WO2018222223A1 - Herbal cleanser - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning composition and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The cleaning composition includes a substantially water-base carrier, an abrasive material, a thickening material and an antiseptic material. The water-base carrier includes a structuring agent, a moisturizing agent and a preservative. The structuring agent is stearic acid, palmitic acid, polyethylene glycol or a combination thereof. The moisturizing agent is coffee berry extract, coconut oil, coconut water, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, canola oil, cocoa butter, coco- caprylate/caprate, lemon oil, sunflower seed oil, vegetable oil, water and waxes or a combination thereof. The preservative is phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, polyquaternium- 1, benzalkonium halides, parabens, benzyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal or a combination thereof. The abrasive material is hemp protein, the thickening material is hemp seed oil and the antiseptic material is tea tree oil.

Description

HERBAL CLEANSER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/512,322, filed on May 30, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cleaning product for removing residual cannabis resin from hands and/or any surface where this resin might reside on due to the usage of cannabis related products. The present invention also provides the capability of dissolving the residual cannabis resin such that the tetrahyrocannabinol ("THC") extract can be redistributed to any other body part of even collected for later use.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] There has been an increase in the manufacturing, processing, and selling of cannabis in the United States as well as many other countries around the world. In the process of extracting the THC from the plants, there is a portion of the THC that is lost or wasted.

[0004] Users may also use latex gloves to protect their hands from the cannabis resins and for hygienic purposes, but this option also results in many of these gloves being thrown away each day due to not being able to get cleaned using the market- available synthetic chemicals that break down the glove and contaminate future products. [0005] In the current cannabis industry, users often use harsh chemicals to strip the cannabis resin from their hands, scissors, latex gloves, counter tops, pots, pans, trays and any other piece of equipment used to process the product. Chemicals like isopropyl alcohol, grain alcohol and other similar substrate chemicals are often used by cannabis handlers alongside soaps that have phthalates, a known toxic chemical commonly found in soaps, cleaners, etc. as a solvent or dissolving agent, which is not good for human health and detrimental for our environment which is affected every time we allow this substance into our waterways.

[0006] Many cleaners in the prior art also contain sulfates, parabens, or diethanolamine. Sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate strip oil, dry the skin and can cause skin irritation. Parabens are used as preservatives and are absorbed through skin, and may cause endocrine disruption. Parabens and paraben degradation products also pose an environmental risk due to their accumulation in waste water. Diethanolamine (DEA) has been shown to cause numerous negative health effects and is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic.

[0007] Because of the chemicals used in the cleaners of the prior art, the user is required to wash his hands and/or the cleaned surfaces with water to remove the chemicals after cleaning. In the past few years, research efforts have been directed toward formulating a liquid cleansing product that will effectively sanitize the skin and contaminated surfaces without the need of washing the same with water after cleaning. However, many of these liquid cleansing products incorporate relatively high concentrations or weight percentages of alcohol compositions. The alcohol allows the product to dry quickly, but also causes the skin to dehydrate to an unacceptable degree, irritating the skin and causing crack and chafe. [0008] Skin has a thin, protective outer layer referred to as the acid mantle. This acid mantle is made up of sebum (free fatty acids) excreted from the skin's sebaceous glands, which mixes with lactic and amino acids from sweat to create the skin's pH, which ideally should be slightly acidic - at about 5.5.

[0009] Some hand cleaners have been developed with lower concentrations of alcohol, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,472,356 and 6,617,294. However, some of the beneficial qualities of other ingredients in the hand cleaners are counteracted by the alcohol.

[0010] Therefore, alcohol-free cleaners have been developed, for example, BC Bed Hemp Brightening Facial Cleanser. However, the problem with this cleaner is the lack of abrasives to aid in cleaning.

[0011] So, various cleansers have been developed to contain abrasives. For example, North American Hemp Co. Hemp Husk Exfoliating Body Wash contains hemp husks to act as abrasives. However, hemp husk can be jagged and cause skin abrasions. In addition, hemp husk remains on the skin unless washed off.

