COMPOSITION FOR PERSONAL CARE

Abstract

An aqueous, sulfate-free personal care composition that provides good cleaning, foaming, lathering, viscosity and stability. The composition includes an acyl taurate surfactant and an N-alkyl acyl taurate surfactant at a weight ratio of acyl taurate to N-alkyl acyl taurate of 1:4 to 50:1. The composition also includes a co-surfactant and water. The N-alkyl acyl taurate surfactant and co-surfactant are specifically tailored to solubilize the acyl taurate surfactant in the composition and thereby deliver the desired composition benefits.

Description

1 / 53 COMPOSITION FOR PERSONAL CARE

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a personal care composition comprising an acyl taurate-based surfactant and an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to personal care compositions comprising a combination of an acyl taurate-based surfactant, an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant and a co-surfactant in a ratio that provides improved solubility and foaming. BACKGROUND

[0002] Human hair becomes dirty due to contact with the surrounding environment and from sebum secreted by the scalp. Dirty hair can have an undesirable feel and / or appearance. As a result, people may clean their hair with a shampoo composition that restores the hair to a clean and attractive appearance. Many conventional shampoos use sulfated surfactants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and / or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), to clean the hair. Sulfated surfactants are generally very good at removing oil and other contaminants from the hair, but they also have disadvantages. For example, sulfated surfactants are sometimes associated with a poor hair quality feel, dryness of the hair, and / or dryness of the skin after washing. This is commonly called roughness, and harsh shampoos generally face poor consumer acceptance.

[0003] Sulfate-free surfactants, such Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 71 / 147 2 / 53 Surfactants based on isethionate are sometimes used to avoid some of the perceived harshness of sulfated surfactants. For example, Indian patent application No. 3544 / DEL / 2015 discloses that sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) is the primary sulfate-free surfactant of choice for its mildness towards hair and skin. While SCI can provide good cleansing and mildness, it may not be suitable for use in certain liquid personal care compositions due to its relatively low solubility in water. Compositions using SCI as a primary detergent surfactant typically require the addition of high levels of co-surfactant to prevent SCI precipitation. Furthermore, SCI may not be suitable for use at an acidic pH (e.g., < pH 6) as it is susceptible to hydrolysis, resulting in decreased foaming, cleansing, and stability.

[0004] Another class of relatively mild surfactants known for use in personal care are N-alkyl acyl taurates, such as sodium methyl cocoyl taurate (SMCT) and sodium methyl lauroyl taurate (SMLT). SMCT and SMLT are readily available commercially, exhibit better water solubility than SCI, and do not hydrolyze at acidic pH like some other amino acid-based surfactants (e.g., glycinates, sarcosinates, alaninates, and glutamates). SMCT and SMLT are milder than most sulfated surfactants and generally provide good cleansing benefits for skin and hair. However, the methyl group attached to the amide nitrogen in SMCT and SMLT can make it difficult to create Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 72 / 147 3 / 53 Viscosity in an aqueous personal care composition using an inorganic salt, which is typically how viscosity is developed in surfactant-based compositions such as shampoos and liquid body soaps. Viscosity is important in personal care compositions because compositions with insufficient viscosity may be difficult to dispense and apply in a controlled manner and / or may be perceived as low quality.

[0005] Another taurate-based surfactant that can be used in a personal care composition is an acyl taurate-based surfactant, such as sodium cocoyl taurate (SCT) or sodium lauroyl taurate (SLT). SCT and SLT do not have an alkyl group attached to the amide nitrogen and therefore do not have the viscosity development disadvantages of their N-alkyl equivalents. However, acyl taurates tend to be less water-soluble than N-alkyl acyl taurates and may not be commercially available in the volumes required for mass production of personal care products. These disadvantages make acyl taurate-based surfactants undesirable for use in many personal care products.

[0006] Sulfate-free conditioning shampoos (i.e., shampoos that provide both cleansing and conditioning benefits to the hair) face additional challenges. Conditioning shampoos typically use a cationic conditioning polymer to form a coacervate with an anionic surfactant system during use, which deposits onto the hair to provide a conditioning benefit (e.g., combing and detangling). Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 73 / 147 4 / 53 easier to clean when wet). However, coacervate formation binds a portion of the surfactant within the coacervate and therefore decreases the amount of surfactant available to provide foaming and cleaning. Since non-sulfated surfactants already tend to be less effective than sulfated surfactants in foaming and cleaning, the addition of a cationic polymer further overloads the surfactant system, resulting in even less foaming and cleaning.

[0007] Thus, there is still a need for mild cleansing compositions that provide desirable foaming and cleansing properties with naturally derived surfactants, especially in conditioning shampoos.

[0008] Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a personal cleansing composition that includes a sulfate-free surfactant with suitable solubility, stability, foaming and cleaning properties. It would also be desirable to provide a sulfate-free personal care composition that includes a cationic polymer and does not compromise foaming and cleaning. It would also be desirable to provide a personal care composition with sulfate-free surfactants that does not impede viscosity development. SUMMARY

[0009] An aqueous composition for personal care is disclosed herein comprising an acyl taurate-based surfactant and an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant at a weight ratio between the acyl taurate and the N-alkyl acyl taurate of about 1:4 to about 50:1. A Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 74 / 147 Composition 5 / 53 also includes a co-surfactant and water. The N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant and the co-surfactant are specifically adapted to solubilize the acyl taurate-based surfactant in the composition, resulting in a composition with adequate cleaning, foaming, foaming, viscosity, and stability. The composition has a consumer-preferred viscosity of about 2000 mPas to about 20,000 mPa-s, according to the rheology method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a graph illustrating the solubility of SMCT, SCT, and SCI.

[0011] Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the solubility of a mixture of SCT / SMCT and SCI.

[0012] Figure 3 is a graph illustrating the synergistic foam height characteristics of an SCT / SMCT mixture.

[0013] Figures 4A to 4H illustrate the effect of the co-surfactant on the solubility of acyl taurate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Recent trends indicate a consumer desire to replace their sulfate-based cleansing compositions with gentler, sulfate-free versions. However, conventional sulfate-free personal care compositions may be perceived as underperforming due to, for example, low foaming. Furthermore, some sulfate-free surfactants interact with other ingredients (e.g., viscosity-developing inorganic salts and / or cationic conditioning agents) resulting in poor solubility. Surprisingly, it has now been discovered that Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 75 / 147 6 / 53 Certain combinations of acyl taurates and N-alkyl acyl taurates (e.g., methyl acyl taurate) can provide desirable foaming properties, mild cleaning, adequate solubility, and not interfere with viscosity-enhancing inorganic salts. It has also been found that these taurate combinations can also be combined with a cationic polymer (e.g., cationic conditioning polymers) with little or no undesirable impact on foam properties.

[0015] The reference within the descriptive report to modality(ies) or similar means that a specific material, resource, structure and / or characteristic described in conjunction with the modality is included in at least one modality, optionally multiple modalities, but does not mean that all modalities incorporate the described material, resource, structure and / or characteristic. Furthermore, materials, resources, structures and / or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner by different modalities, and materials, resources, structures and / or characteristics may be omitted or substituted from what is described. Thus, the modalities and aspects described in this document may comprise or be combinable with elements or components of other modalities and / or aspects even if not expressly exemplified in combination, except where otherwise specified, or an incompatibility is specified.

[0016] All ingredient percentages described in this document are by weight of the cosmetic composition, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 76 / 147 7 / 53 mode, and may be designated as % by weight. All ratios are weight ratios except where specifically stated otherwise. All such percentages or weights, insofar as they refer to the ingredients mentioned, are based on the active content and therefore do not include vehicles or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials. The number of significant figures does not represent a limitation of the quantities indicated or the accuracy of the measurements. Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements are understood to be made at approximately 25 °C and under ambient conditions, ambient conditions meaning conditions under approximately 1 atmosphere of pressure and approximately 50% relative humidity. All ranges are inclusive and combinable. For example, all numerical ranges include narrower ranges, and the upper and lower range limits delineated are interchangeable to create additional ranges not explicitly delineated.

