Skin care kit

Abstract

A kit comprising: 1) a first composition comprising at least one water-insoluble substrate; and 2) a second composition comprising a water-soluble active agent in dry form and a disintegrant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic system, in particular a kit, for caring for keratin materials, in particular the skin. The invention also relates to its use, in particular as a mask for caring for keratin materials, in particular the skin. Background Art

[0002] The ultimate goal in the cosmetics field has always been to provide products with skin benefits such as hydration, moisturizing, whitening, cleansing, etc.

[0003] Among all compositions for caring for keratin materials, especially the skin, facial masks are known to have a high penetration efficacy on keratin materials. Thus, for example, double-digit market growth of facial mask-type cosmetics is seen in China.

[0004] There are generally four types of facial masks, namely, cream type, peel type, gel type and wet wipe type. Among them, cream type and peel type are mainly used for cleaning of keratin materials, while gel type and wet wipe type facial masks are more commonly used for skin care. It is known to incorporate water-soluble active agents in gel or tissue type facial masks. Due to the penetration ability of the facial masks, these facial masks are said to provide high efficacy to the skin, such as hydration, whitening, etc.

[0005] However, these products are still unsatisfactory. Some water-soluble active agents are often not as stable in a dissolved state, such as in an aqueous solution, as compared to their dry form, thus affecting their cosmetic effects. For example, some water-soluble vitamins, such as ascorbic acid (also known as vitamin C), react more easily in aqueous solution. In particular, vitamin C tends to hydrolyze at lower or higher pH.

[0006] In particular in the food and pharmaceutical fields, it is known to formulate these types of ingredients in dry form, such as beads, granules, particles, tablets, etc. For example, it is known to produce tablets containing ascorbic acid to keep a high amount of active ingredients from degradation. These tablets are then dissolved in water before administration.

[0007] However, the inventors have found that these dry products are still not suitable for the cosmetics field, particularly in facial mask products. On the one hand, a large amount of water is usually required to completely dissolve the dry products, and on the other hand, some products are so difficult to dissolve that they require long-term massage or external force.

[0008] Based on the above, there is a need for new compositions for caring for keratin materials, in particular the skin, such as cosmetic masks, which combine two or more of the advantages exhibited by known types of masks, but without one or more of the problems associated therewith.

[0009] Purpose of the Invention

[0010] Thus, in one aspect, it would be advantageous to provide a composition for caring for keratin materials that more effectively distributes water-soluble active agents, particularly solvent-containing compositions.

[0011] In another aspect, it would be advantageous to provide compositions for caring for keratin materials, in particular the skin, having improved ease of use.

[0012] In another aspect, it is preferred to provide a facial mask that is capable of undergoing a texture transition, such as from a tissue to a gel, to provide a pleasant consumer experience.

[0013] In another aspect, it is preferred to provide a facial mask having a moisture or active (eg, whitening agent) delivery capability at least comparable to or even greater than that observed with wet wipes type facial masks.

[0014] In another aspect, it is preferred to provide a facial mask that combines all the benefits described in the above aspects.

[0015] On the other hand, the inventors have found that the concept or subject matter of the present invention is not only applicable to the cosmetic field, but also to other fields, such as the medical field. Therefore, the facial masks of the above aspects can be expanded to sets, which also show the benefits described in this article about these facial masks.

[0016] Invention Disclosure

[0017] The present inventors have discovered that one or more of the above requirements can be met by a specific combination of: 1) a first composition comprising at least one water-insoluble substrate; 2) a second composition comprising a water-soluble active agent in dry form and a disintegrant.

[0018] A subject of the present invention is therefore to provide a kit 1 comprising a first composition and a second composition placed separately from one another.

[0019] Another subject of the present invention is to provide another kit 2, which comprises a first composition, a second composition and a third composition, wherein the first composition comprises at least one multivalent metal ion, and the third composition comprises at least one water-soluble gelling agent that can form a gel with the multivalent metal ion.

[0020] Another subject of the present invention is the use of the kit 1 and / or 2 according to the invention for the care of keratin materials, in particular the skin. This use may be manifested as a method for the care of keratin materials, in particular the skin, comprising the steps of compounding the first composition and the second composition of the kit in a predetermined weight ratio and then applying the mixture thus obtained to the keratin material.

[0021] Another subject of the present invention is the use of the kit 1 and / or 2 according to the invention for the management of skin wounds, for the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation or for the filling or repair of osteochondral defects, etc. This use can be manifested as a method for the management of skin wounds, for the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation or for the filling or repair of osteochondral defects, comprising the steps of compounding the first and second compositions of the kit in a predetermined weight ratio and then applying to the location where the mixture thus obtained is required.

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention emerge more clearly on reading the following description and examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Throughout the specification, including the claims, unless otherwise mentioned, the term "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one." Furthermore, the term "at least one" as used in this specification is equivalent to the term "one or more."

[0025] Preferably, the "keratin material" according to the invention is the skin. "Skin" means the skin of the whole body. Still more preferably, the keratin material is the face or neck, especially the face.

[0026] "Topical application" means applying or spreading the composition to the surface of a keratin material, such as at least one area of ​​the skin.

[0027] "Rinse-off" refers to a composition that is applied to the skin for a predetermined period of time and then removed from the skin by a rinse composition, such as water.

[0028] "Alkali metal" refers to an element located in Group IA of the periodic table, such as sodium, potassium, lithium, or a combination thereof, preferably sodium, potassium, or a combination thereof.

[0029] The term "water-soluble or water-dispersible" means a compound which, when introduced into water at 25°C at a concentration by mass equal to 1%, gives a macroscopically homogeneous and transparent solution, i.e. a solution having a maximum light transmission value of at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, through a sample of 1 cm thickness at a wavelength equal to 500 nm.

[0030] In the present application, unless explicitly mentioned otherwise, contents, parts and percentages are by weight.

[0031] According to the present invention, the kit comprises a first composition and a second composition.

[0032] First composition

[0033] First, the first composition according to the present invention comprises at least one water-insoluble substrate.

[0034] water-insoluble substrate

[0035] For purposes of the present invention, the term "water-insoluble" means that the substrate is insoluble in water and does not disintegrate when immersed in water.

[0036] Usually, the substrate can be a woven fabric or nonwoven fabric made of fibers selected from natural fibers, such as alginate, cotton, pulp, bamboo and cellulose fibers, semi-natural fibers, such as viscose rayon fibers, and synthetic fibers, such as polyester fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene fibers and polypropylene fibers, or mixtures thereof. Two or more selected from other fibers can be used in combination.

[0037] The substrate can be made into a variety of shapes and forms, such as flat pads, thick pads, sheets of irregular thickness, depending on the desired use and characteristics of the set. By way of example only, in the case of a facial mask, the substrate is generally designed to fit the skin area where topical application is desired. For this reason, when the facial mask is applied to the face, the substrate is designed to correspond to the facial shape, avoiding the eyes, nostrils and mouth areas as necessary. Non-limiting examples of substrates that can be used in the present invention are described, for example, in patent application WO 02 / 062132 or EP 2489286A.

[0038] In particular, the water-insoluble substrate or fabric may comprise water-insoluble alginate fibers, especially calcium alginate fibers, in an amount of 10 to 100 wt %, especially 15 to 50 wt %, relative to the total weight of the water-insoluble substrate or fabric.

[0039] In particular, the water-insoluble substrate or fabric may comprise at least one other fiber in an amount of 0% to 90% by weight, in particular 50% to 85% by weight, relative to the total weight of the water-insoluble substrate or fabric.

[0040] More particularly, a suitable nonwoven fabric is made of 20% by weight of calcium alginate fibers and 80% by weight of lyocell fibers, relative to the total weight of the tissue, and is commercially available under the name M762R-40CN from the company Sanjiang.

[0041] Water-insoluble alginate

[0042] The term "alginate" refers in particular to salts of alginic acid. Alginic acid, a natural substance obtained from brown algae or from certain bacteria, is a polysaccharide composed of two uronic acids linked together by 1,4-glycosidic bonds: β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-glucuronic acid (G).

[0043] The term "water-insoluble" means that the salt is insoluble in water and does not disintegrate into a bulk state when immersed in water.

[0044] Specifically, the water-insoluble alginate can be formed by alginic acid and a certain multivalent cation, especially calcium, barium, strontium, zinc, copper, manganese, lead, cobalt, nickel, aluminum or a mixture thereof. More specifically, the at least one water-insoluble alginate can be selected from calcium alginate, barium alginate, strontium alginate, zinc alginate, copper alginate, manganese alginate, lead alginate, cobalt alginate, nickel alginate, aluminum alginate or a mixture thereof, preferably calcium alginate.

[0045] Water-insoluble alginates, in which calcium is the main cation, are found especially in the Phaeophyceae ( Phaeophyceae ) of seaweed, an example of which is Fucus vesiculosus ( Fucus vesiculosus )、Spiral Fucus( Fucus spiralis )、Ascophyllum nodosum( Ascophyllum nodosum )、Giant kelp( Macrocystis pyrifera )、Pterocarpus( Alaria esculenta )、 Eclonia maxima 、Light black giant seaweed ( Lessonia nigrescens )、 Lessonia trabeculata ,kelp( Laminaria japonica ), Antarctic spathula ( Durvillea antarctica )、Northern Kelp( Laminaria hyperborea )、Long-stranded brown algae( Laminaria longicruris )、Dactyloides kelp( Laminaria digitata )、Sugar kelp( Laminaria saccharina )、Laminaria japonica( Laminaria cloustoni )and Saragassum sp. .

[0046] Suitable water-insoluble alginates have a weight average molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons to about 500,000 Daltons. As in Martinsen et al., "Comparison of Different Methods for Determination of Molecular Weights and Molecular Weight Distribution of Alginates" (Carbohydr. Polym., 15, 171-193, 1991), the intrinsic viscosity is first determined and then the weight average molecular weight is calculated using the Mark-Houwink Sakurada equation.

[0047] In particular, the at least one water-insoluble alginate may be present in the form of a powder, particles, fibers or a bulk state, preferably fibers.

[0048] For the purpose of the present invention, the term "microparticles" means that the alginate is in the form of particles.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the first composition of the invention may comprise said at least one water-insoluble alginate in a content ranging from 10% to 100% by weight, in particular from 15% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the first composition.

[0050] Superabsorbent material

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first composition may comprise at least one superabsorbent material.

[0052] In particular, the at least one superabsorbent material may be present in the form of a powder, granules, fibers or in a bulk state.

[0053] Superabsorbent materials advantageously exhibit an extremely high capacity to absorb liquids, particularly water. In particular, they may exhibit a capacity to absorb 15 times, or even 20 to 50 times, such as about 25 to 30 times, their own weight in water.

[0054] The liquid absorption capacity of a superabsorbent material can be determined by carrying out the following method.

