cross section or even an irregular cross section. When the chamber 21 within the housing 20 is of non-circular cross section, the contour or cross-sectional shape of the chamber 21 further prevents rotation of the piston 40, because the piston 40 preferably has the same contour as the chamber 21. Preferably the piston 40 is constructed of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) fluorinated although many other flexible polymers can also be used. As illustrated, the piston 40 also has a threaded rod 46 extending therefrom, opposite the upper side 42. In this manner, the threaded rod 46 extends from the bottom side 44 of the piston 40 towards the end drive 26 of the housing. Preferably the threaded rod 46 is made of an acetal. The upper end 47 of the threaded rod 46 is fixedly adhered to the bottom side 44 of the piston 40. In this way the threaded rod 46 and the piston 40 move in unison and this movement is limited to axial translation. The combination of the piston 40 being adhered to the threaded rod 46 forms a product lifter 48 which functions to move the product by pushing it out of the variable volume portion 22 of the chamber 21 into the housing 20. As seen in Figure 3 , the product lifter 48 can be a single component including the threaded rod 46 being integrally formed with the piston 40. In the preferred embodiment, which is seen in Figure 2, the piston 40 and the threaded rod 46 they can be separate components. In order to limit the axial travel of the product lifter 48, a rod stop 49 can be provided on the threaded rod 46 at the end opposite the upper end 47 of the threaded rod 46. The travel amount of the lifter The product 48 can also be limited by the product elevator 48 or the piston by simply moving to the bottom the variable volume portion 22 of the chamber 21. Alternate methods can be used to limit the axial travel, such as, the threaded rod 46 may be partially coiled, the threaded rod 46 or the piston 40 may be made shorter or longer, the piston 40 may be provided with a projection, on the upper side 42 , or several other methods known in the art to limit the axial travel of similar components. As illustrated in Figure 2, when an adjuster is a hand wheel, an actuator 50 having a threaded opening 52 therethrough is provided on the hand wheel 51. Preferably, the threaded opening 52 is concentric within the actuator 50. The actuator 50 engages the inner surface 28 at the drive end 26 of the housing 20 and is adapted to rotate with respect to the housing 20 in only one direction, this being a direction of Advance. Because the threads on the threaded rod 46 coincide with the threaded opening 52, the threaded rod 46 engages with the threaded opening 52 so that the advancement of the piston 40 towards the supply end 24 of the housing 20 occurs when the actuator 50 rotates, thereby causing the product to be dispensed from the delivery device 10. When used, the hand wheel 51 is preferably a single integral component which includes the actuator 50 and a holding portion 54. As such, the hand wheel 51 includes the actuator 50 having a threaded opening 52 therethrough and has a fastening portion 54 connected to the actuator 50. The fastening portion 54 extends from the drive end 26 of the housing 20 and preferably -'- -t- - «-« - «- < • - - > - has a surface with grooves or grooves in order that the user easily grasps the hand wheel 51. Preferably, a cavity 59 extends axially through the clamping portion 54 of the hand wheel 51 in order to providing access to the threaded opening 52. More preferably, the threaded opening 52 is smaller than the rod stop 49 while the cavity 59 allows the rod stop 49 to pass therethrough. The actuator 50 includes a groove 56 which engages with or is captured by the lip 30 on the inner surface 28 at the drive end 26 of the housing 20 so that the actuator 50 can rotate but can not move axially relative to the interior surface 28. This arrangement allows the rotation of the hand wheel 51 while preventing axial movement of the hand wheel 51. Preferably the hand wheel 51 is formed unitarily using an injection molding process of a plastic material such as ABS which is commercially available as MAGNUM.TM. 9015 of DOW Chemicals or a PP homopolymer or copolymer can also be used with a calcium carbonate filler having a loading level of about 5% to 40% by weight. The actuator 50 on the hand wheel 51 also preferably includes at least one elastic arm 58 which extends radially outwardly therefrom and can be inclined radially towards the inner surface 28. Elastic, as used herein, refers to the nature of the elastic arm 58 that impels it to return to its original position by flexing from its original position. The elastic arms 58 are can better observe with reference to figure 2 in which a complete cross section of the delivery device 10 taken along line 4-4 of figure 2 is shown. Flexible arms 58 couple the retainers 32 located on the surface interior 28 so that the actuator 50 can rotate in a forward direction but not in an opposite direction. Preferably, the actuator 50 has at least two spring arms 58. Most preferably, the spring arms 58 are oriented at an angle directed radially outward toward the inner surface 28 so that the spring arms 58 engage the detents 32 and they are bent inwardly by the detents 32 when the hand wheel 51 rotates in a forward direction. When the hand wheel 51 rotates in the forward direction, the engagement of the threaded rod 46 with the threaded opening 52 causes the piston 40 to move towards the delivery end 24. Any attempted rotation of the wheel hand 51 in the opposite direction is limited and causes the elastic arms 58 to support the detents 32 which prevents rotation of the hand wheel 51 in an opposite direction. Because the hand wheel 51 is limited to rotation only in the forward direction, the product elevator 48 can only move in one direction. Therefore, the delivery device 10 is unidirectional in nature. The hand wheel 51 rotates by the user in order to supply the product in a controlled manner from the delivery device 10. Preferably, the detents 32 are spaced radially around the inner surface 28 and the elastic arms 58 engage and disengage with the detents 32 as the hand wheel 51 rotates in the forward direction. Each coupling of the flexible arms 58 with the detents 32 provides a certain translational movement that increases from the piston 40 and therefore provides an increased movement of the product elevator 48. The radial spacing between the detents 32 may vary to provide more or less axial translation of the piston 40 with each increment of rotation. For example, the detents 32 can be spaced evenly, spaced irregularly or even spaced intermittently at varying distances around the inner surface 28. The amount of product that is supplied from the variable volume portion 22 is controlled by the increasing movement of the piston 40 and a volume that the product is increased, thus achieving a dosage that increases the product. This dosage that is increased helps the user to supply an exact or regulated amount of product and helps to avoid an excess supply that causes disorder or waste. An advantage of this configuration is that an audible sound is produced as the hand wheel 51 rotates in the forward direction. This clicking sound is created when the flexible arm 58 bounces against the detent 32 and makes contact with the inner surface 28 of the housing 20 during rotation of the actuator 50. Additionally, a tactile signal is produced as the hand wheel 51 rotates in the direction of advance. The feeling of intermittent resistance to rotation is created when tension is created by the flexible arm 58 which flexes inwardly while traveling on the inner surface 28 between each retainer 32. This tension is released when the elastic arm 58 bounces outward toward the catch 32. For example, a dose that is increased is achieved by turning the hand wheel 51 a certain number of clicks which can be specified in order to provide an accurate dosage of the product. An applicator 80 can be adhered to the supply end 24 of the housing 20 in fluid communication with the variable volume portion 22 of the chamber 21 so that