[0017] The compositions of the present invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of essential ingredients, as well as optional ingredients described herein. As used herein, the expression "consist essentially of" means that the composition or component may include additional ingredients, but only if these do not substantially alter the basic and innovative characteristics of the compositions or methods claimed. As used in the description and appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" should be understood as also including the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 77 / 147 8 / 53 mode. Definitions

[0018] Approximately modifies a specific value by referencing a range of plus or minus 20% or less of the stated value (for example, plus or minus 15% or less, 10% or less, or even 5% or less).

[0019] To apply or application, as used in reference to a composition, means to apply or spread the composition onto a human keratinous surface, such as skin or hair.

[0020] Charge density (CD) means the ratio of positive charges in a polymer to the molecular weight of the polymer.

[0021] Cleansing composition refers to a personal care composition or product intended for use in cleaning a body surface, such as skin or hair. Some non-limiting examples of cleansing compositions are shampoos, conditioners, conditioning shampoos, shower gels, liquid hand cleansers, facial cleansers and the like.

[0022] Cosmetic agent means any substance, as well as any component thereof, intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, sprayed, introduced or otherwise applied to the body of a mammal or any part thereof to provide a cosmetic effect. Cosmetic agents may include substances that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and food additives.

[0023] Suitable for application on hair Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 78 / 147 9 / 53 human means that the personal care composition or its components are acceptable for use in contact with human hair, scalp and skin without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, allergic reaction and the like.

[0024] Substantially free of means that a composition or ingredient comprises less than 3% of a material in question, by weight of the composition or ingredient (for example, less than 2%, less than 1% or even less than 0.5%). Free of means that a composition or ingredient contains 0% of a material in question.

[0025] Sulfated surfactants means surfactants that contain a sulfate chemical moiety. Some non-limiting examples of sulfated surfactants are sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium lauryl ether sulfate. Sulfate-free surfactant refers to a surfactant that does not have sulfate moieties. Personal Care Composition

[0026] The sulfate-free personal care compositions in the present invention include a detergent taurate-based surfactant for cleaning a target body surface, such as hair and skin. In some cases, the personal care composition may include a co-surfactant, for example, to help solubilize the detergent surfactant or other ingredient in the composition. The taurate-based surfactant includes an acyl taurate-based surfactant and, optionally, an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant (e.g., surfactant based on Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, p. 79 / 147 10 / 53 N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl or N-butyl acyl taurate). The present composition may also include a cationic conditioning polymer to aid in the appearance and / or sensory impression of the hair. It has been surprisingly found that when a suitable acyl taurate-based surfactant is combined with an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant, enhanced foam formation is observed, even in the presence of a cationic polymer. Furthermore, the combination of the acyl taurate-based surfactant and the N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant can be tailored to provide unexpected solubility and stability benefits.

[0027] The personal care compositions contained herein may be supplied in various product forms, such as solutions, suspensions, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, creams, gels, toners, sticks, sprays, aerosols, ointments, liquid cleansing soaps, solid bars, pastes, foams, mousses, shaving creams, wet wipes, strips, patches, hydrogels, film-forming products, facial and skin masks (with and without insoluble sheet) and the like. The form of the composition may follow from the particular dermatologically acceptable carrier chosen. In some respects, the personal care compositions described herein may include a dispersed gel network phase that provides a gentler, yet effective, conditioning benefit to dirty hair in combination with a detergent taurate-based surfactant.

[0028] The liquid compositions for personal care in the present invention, such as shampoos, conditioners Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 80 / 147 11 / 53 and liquid body soap may have a viscosity of 2,000 mPa-s to 20,000 mPa-s (e.g., 2,500 to 15,000 mPa-s, 3,000 to 10,000 mPa-s or 3,500 to 9,000 mPa-s) according to the Rheology method described in detail below. Viscosities in this range are generally believed to be preferred by users of liquid personal care compositions.

[0029] In some aspects, the compositions of the present invention may contain an inorganic salt-based thickener, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, combinations thereof, and the like. In some aspects, the inorganic salt may be present at 0 to 2% (e.g., 0.05 to 1% or 0.1 to 0.5%). In some sulfate-free cleaning compositions, the inorganic salt may introduce instability to the composition by aiding in the formation of a coacervate between anionic surfactants and cationic polymers, which may be present. The coacervate typically has a gel-like consistency that may precipitate and may affect the rheological and performance properties of the composition, as well as the product quality perceived by the consumer. Therefore, it may be important to specifically adapt the amount of inorganic salt in the composition formulation.Naturally, it should be considered that when the cleaning composition is used as intended, it will form a coacervate after dilution to provide the desired conditioning benefit. Taurate-based surfactant

[0030] The sulfate-free surfactant system of the personal care compositions of the present invention Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 81 / 147 12 / 53 includes a combination of an acyl taurate-based surfactant and an N-alkyl acyl taurate to provide foaming and cleansing properties to the personal care compositions of the present invention. Such surfactants are sometimes called detergent surfactants. Detergent surfactants facilitate cleaning due to their amphiphilic nature, which allows the surfactants to separate and form micelles around oil and other contaminants on the hair. The trapped contaminant can then be rinsed more easily with water.

[0031] The composition may include 1 to 20% of taurate-based surfactant (for example, 2 to 15%, 3 to 12% or 4 to 10%). The taurate-based surfactant may include a ratio between the weight of acyl taurate and the weight of N-alkyl acyl taurate of 1:4 to 50:1 (for example, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 15:1, 20:1, 25:1, 30:1, 35:1, 40:1 or 45:1). It may be important not to include too much N-alkyl acyl taurate, as it can interfere with the ability to build viscosity in the composition, for example, with the use of inorganic salts such as sodium chloride and / or potassium chloride. Compositions with insufficient viscosity (i.e., thin) may be perceived as low quality by the consumer.

[0032] Acyl taurate surfactants that may be suitable for use in the present invention are generically described by Formula I illustrated below. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 82 / 147 13 / 53 RC N CH2—CH2SO3X Formula 1

[0033] Where: R is an alkyl group with 5 to 23 carbon atoms (e.g., 7 to 21, 7 to 17, 7 to 15, 7 to 13, 11 to 17, 11 to 15, 11 to 13 or even 11 carbon atoms) and X is a suitable counterion (e.g., sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium or triethanolamine).

[0034] Some non-limiting examples of acyl taurates are capric ester taurate, cocoyl taurate, lauroyl taurate, myristoyl taurate, caproyl taurate, oleoyl taurate, capryloyl taurate, palmitoyl taurate, stearoyl taurate, linoleoyl taurate, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[0035] The N-alkyl acyl taurate surfactants in the present invention are generically described by Formula II illustrated below. THE R1--C--N--CH2—CH2SO3X r2 Formula II

[0036] Where: R1 is an alkyl group with 5 to 23 carbon atoms (e.g., 7 to 21, 7 to 17, 7 to 15, 7 to 13, 11 to 17, 11 to 15, 11 to 13, or even 11 carbon atoms) and X is a suitable counterion (e.g., sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium, or triethanolamine) and R2 is an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Some non-limiting examples Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, p. 83 / 147 14 / 53 N-alkyl acyl taurates that may be suitable for use in the present invention include methyl capric ester taurate, methyl cocoyl taurate, methyl lauroyl taurate, methyl myristoyl taurate, methyl caproyl taurate, methyl oleoyl taurate, methyl capryloyl taurate, methyl palmitoyl taurate, methyl stearoyl taurate, methyl linoleoyl taurate, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[0037] It should be considered that the taurate-based surfactants described herein are not typically single compounds, as suggested by their general formula (I) or (II), but rather a mixture of several homologs with varying chain lengths and molecular weights. Furthermore, the taurate-based surfactants in the present invention may be saturated or unsaturated. Cosurfactants

[0038] The personal care composition of the present invention may include a co-surfactant selected from anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and combinations thereof. Some non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include non-taurate, non-sulfate anionic surfactants such as isethionates, carboxylates, sulfonates (e.g., alpha olefin sulfonates, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl glyceryl sulfonates, sodium lauryl glycosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate), branched alkyl sulfates, sulfosuccinates, sulfoacetates, sulfonates, amino acid-based surfactants (e.g., glycinates, sarcosinates, alaninates, glutamates), surfactants based on Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 84 / 147 15 / 53 lactate and lactylate (for example, sodium lauroyl lactate and sodium lauroyl lactalite), phosphate ester-based surfactants and combinations thereof.

