OA18476A - Petrolatum Composition. - Google Patents

Abstract

A petrolatum composition comprises from 10 to 60wt% of a wax having an average number of carbon atoms per molecule of between 25 and 70, and having between 5 and 50wt% branched paraffins in which the branches are selected from methyl and ethyl branches; from 10 to 60wt% of a linear paraffin having an average number of carbon atoms per molecule of between 10 and 20; and optionally, a low melt wax. The petrolatum composition has a drop melt point of from 35°C to 80°C.

Description

Titre : Petrolatum Composition.

Abrégé:

A petrolatum composition comprises from 10 to 60wt% of a wax having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 25 and 70, and having between 5 and 50wt% branched paraffins in which the branches are selected from methyl and ethyl branches; from 10 to 60wt% of a linear paraffin having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 10 and 20; and optionally, a low melt wax. The petrolatum composition has a drop melt point of from 35°C to 80°C.

Ο.Α.Ρ.Ι. - B.P. 887, YAOUNDE (Cameroun) - Tel. (237) 222 20 57 00-Site web: http:/www.oapi.int - Email: oapi@oapi.int

1' (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBI,IS1IED UNDER TIIE PATENT COOPERAI ION ΤΗΕΛΊΎ (PCT) (19) World Intellectuel Property Organization International Bureau (43) International Publication Date 6Junc 2013 (06.06.2013)

WIPOI PCT (10) International Publication Number

WO 2013/080138 A3 wo 2013/080138 A3 Ii 1ΠΙIiDUIIIIDIIIOHIHI· WMUlW (51) Intcmatlanal Patent Ciassiflcattan:

A6IK S/3I (2006 01) C0SL 9/^6(2006.01) A61Q19/00 (2006 01) (21) International Appllcatlan Number:

PCT/IB2012/056793 (22) International FUJng Date:

Novembcr 2012 (28.11.2012) (25) Flllng Language: English (26) Publication Language: English (30) Priority Data:

2011/08766 29 Novembcr 2011 (29.Il.2011 ) ZA (71) Applicant; SASOL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITER (ΖΛ/ΖΛ]; i Stunlcc Avenue, Rosebank, 2196 Johannesburg (ZA).

(72) Inventera: BEKKER, Madclyn; 8 Van llniggen Sireet, 1947 Sasolburg (ZA). WEBBER, Glenda, Vancssa; 71 Beethoven Strcct. SW 5,191 î Vandcrbijlpark (ZA). JACOBS, Carlna, Plot 218, Coopcrvillc, 1939 Vereeniging (ZA). LOUW, Mcalaas, Russouw; 13 Rossouw Strcct. 1911 Vandcrbijlpark (ZA). MONTGOMERY, Nat). Thomas; 10 Thompson Road, 4126 Amanzimtoli (ZA). JANSEN VAN RENSBURG, Vernan, Jahan; 6 Bottlcbrush Strcct, SE3,1911 Vandcrbijlpark (ZA) (74) Agents: KOTZE, Gavln, Salnman et al.; Adams & Adams, PO Box 1014,0001 Pretoria (ZA). , (St) Designated State» (unless otherwise Indicated. for every kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,

AO, AT, AU, AZ. HA, BB, BG. Bit, UN, BR, HW, BY, BZ. CA. Cil, CL, CN, CO. CR, CU. CZ. DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ. EC, ΓΕ, EG. ES, Fl, GB, GD, GE. G11, GM, GT, UN. HR. BU. ID, IL, IN. IS, JP, KF, KG. KM. KN. KP, KR, KZ. LA, LC. LK, LR. LS, LT. LU, LY, MA, MD. ME, MG, MK. MN, MW, MX, MY. MZ. NA. NG, NI. NO. NZ, OM. PA. PE. PG. PH, PL, PT, QA. RO, RS, RU. RW. SC. SD. SE. SG. SK, SL. SM, ST. SV, SY, TH. TJ. TM. TN, TR, TT. TZ, UA. UG. US. UZ. VC. VN. ZA. ZM,ZW.