[0012] Therefore, a need exists for a cleanser that is capable of effectively cleaning and transporting cannabis resin without the use of alcohol or other harsh chemicals while protecting the user's skin from irritation and without requiring the user to wash her hands with water after use of the cleanser.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0014] The present invention solves the problems in the prior art and also alleviates the cost, waste, and environmentally unfriendly practices that users have had to endure, while also providing the cannabis industry a product, which allows for improved health benefits as well as a product that can safely remove and clean the resin from hands and tools.

[0015] Hashish, or "hash," is a consumable compress of purified psychoactive resins from a cannabis plant. The highest concentration of these resins is found in the buds of the plant, which are typically smoked and consumed for recreational or medicinal uses via inhalation. This said, around ten percent of the resins are found in leafs and stems, collectively "skuff," of the cannabis plant and said skuff is ordinarily discarded due to its unpleasantness as a smoked or eaten consumable. With cannabis use becoming socially acceptable and being legalized at state levels, it comes as no surprise that many are desirous of extracting the psychoactive resins from cannabis skuff so that the same may be recreationally or medicinally consumed.

[0016] The resin from the cannabis, however, is difficult to clean due to its properties, and the cleaning agents in the prior art that are currently used to clean the resin have problems as described above.

[0017] The cleaning agent of the present invention is designed to remove the resin from the user's hands and tools in an efficient manner without requiring further washing. Furthermore, the cleaning agent of the present invention can be used to re-applied the resin directly to the user's body for healing effects. This is possible by the composition of the cleaning agent wherein skin safe moisturizers are used. [0018] The cleaning agent provides antibiotic, anti- microbial, anti-fungal, cleaning properties that keep the user's hands disinfected and sanitized, while also maintaining and often times improving the essential moisture of the user's hands. As a secondary benefit, the cleaning agent also allows users to remove the resins from their hands and transfer it to other body parts as an ointment in order to experience the benefits of cannabis resin in other forms. The composition of the present invention removes the necessity to rinse hands with water, or wipe with paper or cloth towels after using the cleaning agent, adding additional benefits.

[0019] In one aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning composition comprising: a substantially water-based carrier of about 85 vol%, the water-based carrier comprising stearic acid, emulsifying wax, coconut oil, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, citric acid and coconut water; hemp protein powder of about 9 vol%; hempseed oil of about 5 vol%; and tea tree oil of about 1 vol%.

[0020] In another aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning composition comprising: a substantially water-base carrier having a structuring agent, a moisturizing agent and a preservative; an abrasive material; a thickening material; and an antiseptic material.

[0021] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cleaning composition comprising the steps of: (a) mixing stearic acid, emulsifying wax, coconut oil, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, citric acid, coconut water to form a substantially water-based carrier of about 85 vol% of the cleaning composition; (b) adding hemp protein powder to the water-based carrier as an abrasive material of about 9 vol% of the cleaning composition; (c) adding hempseed oil to said mixture as a thickening material of about 5 vol% of the cleaning composition; (d) adding tea tree oil to said mixture as an antiseptic agent of about 1 vol% of the cleaning composition; and (d) mixing said mixture at ambient temperature until reaching a product viscosity of from about 250 cp to about 450 cp at a temperature of from about 65F to about 75F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The words "a" and "one," as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, are defined as including one or more of the referenced items unless specifically stated otherwise. This terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. The phrase "at least one" followed by a list of two or more items, such as "A, B, or C," means any individual one of A, B or C as well as any combination thereof.

[0023] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention provide a cleaning agent. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention are designed to create a cleaning agent that allows for easy removal of cannabis resin from the user's hands, tools and equipment, and also allows for transferring the resin via the cleaning agent to other places such as other parts of the user's body. This assists the user in reducing the amount of waste of both the resin and the necessary equipment and materials that need to be disposed of because the resin cannot be removed from them. These and other aspect of the present invention are described in further detail below.

[0024] An example of the herbal cleanser of the present invention is shown in Table 1 below. As shown, the cleanser includes a natural, water-based carrier having about 85 vol% of the cleanser, about 9 vol% hemp protein powder, about 5 vol% hempseed oil, and about 1 vol% tea tree oil. The combination of skin active ingredients was tested to determine its efficacy in removing the cannabis resin, moisturizing, and disinfecting the skin. The inventors discovered that this combination of skin actives are chemically compatible and produce a multi-functional product that does not individually require large amounts of these ingredients.