[0039] Some non-limiting examples of amphoteric and / or zwitterionic surfactants include secondary and tertiary aliphatic amine derivatives in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic group, such as a carboxy, sulfonate, phosphate, or phosphonate group. Zwitterionic surfactants are surfactants whose polar functional group has two permanent charges that do not change with changes in pH. Amphoteric surfactants have polar functional groups whose charge depends on the pH of the solution and may exhibit different charges as the pH changes from acidic to neutral to basic, varying from cationic to zwitterionic and potentially even anionic. Some non-limiting examples of zwitterionic surfactants include amide sulfobetaines, hydroxy sultines, propyl amide hydroxy sultines, and combinations thereof.Some non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants include amphoacetates, amphodiacetates, betaines, amidobetaines (e.g., cocamidopropyl betaine and lauramidopropyl betaine), propionates, hydroxysultaines, and combinations thereof.

[0040] Some non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include glyceryl esters of alkanoic acids, polyglyceryl esters of alkanoic acids, propylene glycol esters of alkanoic acids, sorbitol esters of alkanoic acids, alkanolamides, alkoxylated amides, alkyl glycosides, alkyl Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 85 / 147 16 / 53 polyglycosides, acyl glucamides, amine oxides and combinations thereof. Some particularly suitable examples of nonionic surfactants include cocamide, cocamide MEA, PPG-2 cocamide, PPG-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide, PPG-2 hydroxyethyl isostearamide, lauroyl / myristoyl methyl glucamide, capryloyl / caproyl methyl glucamide, cocoyl methyl glucamide, decyl glucoside, coco-glucoside, lauryl glucoside, lauramine oxide, cocamine oxide and combinations thereof.

[0041] More specific examples of the optional co-surfactants described above are disclosed in documents US 2019 / 0105246, US 2018 / 0098923, US 9,271,908, WO 2020 / 016097 and McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents, 2019, MC Publishing Co.

[0042] The co-surfactant may be present in personal care compositions at 1% to 15% (e.g., 2 to 10%, 3 to 9%, 4 to 8%, or even 5 to 7%). The amount of co-surfactant in the composition can be important and should be tailored to balance solubility and / or viscosity development with cleaning and / or conditioning benefits. For example, too much amphoteric co-surfactant can make the surfactant system less salt-tolerant and may impede the surfactant system's ability to form a proper coacervate after dilution with water. This can be especially problematic when the composition contains a cationic polymer, because the reduced salt tolerance of the surfactant system may cause the cationic polymer to precipitate. In some embodiments, the composition may include a ratio of total taurate-based surfactant weight to co-surfactant weight of 12:1 to 3:10 (6:1 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 86 / 147 17 / 53 at 3:10, 4:1 at 1:3, or even 2:1 at 1:2). Cationic Polymer

[0043] The personal care compositions in the present invention may include 0.05% to 3% of a cationic polymer (for example, 0.1% to 2%, or even 0.2% to 0.8%) to provide improved appearance, sensory impression, or deposition benefits to hair or skin. The cationic polymer may have a weight-average molecular weight of 50 kDa to about 5 MDa (for example, 500 kDa to 4 MDa, 1 to 3 MDa, 1.2 to 2 MDa, or even 1.4 to 1.8 MDa) and a charge density of 0.2 meq / g to 12 meq / g (for example, 0.4 to 10 meq / g, 0.4 to 5 meq / g, 0.4 to 4 meq / g, 0.4 to 3 meq / g, or even 0.4 to 2 meq / g). Charge densities can be measured at the pH of the intended use of the personal care composition, which can be from pH 3 to pH 9 (e.g., pH 4 to 8 or pH 4.5 to 6.5).

[0044] Cationic polymers may include nitrogen-containing cationic moieties, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, or cationic protonated amino moieties. Cationic protonated amines may be primary, secondary, or tertiary amines, depending on the particular species and the selected pH of the composition. Anionic counterions may be used in association with cationic polymers, provided the polymers remain soluble. Examples of suitable counterions include halide counterions (e.g., chloride, fluoride, bromide, iodide).

[0045] Some non-limiting examples of cationic polymers include copolymers of vinyl monomers with cationic protonated amine or quaternary ammonium functionalities with soluble spacer monomers in Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 87 / 147 18 / 53 water, such as acrylamide, methacrylamide, alkyl and dialkyl acrylamides, alkyl and dialkyl methacrylamides, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, vinyl caprolactone or vinyl pyrrolidone. Some non-limiting examples of cationic protonated quaternary ammonium and amino monomers include vinyl compounds substituted with dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, monoalkylaminoalkyl acrylate, monoalkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, trialkyl methacryloxyalkyl ammonium salt, trialkyl acryloxyalkyl ammonium salt, quaternary diallyl ammonium salts, and quaternary vinyl ammonium monomers with nitrogen-containing cyclic cationic rings such as pyridinium, imidazolium, and quaternized pyrrolidone, for example, alkyl vinyl imidazolium, alkyl vinyl pyridinium, and alkyl vinyl pyrrolidone salts.

[0046] Additional non-limiting examples of cationic polymers include copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and 1-vinyl-3-methylimidazolium salt (e.g., chloride salt) (called polyquaternium-16 by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) in the industry); copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (polyquaternium-11); cationic polymers containing quaternary diallyl ammonium compounds, including, for example, dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride homopolymer, acrylamide and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride copolymers (polyquaternium-6 and polyquaternium-7, respectively); amphoteric acrylic acid copolymers including acrylic acid and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride copolymers (polyquaternium-22), acrylic acid terpolymers Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 88 / 147 19 / 53 with dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride and acrylamide (polyquaternium-39) and acrylic acid terpolymers with propyl trimethylammonium methacrylamido chloride and methyl acrylate (polyquaternium-47). In some respects, suitable substituted cationic monomers include cationic substituted dialkyl amino alkyl acrylamides, dialkyl amino alkyl methacrylamides and combinations thereof. The cationic polymer may be AM:TRIQUAT which is a copolymer of acrylamide and 1,3-propanediamine trichloride, N-[2[[[dimethyl[3-[(2-methyl-1-oxo-2propenyl)amino]propyl]ammonium]acetyl]amino]ethyl]2-hydroxyN,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyl-(polyquaternium-76). AM:TRIQUAT may have a charge density of 1.6 meq / g and a molecular weight of 1.1 MDa.

[0047] In some respects, the cationic monomer may be propyl trimonium polymethacrylamidochloride, available under the trade name Polycare®133 from Solvay (Brussels, Belgium). Copolymers of the cationic monomer may also be suitable, and the charge density of the total copolymer may be 2.0 meq / g 4.5 meq / g.