(84) Designated States (unless otherwise Indicated, for every kind of régional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, GM. KE, LR, LS. MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG. ZM. ZW). Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY. KG, KZ, RU. TJ. TM), Européen (AL, AT, BE. BG. CH. CY. CZ, DE. DK, EE. ES. FL FR. GB. GR. 1IR, 11U, IE. IS. ΓΓ. LT. LU, LV, MC, MK. MT, NL. NO. PL. PT. RO. RS. SE. SI. SK, SM, TR). ΟΛΡΙ (BF. BJ. CF. CG, Cl. CM. GA. GN. GQ. GW, ML, MR, NE, SN. TD. TG).

Déclarations under Rule 4.17:

— as to the identity of the inventer (Rule 4.17(1)) —- of inventorship (Rule 4.17(iv))

Published.

— with international search report (Art. 21(3)) (88) Date afpublication ofthe tnteroadanal search repart'

27Deccmbcr2OI3 (54) Title: PETROLATUM COMPOSITION (57) Abstract: A petrolatum composition comprises from 10 to 60wt% of a wax having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 25 and 70, and having between 5 and 50wt% branched para (Tins in which the branches are selected from methyl and ethyl branches; from 10 to 60wt% of n linear paralïin having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 10 and 20; and opiionally, a low mclt wax The petrolatum composition has n drop mclt point of from 35*C to 80*C.

»

Petrolatum Composition

THIS INVENTION relates to a petrolatum composition.

Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) Is a soft, oily, seml-solid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from hlgh-boiling hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons which are normally liquid at room température. Depending on their purity, petrolatums range in colour from dark petrolatum which is impure to highly pure petrolatum which is normally white ln colour.

Typlcal properties of a petrolatum are that it should be a soft unctuous mass and be slightly fluorescent in dayiight when molten. A petroleum jelly should be practically insoluble ln water, soluble in methylene chloride or hexane, and practically insoluble in alcohol and in glycerol.

Petroleum jellies hâve a wide range of applications such as pharmaceutical ointment bases, infant care, cosmetics, leather care, elastomers and as a grease or lubricant. Petroleum jelly products are used for human consumption and should therefore be of high purity. For example, the product should contain less than 1ppm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (which are carclnogenic) and the petroleum jelly should pass acidity/alkalinity and sulphated ash tests.

A white petroleum jelly/petrolatum is a purified and wholly or nearly decolourised mixture of semi-solid hydrocarbons (C_nH_2n+2), obtained from petroleum and high-boiling liquid hydrocarbons. It should hâve a white, or almost white, translucent appearance.

Petrolatums are conventionally produced by blendîng petroleum derived oil 5 components with slack waxes. Slack waxes are obtained during a de-waxing process of lubricant base-oils from crude oil. Such petroleum based petrolatums are described In US2828248 and US1791926.

Although the term 'petrolatum' origlnates from petroleum, which Is a fossil fuel derived product, petrolatum also Includes those types which are derived from 10 synthetic sources, being those of which the molécules of at least one component (or ail of its components) were derived by chemical synthesis. Petrolatum may also contain natural components such as vegetable waxes.

GB 955348 suggests a blend of 10-30% of Fischer-Tropsch wax with 35-45% 15 petroleum and 35-45% of liquid polypropylene, for use as a cable Imprégnant.

JP 2009-234991 describes the use of a Fischer-Tropsch wax and a liquid paraffin to provide a stick cosmetic. The properties of a stick cosmetic are however very different to that of a petrolatum in that a stick cosmetic is not an unctuous paste, which a petrolatum Is. Instead, a stick cosmetic is more solid 20 and harder than a petrolatum because it needs mould release properties.

The use of synthetic components in petrolatum has been suggested in US 7851663, US 3764 and JP 2009-234991. US 7851663 teaches the grafting of long chain olefins and parafflns produced by Fischer Tropsch 25 synthesis, to yield Iso-paraffins with long-chain branching exhibiting properties of petrolatum.