[0025] Table 1

[0026] Hemp protein is unique to other plant proteins because it provides a quality source of arginine, histidine, methionine and cysteine, which are needed for the production of enzymes. Branched chain amino acids are also present, which are essential for the repair and growth of lean body mass. Approximately 2/3 of hemp protein is made up of the globulin protein edestin, which is similar to the protein found in human blood plasma, thereby making it particularly suitable for meeting the body's cellular needs and also easily digested and assimilated in the human body.

[0027] Hemp protein has several advantages to other plant proteins. In addition to being a complete source of dietary protein, hemp protein can be extracted from hemp seed using cold pressing techniques, thus avoiding the addition of harmful chemicals or heat during the processing, or the destruction of enzymes, vitamins and minerals in the final food product.

[0028] In the present invention, hemp protein is used in powder form as an abrasive element of the cleaning agent to allow for a deeper and more rigorous cleaning. Specifically, hemp protein powder, such as Navitas™ hemp powder, is added as a natural abrasive to aid in cleaning.

[0029] Hempseed oil is a natural oil that can be obtained by cold pressing hemp seeds, which are seeds from the plant species Cannabis sativa. The oil from these seeds contains a mixture of natural fats (triesters of glycerol, also known as triglycerides). In particular, the hemp seed oil is a triester in which about 95% of the molecular weight of the molecule is the R groups, which are fatty acids selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. This rich mixture of fatty acids includes several especially biologically important fatty acids, such as omega-6-linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid), omega-6 linolenic acid, and omega-3 linolenic acid (a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid).

[0030] Hempseed oil has an iodine value (measure of saturation) of 166, and a very low freezing point (-20° C.) because of its high essential fatty acid content. Given the high content of essential fatty acids in hemp seed oil, attempts have been made to use hemp as an herbal treatment. The hemp seed oil adds the full benefits of the nutrients from the seed, including added proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

[0031] Hempseed oil is a non-greasy oil that adds viscosity to the composition, making it more suitable for a wider variety of uses, including as a cleaning solution. It also acts as an emollient to provide skin- softening properties. In this embodiment, a natural, cold-pressed hempseed oil manufactured by Colorado Gold can be used.

[0032] In additional embodiments, other hemp concentrates, hemp isolates or hemp derivatives could be added alone or in combination to the cleanser of the present invention. These additional elements as well as the hemp protein and hemp oil described above may be in dry and/or liquid form, or a combination thereof as needed to achieve desired results.

[0033] Essential oils are derived from herbs, flowers, trees, and other plants. Such oils are typically present as tiny droplets between the plant's cells, and can be extracted by several methods known to those of skill in the art, maceration, solvent extraction, or mechanical pressing. Essential oils typically are named by the plant from which the oil is found. Examples of essential oils that can be used in the context of the present invention include sesame oil, tea tree oil, lemon oil, orange oil, lemongrass oil and lavender oil. Other essential oils known to those of skill in the art are also contemplated as being useful within the context of the present invention.

[0034] In this embodiment, an organic tea tree oil manufactured by Bulk Apothetary is used. Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia. While toxic if ingested, it is often applied topically in diluted form as an anti-fungal treatment and as a general treatment for skin conditions such as acne, burns, sores, and insect bites. As such, tea tree oil is added for its antiseptic properties. Unlike alcohols, tea tree oil does not tend to dry out skin. Rather, it is an emollient, providing additional skin- softening properties.

[0035] In embodiments, a mixture of oils is used. For example, a combination of tea tree oil and lemongrass oil, preferably both organic, could be used. As another example, a combination of tea tree oil and lavender oil, preferably both organic, could be used.

[0036] The water-based carrier of the cleanser of the embodiment shown in Table 1 is used as a vehicle or carrier for the hemp protein powder, hemp seed oil, and tea tree oil. In one example, Everyday Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion - Purley Coconut manufactured by Alaffia ® can be used as the carrier, as is it desirable to use a substantially oil-free or low oil content, and alcohol-free or low alcohol content carrier to ensure proper moisture and pH levels.