[0048] Other cationic polymers include polysaccharide polymers, such as cationic cellulose derivatives and cationic starch derivatives. In certain embodiments, a cationic cellulose polymer may be selected from epoxide-reacted hydroxyethyl cellulose salts substituted with trimethylammonium, industrially known as polyquaternium-10 (PCPC) and available from Dow Chemical Company as UCARE™ JR-30M, KG-30M, and LR-30M. Other examples of cationic cellulose polymers include polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 89 / 147 20 / 53 cellulose reacted with epoxide substituted by lauryl dimethyl ammonium, called in the industry (PCPC) polyquaternium-24.

[0049] Other examples of cationic polymers include cationic guar gum derivatives, such as guar gum hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, such as the Jaguar® series available from Solvay and the N-Hance™ and AquaCat™ series available from Ashland (Wilmington, Delaware, USA). Further disclosure of cationic guar gum derivatives can be found in US Patent No. 6,930,078.

[0050] In some cases, the cationic polymer may include a synthetic or derivative cationic polymer, present from 0.025% to about 5%. Preferred synthetic cationic polymers are generally water-soluble or dispersible and non-crosslinked. In some cases, the synthetic cationic polymer may be a copolymer that includes one or more cationic monomer units and one or more non-ionic or anionic monomer units, provided the copolymer has a net positive charge. Synthetic cationic polymers may have a cationic charge density of 0.5 meq / ga to 12 meq / ge and an average molecular weight of 1 kDa to 5 MDa. Some non-limiting examples of synthetic cationic polymers are described in US patent 2003 / 0223951. Carrier

[0051] The composition may optionally include 20 to 95% of an aqueous carrier, such as water and / or a water-miscible solvent. The type and quantity of aqueous carrier should be selected to provide the composition with the desired rheological properties. The liquid vehicle may be water with, for example, less than 10%, 7%, 5%, 3%, 1%, Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 90 / 147 21 / 53 0.5% or even 0% of miscible organic solvent. Some non-limiting examples of organic solvents include lower alkyl alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol) and polyhydric alcohols (e.g., propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerin, and propanediol). Optional Ingredients

[0052] The personal care compositions described herein may include a variety of optional ingredients to tailor the properties and characteristics of the composition as desired. Optional ingredients may be materials that are commonly included in compositions of this type. Optional ingredients must be physically and chemically compatible with the essential components of the personal care compositions and must not unduly impair the stability, aesthetics, or performance of the composition. Individual concentrations of optional components may generally range from 0.001% to 10%.

[0053] Some non-limiting examples of optional ingredients that may be included in the personal care compositions of the present invention include deposition aids, cationic polymers, conditioning agents (including gel network, triglyceride oils, hydrocarbon oils, fatty esters, silicones), anti-dandruff agents (e.g., zinc pyrithione, zinc carbonate, piroctone olamine, piroctone, ciclopirox, rilopirox, MEA-hydroxy-octyloxypyridinone, azoxystrobin, sulfur, azoles, salicylic acid and selenium sulfide, 1,10-phenanthroline), antimicrobial agents, suspending agents, viscosity modifiers, Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 91 / 147 22 / 53 dyes, pigments, non-volatile solvents or diluents (water-soluble and insoluble), pearlescent aids, foam enhancers, pediculicides, pH adjusting agents, perfumes, preservatives, chelating agents, proteins, vitamins, amino acids, skin-active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers, stabilizers and combinations thereof. Method for Creating a Personal Care Composition

[0054] The personal care composition described in this document can be produced using conventional methods for producing compositions of the desired type (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, or body wash), for example, as described below in the Examples. A particularly suitable method for producing the compositions in the present invention is described in Example 1 below. In some aspects, the composition may include a gel network to aid in conditioning the hair or scalp. US Publication No. 2006 / 269501 discloses methods for producing gel networks that may be suitable for use in the present invention. Method of Use

[0055] The personal care compositions described herein can be used conventionally for cleansing and conditioning hair or skin. Effective amounts of the composition for use generally range from 1 ga to 50 g (e.g., 1 ga is approximately 20 g). In general, a method for treating hair or skin may involve applying the personal care composition to the hair or skin. For example, an effective amount of the personal care composition may be applied to hair or skin that has been moistened with water, and then the composition Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 92 / 147 23 / 53 can be removed by rinsing. Application to hair typically involves working the composition through the hair so that most or all of the hair comes into contact with the composition. The personal care composition can be used as a liquid, solid, semi-solid, flake, gel, foam, in a pressurized container with an added propellant, or used in spray pump form. The viscosity of the product can be selected to accommodate the desired form.

[0056] In some respects, the hair or skin treatment method may include the steps of: (a) wetting the hair or skin with water; (b) applying an effective amount of the personal care composition to the hair or skin; and (c) rinsing the applied areas of skin or hair with water. These steps may be repeated as many times as desired to obtain the desired cleansing and conditioning benefit. METHODS Mixer Foam Height

[0057] Consumers generally associate foam and foam formation with the quality of a personal cleansing composition, such as a shampoo. This method provides a way to simulate the foam produced by surfactants when used on hair under typical washing conditions and to quantify certain foam properties. Oil (e.g., sebum) is one of the most common contaminants found in hair that can undesirably affect the foam properties of a shampoo. Thus, this method evaluates the effect of oil on foam properties.

[0058] 100 mL of tap water, which has a Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, p. 93 / 147 24 / 53 Water hardness of approximately 6 to 8 gpg (at 100°F) is added to a suitable mixer (e.g., KitchenAid KSB560CU1 food mixer or equivalent), followed by 2 mL of the test composition and 1 mL of extra virgin olive oil. Mix the mixture on the stir setting for 30 seconds and measure the height of the foam inside the mixer in centimeters and record it as Foam Height.

[0059] In some cases, it may be desirable to calculate the expected foam height from a mixture of acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate, based on the weight-average foam height of the individual surfactants. At a constant co-surfactant concentration, the weight-average foam height of a composition containing a mixture of acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate can be calculated using the following equation: Average weighted foam height = WgXg + wbXbwa+ wb Where = %, by weight, of acyl taurate-based surfactant in the composition of the taurate mixture Xa = Foam height of the acyl taurate-only composition = %, by weight, of N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant in the taurate mixture composition Xa = Foam height of the composition based solely on N-alkyl acyl taurate. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, p. 94 / 147 25 / 53 Rheology Method

[0060] The viscosities of personal care compositions can be measured in a 2.5 mL sample using a Brookfield® RS cone and plate rheometer with a C75 cone for 1 to 2 s-1 at 27°C for 3 minutes. Solubility Method

[0061] This method can be used to determine the solubility characteristics of a material (e.g., an acyl taurate) in a composition. The method uses heating and cooling cycles to simulate the environmental conditions commonly experienced by a personal care product and to accelerate processes that can lead to product instability.