Synthetic waxes, eg. those obtained from the Fischer-Tropsch process, do not contain significant amounts of aromatic and polynuclear aromatic components, 30 which is bénéficiai for petrolatum. However, when synthetic components are used in a petrolatum formulation, obtaining the desired stability and threedimensional network structure of the petrolatum remains a challenge, in particular, when a petrolatum composition contains a linear paraffin which Is liquid at room température, the linear paraffin tends to separate from the heavier components In the formulation leading to a non-stable petrolatum formulation. In order to obtain a stable composition a “solvent binding effect is required.

It Is an object of this invention to provide a stable petrolatum containing normally liquid linear paraffins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a petrolatum composition comprising from 10 to 60wt% of a wax having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 25 and 70, and having between 5 and 50wt% • branched paraffins in which the branches are selected from methyl and ethyl 15 branches;

from 10 to 60wt% of a linear paraffin having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 10 and 20; and optionally, a low melt wax;

with the petrolatum composition having a drop melt point of from 35°C to 80°C. 20

The wax (hereinafter also referred to as .'the wax component') may be an aliphatic wax. More particularly, it may be a hydrocarbon wax, and preferably It is a paraffin wax. The wax may be a synthetic wax. Preferably the wax Is a macrocrystalline synthetic wax. The wax may make from 20 to 40wt%, or even 25 from 25% to 35% of the petrolatum composition. The wax may hâve an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 28 and 60.

The wax may hâve between 10 and 50wt%, preferably between 20 and 40wt% branched paraffins. In one embodiment of the Invention, the wax has less than 30 25wt% branched paraffins. Preferably the wax has a drop melt point of from

60°C to 110°C. The wax may hâve between 25 and 70, preferably between 28 and 60, carbon atoms per molécule.

The wax may be selected from the group consisting of a hydroisomerised wax, a hydroisomerised Fischer-Tropsch wax, an alpha-olefin wax and a Fischer·

Tropsch wax.

The linear paraffin (hereinafter also referred to as 'the linear paraffin component') may be a synthetic paraffin, and it may be a Fischer-Tropsch derived paraffin. The linear paraffin may make up from 20 to 40wt%, or even from 25% to 35% of the petrolatum composition. Preferably the linear paraffin has a melting point below 25°C. The linear paraffin may hâve between 10 and 10 20 carbon atoms per molécule.

As used ln this spécification, the term “linear paraffin means molécules having a straight-chain carbon backbone without any branches thereon (n-paraffin) and containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Although the source of linear 15 paraffin used to préparé the petrolatum composition may include some branched molécules, as shown hereunder in Table 1 under the heading “Linear Paraffin, these branched molécules are not material to the invention.

The composition may also Include the low melt wax (hereinafter also referred 20 to as 'the low melt wax component'). When.the low melt wax Is présent, It may be a wax having a drop melt point of from 20°C to 30°C. Preferably the low melt wax has an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 20 and 30. The low melt wax may hâve between 20 and 30 carbon atoms per molécule. The petrolatum composition may comprise from 10 to 60wt% of the 25 low melt wax.

The low melt wax may hâve between 15 and 30 wt% branched paraffins, preferably between 20 and 28wt%. The low melt wax may be a hydrocarbon wax and preferably it is a paraffin wax. The low melt wax may be a synthetic 30 wax and preferably it is a Fischer-Tropsch wax. The low melt wax may make up from 20 to 40wt%, or even from 25 to 35% of the petrolatum composition.

The petrolatum composition may hâve a .drop melt point of from 35-70’C. Preferably the petrolatum has a cône pénétration (as measured by ASTM »

\·

1'

D937-07, employing the cône defined In ASTM D217-10) of between 60 and

300mm/10.

The petrolatum may be a white unctuous paste, being slightly fluorescent in daylight when molten.

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided a petrolatum composition as described herein, wherein each of the wax component and the linear paraffin component are synthetic. In yet another preferred embodiment, each of the wax component, the linear paraffin component and the low melt wax component are synthetic components.

The applicant has surprisingly found that a stable petrolatum can be obtained with the composition disclosed herein.