the product is delivered through the applicator 80. The applicator 80 is hollow and includes a cap 82 and an application portion 84. Preferably the applicator 80 is constructed of a plastic material such as PP, PE, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or even a polyester such as those commercially available as HYTREL.TM. 5526 by DuPont. The bushing 82 is located opposite to the application portion 84 and is adhered to the supply end 24 of the housing 20. The bushing 82 includes an inner surface 85 having a sphere 89. The sphere 89 coincides with the edge 36 on the supply end 24 forming a snap fit coupling 79 between the bushing 82 and the supply end 24 thereby adhering the applicator 80 to the housing 20. The application portion 84 of the applicator 80 has at least one hole 86 therein In order to supply the product through the applicator 80. Preferably hole 86 may have a diameter between 0.25 mm to 5 mm. Referring again to Figure 2, a preferred embodiment is shown in which the application portion 84 has an orifice 86 with fiber bristles 72 extending therethrough. The fiber bristles 72 of this type can be tapered and preferably the fiber bristles 72 have a thickness or diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.05 mm. These fiber bristles 72 can be made of various materials but are preferably made of a plastic such as nylon, and more preferably made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The amount at which the fiber bristles 72 extend beyond the application portion 84 can be easily varied by changing the length of the fiber bristles 72 or the thickness of the appended parts. In this preferred embodiment, which is seen in Figure 2, an inner shoulder 88 and a platform latch 95 are formed within the applicator 80. Preferably the platform latch 95 is axially spaced toward the orifice 86 while also spaced radially toward in from the interior shoulder 88 in a stepped manner. The platform latch 95 is in the form of four struts protruding inward while equally spaced. Alternatively, the platform latch 95 may be in the form of any projection radially inward. A transition piece 90 having an edge 96 extending radially therefrom is cast into the supply end 24 of the housing 20 so that the edge 26 is . captured between the inner shoulder 88 and the supply end 24 of the housing 20. Preferably the edge 96 separates the transition piece 90 at an upper transition 97 and a lower transition 93. The transition piece 90 may be constructed of a fluted HDPE or some other flexible polymer. The transition piece 90 has a conduit 92 therethrough which places the hole 86 and the fiber bristles 72 in fluid communication with the variable volume portion 22 of the chamber 21. Within the conduit 92 a second reducer can be located. 25, similar to the first reducer 23, which acts to reduce or decrease the cross section through which the product passes when it is supplied and thus functions to reduce the flow area through the conduit 92. Preferably, the part Transition 90 is positioned so that it extends through the bushing 82 toward the application portion 84 of the applicator 80. Alternatively, the transition piece 90 having the conduit 92 therethrough may extend through the applicator 80 and beyond the application portion 84. In this preferred embodiment, an annular platform 94 having a central opening therein is fixed to the fiber bristles 72 forming a brush tip 74. The upper transition 97 of the transition piece 90 extends through the central opening in the annular platform 94. The annular platform 94 is captured between the edge 96 on the transition piece 90 and the securing device. platform 95 so that the annular platform 94 places the fiber bristles 72 or brush tip 74 relative to the hole 86 in the application portion 84. ti-La TO? ? -L-t.Aii - »» I. t. -.- Í- ^ ÍLA > . -.-- < .- - - L- J. ^ ,. , J Referring again to Figure 3, the optional cap is shown in the installed position on the applicator 80 of the delivery device 10 thereby sealing the closure hole 86 and the application portion 84 of the applicator 80. Preferably the closed end 17 of the lid 14 is spaced from and does not contact the applicator 80. The lid 14 is removable, as shown in Figure 1. An applicator rib 16 is provided on the applicator 80 and a lid safety rib 19 it is provided on the inside of the lid 14. The lid safety rib 19 may be in the form of an intermittent or continuous projection. When the lid 14 is installed on the applicator 80, the applicator rib 16 and the lid safety rib 19 cooperate to removably secure the lid 14 on the applicator 80. In order to adhere the lid 14 in place on the applicator 80, the open end 18 (FIG. 1) engages the applicator 80 so that the applicator rib 16 engages with the lid safety rib 19. Accordingly, a user can simply flip the lid 14 in place on the applicator 80 when the delivery device 10 it is not in use and can also easily remove the lid 14 in order to have access to the applicator 80. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, the lid safety rib 19 or applicator rib 16 flexes slightly and returns then to its normal position to ensure that the lid 14 remains in place until the user removes the lid 14 in order to supply the product. The interior of the lid 14 is also provided with a seal sphere 15 which is positioned to align with the seal space 81 on the applicator 80. The seal sphere 15 on the lid 14 engages the seal space 81 of the applicator 80 providing a seal coupling of the lid 14 and the applicator 80 so that when the lid 14 is installed on the applicator 80 a seal is created to test of air between the lid 14 and the applicator 80. Accordingly, the lid 14 sealingly couples the bushing 82 on the applicator 80 preventing any product from escaping or drying the product contained within the variable volume portion 22 or device supply 10. Preferably, a uniform or fluid contour is generated between the outside of the lid 14 and the applicator 80 and the housing 20 when the lid 14 is in the installed position. The assembly of the delivery device 10, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is easily achieved and can be started by screwing the product elevator 48 into the hand wheel 51. The threaded rod 46 is coupled with the threaded opening 52 in a manner that allows the bottom side 44 of the piston 40 to adhere to the upper end 47 of the threaded rod 46 if necessary. The product elevator 48 and the hand wheel 51 are then inserted into the drive end 26 of the housing 20 so that the groove 56 and the lip 30 engage, thereby connecting the hand wheel 51 in place while also placing to the piston 40 within the chamber 21 and forms the variable volume portion 22. Care must be taken during assembly to orient the elastic arms 58 for proper engagement with the detents 32 in order to avoid loading or undulating the elastic arms 58. The variable volume portion 22 can then be filled with product. The transition piece 90, if necessary, can be placed on the supply end 24 of the housing 20 and, if necessary, the brush tip 74 can be installed on the transition piece 90. The applicator 80 can be adhered in the supply end 24, on the transition piece 90 and capturing the brush tip 74, if installed. The lid 14 can also be removably adhered on the applicator 80. Alternatively, the assembly can also be initiated by inverting the housing 20 so that the actuating end 26 faces upwards and then placing the piston 40 in the chamber 21 of the housing 20 through the drive end 26 so that the bottom side 44 faces upwards. The hand wheel 51 can then be inserted into the drive end 26 of the housing 20 and the upper end 47 of the threaded rod 46 can adhere the bottom side 44 of the piston 40 through the cavity 59 while coupling the opening with thread 52 of the hand wheel 51. Although various products such as fluids, flowable materials, semi-solids, or liquids can be supplied using the delivery device 10 described herein, finger treatment compositions are of particular interest. free of film forming polymers and / or pigments. A uniform thin film is achieved when a composition for finger or nail treatment is supplied and applied using this delivery device 10.