[0062] The test composition (e.g., an aqueous surfactant-based composition consisting of an acyl taurate-based surfactant and an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant and / or a co-surfactant and / or a cationic polymer, and water) is placed in a closed container to prevent evaporation and heated to 40°C for a minimum of 30 minutes or until the composition is visually transparent and free of precipitates. One mL of the test solution is added to a Crystal-16 vial, closed with a basic cap, and placed in a Technobis Crystalization Systems Crystal16® Model 2.2 instrument or equivalent. Transmittance reading percentages are set to record 1 measurement every 300 seconds. The vials are cooled to 5°C at a rate of 0.25°C / minute and maintained at 5°C for 8 hours (cooling cycle). The flasks are then heated to 20°C at a rate of 0.25°C / minute and held at 20°C for 8 hours (heating cycle). After Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, p. 95 / 147 26 / 53 During the cooling and heating cycles, the flasks are removed from the machine and visually checked for any precipitate. When the final %T recorded at the end of the heating cycle is greater than or equal to 90% and no precipitate is observed, the sample is considered soluble. EXAMPLES Example 1: Formulations of the examples

[0063] Table 1 provides working examples of personal care composition formulations of the invention. The compositions in Table 1 can be produced by adding DI water to a mixing vessel and then adding each subsequent ingredient under stirring. Surfactants with low water solubility, such as cocamide MEA or sodium cocoyl isethionate, if present, require the composition to be heated to 50 to 75 °C and stirred until completely solubilized (i.e., no visible particles remain and the batch is transparent). The remaining ingredients, except for cationic polymer or volatile materials, are then added to the mixing vessel and mixed until completely dissolved or solubilized. If heated, the composition is then cooled to 35 °C or less before volatile ingredients, such as perfume, are added.If the cationic polymer is present, in a separate container, the cationic polymer is mixed with water at a ratio of 1:20 (polymer:water) to form a fluid paste or dilute solution, which is then added to the cooled composition in the mixing vessel and mixed for 10 minutes. The pH of the composition is adjusted with citric acid (typically 0.2-0.5%). The viscosity is adjusted with sodium chloride. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 96 / 147 27 / 53 DI water is added to bring the final volume to 100%. The mixture is stirred until homogeneous (~10 minutes). Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 97 / 147 Table 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 %, by weight, of active ingredient SLT 1 9.0 6.3 3.2 6.3 7.2 4.5 1.8 2.0 SMLT 2 1.0 0.7 0.8 2.7 4.8 4.5 4.2 8.0 Ratio between SLT and SMLT based on 100% taurate 90:10 90:10 80:20 70:30 60:40 50:50 30:70 20:80 Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate 3 7 5 2 6.5 Coco-betaine 4 6 2 3 5 Cocamide MEA 5 0.8 1 Decyl glycoside 6 1 2 10 Hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride Guar gum 7 0.25 1 0.1 Guar gum hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride 8 0.6 Guar gum hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride 9 0.4 0.25 AM:Triquat10 0.08 Polyquaternium-6 11 0.1 0.25 Piroctone olamine 12 1 0.25 0.5 Dimethiconol13 0.5 1 0.2 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 Sodium benzoate 0.25 0.25 0.15 0.75 0.15 0.2 0.25 Sodium salicylate 0.25 0.25 0.15 0.25 0.25 0.2 0.25 Methyl chlorine isothiazolinone / 5 ppm 28 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, page 98 / 147 Methylisothiazolinone 14 Perfume 0.5 1.2 1 1 1 0.8 1 1 Citric acid up to pH 4.5 up to pH 5.0 up to pH 5.3 up to pH 6.5 up to pH 6.0 up to pH 5.7 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.5 Sodium chloride (excludes lingering residues) 0 1 1 0.9 0.5 2 0.2 0 Water qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp 1. Sodium lauroyl taurate available from P&G Chemicals 2. Sodium methyl lauroyl taurate available from P&G Chemicals or Geropon® TL 32 L available from Solvay 3. Bio-terge® AS-40 HP available near Stepan 4. Dehyton® AB 30 available from BASF 5. Comperlan® CMEA available from BASF 6. Plantaren® 2000 N UP available from BASF 7. Jaguar® C-500 (molecular weight = 500 kDa, CD = 0.8 meq / g) available near Solvay. 8. N-Hance™ 3000 (molecular weight = 1.7 MDa, CD = 0.4 meq / g) available near Ashland 9. N-Hance™ 3196 (molecular weight = 2 MDa, CD = 0.8 meq / g) available near Ashland 10. Mirapol®AT 1 available alongside Solvay 11. Flocare™ C 106 MSS available from SNF Inc. 12. Octopirox available near Clariant 29 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, p. 99 / 147 13. Xiameter™ MEM-1872 emulsion available from Dow. 14. Kathon™ Broad Spectrum Microbicide 30 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 100 / 147 31 / 53 Example 2: Improving Solubility

[0064] This example demonstrates the unexpected solubility benefit provided by a combination of an acyl taurate and an N-alkyl acyl taurate. The anionic surfactants used in this example are sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI), sodium cocoyl taurate (SCT), and sodium cocoyl methyl taurate (SMCT). The amphoteric cosurfactant is cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). The test compositions for each step of this example are prepared as aqueous solutions, as shown in Tables 2A to 2E. The test results are summarized in Tables 2B to 2E and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Table 2A Basic Formulation Solubility compositions %, by weight, of active ingredient CAPB 1 0-14.3 (see tables below for exact levels) Anionic surfactants 3.0 to 12.6 (see tables below for exact levels) Methylchloroisothiazolinone / Methylisothiazolinone 6 0.0005 Citric acid adjustable to achieve pH 5.2 Water qsp Table 2B - SCI Solubility compositions of SCI-1 SCI-2 SCI-3 SCI-4 SCI-5 SCI-6 SCI-7 SCI-8 %, by weight, of active ingredient CAPB 1 7 7 9.75 9.75 12 11 14.3 13.1 SCI 2 3 6 6 8 8 10 11.8 12.6 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 101 / 147 32 / 53 Soluble Yes no Yes no Yes no Yes no Table 2C - SCT Solubility compositions of SCT SCT1 SCT2 SCT-3 SCT4 SCT5 SCT6 SCT-7 SCT8 SCT9 %, by weight, of active CAPB 1 0 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 SCT 3 5 7 8 8 10 9 11 10 11 Soluble No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Table 2D - SMCT Solubility compositions of SMCT SMCT-1 SMCT-2 SMCT-3 SMCT-4 SMCT-5 SMCT-6 %, by weight, of active ingredient CAPB 1 0 0 2 2.2 4 6 SMCT 4 7 9 10 11.1 11 12 Soluble Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Table 2E - SCT + SMCT Solubility compositions of the SCT / SMCT mixture Mixture-1 Mixture-2 Mixture-3 Mixture-4 Mixture-5 %, by weight, of CAPB active ingredient 1 0 3 4 5 2.2 SCT 3 7 10 11 11 10.2 SMCT 4 0.7 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.0 Total anionic surfactant (SCT + SMCT) 7.7 11.0 12.1 12.1 11.2 Soluble No Yes Yes Yes Yes 1. Tego Betaine CK PH 12 available near Evonik 2. Hostapon® SCI 85 C available near Clariant 3. Sodium cocoyl taurate available from P&G Chemicals Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 102 / 147 33 / 53 4. Sodium cocoyl methyl taurate available near P&G Chemicals or Pureact® WS Conc available near Innospec. 5. Broad-spectrum microbicide Kathon™

[0065] Figure 1 illustrates the solubility of SCT, SMCT, and SCI. As expected, SCT showed better solubility than SCI, but less satisfactory solubility than SMCT. Therefore, more amphoteric co-surfactant (cocamidopropyl betaine) is needed to solubilize the less soluble anionic surfactant, which may be undesirable.

[0066] Figure 2 illustrates the solubility of a combination of SCT (91%) and SMCT (9%) versus SCI. As can be seen in Figure 2, the combinations of SCT and SMCT are soluble at concentrations where a lower content of SCT alone would be insoluble. For example, composition Mixture-2 (3% CAPB + 10% SCT + 1% SMCT) is soluble, while composition SCT-3 (3% CAPB + 8% SCT) is not. This is unexpected because composition Mixture-2 contains 25% more SCT than composition SCT-3 (i.e., 10% versus 8%) and therefore a higher amount of SCT would not be expected to be soluble with the same amount of co-surfactant (i.e., 3%).