According to a second aspect of this invention, there is provided the use of the petrolatum composition according to the first aspect of the invention, in a cosmetic application, a pharmaceutical application or a cable filling application. Due to the absence of aromatic components, sulphur and other skin irritants, the petrolatum is particularly suitable for use In skin care applications.

According to a third aspect of the Invention, there is provided the use of the petrolatum composition according to the first aspect of the invention in the manufacture of a cosmetic product, a pharmaceutical product, a cable-filling product, or a filled cable product.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making a cosmetic product, a pharmaceutical product, a cable-filling product or a filled cable product which includes adding the petrolatum composition according to the first aspect of the invention, to a cosmetic composition or substance, to a pharmaceutical composition or substance, to a cable-filling composition or substance, or to a cable or cable component, thereby to obtain the cosmetic product, the pharmaceutical product, the cable-filling product or the filled cable product.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing the petrolatum composition of the first aspect of the invention, the process comprising:

mixing a wax having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule 5 of between 25 and 70, and having between 5 and 50wt% branched paraffins in which the branches are selected from methyl and ethyl branches, with a linear paraffin having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 10 and 20, and optionally, a low melt wax, thereby to obtain the petrolatum composition, with sufficient of the wax and the linear paraffin being used such that the petrolatum composition has from 10 to 60wt% of the wax and from 10 to 60wt% of the linear paraffin, and with the petrolatum composition having a drop melt point of from 35°C to 80°C.

The process may include adding from 10 to 60wt% of the low melt wax having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 20 and 30.

According to a slxth aspect of the invention, there Is provided a cosmetlc 20 composition comprising between 10 and 40wt% of the petrolatum composition of the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings.

ln the drawings,

Figure 1 shows, for Example 2, viscosity curves of O/W émulsions assessed as good (cream D) and less good (Creams A, B and C); and

Figure 2 shows, for Example 2, boundaries for the onset of flow and 30 maximum viscosity in the région of good primary skin feeling for creams and lotions. .

EXAMPLE 1

PRODUCTION OF PETROLATUMS

Petrolatum compositions/samples were produced by the following préparation method: ln each case, the wax component and the low melt wax component 5 were melted ln an oven at 100°C. The paraffin that Is liquid at room température was also pre-heated ln an oven at 100°C. The molten waxes were transferred to a clean stainless steel beaker and placed on a measuring scale ln order to weigh out the amounts of wax required accurately according to the petroleum jelly formula. The température of the waxes was ascertained 10 to be 80°C before the liquid paraffin (also at 80°C) was blended with the molten waxes. The solutions were stirred until the résultant blend was observed to be clear and thereafter left for 5 hours to congeal.

The components used had the properties described in Table 1 below. 15 Viscosity was measured using the ASTM method D445. The drop melting point was measured using ASTM method D127.

Table 1 : Description of petrolatum components

Component	Description	Branching degree ***	Branching type	Drop Melting Point	Average carbon number	Viscosity
Unit		Mass %	-	•C	-	cP
Wax Component
Sasolwax H1	Hard *FT wax	6	Methyl	110	C41	8.0 © 135’C
Sasolwax HX35	Hydroisomerlsed hard *FT wax	20	Methyl	108	C40	9.0 © 135°C
Sasolwax C80M	Hard *FT wax	10	Methyl	89	C38	6.0 © 100°C
C30+	A-olefin	19	Methyl	70	C30	6.4 © 100eC
C24-C28 a-olefin	A-olefin	10	Methyl	52	C26	2.3 © 100°C

Low Melt Wax
Sasolwax F5	Medium *FT wax	12	Methyl	50	C27	3.6© 100°C
Sasolwax Waksol A	Semi-liquid ‘FT wax	13	Methyl	28	C21	5.6 © 40°C
Llnear Paraffin
Sasolwax C14C20 paraffin	Liquid paraffin	8	Methyl	•	C17	2.9 © 40°C
Sasolwax C9-C11 paraffin	Liquid paraffin	8 ,	Methyl	-	C10	2.6© 40°C
Crude oll based feedstock:
Sasolwax 7836	Microwax	82	C>1 chains	73	C55	12.8 © 100°C
Slack wax	Medium wax	39	C>1 chains	40	C28	3.7 © 100°C
Minerai oil	Liquid oil	29	”C>1 . chains	-	C23	12.5 © 40°C

