HK40016609A - Fresh cosmetic composition delivery system - Google Patents

Description

Fresh cosmetic composition delivery system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fresh cosmetic composition delivery system. In particular, the present invention is directed to packages and compositions for dispensing otherwise unstable actives.

Background

Many cosmetic active ingredients are unstable. For example, vitamin C is known to provide clinical benefits such as improved gas color, reduced wrinkles/folds, and improved firmness when formulated as a cosmetic vehicle. Vitamin C is known to be stable in dry, solid, crystalline forms. However, vitamin C is also known to degrade in aqueous media. The present invention aims to separate the stabilized vitamin C powder from, for example, an aqueous medium until just before use. In this way, vitamin C in the aqueous medium can remain stable for at least 7 days, which is a suitable period for the intended use of the product. The present invention is directed to separating the unstable active ingredient from the dermatologically acceptable carrier until shortly before use and providing the user with a mixed composition (active ingredient and carrier) having a level of unstable active ingredient in the composition that is effective and can be used by the consumer for at least seven days.

Disclosure of Invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide a package and composition for dispensing an otherwise unstable active in a "fresh" state for at least 7 days.

The package is used to separate the first and second components of the cosmetic composition. The first component is a cosmetically acceptable carrier. The second component is an unstable active ingredient. The labile active ingredient may be any active ingredient that is subject to degradation by light, oxidation, or combination with other ingredients. The package includes a tube having a reservoir for a first component and a cartridge in the tube and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cartridge has a chamber for separating a second component (unstable active ingredient) from the first component. In this manner, the unstable active ingredient is maintained in a stable, isolated state until it is mixed with a carrier to form a composition prior to use. In the resulting mixed composition, the level of unstable active ingredients in the composition decreased by less than 6% within 7 days when stored at 25 ℃ at 60% relative humidity.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of a package suitable for use with the system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top front perspective view of the package of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of the package of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of the package of fig. 1 with the protrusion moved to pierce the foil seal.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the front elevation shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of a cartridge suitable for use in the package shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the cartridge shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a top front perspective view of the cartridge shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the cartridge shown in fig. 6.

Detailed Description

Referring now to fig. 1-10, a package 2 for an exemplary fresh composition delivery system is shown, the system comprising a composition and the package 2. The composition comprises a first component comprising a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The dermatologically acceptable carrier may comprise a liquid or cosmetic liquid, as described in further detail below. The composition further comprises a second component comprising at least one labile active ingredient. The unstable active may be any skin care active that is unstable and degrades when exposed to light, oxidation, or combined with other ingredients. Examples of unstable active ingredients include: for example, vitamin a, vitamin C, vitamin E, easily oxidizable plant preparations, and the like. Additional examples are provided below.

The package 2 is adapted to keep the first and second components of the composition separate prior to use. The package comprises a tube 4 having a dispensing spout 6, the dispensing spout 6 having a lid 8 at a first end 10 and an open second end 12. The tube has an inner surface 24. The first portion 14 of the tube adjacent the first end 10 defines the reservoir 16 between the spout 6 and a baffle 26 (see fig. 3), the baffle 26 being located on the inner surface 24 of the tube 4 between the first portion 14 and the second portion 20. A second portion of the tube 20 adjacent the second end 12 and between the baffle 26 and the second end 12 defines an inwardly directed sealing surface 22 on the inner surface 24.