[0067] Perhaps more surprising is that a combination of SCT and SMCT was found to be soluble at concentrations where SMCT is insoluble. This is surprising because SMCT is generally more soluble than SCT. For example, the Mixture-5 composition (2.2% CAPB + 10.2% SCT + 1% SMCT) is soluble, while the SMCT-4 composition (2.2% CAPB + 11.1% SMCT) is not. In general, although one might expect the solubility of the combination of Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 103 / 147 34 / 53 Even though the concentration of SCT and SMCT is greater than that of SCT alone, it would not be expected that the combination would be more soluble than SMCT alone, especially considering that the amount of SMCT present is only a very small fraction of the total surfactant in the composition of Mixture-5. Example 3:

[0068] This example demonstrates that even small changes in the N-alkyl acyl taurate content can have a significant impact on the solubility of acyl taurate. Table 3 compares the solubility of sodium lauroyl taurate at three different concentrations (8%, 9%, and 11%) in a composition comprising sodium lauroyl methyl taurate. The weight ratio of SLT to SMLT is in the range of 10.5:1 to 8:1. The co-surfactant, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), is kept constant at each test step. As can be seen in Table 3, changes in SMLT content of only 0.08% SMLT can be the difference between the solubility and insolubility of SLT. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 104 / 147 Table 3 Ingredient Test Step 1 Test Step 2 Test Step 3 % by weight of active ingredient SLT 8 8 9 9 11 11 SMLT 0.77 0.85 0.95 1.13 1.05 1.17 CAPB 2 2 3 3 5 5 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / methylisothiazolinone 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 Citric acid to pH 5.2 to pH 5.2 to pH 5.2 to pH 5.2 to pH 5.2 to pH 5.2 Water qspqspqspqspqspqsp Ratio between SLT and SMLT 10.5:1 9.4:1 9.4:1 8:1 10.5:1 9.4:1 Soluble No Yes No Yes No Yes 35 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pages 105 / 147 36 / 53 Example 4: Effect of the co-surfactant on the solubility of acyl taurate.

[0069] The example demonstrates how the selection of a co-surfactant can affect the solubility of acyl taurate in a personal care composition. The test compositions for each step of this example are prepared as aqueous solutions, as shown in Table 4. The test results are summarized in Tables 4A and 4B and illustrated in Figures 4A to 4H. Unless otherwise indicated, the materials used in these examples may be from the same suppliers described in any of the previous Examples. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 106 / 147 Table 4A Ingredient ABCD %, by weight, of active ingredient SLT 6 9 6.38 9.12 6 9 6.38 9.47 SMLT 0.57 0.86 0.61 0.87 0.57 0.86 0.61 0.91 Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate (AOS) 1 4 Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) 1 4 Lauramidopropyl betaine (LAPB) 1 4 Coco-betaine (CocoB) 1 3.48 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / methylisothiazolinone 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm Citric acid up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 to pH 5.2 Water qspqspqspqspqspqspqsp. qsp Total taurate-based surfactants 6.6 9.9 7.0 10.0 6.6 9.9 7.0 10.4 Ratio between SLT and SMLT 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 Soluble Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 37 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 107 / 147 Table 4B Ingredient EFGH %, by weight, of active ingredient SLT 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 SMLT 0.57 0.86 0.57 0.86 0.57 0.86 0.57 0.86 Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (CAPHS) 1 1 4 Lauryl hydroxysultaine (LHS) 2 1 4 Sodium lauroamphoacetate (NaLAA) 3 1 4 Decyl glucoside 1 4 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / methylisothiazolinone 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm Citric acid up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 up to pH 5.2 Water qspqspqspqspqspqspqsp. qsp Total taurate-based surfactants 6.6 9.9 6.6 9.9 6.6 9.9 6.6 9.9 Ratio between SLT and SMLT 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 10.5:1 Soluble No No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 38 / 53 1. StarSurf™ CAPHS available alongside StarChem 2. Mirataine® LHS available alongside Syensqo 3. Miranol® Ultra L-32 MB available alongside Syensqo Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 108 / 147 39 / 53

[0070] As can be seen in Tables 4A and 4B and Figures 4A to 4H, it may be important to select an appropriate co-surfactant to ensure adequate solubility of acyl taurate. It is generally desirable to minimize the amount of co-surfactant added to the composition in order to develop viscosity, but it is also desirable to have the formulation flexibility to add an appropriate amount of co-surfactant (e.g., 0.5% to 10% or 1% to 5%).

[0071] In this example, the zwitterionic surfactant cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (CAPHS) and the amphoteric surfactant sodium lauroamphoacetate did not provide the desired solubility. This result is unexpected considering the suitability of other amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactants. The results are particularly unexpected for CAPHS, due to the chemical / structural similarity of CAPHS with lauryl hydroxysultaine (LHS) and cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). The solubility line for CAPHS is included in Figures 4A to 4H to provide context for the solubility effects of the other cosurfactants. Example 6: Comparative Example

[0072] This example demonstrates the inability of certain co-surfactants to provide the desired viscosity development in a personal care composition. Application examples A1 and A5 from Chinese Publication No. CN116098821 have been reproduced as shown in Table 6. The ingredient quantities shown in Table 6 are based on 100% active ingredient and reflect the active ingredient content calculated by multiplying the content Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 109 / 147 40 / 53 of the ingredient by the indicated ingredient activity as per the raw material specification in document CN116098821. Publication CN116098821 indicates that PEG-150 stearate was used in these examples. However, PEG-150 stearate was not readily available and therefore the exemplary formulations were produced instead with PEG-100 stearate and PEG-150 distearate. The molecular structures of PEG-100 stearate and PEG-150 distearate are such that their impact on the viscosity of the composition should encompass the viscosity impact of PEG-150 stearate. In other words, the viscosity of PEG-150 stearate should lie between the viscosities of PEG-100 stearate and PEG-150 distearate shown in Table 6. The viscosity of the composition was measured according to the rheology method described above.The rheometer, when measuring at shear rate and with the cone indicated in the rheology method, has a lower detection limit of approximately 750 mPa-s. Therefore, viscosities below this value are indicated as < 750. Table 6 Ingredient A1 A5 A1-100 A5-100 % by weight of active ingredient SLT 7.695 0.855 7.695 0.855 SMLT 0.855 7.695 0.855 7.695 Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (CAPHS) 1 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 Polyquaternium-7 2 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 PEG-150 distearate 3 0.2 0.2 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 110 / 147 41 / 53 PEG-100 stearate 4 0.2 0.2 Citric acid Up to pH 5.5 Water qsp SLT:SMLT ratio 9:1 1:9 9:1 1:9 Viscosity (mPa-s) 862 <750 1051 < 750 1. StarSurf™ CAPHS available alongside StarChem. 2. Merquat™ 550 PR polymer available alongside Lubrizol. 3. Hallstar® PEG 6000 DS from Hallstar. 4. Hallstar® PEG 4400 MS MB from Hallstar.

[0073] As can be seen in Table 6, the compositions do not have adequate viscosity, which further emphasizes the importance of selecting the appropriate combination of acyl taurate, N-alkyl acyl taurate and co-surfactant. Example 7 - Foam Formation Benefit