*FT Fischer Tropsch also contains 63% cyclic components

Molécules having at least one branch on the carbon backbone, as a percentage of ail molécules (in mass%) Average number of carbon atoms per molécule

Determining of branchlng type and degree of components

The branching type and degree of each of the components of the petrolatum composition was determined by High-Temperature GC (HTGC) using a Varian CP-3800 GC. H2 was used as carrier gas. A Restek MXT-1 capillary column (100% crosslinked dimethyl-polysiioxane) .was used (length: 15 m, internai diameter. 0.28 mm, phase thickness: 0.15 pm). Injection was by means of a programmable on-coiumn Injector, and a flame ionlzation detector (FID) was used. Xylene was used as a solvent for the wax. Table 2 shows the , conditions employed ln this method.

Table 2: GC Method used for the analyses of the wax samples

Iniector
Initial Température (°C):	40
Initial Holding Time (mins):	0
Ramp Rate (°C/min):	70
Température (°C):	420
Holding Time (mins):	49.57
Total Time (mins):	55
EFC Flow Proaram
Flow (ml/min):	3.5
Holding Time (mins):	55.0
Column
Initial Température (°C):	40
Initial Holding Time (mins):	5
Ramp Rate (°C/min):	. 10
Final Température (°C):	440
Final Holding Time (mins):	10
Total Time (mins):	55
Detector (FID)
N2 make-up flow (ml/min):	25
H2 flow (ml/min):	30
Air flow (ml/min):	300
Detector Température (°C):	450

Properties of petrolatum composltlons/samples

The formulations and property analyses results are shown ln Table 3 below.

ιο

Table 3: Petroleum jelly formulations and properties

Raw material	Sample	1 000	2	3	4	5	6	7
Sasolwax 7836 0		30	-	-	-	-	-	-
Slack wax 0		20	-	-	-	-	-	-
Minerai oil 0		45	-	-	-	-	-	-
Wax Component
Sasolwax Ht			-	20	-	-	-	-
Sasolwax ΗΧ35			20	•	20	20	30	4
Sasolwax C80M			5	5	5	-	-	6
C30+			5	5	5	10	-	-
C24-C26 a-olefin			-	-	-	-	-	19
Low Melt Wax
Sasolwax F5		5	5	5	5	10	20	4
Sasolwax Waksol A		-	35	35	35	30	20	35
Linear Paraffin
Sasolwax Cl 4-C20 paraffin		-	30	30	-	30	30	32
Sasolwax C9-C11 paraffin		-	-	-	30	-	-
Total crude oll derived (0) content (%):		85	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total Synthetic content (%):		5	100	100	100	100	100	100
Appearance	White, unctuous paste 00	White, unctuous paste	White, unctuous paste	Hard waxllke product Not a petrolatum	White, unctuous paste	White, unctuous paste	White, unctuous paste	White, unctuous paste
Drop melting point (’C)	35-70 00	60.4	69.8	72.5	65.5	65.1	63.5	69.5
Cône pénétration (0.1mm)	60-300 00	160	162	20	170	185	187	167

Eur. Pharm requirement

000 Comparative example

Ail samples shown in Table 3 pass polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, identification, acidity/alkalinity and sulphated ash testing as prescribed by the Eur. Pharm.

EXAMPLE 2

USE OF PETROLATUMS IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

General experimental conditions

Rheoiogy Is the science of deformation and flow of substances as a function of the shear rate or shear stress appiied to the product. The rheological measurements for this Example were conducted using an Anton Paar rheometer (Anton Paar GmbH, Osterrelch, Austria). The Anton Paar rheometer 10 Is a straln-controlled rheometer that Is capable of both dynamic or steady shear straln measurements and measuring the résultant torque values exerted by the sample in response to the Imposed shear straln. The dynamlc/steady shear straln is appiied by the step-motor and the torque Is measured by the ; force rebaiance transducer (FRT).

