Soluble solid fibrous article containing anionic surfactant

Abstract

The present invention provides a dissolvable solid fibrous shampoo article made from a plurality of fibrous elements that are entangled with or otherwise associated with one another to form a fibrous article. The fibrous elements can comprise a polymeric structurant, a surfactant system that is substantially free of a sulfate-based surfactant, and a pH adjuster that is a monoprotic organic acid, and / or a coating containing an additive that can be a hydrotrope or a diprotic and triprotic organic acid and salts thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to fibrous articles, and more particularly to dissolvable fibrous articles comprising one or more anionic surfactants, particularly anionic surfactants that are substantially free or free of sulfate-based surfactants. BACKGROUND

[0002] Many personal care and other consumer products on the market today, including shampoos, are sold in liquid form. When used extensively, liquid products often present tradeoffs in terms of packaging, storage, shipping, and ease of use. For example, these products are typically formulated with large amounts of liquids such as water (e.g., about 80% or more), preservatives, and stabilizers, which add significant bulk volume and translate into inefficient, costly shipping and storage. In addition, liquid personal care products can be difficult to use in terms of controlling dosage and product delivery.

[0003] To overcome some of these drawbacks, it can be desirable to formulate personal care products as solid articles, such as fibrous articles. Fibrous articles can be desirable because the article can dissolve quickly into a smooth composition. A fibrous article as a shampoo can provide an acceptable amount of foam to the consumer.

[0004] Fibrous articles can be made from a filament-forming composition, which can be a melt comprising at least a polymeric structurant, a surfactant, and a volatile liquid solvent such as water. The filament-forming composition can be spun into one or more fibrous elements via a spin die. After spinning, the fibrous elements can be dried to remove the liquid solvent, and then the fibrous elements can be collected on a belt to form a fibrous article comprising the fibrous elements.

[0005] It can be difficult to efficiently manufacture fibrous elements, and thus these products can be sold in large quantities. One way to more efficiently manufacture fibrous articles is to increase the level of surfactant in the melt from 30-35% to at least 40%, thereby reducing the amount of liquid solvent that needs to be removed from the fibrous elements during the drying step. Efficiency can also be increased by increasing the melt temperature from 25°C to greater than 35°C to aid in evaporation during spinning. However, increasing the level of surfactant and / or increasing the temperature can cause phase separation and / or destruction of the rheology and elastic modulus, which can make it difficult to spin the fibers.

[0006] In addition, to spin the melt composition into a consumer-acceptable fibrous element, the melt composition needs to be viscous and elastic. However, when the final article made from this melt composition is rehydrated for use, it does not feel like a smooth liquid shampoo, but rather the dissolved article returns to a molten-like gel that can feel sticky, stringy, and / or gummy in the user's hand.

[0007] Accordingly, there remains a need for a melt composition that is phase stable and maintains its rheology (G') when the melt composition has at least 40% solids and a temperature above 35°C. There is also a need for a fibrous article that forms a smooth and creamy shampoo composition when the fibrous article is hydrated. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention provides a dissolvable solid fibrous shampoo article comprising a plurality of fibrous elements, the plurality of fibrous elements comprising: (a) from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the dry article of a polymeric structurant; (b) from about 20% to about 70% by weight of the dry article of a surfactant system, the surfactant system comprising: (i) from about 35% to about 90% by weight of the dry article of a primary anionic surfactant; and (ii) from about 10% to about 65% by weight of the surfactant system of a co-surfactant; wherein the surfactant system is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants; (c) from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the dry article of a pH adjusting agent, wherein the pH adjusting agent consists of a monoprotic organic acid; and wherein the monoprotic organic acid is dispersed throughout the fibrous elements; wherein the plurality of fibrous elements are entangled with or otherwise associated with one another to form the fibrous article.

[0009] The present invention also provides a melt composition comprising: (a) from about 1% to about 50% by weight of a polymeric structurant; (b) from about 20% to about 70% by weight of a surfactant system, the surfactant system comprising: (i) from about 35% to about 90% by weight of a primary anionic surfactant; and (ii) from about 10% to about 65% by weight of the surfactant system of a co-surfactant; wherein the surfactant system is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants; (c) a total % melt solids content of > 40%; (d) a pH of from about 5.8 to about 7 according to the pH Test Method; (e) a G' of > 25 Pa at 40°C according to the Rheology Test Method; wherein the melt composition is phase stable at 25°C and 40°C.

[0010] The present invention provides a dissolvable solid fibrous shampoo article comprising a plurality of fibrous elements, the plurality of fibrous elements comprising: (a) from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the dry article of a polymeric structurant; (b) from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the dry article of a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant system is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants; (c) a coating containing an additive selected from the group consisting of: hydrotropes, di- and triprotic organic acids and salts thereof, or combinations thereof; wherein the plurality of fibrous elements are entangled with or otherwise associated with one another to form the fibrous article. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Although this specification concludes by the claims that specifically point out and clearly claim the subject matter of the invention, it is believed that the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1A The image shows a photograph of a glass slide containing a melt composition for use in spinning fiber elements, the melt composition exhibiting poor rheological properties.

[0013] Figure 1B and Figure 1C The image shows a photograph of a melt composition for spinning fiber elements, which exhibits poor rheological properties, as demonstrated by an attempt to manufacture a fiber element by pulling apart two fingers.

[0014] Figure 2A The image shows a glass slide with a melt composition for use in spinning fiber elements, the melt composition having sufficient rheological properties.

[0015] Figure 2B The image shows a melt composition for spinning fiber elements, the melt composition having sufficient rheological properties, as demonstrated by an attempt to create a fiber element by spreading two fingers apart;

[0016] Figure 3 This is an example of a fiber product containing filaments;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a fiber element;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the fiber element of the present invention; and

[0019] Figure 6 It is for use with magnified view Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an example of the mold head in the method. Detailed Implementation

[0020] It is desirable to formulate personal care products (such as shampoos) as solid products (including solid fibrous products). A beneficial advantage of fibrous products is their ability to dissolve rapidly into liquid personal care products. However, for these products to be commercially viable, the manufacturing process needs to be efficient, and the products need to dissolve into a homogeneous, smooth, creamy shampoo composition.

[0021] To improve production efficiency, it is desirable to increase the surfactant content in the melt from 30-35% to at least 40%, and to increase the melt temperature from 25°C to greater than 35°C during spinning.

[0022] The fibrous product can be made from a filament-forming composition, which can be a melt comprising at least a polymeric structurant, a surfactant, and a volatile solvent such as water. The filament-forming composition can be spun into one or more fibrous elements via a spin die. Prior to spinning the filament-forming composition into fibrous elements, the pH is typically adjusted with citric acid. The pH can be adjusted to a pH of about 6, which is safe and effective for the hair and scalp of an individual. Furthermore, shampoos comprising anionic surfactants that do not contain sulfate (such as glutamate surfactants and alaninate surfactants) can perform better at a pH of about 6.

[0023] However, it was found that when the melt composition has > 40% solids and is heated to 40°C, the melt composition coagulates when citric acid is added, making it impossible to spin an acceptable fibrous element. Therefore, there is a need to identify a new pH adjuster that does not cause the melt to phase separate and maintain the rheology of the melt (G' > 50 Pa) in a melt containing > 40% solids and heated to > 35°C.

[0024] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C are photographs highlighting a melt composition that does not have the proper rheology to form fibrous elements. Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The melt composition in,, and is the 99.78% Example A from Table 1 below, with 0.22% citric acid added (as shown in Table 4 below). The pH of this melt composition is 5.5. Figure 1A is a photograph of a glass slide with a melt composition. The slide was prepared by attempting to pull fibers from the melt sample and loop them around the glass slide using a pipette tip. However, the glass slide shows clumps of the melt composition, rather than forming spinnable fibers. Similarly, Figure 1B and Figure 1C are photographs in which the melt composition is placed on the index finger and observed whether fine fibers can be made by bringing the thumb and index finger together and then pulling them apart. In Figure 1B and Figure 1C the melt composition remains as clumps on the fingers, rather than forming fine fibers.

[0025] It was found that when lactic acid is added to the melt composition to adjust the pH to a melt comprising > 40% solids and heated to > 35°C, the melt maintains its rheology and phase stability.

[0026] Figure 2A and Figure 2B are photographs highlighting a melt composition that has the proper rheology to form fibrous elements. Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe melt composition in Example 1 in Table 1 below. Example 1 contains greater than 40% total melt solids content and includes lactic acid. As discussed above with respect to Figure 1A The slide was prepared. However, unlike Figure 1A the slide showed fine fiber elements, which indicates that the melt composition can be spun into fiber elements. Furthermore, when the melt composition of Example 1 was placed between the thumb and index finger, as Figure 2B shown, fine fiber elements formed when the fingers were moved apart.

[0027] However, the fiber product made from the melt can still feel sticky, stringy, and / or gloopy after it rehydrates in the user’s hand, rather than feeling smooth and creamy like a liquid shampoo. One way to prevent the rehydrated fiber product from stringing is to lower the rheology of the melt. However, it can be very difficult to spin fibers from a melt that does not have G’ > 50 Pa at 40°C. Thus, an active agent can be added to the dry fiber elements and / or product to lower the elastic modulus of the product when wetted during use. The active agent can interact with the hydrated product to create a uniform, non-sticky gel or cream when rubbed between the hands before application to the hair. The reduced stickiness also makes the product easier and more uniform to spread onto the hair fibers.

[0028] An additive, including but not limited to an organic acid formed from a di- and triprotic acid (e.g., citric acid) and salts thereof (e.g., sodium citrate) and / or a hydrotrope (e.g., sodium xylene sulfonate), can be added as a coating to all or some of the fiber elements and / or all or a portion of the fiber product. The additive can be added as a solid powder to the solid fiber structure and / or fiber elements. In some examples, the additive can be added to the melt and can be distributed throughout the fiber structure. The fiber product and / or fiber elements can contain from about 0.05% to about 5%, alternatively from about 0.1% to about 3%, alternatively from about 0.2% to about 2%, alternatively from about 0.3% to about 1%, and alternatively from about 0.4% to about 0.7% of the additive by weight of the product. The additive can lower the rheology / elasticity of the hydrated product, allowing the product to dissolve into a smooth, uniform liquid with reduced stickiness that is easily spread evenly over the user’s hair.

[0029] The additive can be an organic acid formed from a di- and triprotic acid that is solid at 25°C and salts thereof. Non-limiting examples of the organic acid can include citric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, tartronic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and salts thereof, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of the salts thereof can include sodium citrate, sodium oxalate, sodium malonate, sodium tartrate, sodium maleate, and combinations thereof.

[0030] For example, when citric acid is added as a coating to the outer surface of the article, it is found that citric acid, which reduces the rheology / elasticity of the hydrated product by changing the pH of the product (see Tables 4 and 5 below), can be added to an article containing an anionic surfactant that does not contain a sulfate salt. In another example, sodium citrate can be added as a coating to the outer surface of the article to reduce the rheology / elasticity of the hydrated / dissolved product (see Table 4 below). Citric acid can also form sodium citrate. In Table 5, the article contains a coating with citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. In this example, when hydrated, a portion of the citric acid reacts with the sodium bicarbonate to form sodium citrate, and both the citric acid and the sodium citrate act to change the rheology of the hydrated shampoo composition.

[0031] The additive can also be a hydrotrope. Non-limiting examples of hydrotropes can include sodium xylene sulfonate, urea, sodium toluene sulfonate, and combinations thereof. For example, sodium xylene sulfonate can be added as a coating to the outer surface of the article.

[0032] The melt composition can have a total % melt solids content of > 35%, alternatively > 38%, alternatively > 40%, alternatively > 42%, alternatively > 45%. The melt composition can have a total % melt solids content of from about 35% to about 60%, alternatively from about 38% to about 55%, and alternatively from about 40% to about 50%. The total % solids content is the content that will remain in the melt after the liquid is evaporated and can include surfactant solids, polymer solids, and salts from the raw materials.

[0033] The melt composition can have a pH of from about 5.5 to about 7.5, alternatively from about 5.8 to about 7, alternatively from about 6 to about 6.5, and alternatively from about 6.0 to about 6.3. The pH is determined using the pH test method described below.

[0034] The melt composition can have a G’ of > 25 Pa, alternatively > 30, alternatively > 35, alternatively > 40 Pa, alternatively > 45, and alternatively > 50 Pa at 40°C. The melt composition can have a G’ of from 25 Pa to about 100 Pa, alternatively from about 30 Pa to about 95 Pa, alternatively from about 40 Pa to about 90 Pa, alternatively from about 45 Pa to about 80 Pa, alternatively from about 50 Pa to about 75 Pa at 40°C. The G’ can be determined by the Rheology Method described below. The G” at 40°C can be from about 30 Pa to about 300 Pa, alternatively from about 50 Pa to about 200 Pa, alternatively from about 70 Pa to about 160 Pa, and alternatively from about 80 Pa to about 150 Pa. The melt composition can have a tan delta (ratio of G” / G’) of from about 2.8 to 4.8, alternatively from about 2.9 to about 4.5, and alternatively from about 3 to about 4.2 at 40°C.

[0035] The melt composition and / or hydrated fibrous element (e.g., hydrated and mixed with 7 mL of warm tap water (from Mason, Ohio) per 2.5 g of product until it forms a uniform shampoo product) can have a G' (Pa), G" (Pa), and shear stress (Pa.s) at 25 °C as determined by the Rheology Test Method described below. The G can be < 200 Pa, alternatively < 150 Pa, alternatively < 100 Pa, alternatively < 75 Pa, alternatively < 60 Pa, and alternatively < 50 Pa. The G' can be from 5 Pa to about 150 Pa, alternatively from about 10 Pa to about 100 Pa, alternatively from about 12 Pa to about 75 Pa, and alternatively from about 15 Pa to about 50 Pa. The G' can be < 200 Pa, alternatively < 150 Pa, alternatively < 135 Pa, and alternatively < 100 Pa. The G" can be from about 10 Pa to about 300 Pa, alternatively from about 20 Pa to about 200 Pa, alternatively from about 50 Pa to about 160 Pa, and alternatively from about 80 Pa to about 150 Pa. The shear stress can be < 300 Pa.s, alternatively < 200 Pa.s, alternatively < 155 Pa.s, alternatively < 100 Pa.s, alternatively < 50 Pa.s, and alternatively < 40 Pa.s. The shear stress can be from about 5 to about 300 Pa.s, alternatively from about 10 to about 200 Pa.s, alternatively from about 12 to about 150 Pa.s, alternatively from about 15 to about 100 Pa.s, and alternatively from about 25 to about 50 Pa.s.

[0036] The melt and / or fibrous element can contain a pH adjusting agent, and the pH adjusting agent can be a monoprotic organic acid. The monoprotic organic acid can be selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, and combinations thereof. The monoprotic acid can be dispersed throughout the fibrous element. The pH adjusting agent can be present throughout the fibrous element. In some examples, the fibrous element and / or fibrous product does not include a coating. In other examples, the fibrous element and / or fibrous product can include a coating, and the coating can be substantially free or free of monoprotic acid.

[0037] The fibrous product and / or fibrous element can contain from about 0.25% to about 5%, alternatively from about 0.5% to about 4%, alternatively from about 0.6% to about 3.8%, alternatively from about 0.75% to about 3.7%, alternatively from about 0.8% to about 3.5%, alternatively from about 1% to about 3%, alternatively from about 1.25% to about 2% of the pH adjusting agent by weight of the melt and / or fibrous element and / or fibrous product.

[0038] The melt and / or fiber elements and / or fiber articles may be substantially free of or contain no diprotic acids and / or triprotic acids. In some examples, the fiber elements and / or fiber articles may have a coating comprising diprotic acids and / or triprotic acids, while the fiber elements may be substantially free of or contain no diprotic acids and / or triprotic acids dispersed throughout the fiber elements. Diprotic acids may be selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids, including oxalic acid, malonic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and combinations thereof. Triprotic acids may be selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, citric acid, and combinations thereof. The melt and / or fiber elements and / or articles may be substantially free of or contain no citric acid. Citric acid may not be present throughout the fiber elements. Citric acid may be present in the coating on the fiber articles and / or fiber elements.

[0039] The weight ratio of total surfactant to total structural agent in the melt and / or fiber elements and / or fiber articles may be ≥1.85, alternatively ≥1.9, alternatively ≥2.0, alternatively ≥2.2, alternatively ≥2.3, and alternatively ≥2.4. The weight ratio of total surfactant to total structural agent in the melt and / or fiber elements and / or fiber articles may be from about 1.85 to about 4, alternatively about 1.9 to about 3.75, alternatively about 2 to about 3.5, alternatively about 2.1 to about 3, alternatively about 2.25 to about 2.75, and alternatively about 2.3 to about 2.5.