[0074] This example demonstrates the ability of the SCT / SMCT surfactant system of the invention to provide good foam and foam formation. Foam formation is an important property of a personal care composition, such as a shampoo or liquid body wash, as consumers generally associate foam properties (e.g., quantity and creaminess) with product performance and quality. The compositions tested in this Example were prepared as described above and tested according to the Blender Lather Height method. The test results are summarized below in Table 7 and illustrated in Figure 3. The compositions of the invention are designated as Inv and the comparative compositions are designated as C. A foam height of more than 7.5 cm is desirable, a Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 111 / 147 42 / 53 height cases, a foam thickness of 6 to 7.5 cm may be acceptable in some cases but is generally not preferred, and a height of less than 6 cm is undesirable. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 112 / 147 Table 7 7 (C) 8 (Inv) 9 (C) 10 (C) 11 (Inv) 12 (Inv) 13 (Inv) 14 (Inv) 15 (Inv) % by weight of active ingredient SCT 1 9 8.2 9 8.55 8.2 7.65 7.2 4.5 SMCT 2 0.8 9 0.45 0.8 1.35 1.8 4.5 Lauramidopropyl betaine 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 Polyquaternium-10 7 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 Sodium benzoate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Sodium salicylate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Perfume 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sodium chloride (excludes lingering residues) 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Citric acid Up to pH 5.6 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.6 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.6 Up to pH 5.6 Up to pH 5.6 Water qspqspqspqspqspqspqsp. qspqsp Ratio between acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate (based on 100% taurate) 91:9 95:5 91:9 85:15 80:20 50:50 Foam height (cm) 8.3 9 7.5 8.5 8.5 8.75 8.5 8.25 8.25 43 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 113 / 147 Continuation of Table 7 16 (Inv) 17 (Inv) 18 (Inv) 19 (Inv) 20 (C) 21 (Inv) 22 (C) 23 (C) % by weight of active ingredient SCT 1 3.6 1.8 1.35 0.8 5.5 SMCT 2 5.4 7.2 7.65 8.1 9 0.5 6 SCI 8 6 Cocamidopropyl betaine 4.4 4.4 4.4 Lauramidopropyl betaine 6 7 7 7 7 7 5.4 5.4 5.4 Polyquaternium-10 7 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.25 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 Sodium benzoate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.75 0.75 0.75 Sodium salicylate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.45 0.45 0.45 Perfume 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sodium chloride (excludes persistent residues) 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Citric acid Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Water qspqspqspqspqspqspqsp. qsp Ratio between acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate (based on 100% taurate) 40:60 20:80 15:85 10:90 91:9 Foam height (cm) 8 8 7 6.7 5.5 8.3 4.5 4 44 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pages 114 / 147 Continuation of Table 7 24 (Inv) 25 (C) 26 (Inv) 27 (Inv) 28 (Inv) 29 (Inv) 30 (Inv) 31 (Inv) % by weight of active ingredient SCT 1 9.9 SMCT 2 1.1 11 SLT 3 5.4 8.1 9.9 9.9 6.3 6.3 SMLT 4 0.6 0.9 1.1 1.1 0.7 0.7 Cocamidopropyl betaine 5 5 5 4.4 Lauramidopropyl betaine 6 5.4 7 5 5 9 9 Polyquaternium-10 7 0.25 0.25 0.25 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 Methylchloroisothiazolinone Isothiazolinone / Methylisothiazolinone 9 0.000 5 0.000 5 Sodium benzoate 0.75 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Sodium salicylate 0.45 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Perfume 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sodium chloride (excludes lingering residues) 1 1 0.9 0.5 0.15 Citric acid Up to Up to Up to pH 5.6 Up to pH 5.6 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to pH 5.5 Up to 45 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 115 / 147 pH 5.2 pH 5.2 pH 5.5 Water qspqspqspqspqspqspqsp. qsp Acyl taurate to N-alkyl acyl taurate ratio (based on 100% taurate) 90:10 90:10 90:10 90:10 90:10 90:10 90:10 Foam height (cm) 8 6.4 8.25 9 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 1. Sodium cocoyl taurate available from P&G Chemicals 2. Sodium cocoyl methyl taurate available from P&G Chemicals or Geropon® TC 95 P or Geropon® TC 30. Sodium lauroyl taurate available from P&G Chemicals 4. Sodium lauroyl methyl taurate available from P&G Chemicals or Geropon® TL 32 L available from Solvay. 5. Tego Betaine CK PH 12 available alongside Evonik 6. Mirataine® DAB ULS MB available alongside Syensqo 7. UCARE™ JR30M available from Dow 8. Hostapon® SCI 85 C available near Clariant 9. Kathon™ Broad Spectrum Microbicide 46 / 53 Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 116 / 147 47 / 53

[0075] As can be seen in Table 7 and Figure 3, personal care compositions that include a combination of acyl taurate-based surfactant and N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant provide better foaming than compositions with a single type of taurate-based surfactant or an isethionate-based surfactant. In fact, the data summarized in Table 7 and illustrated in Figure 3 show that a combination of acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate can work synergistically to provide better foaming. For example, Comparative Compositions 7 (9% SCT) and 9 (9% SMCT) exhibited foam heights of 8.3 and 7.5 cm, respectively. Thus, a combination of SCT and SMCT in the same total amount of anionic surfactant (i.e., 9%) is expected to provide a foam height that is a weighted average of the individual foam height values.However, Composition 8 of the invention (8.2% SCT + 0.8% SMCT) exhibited a foam height that is greater than the individual foam heights of Compositions 7 and 9 and greater than the average weight foam height of these two compositions, which would be 8.2 cm, as calculated below. Where: wa = 8.2% by weight, Xa = 8.3 cm, wb = 0.8% by weight, Xb = 7.5 cm; (8.2%)(8.3 cm) + (0.8%)(7.5 cm) Average weighted foam height =---------------------------A A8.2% + 0.8% = 8.2 cm

[0076] Another example of synergy can be seen by comparing Compositions 20 with Compositions 20. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 117 / 147 48 / 53 of inventions 11 to 19, as illustrated in Figure 3. Comparative Composition 10 (9% SCT) and Comparative Composition 20 (9% SMCT) had foam heights of 8.5 cm and 5.5 cm, respectively. Thus, it is expected that a mixture of SCT and SMCT with the same total amount of anionic surfactant will provide a foam height that is a weighted average of the individual foam height values. However, as can be seen in Table 7 and Figure 3, Compositions of invention 11 and 12 provide the same foam height as SCT alone, or greater. The foam heights presented by compositions of invention 13 to 19, although smaller than the foam height of comparative composition 10, are still greater than expected, demonstrating synergy.