T. K. Parklns, J.B. Turner, Starting Behavlor of Gathering Lines and Pipelines Filled with Gelled Prudhoe Bay J.Pet. Technol. 23 (1971) 301-308 found that the thermal and shear history, aging and composition of a jelly significantly affect the yield stress measurement. ln ail measurements carried out in this 20 Example, a freshly prepared sample was used and the sample was rested for min after loading to allow material relaxation and temperature équilibration. It was found that 40 min Is enough time to allow the samples to be completely relaxed and to be thermally equilibrated. Ail measurements were repeated at least three times for each test and highly reproducible data were obtained 25 within the coefficient of variation of ± 5% in ali cases.

ln this Example, ail measurements were performed with a parallel-plate fixture with a radius of 25mm and a gap size of 2.5mm. The larger gap size between the two plates ensures smaller gap error.

Measurement methods for the study of primary skln feeling

During this Investigation the onset of flow tf of cream samples was determined from the maximum of the viscosity curve q_max (Fig. 1).

Sensory assessment results were obtained from a panel comprising of 15 people of different âge groups, sex and ethnicity. The panel was asked to assess and rate four cream samples, a value of 10 being a product with good sensory assessment and a value of 0 being a product with poor sensory 5 assessment (Table 4). The samples were assessed during a biind test and the samples that the panel received were labelled Creams A-D.

Table 4 Panel sensory assessment and rheological measurement results

Product	% FischerTropsch wax in Petroleum Jeliy used in Cream	Shear stress (flow onset) ïf (Pa).	Dynamlc maximum viscosity nm„ (Pa.s)	Sensory assessment*
Cream A	0	36	14700	5
Cream B	0	21	6700	6
Cream C	100**	26	4680	7
Cream D	65	16	3400	8

*10, very good.....1, poor ** Petrolatum composition of Sample 2, in Table 3, above.

Creams A-D are ail products based on the following formulation (Table 5).

Table 5 Cream formulation tested

Ingrédient	%	Function
Aqua	66.3	Vehicle
Dlsodlum EDTA	0.1	Chelating
Propylene Glycol	1.5	Humectant
Glycérine	3.5	Humectant
Llpowax R2	6	Viscosity modifier/Stabiliser
Lipomuise 165	2.5	Emulslfier
Minerai Oil	4	Emolient
Petrolatum	15	Oclusive/Emolient
Microcare DMP	0.6	Preservative
Parfum	0.5	Fragrance

The cream formulation used contains 15% petroleum jelly or petrolatum (Tables), and a range of between 0-100% Fischer Tropsch petroleum jelly products were used to préparé émulsions (Table 4). Cream A contained 0% Fischer-Tropsch wax and Is a traditional minerai based petroleum jelly. Cream 5 B also contains a 100% minerai based petroleum jelly with a slightiy different formulation than the petroleum jelly used in Cream A. Cream C contains a petroleum jelly that is fully based on Fischer-Tropsch wax; whereas for Cream D a predominantly synthetic petroleum jeliy containing 65% Fischer-Tropsch wax was used.

The sensory assessment for spreadability. of the product by the panel was correlated with the maximum viscosity and shear stress measured at the onset of fiow, being depicted by the window as shown in Figure 2. The boundaries of the window were determined by the results of cream samples obtaining 15 good sensory assessment results by a panel of people as shown in Figure 2.

The graphical window is depicted as measured values for the shear stress and maximum viscosity at the onset of fiow, providing the upper and lower limit for products with good sensory assessment. Figure 2 shows where products in accordance with the Invention feature In relation to rheological properties 20 measured compared to literature data of creams with good skin feellng assessment.