[0055] A sample of superabsorbent material in powder, fiber or bulk state or arranged as a film or sheet is weighed in a dry state (M D ). For example, a square nonwoven web having a side length of about 1 centimeter (cm) can be used. In the context of the present method, the superabsorbent material is obtained in a "dry" state by treatment in a drying oven at about 50° C. for about 4 hours (h).

[0056] Water (or any other liquid to be absorbed by the material) is brought into contact with the material. This can be done by immersing the material in the liquid or by pouring the liquid over the material. For example, the material can be soaked for a duration of about 1 minute (min).

[0057] Excess water (or liquid) is used, for example, to completely saturate the material. Excess water (or liquid) is then removed, for example by dripping for about 2 minutes, and the liquid-saturated material is weighed (M L ).

[0058] The difference Δ between the weight of the material when saturated with liquid and the weight of the material when dry represents the amount of liquid absorbed, which weight is compared with the dry weight of the material. The resulting value C indicates the capacity of the superabsorbent material to absorb liquid, for example expressed in grams of liquid absorbed per gram of dry material:

[0059] .

[0060] The superabsorbent material can be selected from cellulose derivatives, alginates (excluding the water-insoluble alginates and alkali metal alginic acid compounds described herein) and their derivatives, in particular derivatives such as propylene glycol alginate or its salts, derivatives of polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, derivatives of poly(meth)acrylamide, derivatives of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, derivatives of polyvinyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

[0061] In particular, the superabsorbent material can be selected from chemically modified cellulose derivatives. For example, it can be selected from carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose, carboxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, sodium methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate and mixtures thereof.

[0062] It may also be chosen from alkylcelluloses. These polymers are obtained by grafting alkyl residues onto one or more hydroxyl groups of a cellulose polymer to form hydroxyalkyl derivatives. These alkyl residues may be chosen from the following groups: stearyl, isostearyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, isocetyl, cocoyl, palmityl, oleyl, linonyl, ricinolyl, behenyl and mixtures thereof. These hydroxyalkylcellulose derivatives may also be chemically modified, for example using carboxylic residues.

[0063] The superabsorbent material may also be selected from natural polymer derivatives such as gelatin and glucomannan and galactomannan polysaccharides extracted from seeds, plant fibers, fruits, seaweed, starch, plant resins or even microbial sources. For example, it may be selected from agar gum, guar gum, tragacanth gum, carrageenan, konjac gum, locust bean gum, gellan gum, xanthan gum and mixtures thereof.

[0064] In particular, the first composition of the invention may comprise a content of 0% to 90% by weight, in particular 50% to 85% by weight, relative to the total weight of the first composition, or even the remainder of said at least one superabsorbent material excluding the alginate.

[0065] The kit 1 according to the present invention comprises a second composition in addition to a first composition (e.g., a water-insoluble substrate), which, after being dissolved in an aqueous solution, is impregnated, coated, or otherwise contacted with the first composition, thereby evenly distributing the active agent from the second composition onto the substrate.

[0066] Preferably, the weight ratio of the first composition (eg, water-insoluble substrate or fabric) to the second composition is from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably from 5:1 to 1:5, or preferably from 2:1 to 1:2.

[0067] Second composition

[0068] The second composition according to the invention comprises a water-soluble active agent and a disintegrant, both in dry form, preferably anhydrous form.

[0069] Water-soluble surfactant

[0070] Active agents are agents that can bring about a cosmetic effect for the user, in particular for the skin, for example the face. Such cosmetic effects can be, for example, whitening, anti-aging, hydration and / or moisturizing. Conventional active agents that can be used in cosmetics can be used in the second composition according to the invention, as long as they are water-soluble.

[0071] For the purposes of the present invention, the compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for use with water-soluble active agents that are unstable in the dissolved state.

[0072] For the purposes of the present invention, "unstable" means that an ingredient or composition undergoes a significant change in its structure or properties within 2 months or preferably 1 month in a solvent or in a dissolved state. Such changes can be any changes that are undesirable for cosmetic use, including but not limited to, color change, degradation, decomposition, reaction with other substances, significant evaporation, sedimentation, crystallization, etc.

[0073] Among non-limiting examples of water-insoluble active agents, water-soluble vitamins may be mentioned.

[0074] Water-soluble vitamins

[0075] Water-soluble vitamins can be used as active agents in the second composition. Useful examples of vitamins include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), B vitamins (e.g., vitamin B5 (panthenol), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 and vitamin B2), niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, derivatives of these vitamins (particularly esters), and mixtures thereof.

[0076] Among them, vitamin C and vitamin B group are preferably used, and vitamin C is more preferably used.

[0077] Vitamins suitable for use in the present invention may be represented, for example, by the product sold under the name ASCORBIC ACID 100 MESH available from CSPC WEISHENG PHARMACEUTICAL, or from BASF.

[0078] Useful water-soluble vitamin derivatives preferably include 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside or a mixture thereof.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the second composition of the invention may comprise the at least one water-soluble active agent in an amount of 20% to 99.9% by weight, preferably 40% to 95% by weight, especially 50% to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the second composition.

[0080] Disintegrants

[0081] In order to promote the disintegration of one or more water-soluble active agents when dissolved in a solvent, such as water, a disintegrant is used in the second composition. Therefore, it is preferred that the disintegrant is uniformly mixed with the water-soluble active agent.

[0082] Since both the active agent and the disintegrant are present in the second composition in dry form, in order to maintain a uniformly mixed state, it is preferred that the disintegrant itself is a binder for the active agent, or an additional binder is added to shape the disintegrant and the active agent together into an integrated solid state, such as particles, granules, spheres, beads, balls, rods, strips, etc., which are hollow or solid forms. For rapid and unitary disintegration and dissolution of the active agent, forms such as granules, spheres, balls, etc. are preferred.

[0083] Accordingly, the disintegrant is preferably selected from starch, such as corn starch, potato starch or wheat starch; starch derivatives, such as pregelatinized starch, alpha starch, acrylic acid grafted starch or sodium carboxymethyl starch; sugars or sugar alcohols, or mixtures thereof.

[0084] Sugar and sugar alcohols

[0085] Sugar or sugar alcohol is preferably used as disintegrant according to the present invention. More preferably, sugar or sugar alcohol itself acts as a binder. Available sugars include monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. The corresponding alcohol of the sugar is also available.

[0086] Among monosaccharides, glucose and fructose are preferred. Among disaccharides, sucrose is preferred. Among sugar alcohols, sorbitol and mannitol are preferred.

[0087] A representative of sugars suitable for the invention is, for example, the product sold under the name SUCRE SEMOULE SURFINE 250 by TEREOS.

[0088] Formation of the Second Composition

[0089] In order to dissolve the disintegrant quickly with the active agent, the second composition of the integrated solid state containing them is preferably made into particles, preferably in the form of granules, spheres, balls, etc. Methods for preparing the integrated solid state include fluidized bed method, extrusion method, spray method, centrifugal method, etc. The fluidized bed method is preferred. The fluidized bed method can be carried out at room temperature to elevated temperature, for example, about 25°C to about 80°C, about 30°C to 50°C, for example, about 35°C.

[0090] For the fluidized bed process, the integrated solid particles of the active agent and the disintegrant are preferably prepared by the following steps:

[0091] 1). Providing the active agent in solid form;

[0092] 2). Dissolve the disintegrant in water; and

[0093] 3). Feed the aqueous solution of active agent and disintegrant into the fluidized bed to prepare granules.

[0094] Preferably, for step 1), the active agent is provided as particles, for example in the form of a powder, granules, spheres or balls. If an additional binder is used, it is dissolved in step 2) together with the disintegrant.

[0095] For the high utilization rate of aqueous solution and the uniformity of the particles of integrated solid state, it is preferred to use the comprehensive method of centrifugal-fluidized bed, wherein centrifugal force is introduced into fluidized bed. According to this comprehensive method, the container storing active agent is placed in fluidized bed, and the rotating plate with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of fluidized bed is installed at the bottom of fluidized bed, so as to form a gap between the outer edge of plate and the inwall of fluidized bed, and fluidizing gas is blown upwards via this gap. Nozzle is immersed in the particles of active agent. The active agent particles sprayed by disintegrant and optional binder are moved to the edge of plate due to centrifugal force, and are fluidized by fluidizing gas, and gravity also acts on particles in this process.

[0096] The rotating plate is preferably rotated at a linear speed of 100-2000 m / min, preferably 300-1800 m / min or 500-1500 m / min at the outer edge of the plate. When relatively large particles are required, the high speed can be reduced to, for example, 1000-2000 m / min, preferably 1300-1900 m / min; when relatively large particles are required, the high speed can be reduced to, for example, 100-1000 m / min, preferably 200-700 m / min.

[0097] The integrated state of the disintegrant and the active agent is preferably a particle having a particle size of 20-40 mesh; a maximum drying loss of less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, such as about 4%; and / or a pressure of about 500 to 900 kg / m 3 The packing density between.

[0098] For the purposes of the present invention, the weight ratio of disintegrant to active agent in the second composition is from 1:100 to 1:4, preferably from 1:50 to 1:5, or preferably from 1:20 to 1:10.

[0099] Optional other components

[0100] The second composition may include other components that are useful for cosmetics, as long as they do not interfere with the rapid dissolution of the second composition in water. For example, a filler with high water solubility may be added to the second composition. Preferably, the dissolution rate of the filler is higher than the dissolution rate of the active agent. In particular, the second composition may include a binder other than the disintegrant used and different from the disintegrant used, as long as they do not interfere with the rapid dissolution of the second composition in water. Examples of binders may include polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, xanthan gum and agar.

[0101] Set 1

[0102] According to the present invention, the kit 1 comprises a first composition and a second composition. Since the active agent is stored in a dry form, its activity is maintained as high as possible.

[0103] In one embodiment of the invention, the first composition and the second composition are placed separately from each other in the set 1. Before use, the second composition is added to an appropriate amount of solvent, such as water, to dissolve the active agent. Due to the promotion of the disintegrant, the active agent dissolves very quickly. Then, the solution of the active agent is applied to the water-insoluble substrate of the first composition, for example, by immersing the substrate in the solution, injecting the solution into the substrate, spraying the solution onto the substrate, etc.

[0104] In another embodiment of the present invention, since the disintegrant promotes the dissolution of the active agent, the first composition and the second composition are placed in the same package. Immediately before use, the first composition and the second composition are added together, for example, immersed in a solvent, such as water.

[0105] For cosmetic applications, in many cases, water cannot be added in extreme excess, and at the same time, a very fast dissolution rate of the second composition is highly desirable to meet, for example, the user's demand for a freshly mixed product that can be used almost immediately, such as a freshly mixed face mask. Due to the specific selection of the active agent and the disintegrant and optionally the binder, the second composition can be dissolved very quickly for most cosmetic applications, for example within 3 minutes, preferably within 120 seconds, and more preferably within 100 seconds.