As best shown in fig. 2-5, the cartridge 28 is provided with a tubular body 30, the tubular body 30 being sized to fit closely within the second portion 20 of the tube 4. The body 30 of the cartridge 28 has an outwardly directed sealing surface 32 for engaging the inwardly directed sealing surface 22 of the tube 4 in a gas tight engagement. The circumferential rib 54 on the outwardly directed sealing surface provides additional frictional pressure to secure and seal the cartridge 28 in the second portion 20 of the tube 4. The inner end 34 of the body 30 of the cartridge 28 is positioned in the tube 4 such that the inner end 34 is directed towards the reservoir 16 and is openable to the reservoir 16. The body 30 of the cartridge 28 has an outer end 36 opposite the inner end 34. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the outer end 36 of the body 30 of the cartridge 28 is adjacent to and aligned with the open second end 12 of the tube 4. However, the outer end 36 may also be recessed within the second end 12 of the tube 4, or alternatively extend out from the second end 12 of the tube 4. A foil inner seal 38 closes the inner end 34 of the body 30 of the cartridge 28. With the cartridge secured in the second portion 20 of the tube 4, the foil inner seal 38 also forms the end of the reservoir 16 of the tube 4. With the cartridge 28 secured in the second portion 20 of the tube 4, a quantity of the first component 18 (cosmetically acceptable carrier) in liquid form is stored in the reservoir 16.

An actuator membrane 40 is located in the body 30 of the cartridge 28 approximately midway between the inner and outer ends 34, 36. The actuator membrane 40 forms a sealing barrier between the inner end 34 and the outer end 36 of the body 30. A hollow cavity 42 is defined in the body 30 of the cartridge 28 between the foil inner seal 38 and the actuator membrane 40. A quantity of a second component 44 (i.e. an unstable active ingredient) is stored in the chamber 42. In fig. 3 and 4, the second component 44 is shown in particulate form, but it may be in any suitable form, such as, for example, a liquid, a powder, or one or more solid tablets (not shown). A blade or projection 46 is mounted on the actuator membrane 40 such that it projects into the cavity 42 towards the foil inner seal 38. As shown in fig. 4, the actuator membrane 40 is selectively movable toward the foil inner seal 38 on the inner end 34 such that a blade or tab 46 pierces the foil inner seal 38 to release a quantity of the second component 44 into a quantity of the first component 18. This allows the first and second components 18 and 44 to be mixed and formed into a final composition, respectively, shortly before dispensing and use.

After mixing, the composition so formed by mixing the first and second components 18 and 44 in the reservoir 16, respectively, has a level of unstable active ingredient (second component 44) that decreases by less than 6% within 7 days when stored at 25 ℃ at a relative humidity of 60%.

The actuator membrane 40 may be an elastomeric bulb 48 (also referred to herein as an actuator bulb or actuator button or actuator) that projects convexly toward the outer end 36. The elastomeric bulb 48 serves as an actuator button for moving the blade or projection 46 to pierce the foil inner seal 38. The outer end 36 of the body 30 of the cartridge 28 may be closed by a foil outer seal 50, the foil outer seal 50 preventing dust or other debris from entering the outer end 36 of the cartridge 28. For the convenience of the user, the foil outer seal 50 may be provided with tabs 52 (as shown in fig. 1 and 2) projecting radially outwardly from the foil outer seal to facilitate removal of the foil outer seal 52 from the outer end of the cartridge. Preferably, the tab 52 is folded flat against the seal 50, as shown in fig. 3, to provide a neat appearance and avoid premature removal of the seal.

The present invention is intended to be able to utilize different unstable active ingredients and molecules in combination with different dermatologically acceptable carriers or vehicles. For example, in the case of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), an amount of 1% to 20% may be used. In the case of vitamin a (retinol), an amount of 0.01% to 2.7% may be used.

The labile active ingredient comprising a second component can be any ingredient that is subject to degradation by light, oxidation, time, pH extremes, or by combination with other ingredients. The unstable active ingredient may be any ingredient that will benefit from separation from the remainder of the formulation that makes up the complete composition. For example, the labile active ingredient may be vitamin C, vitamin E, an oxidizable botanical, retinol, resveratrol (or other stilbenes), tocopherol, retinoic acid, folic acid, or hair coloring agents. The labile active ingredient may be caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid or gallic acid which are labile at high pH. The unstable active ingredient may be an oil susceptible to light or oxidation, such as, for example, a highly polyunsaturated oil, a highly linolenic oil, a flax seed oil, a raspberry seed oil, a cranberry seed oil, a blackcurrant seed oil, a sysibum oil, a perilla seed oil, camelina, spanish sage, a high linoleic oil, a pomegranate seed oil, an almond (almond kernel) oil, a walnut (walnut) oil, a hemp seed oil, or a wheat germ oil. The labile active ingredient may be provided in the chamber in the form of a powder, liquid, tablet or block.