[0037] Coffee berry extract is a natural extract, in which the lipids found in the coffee bean assists with moisturizing the user's skin and includes: linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, diterpenes, triglycerides, unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, esters and amides. Lipids are also present on the surface and in the interior matrix of green coffee beans. In addition to the above, the use of green (unroasted) beans of a plant of the genus Arabica or Robusta are found to deliver relatively high levels of caffeine and antioxidants to the skin, thereby potentiating the moisturizing effects of the composition. In particular, the antioxidants are best preserved by the use of unroasted (green) coffee beans.

[0038] Chlorogenic acids belong to a group of compounds known as phenolic acids, are antioxidants present in coffee beans. The content of chlorogenic acids in dried green coffee beans of robusta is 65 mg/g and of arabica 140 mg/g, depending on the timing of harvesting. At roasting temperature, more than 70% of chlorogenic acids are destroyed, leaving a residue of less than 30 mg/g in the roasted coffee bean. Thus the lipids of the green coffee bean extract are shown to have the dual functions of moisturizing agents and also antioxidants, these functions being exploited (and at relatively low levels) in the present compositions.

[0039] In non-limiting aspects, the compositions of the present invention can include a structuring agent. Structuring agents, in certain aspects, assist in providing rheological characteristics to the composition to contribute to the composition's stability. In other aspects, structuring agents can also function as an emulsifier or surfactant. In one embodiment, the structuring agent is stearic acid derived from coconut (cocos nucifera) oil. In other embodiments, the structuring agents include stearic acid derived from various oils, palmitic acid, the polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol, the polyethylene glycol ether of cetyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

[0040] Moisturizing agents that can be used with the compositions of the present invention include amino acids, citric acid, and coconut oil. In additional embodiments, a moisturizing agent including apricot (prunus armeniaca) kernel oil, avocado (persea gratissima) oil, canola oil, cocoa (theobroma cacao) butter, coco-caprylate/caprate, lemon (citrus medica limonum) oil, sunflower (helianthus annum) seed oil, vegetable oil, water, coconut water, and waxes.

[0041] Preservatives that can be used in the context of the present invention include quaternary ammonium preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Another preservative used in the embodiment shown above is potassium sorbate. In additional embodiments, a preservative such as polyquaternium-1 and benzalkonium halides (e.g., benzalkonium chloride ("BAC") and benzalkonium bromide), parabens (e.g., methylparabens and propylparabens), benzyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal or combinations thereof may be used.

[0042] Thickening agents including thickener or gelling agents, include substances which that can increase the viscosity of a composition. Thickeners include those that can increase the viscosity of a composition without substantially modifying the efficacy of the active ingredient within the composition. Thickeners can also increase the stability of the compositions of the present invention. Here, the hemp seed oil also acts as a thickening agent.

[0043] The composition of the present invention may contain a fragrance as a natural ingredient such as coconut extract, as shown in the preferred embodiment. Different fragrances of various other organic or synthetic types could be added to provide other scents without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [0044] As shown in Table 1 above, one formulation comprises 120 ounces of the Alaffia ® body lotion, 1.5 cups hemp protein powder, 170 milliliters of hemp seed oil and 100 milliliters of tea tree oil. The method of manufacture comprises whisking the ingredients together for 5- 10 minutes at room temperature (65-75 degrees Fahrenheit), or until reaching a product viscosity of from about 250 cp to about 450 cp.

[0045] In other embodiments, as described above, 100 milliliters of tea tree oil is replaced with 40 milliliters of tea tree oil and 60 milliliters of lemongrass oil, or with 40 milliliters of tea tree oil and 60 milliliters of lavender oil.

[0046] The cleaning agent is applied to the user's hands, body parts, or tools and is rubbed where the cannabis resin has adhered to, and the resin is removed from the tool or body part. The resin is not destroyed or contaminated and due to the moisturizing properties of the cleaning agent, the user can reapply the cleaning agent to another part of their bodies to continue to experience the effects of the cannabis resin. Unlike cleaners made with toxic chemicals, the present composition does not need to be rinsed off.