[0106] In another embodiment of the present invention, the substrate of the first composition comprises a water-insoluble alginate such as a fiber of calcium alginate. When such a substrate is used together with another gelling alginate, such as sodium alginate, gelation occurs. Still due to the disintegrant promoting the dissolution of the active agent, the dissolution of the active agent is completed rapidly, long before the viscosity is significantly increased due to gelation. Therefore, even for such a gelling system, the active agent can still be distributed on the substrate.

[0107] The third composition

[0108] For a product in which the first composition according to the present invention comprises polyvalent metal ions, a third composition may further be used for the product. The third composition of the present invention comprises at least one aqueous phase, and at least one water-soluble gelling agent that can form a gel with the polyvalent metal ions. More preferably, the third composition comprises: a) at least one aqueous phase, b) at least one water-soluble gelling agent that can form a gel with the polyvalent metal ions, and c) at least one water-soluble polyvalent metal ion chelating agent.

[0109] According to the present invention, when the first composition is mixed with the third composition, the water-insoluble multivalent metal ion donor reacts with the gelling agent in the solution and releases the multivalent metal ions, thereby forming a gel.

[0110] In the case where the third composition comprises the above-mentioned components b) and c), when the first composition is mixed with the third composition, the water-insoluble polyvalent metal ion donor reacts with the gelling agent in the solution and releases the polyvalent metal ions, most of which will be additionally captured by the water-soluble chelating agent. A small number of free polyvalent metal ions react with the water-soluble gelling agent in the solution and begin to form a gel on the surface of the paper towel. As the concentration of free polyvalent metal ions decreases over time, the chelated polyvalent metal ions will gradually be released and then form a gel on the surface of the paper towel. After a short time, a transformation of the texture of the paper towel and a uniform gel on the surface of the paper towel are observed.

[0111] Multivalent metal ion chelating agent

[0112] The third composition according to the invention comprises at least one water-soluble multivalent metal ion chelating agent to promote textural transformation, in particular at least to enhance moisture or active delivery capability. The water-soluble multivalent metal ion chelating agent is water-soluble.

[0113] According to the present invention, when the first composition is mixed with the third composition, the water-insoluble polyvalent metal ion donor releases more or less polyvalent metal ions into the solution. Both the polyvalent metal ion chelating agent and the water-soluble gelling agent can bind to polyvalent metal ions.

[0114] Surprisingly, the specific chelating agent according to the present invention outcompetes the gelling agent in the competition for binding to the polyvalent metal ions, so that the released polyvalent metal ions are mostly captured by the water-soluble chelating agent. There are still a few free polyvalent metal ions in the solution that react with the water-soluble gelling agent and begin to form a gel on the surface of the paper towel. As the concentration of the free polyvalent metal ions decreases over time, the chelated polyvalent metal ions will gradually be released and then form a gel on the surface of the paper towel. That is, the specific chelating agent according to the present invention acts as a reservoir of polyvalent metal ions for forming a gel on the surface of the paper towel.

[0115] According to the present invention, useful polyvalent metal ion chelators include aminocarboxylic acids, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), aminotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, especially their alkali metal salts, such as N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)glutamic acid, tetrasodium EDTA, tetrasodium N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)glutamic acid (glutamic acid diacetic acid, GLDA); hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as citric acid, tartaric acid, glucuronic acid, succinic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), especially their alkali metal salts; hydroxyaminocarboxylic acids, such as hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), dihydroxyethylglycine (DEG), especially their alkali metal salts; polyphosphonic acids, especially their alkali metal salts; other phosphorus-containing organic acids, such as phytic acid, especially their alkali metal salts, such as sodium phytate, potassium phytate; polycarboxylic acids, such as polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, especially their alkali metal salts.

[0116] In one embodiment, the at least one water-soluble multivalent metal ion sequestrant is an alkali metal hydroxypolycarboxylate represented by an alkane containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms, substituted by 1, 2 or 3 hydroxyl groups (-OH), preferably one (1) hydroxyl group, and further substituted by 2, 3, 4 or 5 carboxylic acid / carboxylate groups (-COOM), preferably 2 or 3 carboxylic acid / carboxylate groups (-COOM), wherein multiple groups M independently represent H or an alkali metal, provided that at least one group M represents an alkali metal, such as Na, K or Li, preferably all groups M represent an alkali metal, such as Na, K or Li, preferably Na. More specifically, the at least one alkali metal hydroxypolycarboxylate can be selected from sodium tartrate, sodium citrate, potassium tartrate, potassium citrate and their hydrates, preferably sodium citrate, especially trisodium citrate. In this article, sodium citrate is used to represent monosodium citrate, disodium citrate and trisodium citrate, and other alkali metal hydroxypolycarboxylates can be understood in a similar manner.

[0117] The alkali metal mentioned above is particularly preferably sodium or potassium, especially sodium. Accordingly, preferred chelating agents may include sodium citrate, tetrasodium EDTA, tetrasodium GLDA, trisodium EDDS, sodium phytate or a mixture thereof.

[0118] In particular, the third composition of the present invention may comprise the at least one water-soluble multivalent metal ion chelating agent in an amount of 0.1 to 1 wt %, especially 0.2 to 0.4 wt %, relative to the total weight of the third composition.

[0119] Water-soluble gelling agent

[0120] The third composition according to the present invention comprises at least one water-soluble gelling agent which can gelate with the multivalent metal ions to form a gel.

[0121] In the present application, the term "water-soluble gelling agent" specifically refers to a gelling agent that can form a gel with the multivalent metal ions from the first composition.

[0122] According to the present invention, when the first composition is mixed with the third composition, the water-insoluble polyvalent metal ion donor releases more or less polyvalent metal ions into the solution. Accordingly, a gel is formed between the ions and the gelling agent. In the case where both a chelating agent and a gelling agent are used, the gelling agent is specifically selected to have a lower ability to bind to polyvalent metal ions than the ability of the chelating agent to bind to polyvalent metal ions, so that the gelling agent does not bind to free polyvalent metal ions released directly from the first composition, but binds to polyvalent metal ions subsequently released from the reservoir, i.e., chelated polyvalent metal ions. Accordingly, a gel can be formed on the surface of the first composition.

[0123] According to the principles of the present invention, the gelling agent can therefore be any gelling agent that can form a gel with the multivalent metal ions but has a lower ability to bind the multivalent metal ions than the chelating agent. Examples of gelling agents may include gelatin, pectin, gellan gum, carrageenan, agar, alginic acid compounds, in particular alkali metal salts of alginic acid, such as sodium alginate, and mixtures thereof.

[0124] Pectin is a linear polymer of α-D-galacturonic acid (at least 65%) linked in positions 1 and 4 to a certain proportion of carboxylic acid groups esterified with methanol groups. About 20% of the sugars constituting the pectin molecule are neutral sugars (L-rhamnose, D-glucose, D-galactose, L-arabinose, D-xylose). L-rhamnose residues are found in all pectins, incorporated into the main chain in positions 1,2.

[0125] Uronic acid molecules have carboxyl groups. - In the form of ions, this functionality gives pectin the ability to exchange ions. Divalent ions (especially calcium) have the ability to form an ionic bridge between two carboxyl groups of two different pectin molecules.

[0126] In the natural state, a certain proportion of the carboxyl groups are esterified with carbinol groups. The natural degree of esterification of pectin can range from 70% (apple, lemon) to 10% (strawberry), depending on the source used. With pectins with a high degree of esterification, the -COOCH3 groups can be hydrolyzed in order to obtain weakly esterified pectins. Depending on the proportion of methylated or non-methylated monomers, the chains are therefore more or less acidic. HM (high methoxyl) pectins are therefore defined as having a degree of esterification greater than 50%, and LM (low methoxyl) pectins as having a degree of esterification less than 50%.

[0127] In the case of amidated pectins, the -OCH3 groups are replaced by -NH2 groups.

[0128] Pectin is sold, inter alia, under the name Unipectine™ by the company Cargill, under the name Genu by the company CP-Kelco and under the name Grinsted Pectin by Danisco.

[0129] Carrageenans are anionic polysaccharides constituting the cell walls of various red algae (class Rhodophyceae) belonging to the families Gigartinacae, Hypneaceae, Furcellariaceae and Polyideaceae. They are usually obtained by hot water extraction from natural strains of said algae. These linear polymers, formed of disaccharide units, consist of two D-galactopyranose units alternately linked by α(1,3) and β(1,4) bonds. They are highly sulfated polysaccharides (20-50%), the α-D-galactopyranosyl residues being in the 3,6-anhydro form. Depending on the number and position of the sulfate groups on the repeating disaccharides of the molecule, several types of carrageenans are distinguished, namely: kappa-carrageenan with one sulfate group, iota-carrageenan with two sulfate groups and lambda-carrageenan with three sulfate groups.

[0130] Carrageenan consists essentially of potassium, sodium, magnesium, triethanolamine and / or calcium salts of polysaccharide sulfate.

[0131] Carrageenan is sold in particular by SEPPIC as Solagum ® Carragel ® , Carralact ® and Carrasol ® by Cargill as Satiagel™ and Satiagum™, and by CP-Kelco as Genulacta ® , Genugel ® and Genuvisco ®Sold for the name.

[0132] Agar is a galactose polysaccharide contained in the cell walls of some of these species of red algae (class Rhodophyceae). They are formed by a polymeric group whose basic backbone is a chain of β(1,3) D-galactopyranose and α(1,4) L 3-6 anhydrogalactose, these units repeating regularly and alternatingly. The differences within the agar family are due to the presence or absence of solvated methyl or carboxyethyl groups. These hybrid structures are usually present in variable percentages, depending on the species of algae and the season of harvest.

[0133] Agar is between 40 000 and 300 000 g.mol -1 A mixture of polysaccharides (agarose and agaropectin) of high molecular weight between 1.5 and 2.5 mmol / l. It is obtained by preparing algae extracts, usually by autoclaving, and by treating these liquids, which contain about 2% agar, to extract the agar.

[0134] Agar is produced, for example, by the B&V Agar Producers group under the name Gold Agar, by the Hispanagar company under the names Agarite and Grand Agar, and by the Setexam company under the names Agar-Agar, QSA (Quick Soluble Agar) and Puragar.

[0135] Gellan gum is an anionic linear heteropolysaccharide based on oligoside units (tetrasaccharides) composed of 4 sugars. D-glucose, L-rhamnose and D-glucuronic acid in a ratio of 2:1:1 exist in gellan gum as monomer units.

[0136] It is sold, for example, under the name Kelcogel CG LA by the company CP Kelco.

[0137] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gelling agent is preferably selected from alkali metal alginic acid compounds. Particularly preferred gelling agents are alginates, such as sodium alginate or potassium alginate, especially sodium alginate.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the at least one water-soluble gelling agent is present in the third composition in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to 0.3% by weight relative to the total weight of the third composition.

[0139] According to the present invention, the amounts of chelating agent and gelling agent are selected so that the molar ratio of the released portion of chelating agent capable of chelating multivalent cations: the released portion of gelling agent capable of forming a gel with multivalent cations is about 10:1 to about 1:1, preferably about 5:1 to about 2:1.