The first component 18 comprising a dermatologically acceptable carrier may be a liquid having a formulation according to example 1 below.

Raw material	Function(s)	％
			Purified water	Medium	76.300
Glycerol	Moisture-retaining agent	5.000
			Disodium EDTA	Chelating agents	0.050
Carbomer	Viscosity modifier	0.150
			bis-PEG-18 methyl Ether Dimethylsilane	Aesthetic modifier	0.550
Polydimethylsiloxane	Aesthetic modifier	4.000
			Squalane	Aesthetic modifier	1.750
Alcaligenes polysaccharide	Viscosity modifier/stabilizer	0.100
			Polypropylene glycol	Solubilisers/dispersants	1.000
Xanthan gum	Viscosity modifier/stabilizer	0.300
			Potassium sorbate	Preservative	0.050
Phenoxyethanol	Preservative	0.630
			Tromethamine	pH regulator	0.120

The first component 18 (carrier) shown in example 1 is suitable for use with a second component 44 (active) containing vitamin C (ascorbic acid) at a level of 10% to form a fresh composition. In the above example, 1 gram of vitamin C is provided in the chamber 42 in the cartridge 28 and 9ml of the cosmetically acceptable carrier 18 is provided in the reservoir 16 in the tube 4. Mixing the two components produces a source of "fresh" composition suitable for use within 7 days.

An alternative first component 18 suitable for use in the present invention is shown in example 2 below:

raw material	Function(s)	％
			Purified water	Medium	61.730
Disodium EDTA	Chelating agents	0.050
			bis-PEG-18 methyl Ether Dimethylsilane	Aesthetic modifier	0.550
Methyl glucitol polyether-20	Moisture-retaining agent	1.320
			Glycerol	Moisture-retaining agent	0.890
Butanediol	Solubilisers/dispersants	2.200
			Polysorbate-20	Solubilizer	2.660
Polydimethylsiloxane/polysiloxane-11	Aesthetic modifier	8.700
			Methylpolytrimethicones	Aesthetic modifier	2.700
Lauryl PEG-9 Dimethylsilyloxyethyldimethylsiloxane	Emulsifier	1.800
			Vinyl dimethyl siloxane/methyl siloxane silsesquioxane crosspolymer	Aesthetic modifier	2.700
Xanthan gum	Viscosity modifiers/stabilizers	0.180
			Carbomer	Viscosity modifiers/stabilizers	0.180
Ammonium acryloyl dimethyl taurate/VP copolymer	Viscosity modifiers/stabilizers	0.200
			Octanoyl diol	Preservative	0.180
Sodium benzoate	Preservative	0.090
			Phenoxyethanol	Preservative	0.400
Caustic soda (30% NaOH)	pH regulator	0.390
			Polysorbate-20	Carrier/dispersant	7.340
Soybean oil	Carrier	1.390

The first component 18 shown in example 2 is suitable for use with a compound comprising vitamin a (retinol) (e.g., retinol 10S from BASF), in an amount of about 2.7%, to form a fresh composition. The retinol-containing compound is a mixture of retinol and soybean oil, with a typical concentration of retinol of about 11%. Thus, the amount of retinol delivered by the system is about 0.297%.

Of course, it will be understood that the unstable active ingredient (second component 44) may be provided in any suitable amount to provide a wide range of percentage amounts in the final formulation, and that the ingredient percentages of first component 18 will need to be adjusted accordingly to accommodate less or more unstable active ingredients.