| Although specific versions and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications can be made to this delivery device 10 without departing from the teachings of the present invention. For example, the various connections between the components can be fabricated using different methods to adjust by jumping the components together, including, threaded coupling, adhesive bonding, welding, and the like. The terms that are used when describing the invention are used in their descriptive sense and not as terms of limitation, it being designed that all equivalents thereof are included within the scope of the appended claims. Other suitable modalities can be found in the patents of E.U.A. 5,851,079; 5,827,002 and 5,830,640, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. One delivery device that is particularly preferred is the UC18C pen available from Mitshi Pencil Kabushiki Kaisha. A more detailed description of the UC18C pen can be found in PCT application number PCT / JP99 / 01450, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

B. The finger treatment composition The finger or nail treatment compositions of the present invention may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well as any of the ingredients ? '.?.?.? ** H? * I- .. -JA Jia-M- ^ * j riLjAA additional or optional, components, or limitations described herein. All percentages, parts and ratios are based on the total weight of the personal cleansing compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they refer to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore do not include carriers or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials, unless specified otherwise. The phrase "fingers or finger nails" as used herein means the fingernail and finger portion surrounding the nail including the cuticle and surrounding skin tissue. The phrase "finger disorders" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, brittle nails, dry nails, peeled nails, broken nails, cracked nails, dry skin, peeling skin, ash skin, callused skin. , and hanging nails. The phrase "safe and effective amount" as used herein means an amount of a compound or composition sufficient to significantly induce a positive benefit, preferably a moisturizing and softening benefit, more preferably visual reduction of dryness, including independently the benefits described here, but low enough to avoid serious side effects, that is, to provide a reasonable ratio of benefit to risk, within the scope of reliable judgment of the person skilled in the art. As used herein, the term "treatment" or "treat and / or prevent" means any treatment of disorders of nails or skin around the nail in a mammal, including: (i) preventing the disorder, ie , cause that the clinical symptoms of the disorder do not develop; (ii) inhibit the disorder, that is, stop the development of clinical symptoms; and / or (iii) relieving the disorder, that is, causing regression of clinical symptoms. The finger treatment compositions of the present invention, including the essential and optional components thereof, are described in detail below.