[0040] As determined by the manual dissolution method described below, the article may have a manual dissolution value of less than about 25 strokes, alternatively less than about 15 strokes, alternatively less than 12 strokes, alternatively less than 10 strokes, alternatively about 1 to about 25 strokes, alternatively about 2 to about 15 strokes, alternatively about 3 to about 10 strokes, alternatively about 3 to about 9 strokes, and alternatively about 3 to about 7 strokes.

[0041] The article may have a coating of about 0.5% to about 50% by weight of the article, alternatively about 1% to about 25%, alternatively about 1.5% to about 15%, alternatively about 2% to about 10%, alternatively about 3% to about 8%, and alternatively about 4% to about 7.5%.

[0042] Definitions

[0043] "Solubility" means that a soluble solid article is completely soluble in water, or that it provides a uniform dispersion when mixed in water according to the manual dissolution test described below. As measured by the manual dissolution method, a soluble solid article may have a manual dissolution value of about 1 to about 30 strokes, alternatively about 2 to about 25 strokes, alternatively about 3 to about 20 strokes, and alternatively about 4 to about 15 strokes.

[0044] As used herein, "fiber article" means a structure comprising one or more fiber elements and optionally one or more particles and / or coatings. In one example, a fiber article according to the invention refers to an association of fiber elements and optionally particles and / or coatings that together form a functional structure such as an integral structure.

[0045] Figure 3 This is an example of a fiber product containing filaments.

[0046] The fiber articles of the present invention may be homogeneous or layered. If layered, the fiber article may comprise at least two and / or at least three and / or at least four and / or at least five layers, such as one or more fiber element layers, one or more particle layers, and / or one or more fiber element / particle mixture layers. Layers may include particle layers within or between fiber element layers within the fiber article. Layers comprising fiber elements may sometimes be referred to as sheets. Sheets may be fiber articles, which may be homogeneous or layered as described herein.

[0047] In one example, a single-layer sheet fiber article according to the invention or a multilayer sheet fiber article according to the invention comprising one or more fiber article layers can exhibit a basis weight of less than 5000 g / m² as measured by the basis weight test method described herein. 2 The basis weight. In one example, the single-layer or multi-layer fiber article according to the invention may exhibit a basis weight greater than 10 g / m², as measured by the basis weight test method. 2 Approximately 5000g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 Approximately 3000g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 Approximately 2000g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 Approximately 1000g / m 2 and / or greater than 20 g / m 2 Approximately 800g / m 2 and / or greater than 30 g / m 2 Approximately 600g / m 2 and / or greater than 50 g / m 2 Approximately 500g / m 2 and / or greater than 100g / m 2 Approximately 800g / m 2 and / or greater than 200g / m 2 Approximately 600g / m 2 The base weight.

[0048] In one example, the fiber article of the present invention is a "one-piece fiber article".

[0049] As used herein, a "monolithic fiber article" is an arrangement comprising multiple groups of two or more and / or three or more fiber elements entangled or otherwise associated with each other to form a fiber article. A monolithic fiber article may optionally contain granules. The monolithic fiber article of the present invention may be one or more layers within a multilayer sheet fiber article. In one example, the monolithic fiber article of the present invention may include three or more distinct fiber elements. In another example, the monolithic fiber article of the present invention may include two distinct fiber elements, for example, co-formed fiber articles, depositing distinct fiber elements on distinct fiber elements to form a fiber article comprising three or more distinct fiber elements.

[0050] As used herein, “article” means consumer use unit, consumer unit dosage unit, consumer use commercial unit, single dosage unit, or other use forms that include integral fiber articles and / or one or more fiber articles of the present invention.

[0051] "Based on dry filament by weight" refers to the weight of the filament immediately after it has been conditioned in a conditioning chamber at a temperature of 22℃±2℃ and a relative humidity of 42%±4%. Similarly, "based on dry fiber element by weight" or "based on dry fiber product by weight" refers to the weight of the fiber element or structure after it has been conditioned in a conditioning chamber at a temperature of 22℃±2℃ and a relative humidity of 42%±4% for 2 hours.

[0052] As used herein, "fiber element" means a long, thin particle whose length greatly exceeds its average diameter, i.e., the ratio of its length to its average diameter is at least about 10. A fiber element can be a filament or a fiber. In one example, a fiber element can be a single fiber element rather than a yarn comprising multiple fiber elements.

[0053] The fiber elements of the present invention can be spun from filament forming compositions (also known as fiber element forming compositions) by means of suitable spinning processes, such as meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning and / or rotational spinning.

[0054] The fiber element of the present invention can be monocomponent and / or multicomponent. For example, the fiber element may comprise bicomponent fibers and / or filaments. The bicomponent fibers and / or filaments can be in any form, such as side-by-side, core-sheath, island-of-the-sea, etc.

[0055] As used herein, “filament” refers to the elongated particles described above, exhibiting a length greater than or equal to 5.08 cm (2 inches) and / or greater than or equal to 7.62 cm (3 inches) and / or greater than or equal to 10.16 cm (4 inches) and / or greater than or equal to 15.24 cm (6 inches).

[0056] Filaments are generally considered to be substantially continuous or substantially continuous. Filaments are relatively longer than fibers. Non-limiting examples of filaments include meltblown and / or spunbond filaments. Non-limiting examples of polymers that can be spun into filaments include natural polymers (such as starch, starch derivatives, cellulose such as rayon and / or lyocell fibers and cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives) and synthetic polymers (including, but not limited to, thermoplastic polymer filaments such as polyester, nylon, polyolefins (such as polypropylene filaments, polyethylene filaments), and biodegradable thermoplastic fibers such as polylactic acid filaments, polyhydroxyalkanoate filaments, polyesteramide filaments, and polycaprolactone filaments).

[0057] As used herein, “fiber” means, as described above, elongated particles exhibiting a length of less than 5.08 cm (2 in.) and / or less than 3.81 cm (1.5 in.) and / or less than 2.54 cm (1 in.).

[0058] Fibers are generally considered to be substantially discontinuous. Non-limiting examples of fibers include short fibers, which are prepared by spinning the filaments or filament bundles of the present invention and then cutting the filaments or filament bundles into segments less than 5.08 cm (2 inches).

[0059] In one example, one or more fibers may be formed from the filaments of the present invention, such as when the filaments are cut to shorter lengths (e.g., less than 5.08 cm). Therefore, in one example, the present invention also includes fibers made from the filaments of the present invention, such as fibers containing one or more polymeric structural agents and one or more other components (e.g., surfactants and high-melting-point fatty materials). Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the filaments and / or filaments involved in the present invention also include fibers made from such filaments and / or filaments. Fibers are generally considered to be substantially discontinuous, as opposed to filaments that are considered substantially continuous.

[0060] As used herein, "filament forming composition" and / or "fiber element forming composition" means a composition suitable for preparing fiber elements of the present invention, such as by meltblowing and / or spunbonding. The filament forming composition comprises one or more polymeric structural agents that exhibit properties that make it suitable for spinning into fiber elements. Furthermore, the filament forming composition may contain one or more polar solvents such as water, in which one or more (e.g., all) polymeric structural agents and / or one or more (e.g., all) surfactants are dissolved and / or dispersed prior to spinning of the fiber element (such as a filament from the filament forming composition). Figure 4In one example shown, the filament 10 of the present invention, made from the filament forming composition of the present invention, allows one or more active substances 12, such as one or more surfactants, to be present in the filament rather than on the filament, such as a coating composition containing one or more surfactants, which may be the same as or different from the surfactants in the fiber elements and / or particles.

[0061] In one example, one or more additives, such as surfactants, may be present in the fiber element, and one or more additional additives, such as surfactants, may be present on the surface of the fiber element. In another example, the fiber element of the present invention may contain one or more additives, such as surfactants, which are present in the fiber element at the time of initial preparation but accumulate on the surface of the fiber element before and / or before exposure to the intended use conditions of the fiber element.

[0062] As used herein, “vinylpyrrolidone copolymer” (and “polymer”, as used with reference) means a polymer having the following structure (I):

[0063] (I)

[0064]

[0065] In structure (I), n is an integer such that the polymeric structural agent has a degree of polymerization that gives it the characteristics described herein. For clarity, the term "copolymer" is used to express that the vinylpyrrolidone monomer can be copolymerized with other non-limiting monomers such as vinyl acetate, alkylated vinylpyrrolidone, vinylcaprolactam, vinylvalerolactam, vinylimidazolium, acrylic acid, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, dimethacrylamide, alkylaminomethacrylate, and alkylaminomethacrylamide monomers.

[0066] As used herein, “vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer” (and “copolymer”, as used herein by reference) refers to a polymer having the following structure (I):

[0067]

[0068] In structure (I), m and n are integers, such that the polymeric structural agent has the degree of polymerization and alcohol percentage characteristics described herein. For clarity, this use of the term "polymer" is intended to indicate that the partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate of the present invention comprises vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate units. As described below, unlike the polymerization of vinyl acetate and vinyl alcohol monomer units (partly due to the instability of vinyl alcohol), the polymeric structural agent is typically prepared by polymerizing vinyl acetate monomers and then hydrolyzing some of the acetate groups into alcohol groups.

[0069] As used herein, "intended conditions of use" means the temperature, physical, chemical, and / or mechanical conditions that the fiber elements and / or particles and / or fiber articles of the present invention are exposed to when used for one or more of their designed purposes. For example, if the fiber elements and / or particles and / or fiber articles containing fiber elements are designed for human use in a shampoo for hair care purposes, the intended conditions of use would include those temperature, chemical, physical, and / or mechanical conditions present during the washing of human hair with the shampoo. Similarly, if the fiber elements and / or particles and / or fiber articles containing fiber elements are designed for dishwashing operations by hand or by a dishwasher, the intended conditions of use would include those temperature, chemical, physical, and / or mechanical conditions present in the dishwashing water and / or dishwasher during the dishwashing operation.

[0070] As used herein, "surfactant" means an additive that produces a desired effect in the environment outside the fiber element and / or granules and / or fiber article containing the fiber element when the fiber element and / or granules and / or fiber article containing the fiber element are exposed to the intended conditions of use. In one example, the surfactant includes an additive for treating a surface, said surface including soft surfaces (i.e., hair, skin). In another example, the surfactant includes an additive that produces a chemical reaction (i.e., foaming, bubbling, coloring, heating, cooling, bubbling, sterilizing and / or clarifying and / or chlorinating, such as producing a chemical reaction in clarified water and / or disinfected water and / or chlorinated water). In yet another example, the surfactant includes an additive that treats an environment (i.e., deodorizing, purifying, flavoring). In one example, the surfactant may be formed in situ during the formation of the fibrous element and / or granules containing the surfactant. For example, the fibrous element and / or granules may contain a soluble polymer (e.g., starch) and / or a surfactant (e.g., anionic surfactant), which may produce a polymeric complex or aggregate layer that acts as a surfactant for treating hair and / or scalp. In one example, the surfactant may include all compositions of the melt, fibrous element, and / or fibrous article other than polymeric structural agents, including but not limited to surfactants and additives.

[0071] As used herein, “treatment” relative to treated surface means that the surfactant provides beneficial effects on the surface or the environment. Treatment includes conditioning and / or immediate improvement of the cleanliness, odor, purity, and / or feel of a surface. In one example, treatment involving the treatment of keratinized tissue (e.g., skin and / or hair) surfaces means conditioning and / or immediately improving the cosmetic appearance and / or feel of the keratinized tissue. For example, “modulating the condition of skin, hair, or fingernails / toenails (keratinized tissue)” includes: thickening the skin, hair, or fingernails / toenails (e.g., the epidermis and / or dermis and / or subcutaneous [e.g., subcutaneous fat or muscle] layers that constitute the skin, and the keratinized layer of the applicable fingernails / toenails and hair shaft) to reduce atrophy of the skin, hair, or fingernails / toenails; increasing the curling of the dermal-epidermal boundary (also known as the reticular rim); preventing the rebound of loss of elasticity of the skin or hair (loss, destruction, and / or inactivation of functional skin elastin) such as elastic tissue degeneration, sagging, skin loss, or hair deformity; changes in the pigmentation of the skin, hair, or nails by melanin or non-melanin, such as dark circles, rashes (e.g., uneven redness caused by, for example, rosacea) (hereinafter referred to as erythema), grayish-yellow (grayish-white), discoloration caused by telangiectasia or arachnoidosis, and graying of hair.

[0072] As used in this article, “weight ratio” means the ratio between two materials based on their dry weight.

[0073] As used in this article, "water-soluble material" refers to a material that is miscible in water. In other words, it is a material that can form a stable (without separation after more than 5 minutes of forming a homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with water under environmental conditions.

[0074] As used herein, "water-insoluble" refers to materials, particles, and / or matrices that are insoluble in water or do not readily disintegrate when immersed in water. In some cases, water-insoluble materials swell upon exposure to water.

[0075] As used in this article, “environmental conditions” refers to 22℃±2℃ and 42%±4% relative humidity.

[0076] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, “molecular weight” or “M.Wt.” refers to weight-average molecular weight. Molecular weight is measured using industry-standard methods, gel permeation chromatography (“GPC”).

[0077] As used herein, “length” means the length relative to the fiber element, along the longest axis of the fiber element from one end to the other. If the fiber element has knots, curls, or bends therein, the length is the length of the entire path along the fiber element from one end to the other.

[0078] As used herein, "diameter" relative to a fiber element is measured according to the diameter testing method described herein. In one example, the fiber element of the present invention exhibits a diameter of less than 100 μm, and / or less than 75 μm, and / or less than 50 μm, and / or less than 25 μm, and / or less than 20 μm, and / or less than 15 μm, and / or less than 10 μm, and / or less than 6 μm, and / or greater than 1 μm, and / or greater than 3 μm.

[0079] As used herein, "triggering condition" in one example means anything, as an action or event, that stimulates and initiates or promotes changes in the fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles of the present invention, such as loss or alteration of the physical structure of the fiber elements and / or fiber articles and / or release of additives such as surfactants therefrom. In another example, the triggering condition may be present in the environment, such as water, when the fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles of the present invention are added to water. In other words, no changes exist in the water other than the fact that the fiber elements and / or fiber articles of the present invention are added to water.

[0080] As used herein, "morphological change" refers to a change in the physical structure of a fiber element in relation to morphological changes in fiber elements and / or particles. Non-limiting examples of morphological changes in the fiber elements and / or particles of the present invention include dissolution, melting, swelling, shrinkage, fracturing, bursting, lengthening, shortening, and combinations thereof. When the fiber elements and / or particles of the present invention are exposed to the intended conditions of use, they may completely or substantially lose their physical structure, or their morphology may change, or they may retain or substantially retain their physical structure.

[0081] "Based on dry fiber elements by weight" and / or "based on dry fiber articles by weight" means the weight of fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles measured immediately after conditioning for 2 hours in a conditioning chamber at 22°C ± 2°C and 42% ± 4% relative humidity. In one example, "based on dry fiber elements and / or based on dry fiber articles by weight" means, as measured according to the moisture content test method described herein, based on the dry weight of the moisture content of the fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles, the fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles contain less than 20% and / or less than 15% and / or less than 10% and / or less than 7% and / or less than 5% and / or less than 3% and / or to 0% and / or to greater than 0% moisture, such as water, e.g., free water.

[0082] As used herein, for example, "total content" means the sum of the weight or weight percentage of all host materials, such as surfactants, relative to the total content of one or more surfactants present in the fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles. In other words, the fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles may contain 25% by weight of anionic surfactant, 15% by weight of nonionic surfactant, 10% by weight of chelating agent, and 5% by weight of fragrance based on the dry fiber elements and / or dry fiber articles, such that the total level of surfactants present in the fiber elements and / or granules and / or fiber articles is greater than 50%; that is, 55% by weight based on the dry fiber elements and / or dry fiber articles.

[0083] As used herein, "fiber product" refers to a solid form, such as a rectangular solid, sometimes called a sheet, containing one or more surfactants, such as hair care surfactants, shampoo surfactants, conditioning surfactants, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the fiber product of the present invention contains one or more surfactants, one or more enzymes (such as in the form of enzyme granules), one or more fragrances, and / or one or more defoamers. In another example, the fiber product of the present invention contains a builder and / or a chelating agent. In yet another example, the fiber product of the present invention contains a bleach (such as an encapsulated bleach).