[0140] Alkali metal alginates

[0141] The term "alkali metal alginic acid compound" refers in particular to an alkali metal alginic acid salt (alginate) or an alkali metal salt of an alginic acid derivative. The alkali metal alginic acid compound is water-soluble.

[0142] Alginic acid, a natural substance obtained from brown algae or from certain bacteria, is a polysaccharide composed of two uronic acids linked together by a 1,4-glycosidic bond: β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-glucuronic acid (G).

[0143] Alginic acid can form water-soluble salts (alginates) with alkali metals such as sodium, potassium or lithium. These alginates are water-soluble in aqueous media at pH 4, but dissociate into alginic acid at a pH below 4.

[0144] Methods for recovering these water-soluble salts, especially sodium alginate, from natural sources are well known and described, for example, in Green, US Pat. No. 2,036,934 and Le Gloahec, US Pat. No. 2,128,551.

[0145] Alginic acid or alginates can be chemically modified, in particular with urea or urethane groups, or by hydrolysis, oxidation, esterification, etherification, sulfatation, phosphatation, amination, amidation or alkylation, or by several of these modifications, to form alginic acid derivatives, including salts.

[0146] These derivatives may be anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic and are capable of forming water-soluble salts with alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium or lithium, to form alkali metal salts of alginic acid derivatives.

[0147] More specifically, alginate can react with an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide to form polyglycol alginates. The polyglycol segments are bonded to the alginate via one or more carboxyl groups. Typically, alginate reacts with propylene oxide to form polypropylene glycol alginate (PPG alginate), and reacts with ethylene oxide to form polyethylene glycol alginate (PEG alginate). The preparation of polyglycol alginate is disclosed in Strong, U.S. Patent No. 3,948,881, Pettitt, U.S. Patent No. 3,772,266, and Steiner, U.S. Patent No. 2,426,125.

[0148] Preferably, the polyglycol alginate salt has a degree of esterification of about 40% to about 95%, more preferably about 70% to 95%.

[0149] Suitable alginates have a weight average molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons to about 500,000 Daltons. As in Martinsen et al., "Comparison of Different Methods for Determination of Molecular Weights and Molecular Weight Distribution of Alginates" (Carbohydr. Polym., 15, 171-193, 1991), the intrinsic viscosity is first determined and then the weight average molecular weight is calculated using the Mark-Houwink Sakurada equation.

[0150] The weight average molecular weights indicated above also apply to the alkali metal salts of alginic acid derivatives.

[0151] A listing of various commercially available alginates, their properties, and their sources can be found in Shapiro, US Patent No. 6,334,968, Table 1, Column 16, Line 49 to Column 17, Line 18, incorporated herein by reference.

[0152] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the alkali metal alginic acid compound may be selected from sodium alginate and potassium alginate, preferably sodium alginate.

[0153] Representatives of alkali metal alginates suitable for use in the present invention include, for example, Kelcosol, Satialgine™, Cecalgum™ or Algogel™ from Cargill Products, Protanal™ from FMC Biopolymer, Grindsted™ from Danisco, ® Alginate, Kimica was named Kimica Algin, and ISP was named Manucol. ® and Manugel ® Products sold under the name.

[0154] Water Phase

[0155] The third composition according to the invention comprises at least one aqueous phase.

[0156] The at least one aqueous phase comprises water.

[0157] The aqueous phase may also contain water-miscible organic solvents (at room temperature: 25° C.), for example monoalcohols having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as ethanol or isopropanol; in particular polyols having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentanediol, hexylene glycol, dipropylene glycol or diethylene glycol; glycol ethers (in particular containing 3 to 16 carbon atoms), such as mono-, di- or tri-propylene glycol (C1-C4) alkyl ethers, mono-, di- or tri-ethylene glycol (C1-C4) alkyl ethers, and mixtures thereof.

[0158] The aqueous phase may also contain any water-soluble or water-dispersible compound that is compatible with the aqueous phase, such as a hydrophilic gelling agent, a preservative or a surfactant, and mixtures thereof.

[0159] In particular, the third composition of the present invention may contain the at least one aqueous phase in an amount of 10% to 99% by weight, particularly 50% to 99% by weight, more particularly 70% to 99% by weight, relative to the total weight of the third composition.

[0160] Hydrophilic gelling agent

[0161] The third composition according to the invention may optionally comprise at least one additional hydrophilic gelling agent.

[0162] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "hydrophilic gelling agent" refers to a compound capable of gelling the aqueous phase without combining with the polyvalent metal ions from the first composition.

[0163] The gelling agent may be water soluble or water dispersible.

[0164] More specifically, the hydrophilic gelling agent may be selected from synthetic polymeric gelling agents, natural or naturally derived polymeric gelling agents or mixtures thereof.

[0165] Synthetic polymer gelling agent

[0166] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "synthetic" means that the polymer is neither naturally occurring nor a derivative of a polymer of natural origin.

[0167] The synthetic polymeric gelling agents contemplated according to the present invention may or may not be microparticles.

[0168] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "microparticles" when applied to synthetic polymeric gelling agents means that the polymer is in the form of particles, preferably spherical particles.

[0169] More specifically, these polymers may be chosen especially from:

[0170] Modified or unmodified carboxyvinyl polymers, such as those sold by Goodrich under the trade name Carbopol® products sold under the name Carbomer (CTFA name); polyacrylates and polymethacrylates, such as Lubrajel™ and Norgel from Guardian or Hispagel from Hispano Chimica ® Products sold under the name; polyacrylamide; optionally crosslinked and / or neutralized 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid polymers and copolymers, such as Hostacerin AMPS from Clariant ® Poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) sold under the name (CTFA name: ammonium polyacryldimethyltauramide); acrylamide and AMPS ® A cross-linked anionic copolymer in the form of a W / O emulsion, such as Sepigel™ 305 (CTFA name: polyacrylamide / C 13-14 isoparaffin / laureth-7) and those sold under the name Simulgel™ 600 (CTFA name: acrylamide / sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer / isohexadecane / polysorbate 80); and mixtures thereof.

[0171] Preferably, these polymers can be selected from acrylates / acrylic acid C 10-30 Alkyl ester crosspolymers, such as Carbopol ® ultrez 20, Carbopol ® ultrez 21, Permulen™ TR-1, Permulen™ TR-2, Carbopol ® 1382. Carbopol ® ETD 2020, Carbomers such as Synthalen ® K. Carbopol ® 980, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate / steareth-8 methacrylate copolymer, such as Aristoflex ® SNC, acrylate copolymers, such as Carbopol ® Aqua SF-1, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate / Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer as Aristoflex ® HMS, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate, such as Aristoflex ® AVC.

[0172] Preferably, these polymers can be selected from carboxyvinyl polymers such as Carbopol® Products (carbomers), such as Carbopol sold by Lubrizol ® Ultrez 20 Polymer, and Pemulen products (acrylates / acrylic acid C 10-30 Polyacrylamide, such as Sepigel™ 305 (CTFA name: Polyacrylamide / C 13-14 crosslinked copolymers sold as isoparaffin / laureth-7) or Simulgel™ 600 (CTFA name: acrylamide / sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer / isohexadecane / polysorbate 80); optionally crosslinked and / or neutralized 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid polymers and copolymers, such as those sold by Hoechst under the trademark Hostacerin AMPS ® (CTFA name: ammonium polyacryloyldimethyltaurate) or Simulgel™ 800 sold by SEPPIC (CTFA name: sodium polyacryloyldimethyltaurate / polysorbate 80 / sorbitan oleate); copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and hydroxyethyl acrylate, such as Simulgel™ NS and Sepinov EMT 10 sold by SEPPIC; and mixtures thereof.

[0173] Preferably, these polymers may be selected from the glyceryl acrylate / acrylic acid copolymers available under the trade name Lubrajel™ from ISP Technologies, Inc. (United Guardian Inc.), particularly in the form known as Lubrajel™ oil, which contains about 1.0% to 1.3% glyceryl acrylate / acrylic acid copolymer in an aqueous glycerol solution (about 40% glycerol). Lubrajel™ oil also includes about 0.6% PVM / MA copolymer (also known as methoxyethylene / maleic anhydride copolymer).

[0174] Natural or naturally derived polymeric gelling agents

[0175] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "of natural origin" is intended to mean polymeric gelling agents obtained by modification of natural polymeric gelling agents.

[0176] These gelling agents may be particulate or non-particulate.

[0177] More specifically, these gelling agents belong to the class of polysaccharides.

[0178] In general, polysaccharides suitable for use in the present invention may be homopolysaccharides, such as fructans, glucans, galactans and mannans, or heteropolysaccharides, such as hemicelluloses.

[0179] Similarly, they may be linear polysaccharides, such as pullulan, or branched polysaccharides, such as gum arabic and pullulan, or mixed polysaccharides, such as starch.

[0180] In general, the polysaccharide can be selected from polysaccharides produced by microorganisms; polysaccharides isolated from algae, and higher plant polysaccharides, such as homogeneous polysaccharides, especially cellulose and its derivatives or fructans, heterogeneous polysaccharides, such as gum arables, galactomannans, glucomannan and its derivatives; and mixtures thereof.

[0181] In particular, the polysaccharide may be selected from fructans, gellans, glucans, amylose, amylopectin, glycogen, pullulan, dextran, cellulose and its derivatives, in particular methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose, ethylhydroxyethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, mannans, xylans, lignin, arabinans, galactans, galacturonans, chitin, chitosan, glucuronoxylans, arabinoxylans, xyloglucans, glucomannans, arabinogalactans, glycosaminoglucans, gum arables, tragacanth, ghatti gums, locust bean gum, galactomannans, such as guar gum and its non-ionic derivatives, in particular hydroxypropyl guar gum and its ionic derivatives, biopolysaccharide gums of microbial origin. gums, in particular scleroglucans or xanthan gums, mucopolysaccharides, in particular chondroitin sulfate, and mixtures thereof. These polysaccharides may be chemically modified, in particular with urea or urethane groups, or by hydrolysis, oxidation, esterification, etherification, sulfatation, phosphatation, amination, amidation or alkylation, or by several of these modifications.

[0182] The resulting derivatives may be anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic.

[0183] Advantageously, the polysaccharide may be chosen from xanthan gum, scleroglucan gum, guar gum, inulin and pullulan, and mixtures thereof.

[0184] In general, such compounds useful in the present invention are selected from those described inter alia in Kirk-Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd edition, 1982, Vol. 3, pp. 896-900 and Vol. 15, pp. 439-458; Polymers in Nature, by EA MacGregor and CT Greenwood, published by John Wiley & Sons, Chapter 6, pp. 240-328, 1980; the book entitled Handbook of Water-Soluble Gums and Resins, by Robert L. Davidson, published by McGraw Hill Book Company (1980) and Industrial Gums - Polysaccharides and their Derivatives, edited by Roy L. Whistler, 2nd edition, published by Academic Press Inc.