Essential components Oily component An essential component of the present invention is an oily component. Examples of suitable oily components include fats and oils, waxes, hydrocarbons, higher fatty acids, higher alcohols, esters, essential oils, and silicone oils. Examples of fats and oils include natural fats and oils, such as soybean oil, bran oil (rice grinding oil), oil í? á? yá.ÁAy ?. jojoba, avocado oil, almond oil, olive oil, cocoa oil, safflower oil, sunflower seed oil, sesame oil, persian oil (apricot kernel oil), castor oil, palm oil, mink oil, bait and butter; hardened oils obtained by hydrogenation of these natural fats and oils; and synthetic triglycerides, such as trimiristin and glyceryl tri (2-ethylhexanoate). Examples of the wax include carnuba wax, whale wax, beeswax, and lanolin. Examples of the hydrocarbon include liquid paraffin, petrolatum, paraffin, microcrystalline wax, ceresin, squalene, and pristane. Examples of the higher fatty acid include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, lanolin fatty acid, and isostearic acid. Examples of the superior alcohol include lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, lanolin alcohol, cholesterol, and 2-hexyldecanol. Examples of the ester include cetyl octanoate, glyceryl trioctanoate, myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate, octyldodecyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl adipate, butyl stearate, decyl oleate, isostearate cholesteryl, and polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid ester (POE). Examples of the essential oil include peppermint oil, jasmine oil, camphor oil, hinoki oil, orange peel oil, ryu oil, turpentine oil, cinnamon oil, bergamot oil, tangerine oil, calamus oil , pine oil, lavender oil, bay oil, clove oil, hiba oil, rose oil, oil eucalyptus, lemon oil, thymus oil, peppermint oil, sage oil, menthol compounds, cineole, eugenol, citral, citronellal, borneol, linalool, geraniol, camphor, thymol, spilantol, pinene, limonene, and terpene. Examples of the silicone oil include dimethylpolysiloxane. These oily components can be used individually or as a combination of two or more thereof. In the present invention, it is preferred to use glyceryl myristate, glyceryl tri- (2-ethylhexanoate), lanolin, liquid paraffin, petrolatum, microcrystalline wax paraffin, squalene, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid , isostearic acid, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, cholesterol, cetyl octanoate, glyceryl trioctanoate, isopropyl myristate, octyldodecyl myristate, cholesterol isostearate, sorbitol POE fatty acid esters, peppermint oil, peppermint oil of orange, cinnamon oil, rose oil, menthol, cineole, eugenol, citral, citronella, geraniol, pinene, limonene, and dimethylpolysiloxane. The oily component preferably comprises from about 1% to about 99%, more preferably from about 50% to about 95%, more preferably from about 75% to about 90% of the finger treatment composition.