[0084] As used herein, the terms "associative," "associated," "associative type," and / or "associating" refer to the combination of fiber elements and / or particles in direct and / or indirect contact to form a fiber article. In one example, associated fiber elements and / or particles may be bonded together, for example, by adhesives and / or thermal bonding. In another example, fiber elements and / or particles may be associated with each other by deposition onto the same fiber article preparation tape and / or patterned tape.

[0085] As used herein, "layer" or "multiple layers" means a single fiber article which is optionally arranged in a face-to-face relationship with other layers to form a multi-layered fiber article. It is also contemplated that a single fiber article can effectively form two or more layers, for example, by folding itself.

[0086] As used herein, the term "free of" means that the melt composition, or fiber element, or fiber article contains 0% of the ingredients by weight of the composition, or by weight of the fiber article, or by weight of the article, and therefore contains an undetectable amount of the stated ingredients.

[0087] As used herein, the term “substantially free” means less than 1%, less than 0.8%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.3%, less than 0.1%, or less than a non-significant amount of the stated component based on the total weight of the melt composition, or the total weight of the fiber element, or the total weight of the fiber article.

[0088] As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used herein, such as “an anionic surfactant” or “a fiber”, are understood to refer to one or more of the materials protected by or described in the claims.

[0089] As used herein, the terms “including,” “comprising,” and “containing” are intended to be non-restrictive.

[0090] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and ratios are by weight. Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and ratios are based on the total composition.

[0091] It should be understood that each maximum numerical limit given in this specification includes each lower numerical limit, as such lower numerical limits are explicitly stated herein. Each minimum numerical limit given in this specification will include each higher numerical limit, as such higher numerical limits are explicitly stated herein. Each numerical range given in this specification will include each narrower numerical range falling within such a wider numerical range, as all such narrower numerical ranges are explicitly stated herein.

[0092] Unless otherwise stated, all component or composition levels refer to the level of the active substance in that component or composition and do not include impurities that may be present in commercially available sources, such as residual solvents or byproducts.

[0093] Fiber Product

[0094] Fiber articles may include multiple fiber elements, such as multiple filaments. Fiber articles may include fiber elements comprising polymeric structural agents, surfactant systems, and optionally additives, which may be present in the fiber elements or coatings.

[0095] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a fiber element according to the present invention. The filaments may be uniform.

[0096] In one example, the fiber article comprises a plurality of fiber elements that are compositionally identical or substantially identical. In another example, the fiber article may comprise two or more different fiber elements according to the invention. Non-limiting examples of differences in fiber elements may include physical differences such as differences in diameter, length, texture, shape, hardness, elasticity, etc.; chemical differences such as crosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg, surfactants, polymeric structural agents, color, surfactant level, basis weight, polymeric structural agent level, presence of any coating on the fiber element, biodegradability, hydrophobicity, contact angle, etc.; differences in whether the fiber element loses its physical structure when exposed to the intended use conditions; differences in whether the fiber element changes its morphology when exposed to the intended use conditions; and differences in the rate at which one or more surfactants release the fiber element when exposed to the intended use conditions. In one example, the two or more fiber elements and / or particles in the fiber article may contain different surfactants. This may be a case where the different surfactants may be incompatible with each other, for example, anionic surfactants (such as shampoo surfactants) and cationic surfactants (such as hair conditioner surfactants).

[0097] In another example, the fibrous article may exhibit different areas, such as areas with different basis weights, densities, and / or thicknesses. In another example, the fibrous article may include textures on one or more surfaces. The surface of the fibrous article may contain patterns such as non-random repeating patterns. The fibrous article may be embossed with an embossed pattern. In another example, the fibrous article may include openings. The openings may be arranged in a non-random repeating pattern.

[0098] In one example, the fiber article of the present invention exhibits a thickness greater than 0.01 mm, and / or greater than 0.05 mm, and / or greater than 0.1 mm, and / or about 100 mm, and / or about 50 mm, and / or about 20 mm, and / or about 10 mm, and / or about 5 mm, and / or about 2 mm, and / or about 0.5 mm, and / or about 0.3 mm, as measured by the thickness testing methods described herein.

[0099] With respect to fibrous articles, the structure may comprise a significant number of soluble fibers having an average diameter of less than about 150 micrometers, alternatively less than about 100 micrometers, alternatively less than about 10 micrometers, and alternatively less than about 1 micrometer, having, for example, less than 100%, alternatively less than 80%, alternatively less than 60%, alternatively less than 50%, such as a relative standard deviation in the range of 10% to 50%. As illustrated herein, a significant number means at least 10% of all soluble fibers, alternatively at least 25% of all soluble fibers, alternatively at least 50% of all soluble fibers, alternatively at least 75% of all soluble fibers. A significant number may be at least 99% of all soluble fibers. Alternatively, about 50% to about 100% of all soluble fibers may have an average diameter of less than about 10 micrometers. Soluble fibers obtained by the methods of this disclosure may have a significant number of soluble fibers with an average diameter of less than about 1 micrometer, or submicron fibers. In one embodiment, the fibrous article may have about 25% to about 100% of all soluble fibers with an average diameter of less than about 1 micrometer, alternatively about 35% to about 100% of all soluble fibers with an average diameter of less than about 1 micrometer, alternatively about 50% to about 100% of all soluble fibers with an average diameter of less than about 1 micrometer, and alternatively about 75% to about 100% of all soluble fibers with an average diameter of less than about 1 micrometer.

[0100] In one aspect, the article can be characterized by its specific surface area. The article may have a specific surface area of ​​approximately 0.03 m². 2 / g to approximately 0.25m 2 / g, with an additional location of approximately 0.035m 2 / g to approximately 0.22m 2 / g, with an additional 0.04m of land selected. 2 / g to approximately 0.19m 2 / g, and alternatively approximately 0.045m 2 / g to approximately 0.16m 2 Specific surface area per g.

[0101] The structure may be a flat, flexible structure in the form of a pad, strip, or strip, and has a thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm, alternatively about 1 mm to about 9 mm, alternatively about 2 mm to about 8 mm, and alternatively about 3 mm to about 7 mm as measured by the methods described below. The structure may be a sheet having a thickness of about 5 mm to about 6.5 mm. Alternatively, two or more sheets may be combined to form a structure having a thickness of about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

[0102] The structure can have approximately 200g / m³ 2 Approximately 2,000 g / m 2 Another selected site has a density of approximately 400g / m³. 2 Approximately 1,200 g / m2 Another selected site has a density of approximately 600g / m³. 2 Approximately 2,000 g / m 2 And another location with approximately 700g / m 2 Approximately 1,500 g / m 2 The base weight.

[0103] The structure may have a density of approximately 0.08 g / cm³. 3 To approximately 0.40 g / cm 3 Another selected site has a concentration of approximately 0.08 g / cm³. 3 Approximately 0.38 g / cm³ 3 Another selected area is approximately 0.10 g / cm³. 3 To approximately 0.25 g / cm 3 And another selected location is approximately 0.12 g / cm³. 3 To approximately 0.20 g / cm 3 The dry density.

[0104] Non-limiting examples of other fiber articles applicable to the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patents 8,980,816 and 9,139,802, U.S. Publication 2013 / 0171421, and U.S. Application 16 / 912,876, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0105] Fiber Element

[0106] The fibrous elements (such as filaments and / or fibers) of the present invention comprise one or more polymeric structural agents. In addition to polymeric structural agents, the fibrous elements may also comprise surfactant systems and optional components, including cationic polymers with relatively high weight-average molecular weights. Examples of fibrous elements can be found in U.S. Patent Application 16 / 431,115, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0107] Polymeric Structurant

[0108] The melt composition and / or soluble fiber article and / or fiber element may contain about 1% to 90% by weight of the dried fiber element and / or the dried soluble fiber article and / or by weight of the fiber element forming the composition, alternatively 10% to about 80%, alternatively about 20% to about 70%, alternatively about 30% to about 65%, alternatively about 35% to about 60%, alternatively about 20% to about 40% of a polymeric structural agent.

[0109] Non-limiting examples of polymeric structural agent materials forming fibrous elements include water-soluble polymers. Water-soluble polymers may be synthetic or of natural origin and may be chemically and / or physically modified. Polar solvent-soluble polymers may exhibit a weight-average molecular weight of about 10,000 g / mol to about 40,000,000 g / mol, preferably about 20,000 g / mol to about 30,000,000 g / mol, more preferably about 35,000 g / mol to about 20,000,000 g / mol, even more preferably about 40,000 g / mol to about 5,000,000 g / mol, and most preferably about 40,000 g / mol to about 500,000 g / mol.

[0110] One or more polymeric structural agents forming fibrous elements comprise one or more polyvinyl alcohols. These one or more polyvinyl alcohols may exhibit a weight-average molecular weight of about 10,000 g / mol to about 40,000,000 g / mol, alternatively about 20,000 g / mol to about 30,000,000 g / mol, alternatively about 35,000 g / mol to about 20,000,000 g / mol, alternatively about 40,000 g / mol to about 5,000,000 g / mol, alternatively about 40,000 g / mol to about 500,000 g / mol.

[0111] One or more polymeric structural agent materials forming fibrous elements may comprise two or more polyvinyl alcohols. One of the two or more polyvinyl alcohols may exhibit a weight-average molecular weight of about 10,000 g / mol to about 100,000 g / mol, alternatively about 20,000 g / mol to about 50,000 g / mol, alternatively about 25,000 g / mol to about 45,000 g / mol, and another of the two or more polyvinyl alcohols may exhibit a weight-average molecular weight of about 105,000 g / mol to about 40,000,000 g / mol, preferably about 110,000 g / mol to about 20,000,000 g / mol, more preferably about 120,000 g / mol to about 500,000 g / mol.

[0112] Non-limiting examples of polymeric structural agents that form fibrous elements include water-soluble hydroxyl polymers, water-soluble thermoplastic polymers, water-soluble biodegradable polymers, water-soluble non-biodegradable polymers, and mixtures thereof.

[0113] The polymer structural agent material forming the fibrous element may also contain starch. Preferably, the polymer structural agent material forming the fibrous element may contain one or more polyvinyl alcohols and starch.

[0114] One or more fiber element forming materials may also include carboxymethyl cellulose. The one or more polymeric structural agent materials forming the fiber elements may include one or more polyvinyl alcohols and carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0115] Surfactant

[0116] The melt composition and / or soluble fiber article and / or fiber element may contain about 10% to about 90% by weight, alternatively about 20% to about 80%, alternatively about 30% to about 75%, and alternatively about 40% to about 70%, about 45% to about 65% of a surfactant system based on the dry fiber element and / or based on the dry soluble fiber article and / or based on the fiber element forming the composition.

[0117] Suitable anionic surfactants may include alkyl and alkyl ether sulfates. Other suitable anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts of organic sulfuric acid reaction products. Other suitable anionic surfactants are reaction products of fatty acids esterified with ethanesulfonate and neutralized with sodium hydroxide. Other similar anionic surfactants are described in U.S. Patents 2,486,921; 2,486,922; and 2,396,278, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0118] Exemplary anionic surfactants include ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate, triethylamine lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, sodium monolaurate sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, and lauryl sulfate. Potassium lauryl sulfate, potassium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, lauryl sarcosinate, cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium cocoyl sulfate, ammonium lauroyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sulfate, potassium cocoyl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, monoethanolamine cocoyl sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate, sodium tridecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium cocoyl hydroxyethanesulfonate, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate.

[0119] In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant is at least one branched sulfate having the following formula: CH3-(CH2) z –CH(R 1 )-CH2-O-(CH2CH(R 2 )O) y-SO3M; where z is approximately 3 to approximately 14; R 1 R represents H or a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 2 For H or CH3; R 1 and R 2 Neither of them is H; y ranges from 0 to approximately 7; when y is not equal to 0, the average value of y is approximately 1; and M is a monovalent or divalent positively charged cation. Examples of monovalent positively charged cations include ammonium, sodium, potassium, and triethanolamine cations, and examples of divalent positively charged cations include magnesium. With respect to the aforementioned branched sulfates, "average value" means that although the average y value of all molecules in the composition is approximately 1, the composition may contain molecules with a y value not equal to 1.

[0120] In some examples, the surfactant system may be substantially free of or contain no sulfate-based surfactants, including alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates. Preferably, the soluble fiber article does not contain surfactants with C 10 To C 18 Any alkyl sulfate or any alkyl ether sulfate, including alkyl glycerol ether sulfate.

[0121] In some examples, soluble fiber products may not contain any alkyl ether sulfates having the following formula:

[0122] RO(CH2CH2O) n SO3M

[0123] Wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 18 carbons, or alternatively 12 to 18 carbons, n has an average value greater than at least 0.5, or alternatively between 2 and 3; and M is a solubilizing cation, such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, or substituted ammonium.

[0124] In some examples, soluble fiber products may not contain any lauryl ether ammonium sulfate and lauryl ether sodium sulfate.

[0125] If the soluble fiber product does contain surfactants of the alkyl sulfate and / or alkyl ether sulfate type, the content of such surfactants by weight is less than or equal to 0.6 of the total, alternatively less than or equal to 0.2 of the total, or alternatively equal to 0.

[0126] In addition, the product may be substantially free of or free of surfactants of the alkyl sulfate and alkyl ether sulfate types, as described above.

[0127] The one or more surfactants include one or more surfactants, wherein the one or more surfactants include at least one glutamate surfactant according to general formula (I):

[0128]

[0129] R1 may be a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, alternatively 7 to 17 carbon atoms, or alternatively 9 to 13 carbon atoms; and M may be H, ammonium, triethanolamine (TEA), sodium or potassium, or mixtures thereof.

[0130] As mentioned above, soluble fiber products may be substantially free of or contain no surfactants of the alkyl sulfate and alkyl ether sulfate types.

[0131] The surfactant system may contain a primary anionic surfactant. The article may contain about 5% to about 70% by weight, alternatively about 10% to about 65%, alternatively about 15% to about 55%, and alternatively about 20% to about 50% of the primary surfactant based on dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fibrous articles and / or based on fibrous elements forming the composition.

[0132] The surfactant system may contain a primary anionic surfactant. The article may contain about 35% to about 100% by weight of the surfactant system and / or by weight of the composition formed by the fiber elements based on dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fiber articles, alternatively about 40% to about 90%, alternatively about 45% to about 85%, alternatively about 50% to about 80%, alternatively about 60% to about 75% of the primary surfactant.

[0133] The primary surfactant may be an anionic surfactant having two or more negatively charged hydrophilic groups, particularly two negatively charged hydrophilic groups, wherein the surfactant is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants. Primary surfactants may include disodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfosuccinate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, disodium lauroylamphodiacetate, and combinations thereof.

[0134] The primary anionic surfactant may include at least one glutamate surfactant. Non-limiting examples of glutamate surfactants may include sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, dipotassium cocoyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, diammonium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, disodium lauroyl glutamate, potassium lauroyl glutamate, dipotassium lauroyl glutamate, sodium capryloyl glutamate, disodium capryloyl glutamate, potassium capryloyl glutamate, dipotassium capryloyl glutamate, sodium undecenoyl glutamate, disodium undecenoyl glutamate, potassium undecenoyl glutamate, dipotassium undecenoyl glutamate, disodium hydrogenated tallow glutamate, and stearoyl glutamate. Sodium stearoyl glutamate, disodium stearoyl glutamate, potassium stearoyl glutamate, dipotassium stearoyl glutamate, sodium myristoyl glutamate, disodium myristoyl glutamate, potassium myristoyl glutamate, dipotassium myristoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl / hydrogenated tallow glutamate, sodium cocoyl / palmitoyl / sunflower oil glutamate, sodium hydrogenated tallow glutamate, sodium olive oil acyl glutamate, disodium olive oil acyl glutamate, sodium palmitoyl glutamate, disodium palmitoyl glutamate, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, TEA-hydrogenated tallow glutamate, TEA-lauroyl glutamate, and mixtures thereof.

[0135] The at least one glutamate surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, dipotassium cocoyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, diammonium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, disodium lauroyl glutamate, potassium lauroyl glutamate, dipotassium lauroyl glutamate, sodium capryloyl glutamate, disodium capryloyl glutamate, potassium capryloyl glutamate, dipotassium capryloyl glutamate, sodium stearoyl glutamate, disodium stearoyl glutamate, potassium stearoyl glutamate, dipotassium stearoyl glutamate, sodium myristoyl glutamate, disodium myristoyl glutamate, potassium myristoyl glutamate, dipotassium myristoyl glutamate, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, and mixtures thereof.