[0185] More specifically, the polysaccharides suitable for use in the present invention can be distinguished according to whether they are derived from microorganisms, algae or higher plants, and are described in detail below.

[0186] Polysaccharides produced by microorganisms

[0187] Xanthan gum

[0188] Xanthan gum is produced on an industrial scale by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris ( Xanthomonas campestris ) is a heteropolysaccharide produced by aerobic fermentation of xanthan gum. Similar to cellulose, its structure consists of a main chain of β-D-glucose linked by β(1,4)-links. One of the two glucose molecules carries a trisaccharide side chain consisting of α-D-mannose, β-D-glucuronic acid and a terminal β-D-mannose. The internal mannose residues are usually acetylated on carbon 6. About 30% of the terminal mannose residues carry a pyruvate group attached in chelated form between carbon 4 and carbon 6. The charged pyruvate and glucuronic acid are ionizable and are therefore responsible for the anionic nature of xanthan gum (negative charge down to a pH equal to 1). The content of pyruvate residues and acetate residues varies depending on the strain, the fermentation process, post-fermentation conditions and purification steps. These groups are available in commercial products as Na + , K + or Ca 2+ Ion Neutralization (Satia, 1986). The neutralized form can be converted to the acid form by ion exchange or by dialysis against an acidic solution.

[0189] Xanthan gum has a molecular weight of between 1 000 000 and 50 000 000 and a viscosity for an aqueous composition containing 1% xanthan gum of between 0.6 and 1.65 Pa.s (measured at 25° C. on a Brookfield viscometer of LVT type at 60 rpm).

[0190] Representatives of xanthan gum include Rhodia Chimie under the name Rhodicare, Cargill Texturizing Solutions under the name Satiaxane™ (for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries), ADM under the name Novaxan™ and CP-Kelco under the name Kelzan™. ® Keltrol ® Products sold under the name.

[0191] Pullulan

[0192] Pullulan is a polysaccharide composed of maltotriose units, known as α(1,4)-α(1,6)-glucan. The three glucose units in maltotriose are linked via α(1,4) glycosidic bonds, while consecutive maltotriose units are linked to each other via α(1,6) glycosidic bonds.

[0193] Pullulan is produced, for example, by the Hayashibara Group of Japan under the designation Pullulan PF20.

[0194] Dextran and dextran sulfate

[0195] Dextran is a neutral polysaccharide without any charged groups, which is biologically inert and is prepared by fermentation of beet sugar containing only hydroxyl groups. Dextran fractions of different molecular weights can be obtained from natural dextran by hydrolysis and purification. Dextran can especially be in the form of dextran sulfate.

[0196] Representatives of dextran are, for example, the products sold under the name Dextran or Dextran T by Pharmacosmos or under the name Dextran 40 Powder or Dextran 70 Powder by MeitoSangyo Co. Dextran sulfate is sold under the name Dextran sulfate by PK Chemical A / S.

[0197] Succinoglycan

[0198] Succinoglycan is a high molecular weight exopolymer produced by bacterial fermentation and consists of octasaccharide repeating units (repeated 8 sugars). Succinoglycan is sold, for example, by the company Rhodia under the name Rheozan.

[0199] Scleroglucan

[0200] Scleroglucan is a nonionic branched homopolysaccharide composed of β-D-glucan units. The molecule consists of a linear backbone formed by D-glucose units linked via β(1,3) bonds, and one third of which are linked to side D-glucose units via β(1,6) bonds.

[0201] A more complete description of scleroglucan and its preparation can be found in patent US 3 301 848.

[0202] Scleroglucan is sold, for example, under the name Amigel by the company Alban Miiller or under the name Actigum™ CS by the company Cargill.

[0203] Polysaccharides isolated from algae

[0204] Fulgur

[0205] Fusarium is commercially obtained from the red algae Furcellaria fasztigiata. Fusarium is produced, for example, by the company Est-Agar.

[0206] Polysaccharides from higher plants

[0207] Polysaccharides in this category can be divided into homogeneous polysaccharides (only one type of sugar) and heterogeneous polysaccharides composed of several types of sugars.

[0208] a) Homogeneous polysaccharides and their derivatives

[0209] The polysaccharide according to the invention may be selected from cellulose and derivatives or fructans.

[0210] Cellulose and derivatives

[0211] The polysaccharide according to the invention may also be cellulose or a derivative thereof, in particular a cellulose ether or ester (eg methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxymethylpropylcellulose, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, nitrocellulose).

[0212] The present invention may also contain cellulose based associative polymers.

[0213] According to the invention, the term "cellulose-based compound" refers to any polysaccharide compound carrying in its structure a linear sequence of anhydropyranose glucose residues (AGU) linked together via β(1,4) bonds. The repeating unit is a cellobiose dimer. AGU is in a chair conformation and carries three hydroxyl functions: two secondary alcohols (in the 2 and 3 positions) and one primary alcohol (in the 6 position). The polymer thus formed is held together by intermolecular bonds of the hydrogen bond type, thus providing cellulose with a fibrous structure (approximately 1500 molecules per fiber).

[0214] Depending on the source of the cellulose, the degree of polymerization varies greatly; its values ​​can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands.

[0215] The hydroxyl groups of cellulose can react partially or completely with various chemical reagents to produce cellulose derivatives with intrinsic properties. Cellulose derivatives can be anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic. Among these derivatives, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters and cellulose ester ethers are distinguished.

[0216] Among the nonionic cellulose ethers, there may be mentioned alkylcelluloses such as methylcellulose and ethylcellulose; hydroxyalkylcelluloses such as hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose; and mixed hydroxyalkylalkylcelluloses such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and hydroxybutylmethylcellulose.

[0217] Among the anionic cellulose ethers, mention may be made of carboxyalkylcellulose and its salts. For example, mention may be made of carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylmethylcellulose and carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose and its sodium salt.

[0218] Among the cationic cellulose ethers, mention may be made of crosslinked or non-crosslinked quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose.

[0219] The quaternizing agent may in particular be glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride or a fatty amine, such as laurylamine or stearylamine.Another cationic cellulose ether that may be mentioned is hydroxyethylcellulose hydroxypropyltrimonium.

[0220] Quaternized cellulose derivatives are in particular:

[0221] - quaternized cellulose modified with a radical comprising at least one fatty chain, such as an alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl radical comprising at least 8 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof,

[0222] - quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose modified with a group comprising at least one fatty chain, such as an alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl group comprising at least 8 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof.

[0223] The alkyl group of the quaternized cellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose preferably contains 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The aryl group preferably refers to phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl or anthracenyl.

[0224] C 8-30 Examples of quaternized fatty chain alkyl hydroxyethyl celluloses include the products sold by the company Amerchol as Quatrisoft LM 200, Quatrisoft LM-X 529-18-A, Quatrisoft LM-X 529-18B (C 12 Alkyl) and Quatrisoft LM-X 529-8 (C 18 alkyl), and Crodacel QM and Crodacel QL (C 12 Alkyl) and Crodacel QS (C 18 alkyl).

[0225] Among the cellulose derivatives, mention may also be made of:

[0226] - cellulose modified with groups comprising at least one fatty chain, for example with groups comprising at least one fatty chain, such as alkyl groups, especially C 8-22 Alkyl-, arylalkyl- and alkylaryl-modified hydroxyethyl celluloses, such as Natrosol Plus Grade 330 CS (C 16 alkyl), and

[0227] - Cellulose modified with polyalkylene glycol alkylphenyl ether groups, such as the product Amercell Polymer HM-1500 (nonylphenyl polyethylene glycol (15) ether) sold by the company Amerchol.

[0228] Cellulose esters include inorganic cellulose esters (cellulose nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, etc.), organic cellulose esters (cellulose monoacetate, triacetate, amidopropionate, acetate butyrate, acetate propionate, acetate trimellitate, etc.), and mixed organic / inorganic cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate butyrate sulfate and cellulose acetate propionate sulfate. Among the cellulose ester ethers, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and ethyl cellulose sulfate may be mentioned.

[0229] The cellulose-based compounds of the present invention may be selected from unsubstituted cellulose and substituted cellulose. Representatives of cellulose and derivatives are, for example, Avicel ®(microcrystalline cellulose, MCC), Noviant (CP-Kelco) Cekol (carboxymethyl cellulose), Akzo Nobel Akucell AF (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), Dow Methocel™ (cellulose ether) and Ethocel™ (ethyl cellulose), and Hercules Aqualon Aqualon. ® (Carboxymethylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose), Benecel ® (methylcellulose), Blanose™ (carboxymethylcellulose), Culminal ® (Methylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose), Klucel ® (Hydroxypropylcellulose), Polysurf ® (cetyl hydroxyethyl cellulose) and Natrosol ® A product sold under the name CS (hydroxyethyl cellulose).

[0230] Fructans

[0231] The polysaccharide according to the invention may in particular be a fructan selected from inulin and its derivatives, in particular dicarboxy inulin and carboxymethyl inulin.

[0232] Fructans (fructans) or fructosans are oligosaccharides or polysaccharides comprising a sequence of dehydrated fructose units optionally bound to several sugar residues other than fructose. Fructans may be linear or branched. Fructans may be products directly obtained from plant or microbial sources, or products whose chain length has been modified (increased or reduced) by fractionation, synthesis or hydrolysis, in particular by enzymatic methods. Fructans generally have a degree of polymerization of 2 to about 1000, preferably 2 to about 60.

[0233] Three classes of fructans are distinguished. The first class corresponds to products whose fructose units are mostly linked via β(2,1) bonds. These are essentially linear fructans, for example inulin.

[0234] The second type also corresponds to linear fructose, but the fructose units are essentially linked via β(2,6) bonds. These products are levans.

[0235] The third category corresponds to mixed fructans, i.e. containing both β(2,6) sequences and β(2,1) sequences. These are essentially branched fructans, such as graminans.

[0236] A preferred fructan in the composition according to the invention is inulin. Inulin may be obtained, for example, from chicory, dahlia or Jerusalem artichoke, preferably from chicory.

[0237] In particular, the polysaccharides, especially inulin, have a degree of polymerization of 2 to about 1000, preferably 2 to about 60, and a degree of substitution of less than 2 based on one fructose unit.

[0238] Representative inulins for use in the present invention are, for example, Beneo™ Inulin from Orafti and Frutafit Inulin from Sensus. ® Products sold under the name.

[0239] b) Heterogeneous polysaccharides and their derivatives

[0240] The polysaccharide that can be used according to the invention may be a gum, such as cassia gum, karaya gum, konjac gum, tragacanth gum, tara gum, acacia gum or gum arabic.

[0241] Gum Arabic

[0242] Gum arabic is a highly branched acidic polysaccharide in the form of a mixture of potassium, magnesium and calcium salts. The monomer units of the free acid (arabic acid) are D-galactose, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose and D-glucuronic acid.