Substantially free of film forming agents The finger treatment compositions of the present invention are preferably substantially free of film forming agents. In general, the phrase "substantially free" as used herein, means that the level of said film-forming agents is about 1% or less, more preferably about 0.5% or less, more preferably 0.1% or less , still more preferably 0% or no more than about 0.05%. Typical film formers include, without limitation: acrylamide / sodium acrylate copolymer; ammonium acrylate copolymer; balsam of Peru; polyurethane and polyurethane derivatives such as aliphatic polyether polyurethanes; cellulose gum; cellulosic polymers (for example cellulose esters such as nitrocellulose), ethylene / maleic anhydride copolymer; hydroxyethylcellulose; hydroxypropylcellulose; polyacrylamide; polyethylene; polyvinyl alcohol; pvm / MA copolymer (polyvinylmethyl ether / maleic anhydride); PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone); maleic anhydride copolymer such as PA-18 available from Gulf Science and Technology; PVP / hexadecene copolymer such as Ganex V-216 available from GAF Corporation; acrylic acrylate copolymer; and similar. Additional examples of film formers are found in the U.S.A. 5,639,447, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that film formers adversely affect the cuticle and skin tissue surrounding the a. The inventors of the present have found that the film forming polymers leave such areas of the skin with a dry and irritated feeling. The present invention is directed to improving the skin feel (i.e., softening and moisturizing the skin) and improving the overall appearance of the skin (i.e., the uniformity of skin tone and the reduction of the "ash" appearance of the skin. skin).

Substantially free of pigments The finger treatment compositions of the present invention are preferably substantially free of pigments. In general, the phrase "substantially free" as used herein, means that the level of said coloring components or pigments is about 0.1% or less, more preferably about 0.075% or less, more preferably 0% or not more than approximately 0.05%. Typical pigments include, but are not limited to, organic and inorganic pigments and dyes. The organic pigments are generally various aromatic types including azo, indigoid, triphenylmethane, anthraquinone, and xanthine dyes which are designed as blue, brown, green, orange, red, yellow, etc., of D &C and FD &C. Organic pigments generally consist of insoluble metal salts of certified color additives, referred to as lakes. The pigments Inorganic include iron oxides, ultramarine and chromium or chromium hydroxide colors, and mixtures thereof. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the pigments adversely affect the health of the cuticle and the skin tissue surrounding the nail as perceived by consumers. Consumers typically avoid applying pigments to these areas of the skin to maintain the health and youthful appearance of these areas.