[0047] The cleaning agent of the present invention is designed to alleviate the cost, waste, and environmentally unfriendly practices as a plant-based product. As well, the cleaning agent of the present invention could be used for many applications including, but not limited to, removing resin and other materials from tools, equipment and other surfaces. Also, the cleaner of the present invention could be manufactured in multiple forms. For example, the cleanser of the present invention could be manufactured with less viscosity to be used as a spray. Thus, the cleaning agent can safely remove and clean the resin from hands and tools and allow for the transferring of this resin to the user's body. [0048] Furthermore, the composition of the cleanser of the present invention, when used as a hand cleaner, provides a desirable non-greasy moisturizer with a pH between 4.0 and 6.0 to prevent skin dryness and irritation. Also, the cleanser of the present invention provides antibiotic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

[0049] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. The scope of the invention will be, therefore, indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning composition comprising:

a substantially water-based carrier of about 85 vol%, the water-based carrier comprising stearic acid, emulsifying wax, coconut oil, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, citric acid and coconut water;

hemp protein powder of about 9 vol% ;

hempseed oil of about 5 vol%; and

tea tree oil of about 1 vol%.

2. A cleaning composition comprising:

a substantially water-based carrier having a structuring agent, a moisturizing agent and a preservative;

an abrasive material;

a thickening material; and

an antiseptic material.

3. The cleaning composition of claim 2, wherein the water-base carrier is about 85 vol%.

4. The cleaning composition of claim 3, wherein the structuring agent is selected from a group consisting stearic acid, palmitic acid and polyethylene glycol, and a combination thereof.

5. The cleaning composition of claim 4, wherein the stearic acid is derived from coconut oil.

6. The cleaning composition of claim 4, wherein the polyethylene glycol ether is selected from a group consisting stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol, and a combination thereof.

7. The cleaning composition of claim 3, wherein the moisturizing agent is selected from a group consisting coffee berry extract, coconut oil, coconut water, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, canola oil, cocoa butter, coco-caprylate/caprate, lemon oil, sunflower seed oil, vegetable oil, water and waxes, and a combination thereof.

8. The cleaning composition of claim 3, wherein the preservative is selected from a group consisting of phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, polyquaternium-1, benzalkonium halides, parabens, benzyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and a combination thereof.

9. The cleaning composition of claim 2, wherein the abrasive material is about 9 vol%.

10. The cleaning composition of claim 9, wherein the abrasive material is hemp protein.

11. The cleaning composition of claim 10, wherein the hemp protein is in solid form.

12. The cleaning composition of claim 2, wherein the thickening material is about 5 vol%.

13. The cleaning composition of claim 12, wherein the thickening material is hemp seed oil.

14. The cleaning composition of claim 2, wherein the antiseptic material is about 1 vol%.

15. The cleaning composition of claim 14, wherein the antiseptic materials is tea tree oil.

16. The cleaning composition of claim 2, further comprising a fragrance.

17. The cleaning composition of claim 16, wherein the fragrance is coconut extract.

18. The cleaning composition of claim 2, wherein the water-base carrier if about 85 vol%, the abrasive material is about 9 vol%, the thickening material is about 5 vol% and the antiseptic material is about 1 vol%.

19. The cleaning composition of claim 18, wherein the abrasive material is hemp protein powder, the thickening material is hemp seed oil and the antiseptic material is tea tree oil.

20. A method of manufacturing a cleaning composition comprising the steps of: a. mixing stearic acid, emulsifying wax, coconut oil, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, citric acid, coconut water to form a substantially water-base carrier of about 85 vol% of the cleaning composition;

b. adding hemp protein powder to the water-base carrier as an abrasive material of about 9 vol% of the cleaning composition;

c. adding hempseed oil to said mixture as a thickening material of about 5 vol% of the cleaning composition;

d. adding tea tree oil to said mixture as an antiseptic agent of about 1 vol% of the cleaning composition; and

e. mixing said mixture at ambient temperature until reaching a product viscosity of from about 250 cp to about 450 cp at a temperature of from about 65F to about 75F.