[0136] In some examples, the at least one glutamate surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, dipotassium cocoyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, diammonium cocoyl glutamate, TEA-diammonium cocoyl glutamate, and mixtures thereof.

[0137] The total level of the at least one glutamate surfactant may be from about 8% to about 100% by weight of the article, alternatively from about 8% to about 85%, alternatively from about 12% to about 70%, alternatively from about 17% to about 55%, and alternatively from about 20% to about 45%. The glutamate level may be based on the weight of the dried fibrous elements and / or based on the dried soluble fibrous articles and / or based on the weight of the fibrous elements forming the composition.

[0138] The total level of the at least one glutamate surfactant may be from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the surfactant system and / or by weight of the composition formed by the fiber elements based on dried fiber elements and / or dried soluble fiber articles, alternatively from about 40% to about 85%, alternatively from about 45% to about 80%, alternatively from about 50% to about 75%.

[0139] One or more surfactants in the one or more surfactants may further comprise an auxiliary surfactant by weight of the composition, wherein the auxiliary surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of additional anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

[0140] The article may optionally contain an auxiliary surfactant. The total level of the auxiliary surfactant may be from about 0.5% to about 50% based on the weight of the article and / or based on the weight of the fiber elements forming the composition, based on the dried fiber elements and / or the dried soluble fiber article. Alternatively, it may be from about 2% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 25%, and from about 7% to about 20%.

[0141] The total level of the auxiliary surfactant may be from about 10% to about 65% by weight of the surfactant system and / or by weight of the composition formed by the fiber elements, based on the dried fiber elements and / or the dried soluble fiber articles. Alternatively, it may be from about 15% to about 55%, or alternatively from about 23% to about 50%.

[0142] Additional anionic surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactants, sarcosinate surfactants, glycine surfactants, alanine surfactants, sulfosuccinate surfactants, sulfonate surfactants, sulfoacetate surfactants, glucosylcarboxylate surfactants, alkyl ether carboxylate surfactants, taurine surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Each of the anionic surfactants just listed above will be described in more detail below.

[0143] One or more surfactants in the one or more activators may also include at least one hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactant according to general formula (II):

[0144]

[0145] R1 may be a saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 8 to 22 carbon atoms, or alternatively 9 to 18 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are each independently H or (C1-C4) alkyl, alternatively wherein the (C1-C4) alkyl may be methyl, and M +It can be an alkali metal, with alternatives including lithium, sodium, and potassium; or M + It can be an alkaline earth metal, with magnesium as an alternative; or M + It can be an ammonium cation or a substituted ammonium cation.

[0146] Hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium lauroyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium oleoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium oleoyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium stearoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium stearoyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium myristoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium palmitoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium palmitoyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium cocoyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, blends of stearic acid and sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, ammonium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, ammonium cocoyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

[0147] Hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium lauroyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium oleoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium stearoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium myristoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium palmitoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, ammonium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

[0148] Hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium lauroyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium stearoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium myristoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, ammonium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

[0149] Hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, ammonium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

[0150] The corresponding commercial products can be, for example, named after the product name. Purchased from Innospec, and under the product name or Purchased from Clariant or Uniquema. Examples of other commercially available fatty acyl hydroxyethyl sulfonates available from Clariant are... Surfactants, such as sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate: SCI-85C, SCI-78C, or a blend of stearic acid and sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate: SCI-65C. Examples of other commercially available fatty acyl hydroxyethyl sulfonates available are those derived from BASF. Surfactants, such as CI particles or CI65; and sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate obtained from Yongan Daily Chemical Co., such as or

[0151] Sarcosinate surfactants may have the general formula (III):

[0152]

[0153] Wherein R may be a saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain having 7 to 17 carbon atoms, or alternatively 9 to 13 carbon atoms, and M may be an alkyl chain. + It can be H, sodium cation, potassium cation, ammonium cation or triethanolamine cation.

[0154] Sarcosyl sarcosinate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, TEA salt of cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate, dimeric dilinoleyl bislauroyl glutamate / lauroyl sarcosinate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, lauroyl sarcosinate, lauroyl isopropyl sarcosinate, potassium cocoyl sarcosinate, potassium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium oleoyl sarcosinate, sodium palmitoyl sarcosinate, TEA salt of cocoyl sarcosinate, TEA salt of lauroyl sarcosinate, TEA salt of oleoyl sarcosinate, TEA salt of palm kernel sarcosinate, and mixtures thereof.

[0155] Alternatively, the sarcosine surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, and mixtures thereof.

[0156] Glycine salt surfactants can be selected from the group consisting of: sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium lauroyl glycinate, and mixtures thereof.

[0157] Alanine salt surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium cocoyl alanine, sodium lauroyl alanine, sodium N-dodecanoyl-l-alanine, and mixtures thereof.

[0158] The sulfosuccinate surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of: disodium N-octadecyl sulfosuccinate, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, diammonium lauryl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfosuccinate, tetrasodium N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N-octadecyl sulfosuccinate, dipentyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinate, dihexyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinate, dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinate, and mixtures thereof.

[0159] Sulfonate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: α-olefin sulfonates, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium lauroyl glucoside hydroxypropyl sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

[0160] The sulfoacetate surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl sulfoacetate, ammonium lauroyl sulfoacetate, and mixtures thereof.

[0161] Glucocarboxylate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauroyl glucoside carboxylate, sodium cocoyl glucoside carboxylate, and mixtures thereof.

[0162] Alkyl ether carboxylate surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium lauryl ether-4 carboxylate, sodium lauryl ether-5 carboxylate, sodium lauryl ether-13 carboxylate, sodium C12-13 alkanol polyether-8 carboxylate, sodium C12-15 alkanol polyether-8 carboxylate, and mixtures thereof.

[0163] Taurine surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium methylcocoyl taurate, sodium methyllauroyl taurate, sodium methyloleoyl taurate, and mixtures thereof.

[0164] Anionic surfactants that are not glutamate surfactants may include lactates or alkenyl lactates. Non-limiting examples of lactates may include sodium lactate. Non-limiting examples of alkenyl lactates may include sodium lauroyl alkenyl lactate, sodium cocoyl alkenyl lactate, and mixtures thereof.

[0165] The total level of the additional anionic surfactant may be from about 0% to about 20% by weight based on the fibrous elements forming the composition or based on the dried fibrous elements and / or the dried soluble fibrous articles. Alternatively, the total level of the anionic surfactant, which is not a glutamate surfactant, may be from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight based on the fibrous elements forming the composition or based on the dried fibrous elements and / or the dried soluble fibrous articles.

[0166] One or more surfactants in the one or more surfactants may include nonionic surfactants. Nonionic surfactants may be selected from the group consisting of alkyl polyglucosides, alkyl glycosides, acyl glucosamides, and mixtures thereof.

[0167] In this case, an alkyl group may be defined as a saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 8 to 22 carbon atoms, or alternatively 9 to 18 carbon atoms. In this case, an acyl group may be defined as having the formula RC(O)-, wherein R may be a saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, alternatively 8 to 22 carbon atoms, or alternatively 9 to 18 carbon atoms, or alternatively an alkyl chain.

[0168] Alkyl glucosides may be selected from the group consisting of: decyl glucoside, cocoyl glucoside, lauroyl glucoside, and mixtures thereof.

[0169] Acyl glucosamides may be selected from the group consisting of: lauroyl / myristoyl methyl glucosamide, octanoyl / octanoyl methyl glucosamide, cocoyl methyl glucosamide, and mixtures thereof.

[0170] Alternatively, the nonionic surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of: cocamide monoethanolamine, lauramide monoethanolamine, cocoyl glucoside, lauroyl glucoside, decyl glucoside, and mixtures thereof.

[0171] The total level of nonionic surfactants may be from about 0% to about 25% by weight of the composition formed by fibrous elements or based on dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fibrous articles. Alternatively, the total level of nonionic surfactants may be from about 0.1% to about 15% by weight of the composition formed by fibrous elements or based on dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fibrous articles. Alternatively, the total level of nonionic surfactants may be from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the composition formed by fibrous elements or based on dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fibrous articles.

[0172] Suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may include those described in U.S. Patents 5,104,646 and 5,106,609.

[0173] Amphoteric surfactants may include those broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, wherein the aliphatic group may be linear or branched, and wherein the aliphatic substituent may contain 8 to 18 carbon atoms, such that one carbon atom may contain a water-soluble anionic group, such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonate group, a phosphate group, or a phosphonate group. Examples of compounds falling under this definition include sodium 3-dodecylaminopropionate, sodium 3-dodecylaminopropanesulfonate, N-alkyl taurine (such as that prepared by reacting dodecylamine with sodium hydroxyethyl sulfonate according to the teachings of U.S. Patent 2,658,072), N-higher alkyl aspartic acid (such as those prepared according to the teachings of U.S. Patent 2,438,091), and the product described in U.S. Patent 2,528,378.

[0174] The amphoteric surfactant may be selected from sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, and mixtures thereof.

[0175] Amphoteric surfactants used as auxiliary surfactants for one or more surfactants described herein may include those widely described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, wherein the aliphatic group may be linear or branched, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents may contain 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and one of the aliphatic substituents may contain an anionic group, such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonate group, a phosphate group, or a phosphonate group.

[0176] Therefore, one or more surfactants in the one or more surfactants may include at least one amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of: cocoaminopropyl betaine, lauroaminopropyl betaine, cocoyl betaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl hydroxysulfonyl betaine, cocoaminopropyl hydroxysulfonyl betaine, cocoyl hydroxysulfonyl betaine, cocoyl sulfonyl betaine, lauryl sulfonyl betaine, sodium cocoamphoacetate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, sodium lauroamphoacetate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, laurylamine oxide, lauryl hydroxysulfonyl betaine, and mixtures thereof.

[0177] Examples of zwitterionic betaine surfactants may include cocodimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), cocodibenzene, lauramidopropyl betaine (LAPB), oleyl betaine, lauryldimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, lauryldimethylα-carboxyethyl betaine, cetyldimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, lauryl di-(2-hydroxyethyl)carboxymethyl betaine, stearyl di-(2-hydroxypropyl)carboxymethyl betaine, oleyldimethylγ-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl di-(2-hydroxypropyl)α-carboxyethyl betaine, and mixtures thereof. Examples of sulfonyl betaine may include cocodimethylsulfonylpropyl betaine, stearyl dimethylsulfonylpropyl betaine, lauryl dimethylsulfonylethyl betaine, lauryl di-(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfonylpropyl betaine, and mixtures thereof.

[0178] The total level of zwitterionic surfactants may be from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of the composition formed from fibrous elements or based on the weight of dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fibrous articles. Alternatively, the total level of nonionic surfactants may be from about 2% to about 15% by weight of the composition formed from fibrous elements or based on the weight of dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fibrous articles. Alternatively, the total level of nonionic surfactants may be from about 4% to about 13% by weight of the composition formed from fibrous elements or based on the weight of dried fibrous elements and / or dried soluble fibrous articles.

[0179] Cationic Polymer

[0180] The fiber article may contain about 0.05% to about 5% cationic polymer, about 0.1% to about 2% cationic polymer, about 0.2% to about 1.5% cationic polymer, about 0.3% to about 1.0% cationic polymer, or about 0.4% to about 0.75% cationic polymer, based on the weight of the fiber elements forming the composition or based on the dried fiber elements and / or the dried soluble fiber article.

[0181] The cationic polymer may have a weight-average molecular weight of about 500,000 g / mol to about 2,500,000 g / mol, alternatively about 500,000 g / mol to about 2,000,000 g / mol, alternatively about 500,000 g / mol to about 1,500,000 g / mol, alternatively about 500,000 g / mol to about 1,000,000 g / mol. The cationic polymer may have a weight-average molecular weight greater than 500,000 g / mol, alternatively greater than 1,000,000 g / mol, as measured by gel permeation chromatography.

[0182] The cationic polymer may have a weight-average charge density greater than 0.2 meq / g, alternatively greater than 0.4 meq / g, alternatively 0.6 meg / g, alternatively 0.8 meg / g, alternatively 1 meq / g, alternatively 1.2 meq / g, alternatively 1.5 meg / g, alternatively 2 meg / g, alternatively greater than 3 meg / g, and alternatively greater than 5 meg / g, as measured by a charge density testing method. The cationic polymer may also have a weight-average charge density from about 0.4 meg / g to about 5 meg / g, alternatively about 1 meg / g to about 3 meg / g, and alternatively about 1 meg / g to about 2.5 meg / g, as measured by a charge density testing method.

[0183] Cationic Guar Polymer

[0184] Hair care compositions may comprise (a) a cationic guar gum polymer. The cationic guar gum polymer is a cationically substituted galactomannan (guar) gum derivative. The guar gum used to prepare these guar gum derivatives is typically obtained in the form of naturally occurring material derived from the seeds of the guar gum plant. The guar gum molecule itself is a linear mannan branched by mono-segmented galactose units on alternating mannose units at regular intervals. The mannose units are linked to each other via β(1-4) glycosidic linkages. Galactose branching occurs via α(1-6) bonds. The cationic derivative of guar gum is obtained by reacting the hydroxyl groups of the polygalactomannan with a reactive quaternary ammonium compound. The degree of substitution of the cationic groups on the guar gum structure should be sufficient to provide the desired cationic charge density described above.

[0185] The cationic guar polymer may have a weight-average molecular weight of less than 2,200,000 g / mol, or about 150,000 g / mol to about 2,000,000 g / mol, or about 200,000 g / mol to about 1,900,000 g / mol, or about 300,000 g / mol to about 1,800,000 g / mol, or about 400,000 g / mol to about 1,700,000 g / mol, or about 500,000 g / mol to about 1,600,000 g / mol. Cationic guar polymers may have a weight-average molecular weight greater than about 150,000 g / mol, alternatively greater than about 1,000,000 g / mol, alternatively greater than about 1,500,000 g / mol, alternatively greater than about 2,000,000 g / mol, and alternatively greater than about 2,500,000 g / mol.

[0186] The cationic guar polymer may have a weight-average charge density of about 0.2 meq / g to about 2.2 meg / g, or about 0.3 meq / g to about 2.0 meg / g, or about 0.4 meq / g to about 1.9 meg / g, or about 0.5 meq / g to about 1.8 meg / g, or about 0.6 meq / g to about 1.7 meg / g, or about 0.6 meq / g to about 1.5 meq / g, or about 0.6 meq / g to about 1.3 meg / g, and / or about 0.7 meq / g to about 1.0 meg / g.

[0187] Cationic guar polymers can be formed from quaternary ammonium compounds. The quaternary ammonium compounds used to form cationic guar polymers can conform to general formula 1:

[0188]

[0189] Where R 3 R 4 and R 5 It is a methyl or ethyl group; R 6 For having an epoxy alkyl group of general formula 2:

[0190]

[0191] or R 6 For those having a halool group of general formula 3:

[0192]

[0193] Where R 7 It is a C1 to C3 alkylene group; X is chlorine or bromine, and Z is an anion, such as Cl-, Br-, I- or HSO4-.

[0194] Cationic guar polymers can conform to general formula 4:

[0195]

[0196] Where R 8 It is guar gum; and R in it 4 R 5 R 6 and R 7 As defined above; and where Z is a halogen. Cationic guar polymers conform to Equation 5:

[0197]

[0198] Suitable cationic guar polymers may include cationic guar derivatives, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride. A cationic guar polymer is guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride. Specific examples of guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride include those commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc Incorporated. Series, such as those available from Rhodia. C-500. C-500 has a charge density of 0.8 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of 500,000 g / mol. Another guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride with a charge density of approximately 1.1 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 500,000 g / mol was purchased from Ashland. Another guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride with a charge density of approximately 1.5 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 500,000 g / mol was also purchased from Ashland.

[0199] Other suitable guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chlorides are: Hi-Care 1000, which has a charge density of about 0.7 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of about 600,000 g / mol, purchased from Rhodia; N-Hance 3269 and N-Hance N-Hance 3270, with a charge density of approximately 0.7 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 425,000 g / mol, was purchased from Ashland; N-Hance 3271, with a charge density of approximately 0.7 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 500,000 g / mol, was also purchased from Ashland; Bf-13, a boron-free guar gum with a charge density of approximately 1.1 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 800,000, and BF-17, a boron-free guar gum with a charge density of approximately 1.7 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 800,000, were both purchased from Ashland; N-Hance Cg17, with a charge density of approximately 1.0 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 1,600,000 g / mol, was also purchased from Ashland; and N-Hance... 3196, with a charge density of approximately 0.7 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of 1,700,000 g / mol, was purchased from Ashland.