Optional components The compositions for finger treatment according to the The invention may contain cosmetic auxiliaries as are conventionally used in such formulations, for example preservatives, skin care additives such as biotin, vitamin B5 and derivatives thereof (for example panthenol), vitamin B3 and derivatives thereof. same (for example niacinamide), vitamin E and derivatives thereof (for example tocopherol nicotinate), phospholipids, alpha hydroxy acids (for example glycolic acid, lactic acid), betahydroxy acids (for example salicylic acid), vitamin A and derivatives of the same (for example retinoids and retinoid esters), vitamin C and vitamin D; bactericides; perfumes; foam inhibitors; thickeners; surface active substances; emulsifiers; plasticizers; humectants and / or moisturizers; fats and waxes different from those described as essential ingredients; or other conventional components of a cosmetic product such as alcohols, polyols or Water; foam stabilizers; electrolytes; organic solvents or silicone derivatives. These and other suitable optional ingredients are described in detail in the U.S. patent. 5,776,918 to Blank et al., Issued July 7, 1998 and in PCT application WO 97/39733, published October 30, 1997, to Oblong et al, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their whole. When water-soluble materials are added to the finger treatment compositions of the present invention, the composition may be in the form of water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions. Preferably, the emulsion is a water-in-oil emulsion.

Methods for treating and / or preventing finger disorders The methods for treating and preventing finger disorders involve applying topically to the finger, especially the fingernails, a safe and effective amount of the finger treatment composition of the present invention. The amount of the composition applied, the frequency of application and the period of use will vary widely depending on the level of treatment desired, for example, in light of the progress of the finger disorder and the proportion of additional clinical presentations. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is applied chronically to the finger, especially the fingernail. By "chronic topical application" means continuous topical application of the composition during a I? ^? A? • A prolonged period during the life of the subject. Preferably for a period of at least about one week, more preferably for a period of at least about one month, even more preferably for at least about three months, still more preferably for at least about six months, and more preferably still for at least approximately one year. Although the benefits can be obtained after several maximum periods of use (for example, five, ten or twenty years), it is preferred that the chronic application continue through the life of the subject. Applications would typically be about the order of about once a day for such extended periods, however the application rates may vary from once a week to about three times a day or more. A large scale of amounts of the compositions of the present invention can be used to provide a benefit of appearance and / or finger and / or fingernail feel. The amounts of the compositions herein that are typically applied per application are, in mg of composition / cm2 of skin and nail of approximately 0.1 mg / cm2 to approximately 100 mg / cm2. A particularly useful application amount is about 10 mg / cm2. The methods of the present invention are preferably practiced by applying a composition in the form of an oily composition, or an oil in water or water in oil emulsion, or the like, which is designed to be left on the skin for some aesthetic benefit, prophylactic, therapeutic or other (that is, a "leaving" composition). After applying the composition to the skin, it is preferably left on the skin for a period of at least about 15 minutes, more preferably at least about 30 minutes, even more preferably at least about 1 hour, more preferably for at least several hours, for example, up to approximately 12 hours.

EXAMPLES The methods comprising the use of the delivery device and the finger treatment compositions of the present invention are illustrated in the following non-limiting examples. Other modifications can be carried out by the person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. The methods illustrated using the delivery device and finger treatment composition of the present invention provide improved moisture consumer compliance with respect to the finger treatment composition. All of the compositions illustrated can be prepared using conventional mixing formulation techniques. The component amounts are listed as percentages by weight and include minor materials such as diluents, filler, etc. The formulations listed, therefore, comprise the components listed and any materials minors associated with such components.

EXAMPLE I A method to treat finger disorders using the device of supply to apply the following composition for finger treatment in the form of an oil composition.

Sunflower seed oil 25% Safflower oil 25% Soybean oil 25% Olive oil 20% Tocopherol vitamin E 2% Minors (preservatives, etc.) 3% The above components are added to a stainless steel container and mixed thoroughly using mixing technology conventional. The finger treatment oil is then loaded into the delivery device and applied to the finger, especially the nails and cuticle, using the delivery device.

EXAMPLE II A method to treat finger disorders using the device of supply to apply the following composition for finger treatment in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion.

Sunflower seed oil 23% Safflower oil 23% Soybean oil 25% Copolyol cetyldimethicone (emulsifier) 0.5% Water 10% Glycerin 10% Niacinamide 2% Minors (preservatives, etc.) 4.5% In a stainless steel container equipped with a source of heat, the oils (sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, and soybean oil) and emulsifier are mixed and heated to 65.5 ° C with agitation. In a separate stainless steel vessel, water, glycerin, niacinamide and preservatives are added with stirring and mixed until homogeneous. The mixtures of oils and water are mixed together and cooled with stirring at room temperature. The finger treatment emulsion is then loaded into the delivery device and applied to the finger, especially the nail and cuticle, using the delivery device.