Each part of the package may be made by injection moulding or other suitable moulding means.

Cartridge 28 containing the labile active ingredient (second component 44) is preferably sealed at each end by foil inner seal 38 and foil outer seal 50. The foil inner seal 38 and foil outer seal 50 may be made of the same material, namely 0.15mm thick foil (available under the trade name Amcor Steril Up Aluthene II) composed of 96% aluminum and 4% polyethylene or other suitable material. The coating or coatings on the foil inner seal are optional. The foil outer seal may have an additional coating or may have indicia printed thereon. Each of the foil inner seal 38 and foil outer seal 50 is preferably secured to the inner end 34 and outer end 36, respectively, of the cartridge 28 by induction heating and application of pressure in an atmosphere controlled environment. Alternatively, the seal may be secured with an adhesive. The foil inner seal 38 may be referred to as a "pierced foil" and the foil outer seal 50 visible to the consumer may be referred to as a "tear-off foil". As noted above, the foil outer seal 50 (tear-off foil) may be provided with a radially outwardly extending tab 52 (as shown in fig. 1 and 2), also referred to as a "pull tab", which may be used by the consumer to access the actuator bulb 48 in the outer end 36 of the cartridge 28. For aesthetic purposes, the pull tab 52 is preferably folded down against the foil outer seal 50, as shown in fig. 3, to present a neat appearance and avoid premature removal of the seal.

The body 30 of the cartridge 28 is preferably an injection molded polypropylene plastic with an overmolded TPE actuator membrane in the form of an elastomeric bulb 48 that projects convexly toward the outer end 36 of the body 30 of the cartridge 28. Other materials may be suitable for use with other unstable actives and other carriers. This configuration enables the bulb 48 to be compressed by the user, pushing the blade or projection 46 through the foil inner seal 38 and breaking the foil inner seal 38 to allow the unstable active ingredient of the second component 44 to mix with a suitable carrier for the packaging of the second component 18. The force required to move the actuator ball 48 to advance the projection 46 to pierce the foil inner seal 38 averages 6.4 pounds over a range of 5.6 pounds to 7.2 pounds. As shown more clearly in fig. 10, preferably an arm 54 made of polypropylene plastic integrally formed with the body 30 of the cartridge 28 extends from the body 30 to support the projection 46. Preferably, the arms 54 are covered by an overmolded TPE bulb 48. The arms 54 enhance the stability of the protrusions 46 and the function of the elastomeric balls 48. The arms 54 flex so that the projections 46 can move sufficiently to pierce the foil inner seal 38. The thin profile of the arms 54 and the resilience of the balls 48 allow the arms and balls to return to their original rest positions. The user can then repeat the compression of the bulb 48 to dispense the mixed composition through the spout 6 for application and use.

To assemble the pack, the cartridge 28 is provided with an actuator membrane 40, the actuator membrane 40 being fixed to form one end of a chamber 42 in the body 30 of the cartridge 28. An appropriate amount of a second component 44 (an unstable active ingredient) is added to the chamber 42 in the cartridge 28, and a foil inner seal 38 is secured to the inner end 34 of the body 30 of the cartridge 28 to close the chamber 42. At this point, the foil outer seal 50 may also be secured to the outer end 36 of the body 30 of the cartridge 28. At the filling station a pre-assembled decoration tube 4 is provided, having a lid 8 fixed to the spout 6. After the air is evacuated from the reservoir 16 in the tube 4, the reservoir 16 is filled with a first component 18 (cosmetically acceptable carrier) in liquid form. The cartridge 28 is secured in the second end 12 of the tube 4 by a friction or interference fit. The inwardly directed sealing surface 22 of the tube 4 engages the outwardly directed sealing surface 32 of the cartridge 28 in a gas tight manner. The lid 8 seals against the tip of the spout 6, preventing leakage until selectively opened by the user.