[0200] Cationic Synthetic Polymer

[0201] The hair care composition may comprise (b) a cationic synthetic polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of about 1,000 g / mol to about 2,000,000 g / mol, and wherein the cationic guar polymer has a charge density of about 2 meq / g to about 10 meq / g. The hair care composition may comprise about 0.01% to about 2.5% of the cationic synthetic polymer by weight of the total composition.

[0202] Cationic synthetic polymers can be formed from the following substances:

[0203] i) one or more cationic monomer units, and optionally

[0204] ii) one or more negatively charged monomer units, and / or

[0205] iii) Nonionic monomers,

[0206] The copolymer subsequently carries a positive charge. The ratios of the three types of monomers are given by “m”, “p”, and “q”, where “m” is the number of cationic monomers, “p” is the number of negatively charged monomers, and “q” is the number of nonionic monomers.

[0207] Cationic polymers can be water-soluble or water-dispersible non-crosslinked cationic synthetic polymers having the following structures:

[0208]

[0209] Wherein A can be one or more of the following cationic moieties:

[0210]

[0211] Where @ = amide group, alkylamide group, ester, ether, alkyl, or alkylaryl;

[0212] Where Y = C1-C22 alkyl, alkoxy, alkylidene, alkyl, or aryloxy;

[0213] Where ψ = C1-C22 alkyl, alkoxy, alkylaryl, or alkylaryloxy;

[0214] Where Z = C1-C22 alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, or aryloxy;

[0215] Where R1 = H, C1-C4 straight-chain or branched alkyl;

[0216] Where s = 0 or 1, n = 0 or ≥ 1;

[0217] Where T and R7 = C1-C22 alkyl groups; and

[0218] Where X- = halogen, hydroxide, alkanol, sulfate or alkyl sulfate.

[0219] The negatively charged monomers are defined as follows: R2' = H, C1-C4 straight-chain or branched alkyl, and R3 is:

[0220]

[0221] Where D = O, N, or S;

[0222] Where Q = NH2 or O;

[0223] Where u = 1 to 6;

[0224] Where t = 0 to 1; and

[0225] Where J = an oxidized functional group containing the elements P, S, and C.

[0226] The nonionic monomers are defined as follows: R2” = H, C1-C4 straight-chain or branched alkyl, R6 = straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkylaryl, aryloxy, alkoxy, alkylaryloxy, and β is defined as

[0227] and

[0228] Where G' and G” are independently O, S or NH, and L = 0 or 1.

[0229] Examples of cationic monomers include aminoalkyl (meth)acrylates, (meth)aminoalkyl (meth)acrylamides; monomers containing at least one secondary, tertiary or quaternary ammonium functional group, or heterocyclic groups containing a nitrogen atom, ethyleneamine or ethyleneimine; diallyl dialkylammonium salts; mixtures thereof, their salts and macromolecular monomers derived therefrom.

[0230] Other examples of cationic monomers include dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, di-tert-butylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminomethyl(meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide, ethyleneimine, ethyleneamine, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylmethylammonium sulfate ethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylbenzylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, 4-benzoylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylamide, trimethylammonium chloride propyl (meth)acrylamide, vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride, diallyl dimethylammonium chloride.

[0231] Suitable cationic monomers include the inclusion-NR3 +Those quaternary ammonium groups, wherein R is the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group, optionally containing a hydroxyl group, and include anions (counterions). Examples of anions are halide ions (such as chloride ions, bromide ions), sulfate ions, hydrogen sulfate ions, alkyl sulfate ions (e.g., containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms), phosphate ions, citrate ions, formate ions, and acetate ions.

[0232] Suitable cationic monomers include trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylmethylammonium sulfate ethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylbenzylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, 4-benzoylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylamide, trimethylammonium chloride propyl (meth)acrylamide, and vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride.

[0233] Suitable cationic monomers include trimethylammonium chloride propyl (meth)acrylamide.

[0234] Examples of negatively charged monomers include α-ene unsaturated monomers containing phosphate or phosphonate groups, α-ene unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, monoalkyl esters of α-ene unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, monoalkyl amides of α-ene unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, α-ene unsaturated compounds containing sulfonic acid groups, and salts of α-ene unsaturated compounds containing sulfonic acid groups.

[0235] Suitable monomers with negative charges include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, salts of vinyl sulfonic acid, vinylbenzene sulfonic acid, salts of vinylbenzene sulfonic acid, α-acrylamidomethylpropanesulfonic acid, salts of α-acrylamidomethylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate, salts of 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate, acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), salts of acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, and styrene sulfonate (SS).

[0236] Examples of nonionic monomers include vinyl acetate, amides of α-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of α-olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having hydrogenated or fluorinated alcohols, polyethylene oxide (meth)acrylates (i.e., polyethoxylated (meth)acrylic acid), monoalkyl esters of α-olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, monoalkyl amides of α-olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, vinyl nitrile, vinylamine amide, vinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone, and vinyl aromatic compounds.

[0237] Suitable nonionic monomers include styrene, acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

[0238] The anionic counterion (X-) associated with the cationic synthetic polymer can be any known counterion, provided that the polymer remains soluble or dispersible in water, in the hair care composition, or in the cohesive phase of the hair care composition, and provided that the counterion is physically and chemically compatible with the basic components of the hair care composition, or does not otherwise unduly impair the performance, stability, or aesthetics of the product. Non-limiting examples of such counterions include halide ions (e.g., chloride, fluorine, bromine, iodine), sulfate, and methylsulfate.

[0239] The cationic synthetic polymer may have a concentration of about 1,500 g / mol to about 1,800,000 g / mol, or about 2,000 g / mol to about 1,700,000 g / mol, or about 3,000 g / mol to about 1,600,000 g / mol, or about 4,000 g / mol to about 1,500,000 g / mol, or about 5,000 g / mol to about 1,600,000 g / mol, or about 6,000 g / mol to about 1,500,000 g / mol, or about 7,000 g / mol to about 1,400,000 g / mol, or about 8,000 g / mol to about 1,500,000 g / mol. Weight-average molecular weight of about 1,400,000 g / mol, or about 9,000 g / mol to about 1,300,000 g / mol, or about 10,000 g / mol to about 1,200,000 g / mol, or about 11,000 g / mol to about 1,100,000 g / mol, or about 25,000 g / mol to about 750,000 g / mol, or about 50,000 g / mol to about 500,000 g / mol, or about 75,000 g / mol to about 300,000 g / mol, and / or about 100,000 g / mol to about 200,000 g / mol.

[0240] The cationic synthetic polymer may have a charge density of about 2.2 meq / g to about 9.5 meq / g, or about 2.5 meq / g to about 8 meq / g, or about 3 meq / g to about 8 meq / g, or about 3.5 meq / g to about 7.5 meq / g, and / or about 4 meq / g to about 7 meq / g.

[0241] Cationic synthetic polymers can include polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC). PolyDADMAC is also known as polyquaternium-6. Specific examples of polyDADMAC are derived from Solvay. 100 series, Merquat from Lubrizol TM The 100 series, and those from BASF SC 30. For example, The 100S has a charge density of 6.2 meq / g and a weight-average molecular weight of 150,000 g / mol, and was purchased from Solvay.

[0242] The hair care composition may also include (c) a cationic non-guar galactomannan polymer, (d) a cationic starch polymer, (e) a cationic copolymer of acrylamide monomer and cationic monomer, (f) a cationic cellulose polymer, or (g) a mixture of such polymers.

[0243] Cationic Non-Guar Galactomannan Polymer

[0244] The dispersion composition may comprise a galactomannan polymer derivative having a mannose-to-galactose ratio based on a monomer-to-monomer ratio between 5:1 and 1:1, and the galactomannan polymer derivative is selected from the group consisting of cationic galactomannan polymer derivatives and amphoteric galactomannan polymer derivatives having a net positive charge. As used herein, the term "cationic galactomannan" refers to a galactomannan polymer in which cationic groups are incorporated. The term "amphoteric galactomannan" refers to a galactomannan polymer in which cationic and anionic groups are incorporated to give the polymer a net positive charge.

[0245] Galactomannan polymers are found in the endosperm of legume seeds. Galactomannan polymers consist of a combination of mannose and galactose monomers. The galactomannan molecule is a linear mannose with monosegmented galactose units branched at regular intervals on specific mannose units. The mannose units are linked to each other via β(1-4) glycosidic linkages. Galactose branching occurs via α(1-6) bonds. The ratio of mannose to galactose monomers varies depending on the plant variety and is also influenced by climate. Non-guar galactomannan polymer derivatives can have a mannose to galactose ratio greater than 2:1 on a monomer-to-monomer basis. Suitable mannose to galactose ratios can be greater than about 3:1, and even greater than about 4:1. The analysis of the mannose to galactose ratio is well known in the art and is typically based on measurements of galactose content.

[0246] The gums used to prepare non-guar galactomannan polymer derivatives are typically obtained in the form of naturally occurring materials, such as seeds or bean-shaped fruits from plants. Examples of various non-guar galactomannan polymers include, but are not limited to, tara gum (3 parts mannose / 1 part galactose), locust bean gum or carob gum (4 parts mannose / 1 part galactose), and cinnamon gum (5 parts mannose / 1 part galactose).

[0247] Galactomannan polymer derivatives may be cationic derivatives of non-guar galactomannan polymers, obtained by the reaction of the hydroxyl groups of the polygalactomannan polymer with a reactive quaternary ammonium compound. Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds for forming cationic galactomannan polymer derivatives include those conforming to general formulas 1 to 5 as defined above.

[0248] The cationic non-guar galactomannan polymer derivatives formed by the above reagents are represented by general formula 6:

[0249]

[0250] Where R represents gum. Cationic galactomannan derivatives can be gum hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, which can be more specifically represented by general formula 7:

[0251]

[0252] The galactomannan polymer derivative can be an amphoteric galactomannan polymer derivative with a net positive charge. When the cationic galactomannan polymer derivative also contains anionic groups, the amphoteric galactomannan polymer derivative is obtained.

[0253] Cationic non-guar galactomannan may have a mannose to galactose ratio greater than about 4:1. The dispersion composition may contain a galactomannan polymer derivative based on the weight of the composition. The hair care composition may contain about 0.05% to about 2% of a galactomannan polymer derivative based on the weight of the composition.

[0254] (d) Cationic Modified Starch Polymer

[0255] The dispersion composition may comprise a water-soluble cationic modified starch polymer. As used herein, the term "cationic modified starch" refers to starch to which cationic groups are added before starch degradation to achieve a relatively low weight-average molecular weight, or starch to which cationic groups are added after starch modification to obtain a desired weight-average molecular weight. The definition of the term "cationic modified starch" also includes amphoteric modified starch. The term "amphoteric modified starch" refers to a starch hydrolysis product to which both cationic and anionic groups are added.

[0256] The dispersion composition may contain a cationic modified starch polymer in the range of about 0.01% to about 10% and / or about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of the composition.

[0257] The cationic modified starch polymers disclosed herein may have a bound nitrogen percentage of about 0.5% to about 4%.

[0258] The dispersion composition may comprise a starch polymer that has been chemically modified by incorporating amino and / or ammonium groups into the starch molecules. Non-limiting examples of these ammonium groups may include substituents such as hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, trimethylhydroxypropylammonium chloride, dimethylstearylhydroxypropylammonium chloride, and dimethyldodecylhydroxypropylammonium chloride. See Solarek, DB, Cationic Starches in Modified Starches: Properties and Uses (Wurzburg, OB editor, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla. 1986, pp. 113-125). The cationic groups may be added to the starch before it is degraded to a relatively low weight-average molecular weight, or they may be added after such modification.

[0259] Cationic modified starch polymers typically have a degree of cationic substitution ranging from about 0.1 to about 7. As used herein, the “degree of substitution” of a cationic modified starch polymer is an average measure of the number of hydroxyl groups on each glucan anhydride unit derived from a substituent. Since each glucan anhydride unit has three substituted hydroxyl groups, the maximum possible degree of substitution is 3. On a molar average, the degree of substitution is expressed as the number of moles of substituents per mole of glucan anhydride unit. The degree of substitution can be determined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (“sup.1H NMR”) methods well known in the art. Suitable .sup.1H NMR techniques include those described in “Observation on NMR Spectra of Starches in Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Iodine-Complexing, and Solvating in Water-Dimethyl Sulfoxide”, Qin-Ji Peng and Arthur S. Perlin, Carbohydrate Research, 160 (1987), 57-72; and “An Approach to the Structural Analysis of Oligosaccharides by NMR Spectroscopy”, J. Howard Bradbury and J. Grant Collins, Carbohydrate Research, 71, (1979), 15-25.

[0260] The starch source prior to chemical modification can be selected from a variety of sources, such as tubers, legumes, cereals, and grains. Non-limiting examples of starches from such sources may include corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassaya starch, waxy barley starch, waxy rice starch, glutinous rice starch, amylopectin, potato starch, tapioca starch, oat starch, sago starch, sweet rice starch, or mixtures thereof.

[0261] The cationic modified starch polymer can be selected from self-degradable cationic corn starch, cationic cassava, cationic potato starch, and mixtures thereof.

[0262] Starch may include one or more additional modifications before or after degradation to achieve a relatively low weight-average molecular weight. These modifications may include, for example, crosslinking, stabilization reactions, phosphorylation, and hydrolysis. Stabilization reactions may include alkylation and esterification.

[0263] Cationic modified starch polymers can be incorporated into compositions in the form of hydrolyzed starch (e.g., acid, enzyme or alkali degradation), oxidized starch (e.g., peroxide, peracid, hypochlorite, alkali or any other oxidant), physically / mechanically degraded starch (e.g., via thermomechanical energy input from a processing device), or combinations thereof.

[0264] The optimal form of starch is one that readily dissolves in water and forms a substantially clear solution (transmittance at 600 nm %.gtoreq. 80). The transparency of the composition was determined by ultraviolet / visible (UV / VIS) spectrophotometry using a Gretag Macbeth Colorimeter Color i 5 according to the relevant instructions, measuring the absorption or transmittance of UV / VIS light by the sample. It has been shown that a wavelength of 600 nm is sufficient to characterize the transparency of the cosmetic composition.

[0265] Suitable cationic modified starches for use in the compositions are available from known starch suppliers. Nonionic modified starches, which can be further derivatized into cationic modified starches, may be suitable, as is known in the art. Other suitable modified starch feedstocks may be quaternized to produce cationic modified starch polymers suitable for use in this invention, as is known in the art.

[0266] Starch degradation process: A starch slurry is prepared by mixing granular starch in water. The temperature is raised to approximately 35°C. An aqueous solution of potassium permanganate with a concentration of approximately 50 ppm based on the starch content is then added. The pH is raised to approximately 11.5 with sodium hydroxide, and the slurry is thoroughly stirred to prevent starch sedimentation. A hydrogen peroxide solution diluted in water to approximately 30% is then added, bringing the peroxide level to approximately 1% based on the starch content. The pH is then restored to approximately 11.5 by adding additional sodium hydroxide. The reaction is completed within a period of approximately 1 to approximately 20 hours. The mixture is then neutralized with dilute hydrochloric acid. The degraded starch is recovered by filtration followed by washing and drying.

[0267] Cationic Copolymer of Acrylamide Monomer and Cationic Monomer

[0268] The dispersion composition may comprise a cationic copolymer of acrylamide monomer and cationic monomer. The cationic copolymer may be a synthetic cationic copolymer of acrylamide monomer and cationic monomer.

[0269] Cationic copolymers may include:

[0270] (i) Acrylamide monomers having the following formula AM:

[0271]

[0272] Where R 9 For H or C 1-4 Alkyl; and R10 and R 11 Independently selected from H and C 1-4 Alkyl, CH2OCH3, CH2OCH2CH(CH3)2 and phenyl, or combined to form C 3-6 cycloalkyl; and

[0273] (ii) Cationic monomers conforming to formula CM:

[0274]

[0275] Where k = 1, each of v, v', and v” is an independent integer from 1 to 6, w is zero or an integer from 1 to 10, and X - It is an anion.