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A method for supplying and applying a composition for treating nail and cuticle to treat or prevent finger disorders comprising the steps of: A) providing a delivery device for supplying a composition for finger treatment comprising: i) .- a housing defining a chamber having a supply end and a drive end, said supply end having an application portion and the chamber having an interior surface, the application portion providing a smooth and even surface distribution of the composition for nail and cuticle; ii) a piston located within the chamber, the piston is capable of translational movement within the chamber, the piston has an upper side facing towards the supply end of the housing and has a forward mechanism opposite the upper side, the upper side of the piston forms a variable volume portion of the chamber between the chamber and the upper side of the piston, whereby the variable volume portion is for storing said nail and cuticle composition; and iii) an adjuster movably mounted to the housing and movably engaging the inner surface at the drive end of the housing, the adjuster engages the advancing mechanism to advance the piston directionally toward the supply end; characterized in that the device is pre-filled with the finger treatment composition, the finger treatment composition comprises from 1.0% to 99% of an oily component and in which the composition contains less than 1.0% film-forming polymer; and B) supplying the finger treatment composition from the delivery device over the finger or fingernail.

2. A method for supplying and applying a composition for treating nail and cuticle to treat or prevent finger disorders, comprising the steps of: A) providing a delivery device for supplying a composition for finger treatment comprising: i ) .- a housing defining a chamber having a supply end and a drive end, said supply end has an application portion and the chamber has an interior surface, the application portion provides a smooth and even surface distribution of the composition for nail and cuticle; ii) a piston located within the chamber, the piston is capable of translational movement within the chamber, the piston has an upper side facing towards the supply end of the housing and has a forward mechanism opposite the upper side, the upper side of the piston forms a variable volume portion of the chamber between the chamber and the upper side of the piston, whereby the variable volume portion is for storing said nail and cuticle composition; and iii) an adjuster movably mounted to the housing and movably engaging the inner surface at the drive end of the housing, the adjuster engages the advancing mechanism to advance the piston directionally toward the supply end; characterized in that the device is pre-filled with the finger treatment composition, the finger treatment composition comprises from about 1.0% to about 99% of an oily component and in which the composition contains less than 0.1% pigment; and B) supplying the composition for finger treatment from the delivery device on the finger or fingernail.

3. A method for supplying and applying a composition for treating nail and cuticle to treat or prevent finger disorders, comprising the steps of: A) providing a delivery device for supplying a finger treatment composition comprising: ) .- a housing defining a chamber having a supply end and a drive end, said supply end has an application portion and the chamber has an interior surface, the application portion provides a smooth and even surface distribution of the composition for nail and cuticle; ii) a piston located within the chamber, the piston is capable of translational movement within the chamber, the piston has an upper side facing towards the supply end of the housing and has a forward mechanism opposite the upper side, the upper side of the piston forms a variable volume portion of the chamber between the chamber and the upper side of the piston, whereby the variable volume portion is for storing said nail and cuticle composition; and iii) .- an adjuster mounted - -i.1 to - «tVL. ang i, .... movably to the housing and movably engaging the inner surface at the drive end of the housing, the adjuster engages the advancing mechanism to advance the piston in a directional direction towards the supply end; and characterized in that the device is pre-filled with the finger treatment composition, the finger treatment composition comprises from about 1.0% to about 99% of an oily component and in which the composition contains less than 1.0% polymer of film formation and less than 0.1% pigment; and B) supplying the composition for finger treatment from the delivery device on the finger or fingernail.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the inner surface further comprises at least one retainer.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the adjuster further comprises at least one elastic arm that extends outward and engages the retainer so that the adjuster is movable in a forward direction but not in an opposite direction.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the piston has an upper side facing the supply end of the housing and has a threaded rod extending from the same opposite the upper side and in the which the adjuster is a hand wheel that has a portion of and an actuator, the actuator engages the inner surface at the drive end of the housing and is adapted to rotate with respect to the housing only in one direction, the actuator has a threaded ope therethrough, the threaded rod engages the threaded ope so that the advance of the piston occurs when the actuator rotates, thereby causing the product to be supplied.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the adjuster further comprises lips so that the actuator rotates but can not move axially relative to the inner surface.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the actuator is a single integral component formed unitary from thermoplastic material.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the delivery device additionally comprises an applicator adhered to the supply end of the housing in fluid communication with the variable volume portion of the chamber, in which the composition for finger treatment is supplied through the applicator.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition finger treatment also includes an asset for the care of the skin. i laLAá * & amp;