When the user is ready to use the package 2, the foil outer seal 50 is removed by pulling the pull tab 52. As shown in fig. 4, the user pushes the actuator bulb 48 with a finger. Pushing on the actuator bulb 48 moves the projection 46 to pierce the foil inner seal 38. The active ingredient in second component 44 is mixed with a cosmetically acceptable carrier (first component 18) to form the final composition in reservoir 16. The user then removes the cap 8 from the spout 6 and pushes again on the actuator ball 48 to dispense the mixed composition through the spout 6 for application and use.

An advantage of the present invention is that the foil inner seal 38 maintains the integrity of the labile components in the second component 44 by keeping the labile components in the second component 44 separated from other components/environments that may degrade them. The package is easy to activate and easy to use. The two components can be mixed in a minimum of steps to form the composition. Once mixed, the composition remains active for at least one week. Package 2 may be used with any suitable unstable active ingredient. In addition, the various active ingredients may be combined with various suitable carriers, each in liquid or powder form, provided that they are sufficiently fluid to permit mixing.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the specific form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. A fresh composition delivery system comprising:

a composition, comprising:

a first component comprising a dermatologically acceptable carrier, and

a second component comprising at least one unstable active ingredient, and

a package for keeping a first component and a second component of a composition separate prior to use, the package comprising:

a tube having a dispensing spout and an open second end, the dispensing spout having a lid at a first end, a first portion of the tube adjacent the first end defining a reservoir, a quantity of the first component stored in the reservoir, and a second portion adjacent the second end, the second portion having an inner surface of the open second end of the tube defining an inwardly directed sealing surface;

a cartridge having a tubular body dimensioned to fit snugly in the second portion of the tube, the body having an outwardly directed sealing surface for engaging the inwardly directed sealing surface of the tube in airtight engagement, an inner end of the body being positioned in the tube such that the inner end is open towards the reservoir, an outer end of the body being opposite the inner end, a foil inner seal enclosing the inner end, an actuator membrane located in the body between the inner and outer ends, the actuator membrane forming a sealing barrier between the inner and outer ends of the body, a chamber being defined in the body between the foil inner seal and the actuator membrane, an amount of the second component being stored in the chamber, a projection being mounted on the actuator membrane such that it projects into the chamber towards the foil inner seal, the actuator membrane being movable towards the inner end such that the projection pierces the foil inner seal to release the amount of the second component into the amount of the first component, to allow mixing of the composition shortly before use;

wherein the composition so formed by mixing the first component and the second component in the reservoir has a level of unstable active ingredients in the composition that decreases by less than 6% within 7 days when stored at 25 ℃ at 60% relative humidity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator membrane is an elastomeric bulb that projects convexly toward the outer end.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a foil outer seal closing an outer end of the body of the cartridge.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the foil outer seal has a tab projecting radially outward to facilitate removal of the foil outer seal from the outer end of the cartridge.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the active ingredient is selected from one of: vitamin C, vitamin E, easily oxidizable vegetable preparations, retinol, resveratrol, stilbenes, tocopherols, retinoic acid, folic acid, hair dyes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, or gallic acid, highly polyunsaturated oils, highly linolenic acid oil, linseed oil, raspberry seed oil, cranberry seed oil, blackcurrant seed oil, sysembrium oil, perilla seed oil, camelina sativa oil, chia oil, high linoleic acid oil, pomegranate seed oil, almond oil, walnut oil, hemp seed oil, or wheat germ oil.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the active ingredient is in powder form.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the force required to move the actuator to advance the protrusion to pierce the foil inner seal is in the range of 5.6 pounds to 7.2 pounds.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the force required to move the actuator to advance the protrusion to pierce the foil inner seal is about 6.4 pounds.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the force required to move the ball to advance the protrusion to pierce the foil inner seal is in the range of 5.6 pounds to 7.2 pounds.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the force required to move the ball to advance the protrusion to pierce the foil inner seal is about 6.4 pounds.