[0243] Galactomannans (guar gum, locust bean gum, fenugreek gum, tara gum) and derivatives (guar phosphate, hydroxypropyl guar gum, etc.)

[0244] Galactomannans are nonionic polysaccharides extracted from the endosperm of leguminous seeds, which constitute the storage carbohydrates of leguminous seeds.

[0245] Galactomannans are macromolecules consisting of a main chain of β(1,4)-linked D-galactopyranose units with side branches consisting of single D-galactopyranose units α(1,6) linked to the main chain. The various galactomannans differ firstly in the proportion of α-D-galactopyranose units present in the polymer and secondly in the significant differences in the distribution of the galactose units along the mannose chain.

[0246] The mannose / galactose (M / G) ratio of guar gum is about 2, the mannose / galactose (M / G) ratio of tara gum is 3, and the mannose / galactose (M / G) ratio of locust bean gum is 4.

[0247] Guar Gum

[0248] Guar gum is characterized by a mannose / galactose ratio of about 2 to 1. The galactose groups are regularly distributed along the mannose chain.

[0249] The guar gum that can be used according to the invention can be nonionic, cationic or anionic. According to the invention, chemically modified or unmodified nonionic guar gum can be used.

[0250] Unmodified nonionic guar gum is marketed, for example, under the names Vidogum GH, Vidogum G and Vidocrem by Unipectine, Jaguar by Rhodia, Meypro by Danisco, and Vidocrem by Vidocrem. ® Guar, Cargill with Viscogum™ and Aqualon with Supercol ® A product sold under the name guar gum.

[0251] Representative of hydrolyzed nonionic guar gums which can be used according to the invention are, for example, those marketed by the company Danisco under the trade name Meyprodor ® Products sold under the name.

[0252] The modified nonionic guar gum which can be used according to the invention is preferably modified with C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl groups, among which there may be mentioned, for example, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and hydroxybutyl groups.

[0253] Such nonionic guar gums, optionally modified with hydroxyalkyl groups, are marketed, for example, by the company Rhodia under the trade names Jaguar HP 60, Jaguar HP 105 and Jaguar HP 120 (hydroxypropyl guar gum) or by the company Aqualon under the trade names N-Hance ® It is sold under the name HP (hydroxypropyl guar gum).

[0254] Cationic galactomannan gum preferably has a cationic charge density less than or equal to 1.5 meq. / g, more particularly between 0.1 and 1 meq. / g. The charge density can be determined by the Kjeldahl method. It generally corresponds to a pH of about 3 to 9.

[0255] Generally, for the purpose of the present invention, the term "cationic galactomannan gum" refers to any galactomannan gum containing cationic groups and / or groups ionizable to form cationic groups.

[0256] Preferred cationic groups are selected from those comprising primary, secondary, tertiary and / or quaternary amine groups.

[0257] The cationic galactomannan gum used generally has a density of about 500 to 5×10 6 between, preferably between about 10 3 Up to 3×10 6 The weight average molecular weight between .

[0258] Cationic galactomannan gums that can be used according to the invention are, for example, those containing tri(C 1-4 ) alkylammonium cationic groups. Preferably, 2% to 30% of the number of hydroxyl functions of these gums bear trialkylammonium cationic groups.

[0259] Among the trialkylammonium groups, mention may most particularly be made of the trimethylammonium and triethylammonium groups.

[0260] More preferably, these groups represent 5% to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the modified galactomannan gum.

[0261] According to the invention, the cationic galactomannan gum is preferably a guar gum comprising hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium groups, ie a guar gum modified with 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, for example.

[0262] These galactomannan gums, in particular guar gums modified with cationic groups, are products known per se and are described, for example, in patents US Pat. No. 3,589,578 and US Pat. No. 4,031,307. In addition, these products are marketed in particular by the company Rhodia under the trade names Jaguar EXCEL, Jaguar C13 S, Jaguar C 15, Jaguar C 17 and Jaguar CI 62 (guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride), by the company Degussa under the trade name Amilan ® Guar (guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride) and by Aqualon as N-Hance ® 3000 (guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride).

[0263] Anionic guar gums that can be used according to the invention are polymers that contain groups derived from carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, sulfenic acids, phosphoric acids, phosphonic acids or pyruvic acids. The anionic groups are preferably carboxylic acid groups. The anionic groups can also be in the form of acid salts, in particular sodium salts, calcium salts, lithium salts or potassium salts.

[0264] Anionic guar gums which can be used according to the invention are preferably carboxymethyl guar gum derivatives (carboxymethyl guar gum or carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar gum).

[0265] Locust Bean Gum

[0266] Locust bean gum is extracted from the seeds of the locust bean tree (Ceratonia siliqua).

[0267] Unmodified locust bean gums that can be used in the present invention are sold, for example, under the name Viscogum™ by Cargill, under the name Vidogum L by Unipektin, and under the name Grinsted by Danisco.® Sold under the name LBG.

[0268] A representative of the chemically modified locust bean gum that can be used in the present invention is, for example, the cationic locust bean gum sold by the company Toho under the name Catinal CLB (locust bean gum hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride).

[0269] Tara Gum

[0270] Tara gum which can be used in the context of the present invention is sold, for example, under the name Vidogum SP by the company Unipektin.

[0271] Glucomannan (Konjac Gum)

[0272] Glucomannan is a polysaccharide with a high molecular weight (500 000 < M glucomannan < 2 000 000) composed of D-mannose and D-glucose units, with one branch approximately every 50 or 60 units. It is found in wood, but is also the main component of konjac gum. Konjac (Amorphophallus konjac) is a plant of the Araceae family.

[0273] Products which can be used according to the invention are available, for example, from the company Shimizu under the trade name Propol ® and Rheolex ® Sold for the name.

[0274] Other polysaccharides

[0275] Among the other polysaccharides that can be used according to the invention, mention may also be made of chitin (poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, β(1,4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose), chitosan and derivatives (chitosan-β-glycerophosphate, carboxymethylchitin, etc.), such as those sold by the company France-Chitine; glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate, preferably hyaluronic acid; xylan (or arabinoxylan) and derivatives.

[0276] Arabinoxylans are polymers of xylose and arabinose, both classified under the name of pentosans. Xylans consist of a main chain of D-xylose units linked in a β(1,4) pattern, on which there are three substituents (Rouau & Thibault, 1987): an acid unit, an α-L-arabinofuranosyl unit, and side chains that may contain arabinose, xylose, galactose, and glucuronic acid.

[0277] According to this variant, the polysaccharide is preferably hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof.

[0278] The at least one hydrophilic gelling agent may be present in an amount of, for example, 0.001 to 10 wt %, preferably 0.01 to 5 wt %, more preferably 0.05 to 3 wt %, relative to the total weight of the third composition.

[0279] Active Agent

[0280] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first composition may comprise at least one additional active agent.

[0281] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second composition may comprise at least one additional active agent.

[0282] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third composition may comprise at least one additional active agent.

[0283] When the first composition comprises at least one further active agent, this can be incorporated into the first composition in particular by means of an alternating electric field.The active agent or agents can be incorporated in particular in the powder state.

[0284] Among all the active agents that can be used according to the invention, mention may in particular be made of: α- or β-hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, 5-octanoylsalicylic acid, α-hydroxydecanoic acid, α-hydroxylauric acid, tartaric acid, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, acrylic acid, α-hydroxybutyric acid, α-hydroxyisobutyric acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, phosphoric acid, pyruvic acid, lactobionic acid and salicylic acid.

[0285] Anti-acne agents may also be used, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, octopirox, right- and left-handed sulfur-containing amino acids, their salts and their N-acetyl derivatives, such as N-acetylcysteine, or agents intended to prevent skin aging and / or improve its condition, such as the α- and β-hydroxy acids mentioned above, retinoids, such as retinoic acid, retinol and its esters, such as retinyl propionate and retinyl acetate, or retinyl palmitate, niacinamide, allantoin, aloe extract, azelaic acid, bisabolol, phytic acid, collagen, or agents that stimulate collagen formation, vitamins, such as vitamin C or its derivatives, such as ascorbyl glucoside, vitamin E or its derivatives, vitamin A or its derivatives, vitamin F or its derivatives, right- and left-handed sulfur-containing amino acids and their derivatives mentioned above, elastin, N-acetyl D-glucosamine, luteolin or antioxidants, such as green tea or its active fractions, glycerol, laponite, caffeine, essential oils (essential The invention relates to agents for improving the skin tone of skin, such as artificial tanning agents of the dihydroxyacetone or tyrosine ester type, sebum regulators (liporegulators), softeners, anti-wrinkle agents, keratolytic agents, fresheners, deodorants, anesthetics, nutrients and mixtures thereof. Bleaching agents such as kojic acid, ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbic acid and mixtures thereof may also be used.

[0286] In the case of a mask, active agents for improving the skin condition may also be used, such as moisturizers or agents that contribute to improving the natural lipid barrier, such as ceramides, cholesterol sulfates and / or fatty acids and mixtures thereof. Enzymes active on the skin may also be used, such as proteases, lipases, cerebrosidases and / or melanases and mixtures thereof.

[0287] As other examples of active agents that may be suitable for practicing the present invention, there are also agents for drugs, peptides, proteins, detectable labels, contrast agents, analgesics, anesthetics, antibacterial agents, antiyeast agents, antifungal agents, antiviral agents, antidermatitis agents, antipruritics, antiemetics, vascular protectants, anti-motion sickness agents, anti-irritants, anti-inflammatory agents, immunomodulators, anti-hyperkeratolytic agents, dry skin treatment agents, antiperspirants, antipsoriatic agents, antidandruff agents, anti-aging agents, anti-asthmatic agents and bronchodilators, sunscreens, antihistamines, healing agents, corticosteroids, tanning agents, and mixtures thereof.

[0288] The content of the at least one active agent in the first composition and / or the third composition can be adjusted according to the intended use of the kit.

[0289] Alkali metal hyaluronic acid compounds

[0290] Hyaluronic acid compounds may also be used as active agents according to the present invention. The hyaluronic acid compound is preferably an alkali metal hyaluronic acid compound.

[0291] The term "alkali metal hyaluronic acid compound" refers in particular to an alkali metal salt of hyaluronic acid (hyaluronate) or a derivative thereof. The alkali metal hyaluronic acid compound is water-soluble.

[0292] In the context of the present invention, the term "hyaluronic acid or its derivatives" particularly encompasses the basic unit of hyaluronic acid of the following formula:

[0293] .

[0294] It is the smallest fraction of hyaluronic acid that contains disaccharide dimers, namely D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine.

[0295] The term "hyaluronic acid or its derivatives" in the context of the present invention also comprises linear polymers containing the above-mentioned polymerized units linked together in a chain via alternating β(1,4) and β(1,3) glycosidic bonds, whose molecular weight (Mw) may be between 380 and 13 000 000 Daltons. This molecular weight depends largely on the source from which the hyaluronic acid is obtained and / or the method of preparation.