[0276] The cationic monomer can conform to formula CM, where k = 1, v = 3, w = 0, z = 1, and X - For Cl - To form the following structure:

[0277]

[0278] The above structure can be referred to as a diquaternary ammonium salt. The cationic monomer can conform to formula CM, where v and v” are each 3, v' = 1, w = 1, y = 1, and X - For Cl - , such as:

[0279]

[0280] The above structure can be referred to as a triquaternary ammonium salt.

[0281] Acrylamide monomers can be acrylamide or methacrylamide.

[0282] The cationic copolymer (b) can be AM:TRIQUAT, which is a copolymer of acrylamide and N-[2-[[[dimethyl[3-[(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]ammonium]acetyl]amino]ethyl]2-hydroxy-N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyl-1,3-propanediammonium trichloride. AM:TRIQUAT is also known as polyquaternium salt 76 (PQ76). AM:TRIQUAT can have a charge density of 1.6 meq / g and a M.Wt. of 1,100,000 g / mol.

[0283] The cationic copolymer can be an acrylamide monomer and a cationic monomer, wherein the cationic monomer is selected from the group consisting of: dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, di-tert-butylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide; ethyleneimine, ethyleneamine, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine; trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylmethylammonium sulfate ethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylbenzylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, 4-benzoylbenzyl dimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylamide, trimethylammonium chloride propyl (meth)acrylamide, vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride, diallyl dimethylammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

[0284] The cationic copolymer comprises a cationic monomer selected from the group consisting of: trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, trimethylmethylammonium sulfate ethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylbenzylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylate, 4-benzoylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride ethyl acrylate, trimethylammonium chloride ethyl (meth)acrylamide, trimethylammonium chloride propyl (meth)acrylamide, vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

[0285] The cationic copolymer may be water-soluble. The cationic copolymer may be formed from: (1) a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and a cationic monomer based on (meth)acrylamide and / or a hydrolyzed stable cationic monomer; and (2) a trimer of (meth)acrylamide, a monomer based on cationic (meth)acrylate, a monomer based on (meth)acrylamide, and / or a hydrolyzed stable cationic monomer. The monomer based on cationic (meth)acrylate may be a cationic ester of (meth)acrylate containing a quaternized N atom. The cationic ester of (meth)acrylate containing a quaternized N atom may be a dialkylaminoalkyl ester of quaternized (meth)acrylate having C1-C3 in the alkyl and alkylene groups. The cationic ester of (meth)acrylic acid containing a quaternized N atom is selected from: ammonium salts of dimethylaminomethyl methacrylate quaternized with chloromethane, ammonium salts of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, ammonium salts of dimethylaminopropyl methacrylate, ammonium salts of diethylaminomethyl methacrylate, ammonium salts of diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and ammonium salts of diethylaminoethyl methacrylate; and ammonium salts of diethylaminopropyl methacrylate. The cationic ester of (meth)acrylic acid containing a quaternized N atom can be dimethylaminoethyl acrylate (ADAME-Quat) quaternized with a haloalkane or with chloromethane or benzyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate. When based on (meth)acrylamide, the cationic monomer can be a quaternized dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide having C1-C3 in the alkyl and alkylene groups, or dimethylaminopropylacrylamide, which is quaternized with a haloalkane or with chloromethane or benzyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate.

[0286] The cationic monomer based on (meth)acrylamide is a quaternized dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide having C1 to C3 in the alkyl and alkylene groups. The cationic monomer based on (meth)acrylamide is dimethylaminopropylacrylamide, which is quaternized with a haloalkane (especially chloromethane) or benzyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate.

[0287] Cationic monomers are hydrolyzable cationic monomers. Except for dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide, hydrolyzable cationic monomers can also be any monomer that can be considered stable by the OECD hydrolysis test. Hydrolyzable cationic monomers are selected from the group consisting of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and water-soluble cationic styrene derivatives.

[0288] The cationic copolymer is a terpolymer of acrylamide, 2-dimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate quaternized with chloromethane (ADAME-Q), and 3-dimethylammonium propyl (meth)acrylamide quaternized with chloromethane (DIMAPA-Q). The cationic copolymer is formed from acrylamide and acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, wherein acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride has a charge density of about 1.0 meq / g to about 3.0 meq / g.

[0289] The cationic copolymer is trimethylammonium propylmethacrylamide chloride-N-acrylamide copolymer, also known as AM:MAPTAC. AM:MAPTAC can have a charge density of about 1.3 meq / g and a molecular weight (M.Wt.) of about 1,100,000 g / mol. The cationic copolymer is AM:ATPAC. AM:ATPAC can have a charge density of about 1.8 meq / g and a molecular weight (M.Wt.) of about 1,100,000 g / mol.

[0290] Cationic Cellulose Polymer

[0291] Suitable cationic cellulose polymers are salts obtained by reacting hydroxyethyl cellulose with trimethylammonium-substituted epoxides, which are industrially (CTFA) known as polyquaternium salt 10 and are available from Dow / Amerchol Corp. (Edison, NJ, USA) under their Polymer LR, JR, and KG polymer series. Other suitable types of cationic cellulose include polymeric quaternium salts obtained by reacting hydroxyethyl cellulose with lauryl dimethylammonium-substituted epoxides, which are industrially (CTFA) known as polyquaternium salt 24. These materials are available from Dow / Amerchol Corp. under the trade name Polymer LM-200. Other suitable types of cationic cellulose include polymeric quaternium salts obtained by reacting hydroxyethyl cellulose with lauryl dimethylammonium-substituted and trimethylammonium-substituted epoxides, which are industrially (CTFA) known as polyquaternium salt 67. These materials were purchased from Dow / Amerchol Corp. under the trade names SoftCAT Polymer SL-5, SoftCAT Polymer SL-30, Polymer SL-60, Polymer SL-100, Polymer SK-L, Polymer SK-M, Polymer SK-MH, and Polymer SK-H.

[0292] Extension Aid

[0293] The fiber element may contain stretching aids. Non-limiting examples of stretching aids may include polymers, other stretching aids, and combinations thereof.

[0294] In one example, the stretching aid has a weight-average molecular weight of at least about 500,000 Da. The weight-average molecular weight of the stretching aid is from about 500,000 Da to about 25,000,000 Da, alternatively from about 800,000 Da to about 22,000,000 Da, alternatively from about 1,000,000 Da to about 20,000,000 Da, and alternatively from about 2,000,000 Da to about 15,000,000 Da. Relatively high weight-average molecular weight stretching aids are preferred in some examples of the invention due to their ability to increase the stretched melt viscosity and reduce melt fracture.

[0295] When used in meltblown processes, an effective amount of stretching aid can be added to the compositions of the present invention to visually reduce melt breakage and capillary breakage of the fibers during the spinning process, enabling the melt-spun substantially continuous fibers with relatively uniform diameters. Disregarding the methods for preparing fiber elements and / or granules, when used, in one example, the stretching aid may be present in about 0.001% to about 10% by weight based on the dried fiber elements and / or dried fiber articles, and in another example, in about 0.005% to about 5% by weight based on the dried fiber elements and / or dried fiber articles, in yet another example, in about 0.01% to about 1% by weight based on the dried fiber elements and / or dried fiber articles, and in yet another example, in about 0.05% to about 0.5% by weight based on the dried fiber elements and / or dried fiber articles.

[0296] Non-limiting examples of polymers that can be used as stretching aids may include alginate, carrageenan, pectin, chitin, guar gum, yellow polysaccharide gum, agar, gum arabic, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, locust bean gum, alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, carboxyalkyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0297] Non-limiting examples of other extension agents may include modified and unmodified polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyethyleneimine, polyamide, polyoxyalkylene oxide including polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyethylene propylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.

[0298] Optional Ingredients

[0299] The article may optionally contain about 1% to about 25% by weight of plasticizer, in one embodiment about 3% to about 20% by weight of plasticizer, and in another embodiment about 5% to about 15% by weight of plasticizer.

[0300] Non-limiting examples of suitable plasticizers when present in the article include polyols, copolyols, polycarboxylic acids, polyesters, and polydimethylsiloxane copolyols.

[0301] Examples of available polyols include, but are not limited to: glycerol, diglycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentanediol, cyclohexanediol, hexanediol, polyethylene glycol (200-600), sugar alcohols (such as sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, isosorbide), glucosamine, N-methylglucosamine, and other mono- and poly-alcohols with relatively low weight-average molecular weight (e.g., C2-C8 alcohols); monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, and high-fructose corn syrup solids and ascorbic acid.

[0302] Examples of polycarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, citric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, polyacrylic acid, and polymaleic acid.

[0303] Examples of suitable polyesters include, but are not limited to, triacetin, monoacetylated glycerol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, and acetyl tributyl citrate.

[0304] Examples of suitable polydimethylsiloxane copolyols include, but are not limited to, PEG-12 polydimethylsiloxane, PEG / PPG-18 / 18 polydimethylsiloxane, and PPG-12 polydimethylsiloxane.

[0305] Other suitable plasticizers include, but are not limited to, alkyl phthalates and allyl phthalates; naphthyl esters; lactates (e.g., sodium, ammonium, and potassium salts); sorbitol polyoxyethylene ether-30; urea; lactic acid; sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate (PCA); sodium hyaluronate or hyaluronic acid; soluble collagen; modified proteins; monosodium glutamate; α- and β-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, and salicylic acid; polyglycerol methacrylate; polymer plasticizers, such as polyquaternium salts; proteins and amino acids, such as glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and lysine; hydrolyzed starch products; and other relatively low weight-average molecular weight esters (e.g., C2-C4). 10 Esters of alcohols and acids; and any other water-soluble plasticizers known to those skilled in the art in the food and plastics industries; and mixtures thereof.

[0306] EP 0283165 B1 discloses suitable plasticizers, including glycerol derivatives such as propoxylated glycerol.

[0307] The article may contain other optional ingredients known for or that may be used in the composition, provided that such optional substances are compatible with the basic substance selected herein or do not unduly impair the performance of the product.

[0308] Such optional ingredients are most typically those that are approved for use in cosmetics and described in reference books such as the second edition of "CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook" (The Cosmetic, Toiletries, and Fragrance Association, Inc. 1992).

[0309] Emulsifiers suitable as optional ingredients in this article include monoglycerides and diglycerides, fatty alcohols, polyglycerides, propylene glycol esters, sorbitol esters, and other emulsifiers known or otherwise commonly used to stabilize air interfaces, such as those used, for example, during the preparation of aerated foods such as cakes and other baked goods and confectionery products, or during the stabilization of cosmetics such as hair mousse.

[0310] Further non-limiting examples of such optional ingredients include preservatives, fragrances or aromas, colorants or dyes, conditioning agents, hair bleaching agents, thickeners, moisturizers, emollients, pharmaceutically active substances, vitamins or nutrients, sunscreens, deodorants, sensory agents, plant extracts, nutrients, astringents, cosmetic particles, absorbent particles, adhesive particles, hair strengthening agents, fibers, reactants, skin brighteners, skin tanning agents, anti-dandruff agents, fragrances, exfoliants, acids, alkalis, humectants, enzymes, suspending agents, hair colorants, perming agents, pigment particles, anti-acne agents, antimicrobial agents, sunscreens, tanning agents, exfoliating particles, hair growth agents or restorative agents, insect repellents, shaving shampoos, cosolvents or other additional solvents, and other similar materials. Other non-limiting examples of optional ingredients include encapsulated fragrances, such as β-cyclodextrin, polymer microcapsules, starch-encapsulated blends, and combinations thereof.

[0311] Suitable conditioning agents may optionally be added to the article and may include high-melting-point fatty materials and siloxane conditioning agents. Suitable materials are discussed in US 2008 / 0019935, US 2008 / 0242584 and US 2006 / 0217288.

[0312] Method of Use

[0313] The compositions described herein can be used for cleaning, conditioning, and / or treating hair, hair follicles, and / or skin, including the scalp. Methods of treating these consumer substrates may include the following steps: a) applying an effective amount of the product to the hand; b) wetting the product with water to dissolve the solids; c) applying the dissolved material to the target consumer substrate to form a foam for cleaning and optionally conditioning; and d) rinsing the diluted treatment composition from the consumer substrate. These steps may be repeated as needed to achieve the desired cleaning and / or conditioning benefits.

[0314] Methods that can be used to deliver beneficial effects to hair, hair follicles, and / or skin including the scalp include the step of applying the composition according to the first embodiment to these target consumer matrices that require conditioning.

[0315] Alternatively, methods for conditioning the condition of hair, hair follicles, skin, and / or skin including the scalp may include the step of applying one or more of the compositions described herein to these target consumer matrices that require conditioning.

[0316] The dosage, frequency of application, and duration of use of the composition will vary widely depending on the purpose of application, the content of the components in the specified composition, and the desired degree of adjustment. For example, when the composition is applied for treatment of the entire body or hair, the effective amount is generally in the range of about 0.5 g to about 10 g, alternatively about 1.0 g to about 5 g, and alternatively about 1.5 g to about 3 g.

[0317] Product Type and Commercial Article

[0318] Non-limiting examples of products utilizing fiber products include hand cleaning bases, shampoos, conditioners or other hair treatment bases, body cleaning bases, shaving preparation bases, personal care bases containing medicinal or other skin care active substances, moisturizing bases, sunscreen bases, chronic skin benefit bases (e.g., bases containing vitamins, bases containing alpha-hydroxy acids, etc.), deodorizing bases, bases containing fragrances, etc.

[0319] This document describes a commercial product comprising one or more of the fiber products described herein, and information that guides consumers to dissolve the product and apply the dissolved mixture to hair, hair follicles, and / or skin (including the scalp) to achieve benefits to the target consumer matrix, rapid foaming, rapid rinsing foam, clean rinsing foam, conditioning treatment, and combinations thereof. This information may be printed material directly or indirectly affixed to packaging containing the fiber product or to the fiber product itself. Alternatively, the information may be an electronic message or broadcast message relating to the product. Alternatively, the information may describe at least one possible use, function, distinguishing feature, and / or characteristic of the product.

[0320] Exposure to Triggering Condition

[0321] When the fiber element and / or fiber article are exposed to triggering conditions, shampoo ingredients (including surfactants and optionally cationic polymers) may be released from the fiber element and / or fiber article. In one example, one or more surfactants may be released from the fiber element and / or fiber article or a portion thereof when the fiber element and / or fiber article or a portion thereof loses its characteristics, in other words, loses its physical structure. For example, the fiber element and / or fiber article loses its physical structure when the polymeric structural agent dissolves, melts, or undergoes some other deformation step resulting in the loss of its structure. In one example, one or more surfactants are released from the fiber element and / or fiber article when the morphology of the fiber element and / or fiber article changes.

[0322] In another example, one or more activators may be released from the fibrous element and / or fibrous article or a portion thereof when the characteristics of the fibrous element and / or fibrous article or a portion thereof are altered, in other words, when the physical structure is altered without being lost. For example, the physical structure of the fibrous element and / or fibrous article is altered when the polymeric structural agent swells, shrinks, lengthens, and / or shortens, but retains its filament-forming properties.

[0323] In another example, one or more surfactants may be released from fiber elements and / or fiber products without changing their morphology (without losing or altering their physical structure).

[0324] In one example, when the fiber element and / or fiber article are exposed to triggering conditions, such as those described above, that cause the fiber element and / or fiber article to lose or change their characteristics, the fiber element and / or fiber article may release an active agent. Non-limiting examples of triggering conditions include exposing the fiber element and / or fiber article to a solvent (polar solvents such as alcohols and / or water, and / or non-polar solvents), which may be continuous, depending on whether the filament forming composition contains polar solvent-soluble materials and / or non-polar solvent-soluble materials; exposing the fiber element and / or granules and / or fiber article to heat, such as temperatures greater than 75℉, and / or greater than 100℉, and / or greater than 150℉, and / or greater than 200℉, and / or greater than 212℉; exposing the fiber element and / or granules and / or fiber article to cold, such as temperatures less than 40℉, and / or less than 32℉, and / or less than 0℉; exposing the fiber element and / or fiber article to force, such as by using the fiber element and / or Tensile forces applied by consumers to fiber products; and / or exposure of fiber elements and / or fiber products to chemical reactions; exposure of fiber elements and / or fiber products to conditions leading to phase transitions; exposure of fiber elements and / or fiber products to pH changes and / or pressure changes and / or temperature changes; exposure of fiber elements and / or fiber products to one or more chemicals that cause the fiber elements and / or fiber products to release one or more of their active agents; exposure of fiber elements and / or particles and / or fiber products to ultrasound; exposure of fiber elements and / or fiber products to light and / or certain wavelengths; exposure of fiber elements and / or fiber products to different ionic intensities; and / or exposure of fiber elements and / or fiber products to active agents released from another fiber element and / or fiber product.