[0077] The data in Table 7 also suggest that the foaming benefit provided by a mixture of SCT and SMCT can be amplified at lower amounts of anionic surfactant (e.g., 6%). For example, the comparison between Composition of the invention 21 and Comparative Compositions 22 and 23 appears to show that at 6% anionic surfactant, the combination of SCT and SMCT provides good foaming (i.e., foam height of 8 or more), while SCI and SMCT exhibit unsatisfactory foaming. Examples / Combinations 1. An aqueous composition for personal care, comprising: a) an acyl taurate-based surfactant and an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant at a weight ratio between the acyl taurate and the N-alkyl acyl taurate of 1:4 to approximately Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 118 / 147 49 / 53 50:1, preferably 1:1 to 50:1, and even more preferably 3:1 to 50:1; b) a co-surfactant; and c) water, wherein the N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant and the co-surfactant solubilize the acyl taurate-based surfactant in the composition, and wherein the composition has a viscosity of 2000 mPa-s to 20,000 mPa-s, according to the rheology method. 2. The personal care composition of paragraph 1, in which the combination of acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate exhibits a synergistic foam height according to the Blender Lather Height method. 3. The personal care composition of paragraph 1 or 2, in which the combination of acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate exhibits synergistic solubility according to the solubility method. 4. The personal care composition, from any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the acyl taurate-based surfactant is a C8-C24 acyl taurate-based surfactant, preferably selected from the group consisting of capric ester taurate surfactants, cocoyl taurate surfactants, lauroyl taurate surfactants, myristoyl taurate surfactants, caproyl taurate surfactants, oleoyl taurate surfactants, capryloyl taurate surfactants, palmitoyl taurate surfactants, stearoyl taurate surfactants, linoleoyl taurate surfactants, salts thereof and combinations thereof. 5. The personal care composition of any preceding paragraph, in which the surfactant N-taurate Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 119 / 147 50 / 53 alkyl acyl is selected from methyl-substituted acyl taurates, ethyl-substituted acyl taurates, propyl-substituted acyl taurates, butyl-substituted acyl taurates, salts thereof and combinations thereof, preferably from the group consisting of methyl caprylic taurate ester, methyl cocoyl taurate, methyl lauroyl taurate, methyl myristoyl taurate, methyl caproyl taurate, methyl oleoyl taurate, methyl capryloyl taurate, methyl palmitoyl taurate, methyl stearoyl taurate, methyl linoleoyl taurate, salts thereof and combinations thereof. 6. The personal care composition of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the composition further comprises a co-surfactant selected from an alkyl amido propyl betaine, an alkyl betaine, an alkyl hydroxy sultaine, an alpha olefin sulfonate, an alkyl glycoside or a combination thereof, preferably selected from cocamido propyl betaine, lauramid propyl betaine, coco-betaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl hydroxy sultaine, coco-hydroxy sultaine, C1416 sodium olefin sulfonate, C12-14 sodium olefin sulfonate, C12-16 sodium olefin sulfonate, decyl glycoside, lauryl glycoside, coco-glucoside and combinations thereof. 7. The personal care composition of any of the preceding paragraphs, additionally comprising an additional ingredient selected from among deposition aids, conditioning agents, anti-dandruff agents, antimicrobial agents, suspending agents, viscosity modifiers, colorants, pigments, non-volatile solvents, diluents, pearlescent aids, foam enhancers, pH adjusting agents, perfumes, preservatives, chelating agents, Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 120 / 147 51 / 53 proteins, vitamins, amino acids, skin-active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers, stabilizers and combinations thereof, preferably an anti-dandruff agent selected from the group consisting of azoles, hydroxyl pyridones, zinc pyritone, zinc carbonate, piroctone olamine, piroctone, sulfur, ciclopirox, rilopirox, MEA hydroxy octyloxy pyridinone, salicylic acid, selenium sulfite, azoxystrobin and 1,10-phenanthroline. 8. The personal care composition, from any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the composition is substantially free of sulfated surfactants. 9. Use of the composition from any of the preceding paragraphs to cleanse hair or skin. 10. A personal care composition comprising: a) a surfactant system comprising an acyl taurate-based surfactant or an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant; b) a cationic polymer; and c) water. 11. The personal care composition of paragraph 10, wherein the cationic polymer has at least one of a weight-average molecular weight of 50 kDa to 5 MDa and a charge density of 0.2 meq / g to 12 meq / g. 12. The personal care composition of paragraph 10 or 11, which further comprises a co-surfactant selected from cocamidopropyl betaine, lauramidylpropyl betaine, coco-betaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl hydroxy sultaine, coco-hydroxy sultaine, an alpha olefin sulfonate or salt thereof, decyl glycoside, Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 121 / 147 52 / 53 lauryl glycoside, coco-glucoside and combinations thereof. 13. The personal care composition of paragraphs 10 to 12, in which the combination of acyl taurate-based surfactant and N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant exhibits synergistic foam height according to the Blender Lather Height method.

[0078] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​mentioned. Instead, except where otherwise specified, each of these dimensions is intended to mean both the value mentioned and a range of functionally equivalent values ​​around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as 40 mm is intended to mean approximately 40 mm.

[0079] Every document cited in the present invention, including any cross-reference, patent or related application, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. Mention of any document is not an admission that it constitutes prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor that it, by itself or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses such invention. Furthermore, if there is a conflict between any meaning or definition of a term in this document and any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition ascribed to that term in this document shall prevail. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 122 / 147 53 / 53

[0080] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various other alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such alterations and modifications that are within the scope of the present invention. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 123 / 147

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Aqueous composition for personal care, characterized by comprising: a) an acyl taurate-based surfactant and an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant at a weight ratio between the acyl taurate and the N-alkyl acyl taurate of 1:4 to about 50:1, preferably 1:1 to 50:1 and more preferably 3:1 to 50:1; b) a co-surfactant; and c) water, wherein the N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant and the co-surfactant solubilize the acyl taurate-based surfactant in the composition, and wherein the composition has a viscosity of 2,000 mPa-s to 20,000 mPa-s, according to the rheological method.

2. Personal care composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the combination of acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate has a synergistic foam height according to the Blender Lather Height method.

3. Personal care composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the combination of acyl taurate and N-alkyl acyl taurate exhibits synergistic solubility according to the solubility method.

4. Personal care composition, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acyl taurate-based surfactant is a C8-C24 acyl taurate-based surfactant, preferably selected from the group consisting of capric ester taurate surfactants, cocoyl taurate surfactants, lauroyl taurate surfactants, myristoyl taurate surfactants, caproyl taurate surfactants, oleoyl taurate surfactants, capryloyl taurate surfactants, palmitoyl taurate surfactants, stearoyl taurate surfactants, linoleoyl taurate surfactants, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

5. A composition for personal care, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the N-alkyl acyl taurate surfactant is selected from methyl-substituted acyl taurates, ethyl-substituted acetyl taurates, propyl-substituted acyl taurates, butyl-substituted acyl taurates, salts thereof and combinations thereof, preferably from the group consisting of methyl caprylic taurate, methyl cocoyl taurate, methyl lauroyl taurate, methyl myristoyl taurate, methyl caproyl taurate, methyl oleoyl taurate, methyl capryloyl taurate, methyl palmitoyl taurate, methyl stearoyl taurate, methyl linoleoyl taurate, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

6. Personal care composition, according to any of the preceding claims, the composition being characterized by further comprising a co-surfactant selected from an alkyl amido propyl betaine, an alkyl betaine, an alkyl hydroxy sultaine, an alpha olefin sulfonate, an alkyl glycoside or a combination thereof, preferably selected from cocamido propyl betaine, lauramid propyl betaine, cocobetaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl hydroxy sultaine, cocohydroxy sultaine, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, p. 125 / 147 3 / 4 sodium C12-14 olefin sulfonate, sodium C12-16 olefin sulfonate, decyl glycoside, lauryl glycoside, coco-glucoside and combinations thereof.

7. A composition for personal care, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising an additional ingredient selected from among deposition aids, conditioning agents, anti-dandruff agents, antimicrobial agents, suspending agents, viscosity modifiers, colorants, pigments, non-volatile solvents, diluents, pearlescent aids, foam enhancers, pH adjusting agents, perfumes, preservatives, chelating agents, proteins, vitamins, amino acids, skin-active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers, stabilizers and combinations thereof, preferably an anti-dandruff agent selected from the group consisting of azoles, hydroxyl pyridones, zinc pyridone, zinc carbonate, piroctone olamine, piroctone, sulfur, ciclopirox, rilopirox, MEA hydroxy octyloxy pyridinone, salicylic acid, selenium sulfite, azoxystrobin and 1,10-phenanthroline.

8. Personal care composition, according to any of the preceding claims, the composition being characterized by being substantially free of sulfated surfactants.

9. Use of the composition, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by being intended to cleanse hair or skin.

10. Composition for personal care characterized by comprising: a) a surfactant system comprising an acyl taurate-based surfactant or an N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant; b) a cationic polymer; and c) water.

11. Personal care composition according to claim 10, characterized in that the cationic polymer has at least one weight-average molecular weight of 50 kDa to 5 MDa and a charge density of 0.2 meq / g to 12 meq / g.

12. Personal care composition, according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by further comprising a co-surfactant selected from cocamidopropyl betaine, lauramidylpropyl betaine, coco-betaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl hydroxy sultaine, coco-hydroxy sultaine, an alpha olefin sulfonate or salt thereof, decyl glycoside, lauryl glycoside, coco-glucoside and combinations thereof.

13. Personal care composition, according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the combination of acyl taurate-based surfactant and N-alkyl acyl taurate-based surfactant exhibits synergistic foam height according to the Blender Lather Height method. Petition 870250079665, dated 05 / 09 / 2025, pp. 127 / 147

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