[0296] In the natural state, hyaluronic acid is present in pericellular gels, in the matrix of connective tissues of vertebrate organs, such as the dermis and epithelium, and in particular in the epidermis, in the synovial fluid of joints, in the vitreous humor, in the human umbilical cord and in the crista galli apophysis.

[0297] Therefore, the term "hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof" comprises all fractions or subunits of hyaluronic acid having a molecular weight, in particular within the molecular weight range highlighted above.

[0298] As an illustration of various hyaluronic acid fractions, reference may be made to the document “Hyaluronan fragments: an information-rich system”, R. Stern et al., European Journal of Cell Biology 58 (2006) 699-715, which reviews the listed biological activities of hyaluronic acid according to the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid.

[0299] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hyaluronic acid fraction suitable for the uses covered by the invention has a molecular weight between 50 000 and 5 000 000 Da, in particular between 100 000 and 5 000 000 Da, especially between 400 000 and 5 000 000 Da. In this case, the term used is high molecular weight hyaluronic acid.

[0300] Alternatively, hyaluronic acid fractions which may also be suitable for the uses encompassed by the present invention have a molecular weight between 50 000 and 400 000 Da. In this case, the term used is medium molecular weight hyaluronic acid.

[0301] Still alternatively, the hyaluronic acid fraction suitable for the uses encompassed by the present invention has a molecular weight of less than 50 000 Da. In this case, the term used is low molecular weight hyaluronic acid.

[0302] Finally, the term "hyaluronic acid or its derivatives" also includes hyaluronic acid esters, in particular those in which all or part of the carboxyl groups of the acid functions are esterified with oxyethylated alkyl groups or alcohols containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, in particular with a degree of substitution at the level of D-glucuronic acid of hyaluronic acid of 0.5 to 50%.

[0303] More specifically, hyaluronic acid or hyaluronates can be reacted with alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, to form polyglycol hyaluronates. The polyglycol segments are bonded to the hyaluronic acid via one or more carboxyl groups. Typically, hyaluronic acid or hyaluronates react with propylene oxide to form polypropylene glycol hyaluronates, and react with ethylene oxide to form polyethylene glycol hyaluronates.

[0304] Mention may also be made of the methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-pentyl, benzyl and dodecyl esters of hyaluronic acid. These esters are described in particular in D. Campoccia et al., "Semisynthetic resorbable materials from hyaluronanesterification", Biomaterials 19 (1998) 2101-2127.

[0305] The molecular weights indicated above also apply to the hyaluronates.

[0306] Auxiliary agents

[0307] In a known manner, the third composition of the invention may also contain auxiliary agents commonly used in cosmetics and / or dermatology, such as preservatives, antioxidants, pH regulators (acidic or alkaline), fragrances, fillers, bactericides, odor absorbers, colorants (pigments and dyes), emulsifiers and lipid vesicles.

[0308] It goes without saying that a person skilled in the art will take care to choose this or these optional further compounds and / or amounts thereof such that the contemplated addition does not or does not substantially adversely affect the benefits of the third composition according to the invention.

[0309] Galenic form

[0310] The third composition according to the invention may be in various forms, in particular in the form of an aqueous solution, dispersion or emulsion, such as, in particular, a water / oil or oil / water emulsion or a multiple emulsion.

[0311] Emulsions can have an oily or aqueous continuous phase. Such emulsions can be, for example, inverse (W / O) emulsions or direct (O / W) emulsions, or multiple emulsions (W / O / W or O / W / O).

[0312] In the case of emulsions, direct (O / W) emulsions are preferred.

[0313] In particular, the third composition according to the present invention may be in the form of an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion, a water-in-oil (W / O) emulsion or a multiple emulsion, preferably an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion.

[0314] The third composition of the present invention is preferably an aqueous solution.

[0315] Set 2

[0316] According to the present invention, the kit 2 comprises a first composition containing polyvalent metal ions, a second composition and an aqueous third composition. Since the active agent is stored in a dry form, its activity is maintained as high as possible.

[0317] In one embodiment of the invention, the first composition, the second composition and the third composition are placed separately from each other in the set 2. Before use, the second composition is added to an appropriate amount of the aqueous third composition to dissolve the active agent. Due to the promotion of the disintegrant, the active agent dissolves very quickly. Then, the solution of the active agent is applied to the water-insoluble substrate of the first composition, for example, by immersing the substrate in the solution, injecting the solution into the substrate, spraying the solution onto the substrate, etc.

[0318] In another embodiment of the present invention, because disintegrant promotes the dissolution of active agent, the first composition and the second composition are placed in the same package. Just before use, the first composition and the second composition are added together with the aqueous third composition. Subsequently, gelation between the first composition and the third composition occurs simultaneously, and the second composition dissolves into the third composition. Due to the extremely fast dissolution rate of the second composition achieved by selecting a specific disintegrant and an optional binder, the active agent in the second composition is quickly dissolved into the aqueous phase as early as before gelation is completed, so that the active agent from the second composition is evenly distributed in the gel that is finally formed.

[0319] The kit 2 according to the invention may comprise, relative to the total weight of the kit 2, 1-10 wt%, preferably 2-5 wt% of the first composition, 0.5-20 wt%, preferably 1-10 wt% or 2-5 wt% of the second composition and 70-98.5 wt%, preferably 75-95 wt% of the third composition.

[0320] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set 2 is presented as a facial mask, which comprises:

[0321] 1) a first composition consisting of a nonwoven fabric (or tissue) comprising 10% to 100% by weight, preferably 15% to 50% by weight, of calcium alginate fibers relative to the total weight of the nonwoven fabric,

[0322] 2) a second composition comprising 20% ​​to 99.9% by weight, preferably 40% to 95% by weight, especially 50% to 90% by weight of dry particles of at least one water-soluble active agent and 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably 0.2% to 15% by weight, especially 0.5% to 10% by weight of at least one disintegrant, relative to the total weight of the second composition,

[0323] 3) a third composition comprising, relative to the total weight of the third composition, 10% to 99% by weight, preferably 50% to 99% by weight, of at least one aqueous phase, 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 0.3% by weight, of sodium alginate and 0.1% to 2% by weight, preferably 0.2% to 1% by weight, of sodium citrate,

[0324] The facial mask comprises 1-10 wt%, preferably 2-5 wt% of the first composition, 0.5-20 wt%, preferably 1-10 wt% or 2-5 wt% of the second composition and 70-98.5 wt%, preferably 75-95 wt% of the third composition, relative to the total weight of the facial mask.

[0325] Methods and uses

[0326] The first composition, the second composition and the third composition according to the present invention can generally be prepared according to the common sense of a person skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that a person skilled in the art can select the method of preparation thereof based on his common sense, taking into account the properties of the ingredients used, such as their solubility in the vehicle, and the intended use of the composition or kit.

[0327] According to one embodiment, the kit 1 and / or 2 according to the present invention can be used for conditioning keratin materials, especially the face. This use can be manifested as a method for conditioning keratin materials, especially the face, which comprises the steps of compounding the first composition and the second composition and the optional third composition of the kit in a predetermined weight ratio, and then applying the mixture thus obtained as a mask to the keratin material.

[0328] According to one embodiment, the kit 1 and / or 2 according to the present invention can be used for managing skin wounds, for preventing postoperative adhesion formation, or for filling or repairing osteochondral defects, etc. This use can be manifested as a method for managing skin wounds, for preventing postoperative adhesion formation, or for filling or repairing osteochondral defects, which includes the steps of compounding the first composition and the third composition of the kit in a predetermined weight ratio, and then applying as a mask or stuffing to a location where the mixture obtained thereby is required.

[0329] Although the numerical ranges and parameters describing the wide range of the present invention are approximate, the numerical values ​​described in the specific embodiments are reported as accurately as possible. However, any numerical value inherently contains a certain error that is inevitably caused by the standard deviation present in their respective measurements. The following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention without limiting its scope. Example

[0330] The amounts / concentrations of ingredients in the compositions / formulations described below are expressed as % by weight relative to the total weight of the respective composition / formulation.

[0331] Example 1: Preparation Example

[0332] Examples of the present invention and comparative examples of the second composition of the present invention were prepared, wherein each disintegrant also served as a binder. The composition is provided in Table 1 below:

[0333] Table 1

[0334]

[0335] Preparation Procedure:

[0336] The second compositions (A to D according to the invention and comparative F) were prepared according to the following method:

[0337] 1). Provide disintegrant in powder form;

[0338] 2). Dissolving the disintegrant in water to obtain a 65% disintegrant solution; and

[0339] 3). Placing the powder of the disintegrant in a rotating fluidized bed at a rotation speed of 1500 rpm / min (the rotating plate has a diameter of 0.2 m to produce a linear velocity of approximately 1884 m / min at the outer edge of the plate);

[0340] Starting the spray device of the fluidized bed, and spraying the solution of the disintegrant obtained in step 2) into the powder of the disintegrant along the tangential direction of the plate to bind the powder to form particles;

[0341] monitoring the particle size and stopping the spraying when the particle size reaches the desired value; and

[0342] The particles are dried.

[0343] Composition E of the present invention was prepared according to the following method:

[0344] 1). Premix ascorbic acid and sucrose with sufficient water to form a dough-like paste;

[0345] 2). The mixture was placed in an extruder-spheronizer to form granules of desired size according to conventional extrusion method.

[0346] An example of the third composition of the present invention was prepared, and its composition is shown in Table 2 below:

[0347] Table 2: Composition III

[0348] INCI Weight % relative to the total weight of composition III Propylene glycol 5 Pentylene glycol 2 glycerin 4 Phenoxyethanol 0.1 Disodium EDTA 0.1 Chlorphenesin 0.1 Alginate 0.15 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose 0.1 Sodium Hyaluronate 0.05 Sodium Citrate 0.8 water QS to 100

[0349] Preparation Procedure:

[0350] The ingredients listed in Table 2 were mixed at 75°C until homogeneous.

[0351] Finally, an example of preparing a facial mask product is described.

[0352] 0.75 g of each of compositions A to G were placed together with 1.3 g of a nonwoven fabric made of 20% by weight of calcium alginate fiber and 80% of lyocell fiber sold by Sanjiang under the name M762R-40CN as package 1, and 33 g of composition III was placed separately as package 2. The mask product is as follows:

[0353] Table 3:

[0354]

[0355] Example 2: Evaluation Example

[0356] The mask products A to G were each evaluated for ease of use (determined by the dissolution rate of the second composition during application), juice uptake, and delivery capability.

[0357] The dissolution rate was measured by mixing package 2 with package 1 (T0), rubbing the mixture by hand until the second composition dissolved (T1) and measuring the duration (T1-T0).

[0358] The juice absorption and delivery capacity was measured by weighing the mask product before, during and after application on a skin mannequin. "Juice" refers to the mixture of the second composition (compositions A to G, respectively) and the third composition (composition III).