[0325] In one example, when a fiber article comprising a fiber element undergoes a triggering step such as contacting the fiber article with water to form a washing liquid, one or more surfactants may be released from the fiber element of the present invention.

[0326] Method of Making Fiber Element and Product

[0327] The fiber elements of the present invention can be prepared by any suitable method. Non-limiting examples of suitable methods for preparing fiber elements are described below.

[0328] In one example, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the method 46 for preparing the fiber element 32 according to the present invention includes the following steps:

[0329] a. Providing a filament forming composition 48, the filament forming composition comprising one or more polymeric structural agents, and optionally one or more other components, including high-melting-point aliphatic materials and / or one or more surfactants, wherein the filament forming composition may have a pH greater than about 5.5, alternatively greater than about 5.8, alternatively greater than 6.0; and

[0330] b. Spinning the filament forming composition 48, such as via a spinning die 50, into one or more fiber elements 32, such as filaments, the fiber element comprising one or more polymeric structural agents and optionally one or more other components. Upon exposure to intended use conditions, one or more other components may be released from the fiber element. The total level of one or more polymeric structural agents present in the fiber element 32 may be less than 80% and / or less than 70% and / or less than 65% and / or 50% or less by weight based on the dry fiber element and / or the dry fiber article, and when present in the fiber element, the total level of the one or more active agents may be greater than 20% and / or greater than 35% and / or 50% or more, 65% or more, and / or 80% or more by weight based on the dry fiber element and / or the dry fiber article.

[0331] like Figure 6 As shown, the spinning die 50 may include a plurality of fiber element forming orifices 52, each orifice comprising a melt capillary 54 surrounded by concentric decaying fluid orifices 56 through which a fluid, such as air, passes to facilitate decay of the filament forming composition 48 into fiber elements 32 as it exits the fiber element forming orifices 52. It has been found that better filaments are formed after drying if the filament forming composition has a pH greater than about 5.5.

[0332] In one example, during the method of preparing the fibrous element, when the fibrous element 32 is formed, any volatile solvents such as water present in the filament forming composition 48 are removed, for example by drying. In one example, greater than 30% and / or greater than 40% and / or greater than 50% and / or greater than 60% by weight of the volatile solvents such as water in the filament forming composition are removed during the spinning step, for example by drying the resulting fibrous element.

[0333] It was found that the embodiments of the present invention in Tables 1, 3, and 4 below are sensitive to excessive heat exposure during the method for preparing the fiber elements, particularly during the spinning step. For example, if the fiber elements are exposed to excessive heat for too long, they may exhibit reactive degradation and / or color and / or odor changes. However, the temperature needs to be high enough that the solvent evaporates within an acceptable timeframe.

[0334] In one example, as the fiber elements exit the fiber element forming orifice 52, they are collected on a belt above the vacuum source, referred to as the forming zone. The fiber elements may be retained in the forming zone for the following times and temperatures: from about 150℉ (65.6°C) to about 160℉ (71.1°C) for about 50 to about 60 seconds, and / or from about 170℉ (65.6°C) to about 180℉ (82.2°C) for about 30 to about 40 seconds, and / or from about 200℉ (93.3°C) to about 215℉ (101.7°C) for about 5 to about 20 seconds.

[0335] In one example, in order to balance solvent evaporation, holding time, and heat exposure, it is evident that the melt spinning temperature can be from about 70℉ to about 95℉, while simultaneously enabling drying with heat such as from about 340℉ (171.1℃) to about 350℉ (176.7℃) for about 50 seconds to about 60 seconds, or from about 390℉ (198.9℃) to about 400℉ (204℃) for about 30 seconds to about 40 seconds, or from 415℉ (212.8℃) to 470℉ (243.3℃) for about 5 seconds to about 20 seconds.

[0336] The filament forming composition may contain any suitable total level of polymeric structural agent and any suitable amount of activator, provided that the fiber element obtained from the filament forming composition contains about 5% to 50% or less of polymeric structural agent based on the dry fiber element and / or based on the dry fiber article, and about 50% to 95% of activator based on the dry fiber element and / or based on the dry fiber article, by weight.

[0337] In one example, the filament forming composition may contain any suitable total level of polymeric structural agent and any suitable level of surfactant, provided that the fibrous element obtained from the filament forming composition contains about 5% to 50% or less of polymeric structural agent by weight based on the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous article, and about 50% to 95% of surfactant by weight based on the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous article, wherein the total weight ratio of polymeric structural agent to surfactant and / or high melting point fatty material is 1 or less.

[0338] In one example, the filament forming composition comprises about 1% and / or about 5%, and / or about 10% to about 50%, and / or about 40% and / or about 30%, and / or about 20% of a polymeric structural agent by weight of the filament forming composition; about 1% and / or about 5% and / or about 10% to about 50% and / or about 40% and / or about 30% and / or about 20% of an activator by weight of the filament forming composition; and about 20% and / or about 25%, and / or about 30%, and / or about 40%, and / or about 80%, and / or about 70%, and / or about 60%, and / or about 50% of a volatile solvent such as water by weight of the filament forming composition. The filament forming composition may contain trace amounts of other active agents, such as plasticizers, pH adjusters and other active agents, in amounts of less than 10%, and / or less than 5%, and / or less than 3% and / or less than 1% by weight of the filament forming composition.

[0339] The filament forming composition is spun into one or more fiber elements using any suitable spinning method such as meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, and / or rotary spinning. In one example, the filament forming composition is spun into multiple fiber elements and / or particles by meltblowing. For example, the filament forming composition can be pumped from a tank to a meltblown spinneret. As it exits one or more filament forming orifices in the spinneret, the filament forming composition is fined with air, thereby producing one or more fiber elements and / or particles. The fiber elements and / or particles can then be dried to remove any residual solvents such as water used for spinning.

[0340] The fiber elements and / or particles of the present invention can be collected on a strip such as a patterned strip to form a fiber article comprising fiber elements and / or particles.

[0341] Test Methods

[0342] Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein (including those in the definitions section and the following test methods) are performed on samples that have been conditioned for at least 2 hours prior to testing in a conditioning chamber at a temperature of 22°C ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 42% ± 4%. The samples being tested are “usable units.” As used herein, a “usable unit” refers to a sheet, a flat sheet from a roll, a pre-converted flat sheet, and / or a single-layer or multi-layer sheet product. All tests are performed under the same environmental conditions in such a conditioning chamber. Samples with defects such as wrinkles, tears, holes, etc., are not tested. For testing purposes, samples conditioned as described herein are considered dry samples (such as “dry filaments”). All instruments are calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

[0343] Diameter Test Method

[0344] The diameter of discontinuous fiber elements or fiber elements within fiber articles is determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or optical microscopy and image analysis software. A magnification of 200 to 10,000x is selected to appropriately magnify the fiber elements for measurement. When using SEM, these samples are sputtered with a gold or palladium compound to prevent the fiber elements from becoming charged and vibrating in the electron beam. A manual procedure for determining the diameter of the fiber elements is used, based on images captured by SEM or optical microscopy (on a monitor screen). Using a mouse and cursor tool, the edge of a randomly selected fiber element is searched, and then measured across its width (i.e., perpendicular to the fiber element direction at that point) to the other edge of the fiber element. Zooming and calibration image analysis tools provide zooming to obtain actual readings in μm. For fiber elements within fiber articles, multiple fiber elements are randomly selected by passing through a sample of the fiber article using SEM or optical microscopy. At least two sections of the fiber article are cut out and tested in this manner. At least 100 such measurements are performed in total, and all data are then recorded for statistical analysis. The recorded data is used to calculate the average diameter of the fiber element, the standard deviation of the fiber element diameter, and the median diameter of the fiber element.

[0345] Another available statistic is to calculate the number of fiber elements below a certain upper limit. To determine this statistic, software is programmed to count how many fiber elements have diameters below the upper limit, and this number (divided by the total number of data points and multiplied by 100%) is reported as a percentage of those below the upper limit, such as, for example, a percentage of diameters below 1 micrometer or %-submicrometer. We denote the measured diameter (in micrometers) of a single circular fiber element as di.

[0346] When the fiber element has a non-circular cross-section, the measured value of the fiber element diameter is determined and set to be equal to the hydraulic diameter, which is four times the cross-sectional area of ​​the fiber element divided by the perimeter of the fiber element's cross-section (or the outer perimeter in the case of a hollow fiber element). The number-average diameter is also calculated as follows:

[0347]

[0348] Fiber Element Composition Test Method

[0349] To prepare fiber elements for compositional measurements, the fiber elements must be conditioned by removing any removable coating compositions and / or materials present on the outer surface of the fiber element. An example of this method is to wash the fiber element three times with a suitable solvent that removes the external coating while preserving the fiber element. The fiber element is then air-dried at 23°C ± 1.0°C until it contains less than 10% moisture. Chemical analysis of the conditioned fiber element is then performed to determine the fiber element composition regarding the filament-forming materials and surfactants, as well as the content of these materials and surfactants present in the fiber element.

[0350] The compositional structure of fiber elements, including filament-forming materials and surfactants, can be determined through cross-sectional analysis using TOF-SIM or SEM. Another method for determining the compositional structure of fiber elements uses fluorescent dyes as markers. Additionally, the manufacturer of the fiber elements should typically be aware of their composition.

[0351] Manual Dissolution Method

[0352] Required materials:

[0353] Fiber products to be tested: Test 3 to 5 fiber products (finished product samples) such that, if calculating individual fiber product samples, the average number of strokes for each fiber product is recorded as the average manual dissolution value of the fiber product. For this method, the entire range of consumer-saleable fiber products or consumer-use fiber products are tested. If the entire range of consumer-saleable fiber products or consumer-use fiber products has a value greater than 50 cm... 2 To determine the area occupied, the fiber products are first cut into sections with a diameter of 50cm. 2 The area occupied.

[0354] Nitrile gloves

[0355] 10cc syringe

[0356] Plastic weighing boat (approx. 3in x 3in)

[0357] 100mL glass beaker

[0358] Water (Cincinnati water or equivalent with the following properties: total hardness = 155 mg / L (CaCO2); calcium content = 33.2 mg / L; magnesium content = 17.5 mg / L; phosphate content = 0.0462 mg / L). The water used must have a hardness of 7 grains per gallon (gpg) and a temperature of 40°C ± 5°C.

[0359] plan:

[0360] Add 80 mL of water to the glass beaker.

[0361] Heat the water in the beaker until the water temperature reaches 40℃ + / - 5℃.

[0362] • Transfer 15 mL of water from the beaker to the weighing boat using a syringe.

[0363] • Within 10 seconds of transferring water to the weighing boat, place the fiber sample in the palm of your gloved hand (hold the fiber sample with your non-dominant hand, with your hand in a supporting position).

[0364] • Using your dominant hand, quickly add water from the weighing boat to the fiber product sample, allowing 5-10 seconds for immediate wetting.

[0365] • During the two rapid circular strokes, friction is achieved using the opposite dominant hand (also wearing gloves).

[0366] • After two strokes, visually inspect the fiber sample in your hand. If the fiber sample is completely dissolved, record the stroke count as two dissolving strokes. If it is not completely dissolved, knead the remaining fiber sample for at least two circular strokes (a total of four) and observe the degree of dissolution. If the fiber sample contains no solid fragments after two additional strokes, record the stroke count as four dissolving strokes. If the fiber sample still contains undissolved solid fragments after a total of four strokes, continue kneading the remaining fiber sample for two additional circular strokes, checking for any remaining solid fragments after each additional two strokes, until the fiber sample is completely dissolved or until a total of 30 strokes is reached (whichever occurs first). Record the total number of strokes. Record 30 dissolving strokes, even if solid fiber sample fragments remain after a maximum of 30 strokes.

[0367] • Repeat the process for each of the four additional fiber product samples.

[0368] • Calculate the arithmetic mean of the recorded values ​​of the dissolution stroke for 5 individual fiber product samples, and record this as the average manual dissolution value for the fiber products. Record the average manual dissolution value to the nearest individual dissolution stroke unit.

[0369] pH Test Method

[0370] Determine the pH of the liquid composition using a pH probe calibrated (according to the manufacturer's instructions) with three pH standards (4.0, 7.0, and 10.0). Record the pH to the nearest tenth of a unit (i.e., 5.5).

[0371] Rheology Test Method

[0372] Discovery HR-3 rheometer (TA) Delaware (USA) equipped with a 40mm 2.002-degree tapered plate, Peltier steel plate-106935, and a flat lower geometry with a Peltier heating / cooling mechanism for temperature control. Measurements were performed by placing approximately 1 gram of the composition on the lower geometry and lowering the upper geometry to a target gap of 60 micrometers, wiping away any excess of the corresponding fibrous elements to form the composition to produce a uniform surface flush with the edges of both the upper and lower geometry. Data were collected at 25°C or 40°C, specifically with an oscillation amplitude of 1 Hz and 6.366e. -8 Up to 5.0e -4 Amplitude scanning was performed at MPa to obtain G' and G” curves, and the amplitude was increased from 0.1 to 500 s. -1 A flow rate scan was performed to obtain the shear viscosity. The G' and G” numbers in the datasheet were taken from the lowest oscillating strain R (%) (within the flat range) and a shear rate of 0.1 s⁻¹. -1 The first data point under shear viscosity.

[0373] Thickness Method

[0374] The thickness of the fiber product was measured by cutting five samples from the fiber product sample, each sample being larger than the loading surface of the loading foot of a VIR electronic thickness gauge, Model II, purchased from Thwing-Albert Instrument Company (Philadelphia, PA). Typically, the loading foot loading surface has a diameter of approximately 3.14 inches. 2 The sample has a circular surface area. It is confined between a horizontal plane and the loading foot surface. The confining pressure applied to the sample by the loading foot surface is 15.5 g / cm². 2 The thickness of each sample is the gap between the flat surface and the loading foot mounting surface. The thickness is calculated as the average thickness of five samples. Report the results in millimeters (mm).

[0375] Water Content Test Method

[0376] The water (moisture) content present in fibrous elements and / or granules and / or fibrous articles is measured using the following water content test method. Prior to testing, the fibrous elements and / or granules and / or fibrous articles or portions thereof (“Samples”) are placed in a conditioning chamber at a temperature of 22°C ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 42% ± 4% for at least 24 hours in pre-cut pieces. Each fibrous article sample has an area of ​​at least 4 square inches, but is small enough to fit properly onto the weighing pan of a balance. Under the temperature and humidity conditions mentioned above, the weight of the sample is recorded every five minutes using a balance with at least four decimal places until a change in weight of less than 0.5% is detected within 10 minutes. The final weight is recorded as the “balance weight”. Within 10 minutes, the sample is placed in a forced-air drying oven at 22°C ± 2°C and 42% ± 4% relative humidity and dried on a metal sheet for 24 hours. After 24 hours of drying, the sample is removed and weighed within 15 seconds. This weight is expressed as the “dry weight” of the sample.

[0377] The water (moisture) content of the sample is calculated as follows:

[0378]

[0379] The water (moisture) percentage in the three equal aliquots is averaged to provide the reported water (moisture) percentage in the sample. The results are reported to an accuracy of 0.1%.

[0380] Examples

[0381] The following are non-limiting examples of the shampoo compositions described herein. It should be understood that other modifications to the invention can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0382] Unless otherwise specified, all parts, percentages, and ratios in this document are by weight. Some components may be available from the supplier as diluent solutions. Unless otherwise specified, the quantities shown reflect the weight percentage of the material added.

[0383] The melt compositions and fiber articles described in Tables 1 to 3 below are prepared according to the methods described in this application.

[0384] The phase stability in Table 1 below was determined by visual inspection of the melt composition. If no phase separation (including the presence of precipitates) is found by visual inspection, and the example appears homogeneous, the melt composition is determined to be phase stable. As used herein, “visual inspection” means that a human observer can visually distinguish the quality of the example with the naked eye (excluding standard corrective lenses suitable for correcting myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, or other corrective lenses) at a distance of approximately 1 foot (0.30 m) under illumination equal to at least a standard 100-watt incandescent bulb.

[0385] According to the methods described herein for preparing fiber elements and articles, the spinnability of the fibers, as shown in Table 1 below, is determined by spinning the melt composition. If the melt composition exhibits suitable tensile rheology during spinning, allowing it to extend to form filaments without breaking or shrinking, then the melt is spinnable as described in the Formation Section (see the Spinning Capability Criteria of the Invention described in the Methods for Preparing Fiber Articles). If, during spinning, continuous filaments are not formed or the filaments break before reaching the collection belt, then the melt is non-spinnable. If the melt composition is stable and spinnable, filaments and fiber webs can be formed according to the methods described herein.