As shown in Fig. 2 only Cream D (containing 65% Fischer-Tropsch wax) tested during this investigation fails within this window of good primary skin feel as 25 found by R. Brummer, S. Gorderskty, Rheoiogical studios to objectify sensations occurring when cosmetic émulsions are applied to the skin, Coiloids and Surfaces, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 152 (1999) 89-94. During this investigation it was found that a formulation containing petroleum jelly based on 65% Fischer-Tropsch wax raw material has the best 30 primary sensory assessment or spreadability when compared to traditional minerai based products. Comments from the panel regarding Cream D were that it had a smooth application and was easlly absorbed. The 100% FischerTropsch based petroleum jelly Cream C falls just outside the boundary for good sensory assessment. Cream C is doser to the window than the minerai based products, Cream A and B. Cream C was also given a higher rating by the panel. It is interesting to note that the further away a product falls from the window defined for good sensory assessment (2); the lower the rating that was given by the panel. Cream A Is the furthest away from the window and was 5 also given the lowest rating by the panel.

Claims (16)

1. A petrolatum composition comprising from 10 to 60wt% of a wax having an average number of carbon atoms 5 per molécule of between 25 and 70, and having between 5 and 50wt% branched paraffins in which the branches are selected from methyl and ethyl branches;

from 10 to 60wt% of a linear paraffin having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 10 and 20; and

10 optionally, a low melt wax;

with the petrolatum composition having a drop melt point of from 35°C to 80°C.

2. The petrolatum composition according to Claim 1, wherein the wax is a synthetic wax.

3. The petrolatum composition according to Ciaim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the wax makes up from 20 to 40wt% of the petrolatum composition.

4. The petrolatum composition according to Claim 1, wherein the wax Is 20 selected from the group consisting of a hydrolsomerized wax, a hydrolsomerized Fischer-Tropsch wax, an alpha-olefin wax and a FischerTropschwax.

5. The petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 25 Inclusive, wherein the linear paraffin is a Fischer-Tropsch derived paraffin.

6. The petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 Inclusive, wherein the linear paraffin makes up from 20 to 40wt% of the petrolatum composition.

7. The petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 inclusive, which Includes the low melt wax and wherein the low melt wax has an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 20 and 30.

Θ. The petrolatum composition according to Claim 7 wherein the low melt wax Is a Fischer-Tropsch wax.

9. The petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 5 Inclusive, which has a drop melt point of from 35-70°C.

10. The petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 inclusive, which has a cône pénétration (as measured by ASTM D937-07, employing the cône defined In ASTM D217-10) of between 60 and 300mm/10.

11. The petrolatum composition according to Claim 1, wherein each of the wax component and the linear paraffin component are synthetic.

12. The petrolatum composition according to Claim 11, wherein the low 15 melt wax is présent, and is a synthetic wax.

13. Use of the petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 Inclusive in a cosmetic application, a pharmaceutical application or a cable filling application.

14. Use of the petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 inclusive in the manufacture of a cosmetic product, a pharmaceutical product, a cable-filling product, or a filled cable product.

25

15. A method of making a cosmetic product, a pharmaceutical product, a cable-filling product or a filled cable product which Includes adding the petrolatum composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 inclusive, to a cosmetic composition or substance, to a pharmaceutical composition or substance, to a cable-filling composition or substance, or to a cable or cable

30 component, thereby to obtain the cosmetic product, the pharmaceutical product, the cable-filling product or the filled cable product.

16. A process for preparing the petrolatum composition of Claim 1, the process comprising: ' mixing a wax having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between 25 and 70, and having between 5 and 50wt% branched paraffins In which the branches are selected from methyl and ethyl branches, with a linear paraffin having an average number of carbon atoms per molécule of between

5 10 and 20, and optîonally, a low meit wax, thereby to obtain the petrolatum composition, with sufficient of the wax and the linear paraffin being used such that the petrolatum composition has from 10 to 60wt% of the wax and from 10 to 60wt% of the linear paraffin, and

10 with the petrolatum composition having a drop melt point of from 35°C to 80°C.

17. A cosmetic composition comprising between 10 and 40wt% of the petrolatum composition of Claim 1.