[0359] Juice absorption (g) shows the amount of juice on the paper towel after mixing package 1 and package 2; delivery capacity (mg / cm 2 ) shows the amount of juice on the surface of the skin model.

[0360] More specifically, the evaluation was performed according to the following method:

[0361] 1. Mix package 1 and package 2 (T0), rub the mixture with your hands until compositions A to G are dissolved (T1);

[0362] 2. Apply the mask to the skin model, leave it on for 20 minutes, and remove the mask;

[0363] 3. Wipe off the juice on the skin model and measure the weight;

[0364] .

[0365] The evaluation results are as follows:

[0366] Table 4:

[0367] Example Dissolution rate(s) Skin sensation Facial mask A of the present invention 90 Excellent Facial mask B of the present invention 180 A bit heavy but acceptable Facial mask C of the present invention 90 Excellent Facial mask D of the present invention 90 Excellent Facial mask E of the present invention 120 Excellent Contrast Mask F Insoluble / Contrast Mask G N / A, Composition G was too brittle to form pellets / Facial mask A' of the present invention 90 good

[0368] Table 5:

[0369] Example Dissolution rate(s) Juice absorption Delivery Capabilities Facial mask A of the present invention 90 26.38 3.06 Contrast Mask F Insoluble N / A, Composition F is not soluble N / A, Composition F is not soluble Contrast Mask G N / A, Composition G was too brittle to form pellets N / A, no particles formed N / A, no particles formed Facial mask A' of the present invention 90 20.17 2.28

[0370] III. Conclusion

[0371] The mask of the present invention excels in beneficial properties, such as ease of use, as evidenced by the dissolution rate of the second composition within 180 seconds during application. More surprisingly, the inventors have found that the present invention is also superior in absorbing more juice and delivering more juice to the face, which means that more active agents such as ascorbic acid can penetrate to provide high efficacy compared to the comparative mask.

[0372] In addition, the masks A to E of the present invention also exhibit a unique use experience: a texture transition from tissue to gel. This transition further enhances the technical effects of the present invention, such as better juice absorption and delivery capabilities, and also excellent skin feel.

[0373] The above description illustrates and describes the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure only shows and describes the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, but as mentioned above, it is to be understood that changes or modifications commensurate with the skills or knowledge of the above teachings and / or related fields can be made within the scope of the concepts expressed herein. The above description is further intended to explain the best mode known to implement the present disclosure and enable other technical personnel in the art to utilize the present disclosure in such or other embodiments and under various modifications required for the specific applications or uses disclosed herein. Therefore, this description is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. It is also intended that the attached claims be interpreted as including alternative embodiments.

[0374] All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference for any and all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistency, the present disclosure controls.

Claims

1. A kit comprising: 1) a first composition comprising at least one water-insoluble substrate and a multivalent metal ion, wherein the water-insoluble substrate comprises water-insoluble alginate fibers in an amount of 15 wt % to 50 wt % relative to the total weight of the water-insoluble substrate; 2) a second composition comprising a water-soluble active agent and a disintegrant in dry form, wherein the water-soluble active agent is vitamin C, the disintegrant is selected from corn starch, glucose, sucrose and sorbitol, and the weight ratio of the disintegrant to the active agent in the second composition is 1:10 to 1:5, and 3) a third composition comprising, relative to the total weight of the third composition: a) 10 to 99% by weight of at least one aqueous phase, b) 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of at least one water-soluble gelling agent that can form a gel with polyvalent metal ions, and c) 0.1% to 1% by weight of at least one water-soluble polyvalent metal ion chelating agent, The kit comprises 1-10 wt % of the first composition, 0.5-20 wt % of the second composition and 70-98.5 wt % of the third composition, relative to the total weight of the kit.

2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble substrate is made of fibers selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, semi-natural fibers and synthetic fibers.

3. A kit according to claim 2, wherein the fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, pulp, bamboo and cellulose fibers, viscose rayon fibers, charcoal viscose fibers, bamboo charcoal viscose fibers, polyester fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene fibers and polypropylene fibers.

4. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble alginate fibers are calcium alginate fibers.

5. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the weight ratio of the first composition to the second composition is from 10:1 to 1:

10.

6. The kit according to claim 5, wherein the weight ratio of the first composition to the second composition is from 2:1 to 1:

2.

7. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the disintegrant and the active agent are formed together into an integrated solid state.

8. A kit according to claim 7, wherein the disintegrant and the active agent are formed together into particles.

9. The kit according to claim 7, wherein the disintegrant and the active agent are formed together into granules, spheres, sticks or strips.

10. The kit according to claim 7, wherein the second composition comprising the integrated solid state is prepared into particles having a particle size of 20-40 mesh; a maximum drying loss of less than 10%; and / or a particle size of 500 to 900 kg / m 3 The packing density between.

11. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the particles have a maximum loss on drying of less than 5%.

12. The kit according to claim 7, wherein the integrated solid state is prepared by a fluidized bed method, an extrusion method, a spray method and / or a centrifugal method.

13. The kit according to claim 7, wherein the integrated solid state is prepared by a centrifuge-fluidized bed integrated process, wherein centrifugal force is introduced into a fluidized bed.

14. The kit according to claim 7, wherein a binder in addition to and different from the disintegrant is added to form an integrated solid state.

15. The kit according to claim 14, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, xanthan gum and agar.

16. The kit according to claim 7, wherein no additional adhesive is added to the second composition.

17. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first composition and the second composition are placed separately from each other in the kit.

18. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first composition and the second composition are placed in the same package.

19. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gelling agent comprises gelatin, pectin, gellan gum, carrageenan, agar, alkali metal alginic acid compounds and mixtures thereof.

20. The kit according to claim 19, wherein the gelling agent is selected from alkali metal alginates.

21. The kit according to claim 20, wherein the alkali metal alginic acid compound is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal alginates, alkali metal salts of alginic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof.

22. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the alkali metal alginic acid compound is selected from sodium alginate, potassium alginate, lithium alginate, sodium polyethylene glycol alginate, potassium polyethylene glycol alginate, lithium polyethylene glycol alginate or mixtures thereof.

23. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the alkali metal alginic acid compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate and potassium alginate.

24. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one water-soluble gelling agent is present in the third composition in an amount of 0.1% to 0.3% by weight relative to the total weight of the third composition.

25. The kit of claim 1, wherein the polyvalent metal ion chelator comprises an aminocarboxylic acid, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, a hydroxyaminocarboxylic acid, a polyphosphonic acid, other phosphorus-containing organic acids, or mixtures thereof.

26. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one water-soluble multivalent metal ion sequestrant is an alkali metal hydroxypolycarboxylate represented by an alkane containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with 1, 2 or 3 hydroxyl groups (-OH) and further with 2, 3, 4 or 5 carboxylic acid / carboxylate groups (-COOM), wherein multiple groups M independently represent H or an alkali metal, provided that at least one group M represents an alkali metal.

27. A kit according to claim 26, wherein all groups M represent an alkali metal.

28. A kit according to claim 26, wherein the group M represents Na, K or Li.

29. The kit according to claim 26, wherein the alkali metal hydroxypolycarboxylate is selected from the group consisting of sodium tartrate, sodium citrate, potassium tartrate, potassium citrate and hydrates thereof.

30. A kit according to claim 29 wherein the alkali metal hydroxypolycarboxylate is sodium citrate.

31. A kit according to claim 30 wherein the alkali metal hydroxypolycarboxylate is trisodium citrate.

32. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one water-soluble multivalent metal ion chelator is selected from the group consisting of sodium citrate, disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, tetrasodium GLDA, trisodium EDDS, sodium phytate, potassium phytate, and mixtures thereof.

33. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one water-soluble multivalent metal ion chelator is present in the third composition at 0.2 wt% to 0.4 wt% relative to the total weight of the third composition.

34. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aqueous phase is present in the third composition in an amount of 50% to 99% by weight relative to the total weight of the third composition.

35. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the first composition, the second composition, and the third composition are located separately from each other in the kit.

36. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the first composition and the second composition are placed in the same package, while the third composition is placed in another package.

37. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the kit comprises, relative to the total weight of the kit, 2% to 5% by weight of the first composition.

38. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the kit comprises, relative to the total weight of the kit, 1-10% by weight of the second composition.

39. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the kit comprises, relative to the total weight of the kit, 2-5% by weight of the second composition.

40. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the kit comprises, relative to the total weight of the kit, 75-95% by weight of the third composition.

41. A facial mask comprising: 1) A first composition consisting of a nonwoven fabric comprising 15 to 50% by weight of calcium alginate fibers relative to the total weight of the nonwoven fabric; 2) a second composition comprising dry particles of 20% to 99.9% by weight of at least one water-soluble active agent and 0.1% to 20% by weight of at least one disintegrant, relative to the total weight of the second composition, wherein the water-soluble active agent is vitamin C, the disintegrant is selected from corn starch, glucose, sucrose and sorbitol, and the weight ratio of disintegrant to active agent in the second composition is 1:10 to 1:5; 3) a third composition comprising, relative to the total weight of the third composition, 10% to 99% by weight of at least one aqueous phase; 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of sodium alginate; and 0.1% to 2% by weight of sodium citrate, The facial mask comprises 1-10 wt % of the first composition, 0.5-20 wt % of the second composition and 70-98.5 wt % of the third composition, relative to the total weight of the facial mask.

42. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the second composition comprises 50% to 90% by weight of at least one water-soluble active agent relative to the total weight of the second composition.

43. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the second composition comprises 0.5% to 10% by weight of at least one disintegrant relative to the total weight of the second composition.

44. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the third composition comprises 50% to 99% by weight of at least one aqueous phase relative to the total weight of the third composition.

45. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the third composition comprises 0.1 wt% to 0.3 wt% of sodium alginate relative to the total weight of the third composition.

46. ​​The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the third composition comprises 0.2 wt% to 1 wt% of sodium citrate relative to the total weight of the third composition.

47. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the facial mask comprises 2-5 wt% of the first composition relative to the total weight of the facial mask.

48. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the facial mask comprises 1-10 wt% of the second composition relative to the total weight of the facial mask.

49. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the facial mask comprises 2-5 wt% of the second composition relative to the total weight of the facial mask.

50. The facial mask according to claim 41, wherein the facial mask comprises 75-95 wt% of the third composition relative to the total weight of the facial mask.

51. Non-therapeutic use of a kit according to any one of claims 1 to 40 for the care of keratin materials.

52. The non-therapeutic use according to claim 51, wherein the keratin material is skin.

53. A non-therapeutic method for caring for keratin materials comprising the following steps: i) mixing the first composition and the second composition of the kit according to any one of claims 1 to 40 and then mixing them with the third composition, or ii). mixing the second composition and the third composition of the kit according to any one of claims 1 to 40 and then mixing them with the first composition; and Apply to the location where the mixture thus obtained is required.

54. The non-therapeutic method according to claim 53, wherein the keratin material is skin.

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