[0386] Table 1: Melt Compositions

[0387]

[0388]

[0389] In Table 1, Example A can be spun into fibrous elements at 25°C. However, it has a total melt solids content of 36%, and it is expected that this level can be increased to make the method more efficient. Furthermore, this composition cannot be spun into fibrous elements at the more efficient temperature of 40°C. Example B has a total melt solids content of 40%, however, it cannot be spun into fibrous elements at either 25°C or 40°C, partly because the composition is not phase-stable at 40°C and does not have suitable rheological properties at 25°C, and also because the composition does not have sufficient rheological properties (G') at either temperature. Examples 1-4 may be preferred because preparing these fibrous elements is more efficient than preparing the fibrous elements of Example A, while still being able to be spun at 40°C, unlike Example B. Example 1 contains 41.7% total melt solids and is phase-stable and spinnable at 40°C. However, at 25°C, the melt of Example 1 has G' > 70 and tanδ < 2.8. It cannot be spun into fibers well at 25°C. However, at 40°C, it has a G' of 50 and a tanδ of 3.0, and it can be spun into fibers. Example 2 contains 43% solids and is phase-stable and spinnable at 40°C. Example 3 contains 39% solids and is phase-stable and spinnable at 40°C. Example 4 contains 40% solids and is phase-stable and spinnable at 40°C. Compared to Example A, the higher total % melt solids in Examples 1-4 not only have a higher total % melt solids, but also a higher ratio of active surfactant to PVA compared to Examples A and B. Therefore, Examples 1-4 deliver more active material for the same weight of dry fiber product.

[0390] The melt compositions of Examples A and 1 in Table 1 were spun into fibrous elements and then made into fibrous shampoo articles. Table 2 below shows Examples A' (made from the melt of Example A spun into fibrous elements at 25°C) and Example 1' (made from the melt of Example 1 spun into fibrous elements at 40°C). Fiber shampoo articles from Example B are not shown because the melt does not produce fibrous elements suitable for making fibrous articles.

[0391] Table 2: Fiber Shampoo Products

[0392]

[0393] Table 3: Melt Compositions

[0394]

[0395]

[0396] Suppliers of raw materials for the examples in Tables 1 to 3.

[0397] 1. Poval 32-80, Poval 3-80 (50:50 blend), obtained from

[0398] 2A.Eversoft TM UCS-50SG, obtained from Sino Lion TM

[0399] 2B.Eversoft TM ACS-30, obtained from Sino Lion TM

[0400] 3. CI Prill, derived from

[0401] 4. DAB ULS, derived from

[0402] 5. Versene TM 220, from

[0403] 6. Citric acid, derived from ADM TM

[0404] 7. Lactic acid, can HiPure 90 purchased from

[0405] 8. Polyquaternium-6, polyDADMAC, MW 150,000, CD 6.2, trade name: 100s, 31.5% active material, 40% solids, derived from

[0406] 9. Polyquaternium-10, derived from UCARE TM Polymer JR-30M, MW 2,000,000, CD 1.25

[0407] 10. Siloxane: Y-14945, an amino-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, derived from...

[0408] 11.TEGO BETAIN CK PH 12, obtained from

[0409] Table 4: Melt Compositions with and without Additives (Example A in Table 1 and Example 5 in Table 3) .

[0410]

[0411]

[0412] The melt compositions in Table 4 illustrate how additives can reduce rheology and can be used to approximate the feel of hydrated products in the user's hand.

[0413] Example A, which does not contain additives, has rheological properties suitable for spinning into fibrous elements. However, when fibrous articles made from this melt are hydrated, they are expected to feel sticky, stringy, and / or gooey in the hands of the user, which some consumers may find unpleasant.

[0414] Compared to Example A without citric acid additive, G', G'', and shear viscosity decreased when 0.12% citric acid was added to the melt of Example A and when 0.22% citric acid was added to the melt of Example A. This suggests that if Example A is made into fibrous elements and then citric acid is added as a coating to the fibrous elements and / or fibrous articles, the rheological properties may be preferred for some consumers because it may feel less sticky and it may be easier to disperse throughout the user's hair.

[0415] Table 1 and attached text

[0416] Based on the rheological properties of the melt composition, Example 5 without additives is expected to feel sticky, stringy, and / or viscous in the user's hand after hydration. Some users will find this rheological property unpleasant. This indicates that, compared to Example 5, fibrous articles made from Example 5 containing sodium citrate additives may have some consumer-preferred superior feel because the viscous rheological properties are significantly reduced in Example 5 containing additives.

[0417] Table 5 shows the sensory evaluation data for Example 1' of the fiber product in Table 2 and Example 1' of the fiber product in Table 2 containing 0.2g of additive. The additive contains citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and zeolite A. For Example 1' containing the additive, the additive particles were dripped onto the fiber web via a hopper during fiber spinning.

[0418] The sensory group performed as follows:

[0419] • Fill the syringe with warm tap water (from Mason, Ohio) and use this to fill the syringe to 7 mL and set it aside.

[0420] • The team members used a pump Wash your hands with a mild skin cleanser and rinse with tap water until the residue is completely gone.

[0421] Then, the group members wet their hands again with tap water and shake them once to remove excess water.

[0422] • Place the fiber shampoo product in the palm of the group member's non-dominant hand, keeping the hand in a cupped position.

[0423] Next, quickly and evenly dispense 7 mL of water from the syringe into the product, starting from the edge and working your way into the center.

[0424] The product was hydrated for 2 seconds, then quickly rubbed twice with the dominant hand of a team member. Team members held the product, observed its appearance, and recorded its feel.

[0425] Then, the group members rub their hands together in a circular motion more than ten times (to achieve a total of 10 rotations). The group members hold the product, observe its appearance, and record its feel.

[0426] Finally, record the scores and determine the average for each time period.

[0427] Table 5: Sensory Panel Evaluation of Hand Feel Rheology (Average Panelist Score)

[0428]

[0429]

[0430] *The additives contain 52.6% citric acid, 32.2% sodium bicarbonate, 1.3% polyvinylpyrrolidone and 14.0% zeolite A.

[0431] Table 5 shows that Example 1' with the additive coating feels thinner and smoother than Example 1' without the coating. Example 1' may be preferred by some consumers because they may perceive it as feeling more like a traditional liquid shampoo product.

[0432] Combination

[0433] 1. A soluble solid fiber shampoo product comprising a plurality of fiber elements, wherein the plurality of fiber elements comprises:

[0434] a. 1% to 50% by weight of polymeric structural agents based on dry products;

[0435] b. A surfactant system comprising 20% ​​to 70% by weight of the dried product, said surfactant system comprising:

[0436] i. A major anionic surfactant comprising 35% to 90% by weight of the surfactant system in the dried product; and

[0437] ii. 10% to 65% by weight of the surfactant system based on the dried product;

[0438] The surfactant system described herein is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants;

[0439] c. A pH adjuster comprising 0.5% to 5% by weight of the dried product, wherein the pH adjuster is composed of a monoprotic organic acid; and wherein the monoprotic organic acid is dispersed throughout the fiber element;

[0440] The plurality of fiber elements are entangled with each other or otherwise associated with each other to form the fiber article.

[0441] 2. The article according to paragraph 1, wherein the monoprotic organic acid is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, and combinations thereof.

[0442] 3. The article according to paragraph 2, wherein the monoprotic organic acid includes lactic acid.

[0443] 4. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the fibrous element is substantially free of citric acid.

[0444] 5. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the primary anionic surfactant comprises a glutamate surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, dipotassium cocoyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, diammonium cocoyl glutamate, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, and mixtures thereof; or an alanine surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium cocoyl alanine, sodium lauroyl alanine, sodium N-dodecanoyl-1-alanine, and mixtures thereof.

[0445] 6. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the polymeric structural agent is selected from: carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.

[0446] 7. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the fibrous elements are uniform.

[0447] 8. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the weight ratio of the total surfactant to the total structural agent in the article is ≥1.85, preferably ≥2.0, and more preferably ≥2.3.

[0448] 9. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs further comprises a cationic polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-10, cationic guar gum, and combinations thereof.

[0449] 10. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein, according to the manual dissolution test method, the article has a manual dissolution value of less than 15 strokes, preferably less than 12 strokes, and more preferably less than 10 strokes.

[0450] 11. The article according to any of the preceding paragraphs further comprises a coating containing additives selected from the group consisting of: water-soluble growth promoters, diproton and triproton organic acids and their salts, and combinations thereof.

[0451] 12. The article according to paragraph 11, wherein the diproton and triproton organic acids are selected from the group consisting of: citric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, propanedioic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and their salts, and combinations thereof.

[0452] 13. The article according to paragraph 11, wherein the water-soluble growth promoter is selected from the group consisting of sodium xylenesulfonate, urea, sodium toluenesulfonate, and combinations thereof.

[0453] 14. The article according to paragraphs 11 to 13, wherein, according to the rheological test method, when the article is hydrated with 7 mL of tap water per 2.5 g of article, the article has a G' of 5 Pa to 150 Pa at 25°C, preferably 10 Pa to 100 Pa at 25°C, and more preferably 12 Pa to 75 Pa at 25°C.

[0454] 15. The article according to paragraphs 11 to 14, wherein, according to the rheological test method, when the article is hydrated with 7 mL of tap water per 2.5 g of article, the article has a G value of less than 150 Pa at 25°C, preferably less than 135 Pa at 25°C, and more preferably less than 100 Pa at 25°C.

[0455] 16. The article according to claims 31 to 35, wherein, according to the rheological test method, when the article is hydrated with 7 mL of tap water per 2.5 g of article, the article has a shear stress of less than 200 Pa·s at 25°C, preferably less than 155 Pa·s at 25°C, and more preferably less than 100 Pa·s at 25°C.

[0456] 17. A melt composition comprising:

[0457] a. Polymer structural agent, by weight, from about 1% to about 50%;

[0458] b. A surfactant system comprising about 20% to about 70% by weight, said surfactant system comprising:

[0459] i. a major anionic surfactant comprising about 35% to about 90% by weight of the surfactant system; and

[0460] ii. An auxiliary surfactant comprising about 10% to about 65% by weight of the surfactant system;

[0461] The surfactant system described herein is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants;

[0462] c. Total melt solids content ≥ 40%;

[0463] d. According to the pH testing method, the pH is approximately 5.8 to approximately 7;

[0464] e. According to the rheological test method, G'≥25Pa and tanδ is between approximately 2.8 and 4.8 at 40℃;

[0465] The melt composition is phase stable at 25°C and 40°C.

[0466] 18. The melt composition according to paragraph 17 further comprises about 0.5% to about 5% of a monoprotic organic acid selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, and combinations thereof.

[0467] 19. The melt composition according to paragraphs 17 to 18, wherein the weight ratio of total surfactant to total structural agent is greater than or equal to 1.85.

[0468] 20. Use of the article of any of the preceding paragraphs for providing a shampoo composition, wherein when the article is hydrated, the shampoo composition is smooth and creamy.

[0469] 21. The use of the article described in any of the preceding paragraphs for providing a shampoo composition, wherein when the article is hydrated, the shampoo composition is relatively smoother and relatively more creamy. Here, a comparison with articles from the prior art will be necessary.

[0470] 22. The use of the article of any of the preceding paragraphs for providing a shampoo composition having an improved feel.

[0471] 23. The use of the article described in any of the preceding paragraphs for providing a shampoo composition, wherein the shampoo composition further comprises a coating, wherein when the article is hydrated, the shampoo composition feels relatively thinner and relatively smoother.

[0472] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​cited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a range around which it is functionally equivalent. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.

[0473] Unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited, every reference cited herein, including any cross-references or related patents or patent applications, and any patent application or patent claiming priority to or benefiting from it, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Reference to any reference is not an endorsement of it as prior art to any disclosed or protected art herein, nor is it an endorsement of any such invention, either on its own or in combination with any one or more references. Furthermore, where any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in referenced documents, the meaning or definition given to that term in this invention shall prevail.

[0474] While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dissolvable solid fibrous shampoo article comprising a plurality of fibrous elements, said plurality of fibrous elements comprising: a. from 1% to 50% by weight of the dry article of a polymeric structurant, wherein said polymeric structurant is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, or combinations thereof; b. from 20% to 70% by weight of the dry article of a surfactant system, said surfactant system comprising: i. from 35% to 90% by weight of the surfactant system of a primary anionic surfactant, wherein said primary anionic surfactant comprises a glutamate surfactant selected from the group consisting of sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, dipotassium cocoyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, diammonium cocoyl glutamate, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, or combinations thereof; and ii. from 10% to 65% by weight of the surfactant system of a co-surfactant, wherein said co-surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, ammonium cocoyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl alaninate, sodium lauroyl alaninate, sodium N-dodecanoyl-1 -alaninate, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, cocobetaine, lauryl betaine, and mixtures thereof; wherein said surfactant system contains less than 0.1% of a sulfate-based surfactant based on the total weight of the surfactant system; c. from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the dry article of a pH adjuster, wherein said pH adjuster consists of a monoprotic organic acid; and wherein said monoprotic organic acid is dispersed throughout said fibrous elements, wherein said monoprotic organic acid is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, and combinations thereof; a melt composition comprising components a-c above is spun into fibrous elements, wherein said plurality of fibrous elements are entangled with or otherwise associated with one another to form said dissolvable solid fibrous shampoo article; wherein said fibrous elements contain less than 0.1% of citric acid based on the total weight of the fibrous elements; the melt composition has a G' of > 25 Pa at 40°C, a G" of from 70 Pa to 160 Pa at 40°C, and a tan delta of from 2.9 to 4.5 at 40°C according to the Rheology Test Method.

2. The article of claim 1, said fibrous elements comprising: a. from 20% to 40% by weight of the dry article of a polymeric structurant; b. from 40% to 70% by weight of the dry article of a surfactant system, said surfactant system comprising: i. from 45% to 85% by weight of the surfactant system of a primary anionic surfactant; and ii. from 15% to 55% by weight of the surfactant system of a co-surfactant; wherein said surfactant system contains less than 0.1% of a sulfate-based surfactant based on the total weight of the surfactant system; ​ c. 0.75% to 3.7% of a pH adjusting agent by weight based on the dry product.

3. The article of claim 1, the fibrous element comprising: a. 35% to 40% of a polymeric structurant by weight based on the dry product; b. 45% to 65% of a surfactant system by weight based on the dry product, the surfactant system comprising: i. from 50% to 80% of a primary anionic surfactant based on the weight of the surfactant system of the dry product; and ii. 23% to 50% of a co-surfactant by weight of the surfactant system based on the dry product; wherein the surfactant system contains less than 0.1% of a sulfate-based surfactant based on the total weight of the surfactant system; c. 1% to 3% of a pH adjusting agent by weight based on the dry product.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the monoprotic organic acid comprises lactic acid.

5. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the fibrous element is uniform.

6. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article further comprises a cationic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-10, cationic guar, and combinations thereof.

7. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article has a manual dissolution value of less than 15 strokes according to the Manual Dissolution Test Method.

8. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article has a manual dissolution value of less than 12 strokes according to the Manual Dissolution Test Method.

9. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article has a manual dissolution value of less than 10 strokes according to the Manual Dissolution Test Method.

10. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article further comprises a coating comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of a hydrotrope, a di- and triprotic organic acid and salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the di- and triprotic organic acid and salts thereof are selected from the group consisting of citric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, tartronic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein the di- and triprotic organic acid and salts thereof are citric acid and salts thereof.

13. The article of claim 10, wherein the hydrotrope is selected from the group consisting of sodium xylene sulfonate, urea, sodium toluene sulfonate, and combinations thereof.

14. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article has a G' of 5 to 150 Pa at 25°C when the article is hydrated with 7 mL of tap water per 2.5 grams of article according to the Rheology Test Method.

15. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article has a G' of 10 to 100 Pa at 25°C when the article is hydrated with 7 mL of tap water per 2.5 grams of article according to the Rheology Test Method.

16. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the article has a G’ of 12 to 75 Pa at 25 °C when the article is hydrated with 7 mL of tap water per 2.5 grams of article, according to the Rheological Properties Test Method.

17. Use of the article of any one of the preceding claims to provide a shampoo composition for non-therapeutic purposes.

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