Cosmetic product in the form of a foam

Abstract

The present invention relates to a product in a container, the product being used in the form of a foam or spray and the propellant gas required for this purpose being at least partly produced in situ in the container. The invention also relates to a method for producing the product according to the invention.

Description

[0001] Cosmetic product in the form of a foam

[0002] The present invention relates to an agent in a container, wherein the agent is used as a foam or spray and the propellant gas required for this purpose is generated at least partially in-situ in the container, as well as to a process for producing the agent according to the invention.

[0003] Funds are provided in various forms in the budget. The way they are presented is usually intended to facilitate improved handling or improved effectiveness.

[0004] Cosmetic products are available in foam or spray form, for example, to enable easy and even application (for example, with hair care products or hair styling). Even distribution and a pleasant feel also play a role, for example, with shower foams.

[0005] Other household products, such as detergents and cleaning agents for soft or hard surfaces, are also available as foams or sprays. Oven cleaner sprays are designed to allow for improved distribution. At the same time, the resulting foam is designed to have a better localized effect. The same applies to cleaning sprays or foams used in the bathroom to clean toilets or showers. Sprays are also used in textile cleaning, for example, to pretreat stains, allowing for local application.

[0006] However, sprays typically have to be pumped by hand, making application cumbersome. For foams or aerosol sprays, which are produced using a propellant, the issue of sustainability is increasingly in focus, as existing products usually contain liquefied gases as propellants, which are flammable and known greenhouse gases, and have a significant impact on the carbon footprint. Therefore, there is a need for more sustainable, preferably biodegradable products used as foams or sprays.

[0007] The liquefied gases commonly used to date can be replaced by inert gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or even compressed air. While nitrogen and compressed air are easy to handle in the production process, filling with carbon dioxide is more difficult. The advantage of carbon dioxide, however, is that it is partially soluble in an aqueous medium and therefore a) acts as a pressure reservoir to keep the pressure constant, and b) through spontaneous outgassing and expansion of the gas when leaving the pressurized container, ensures better foam formation in mousse applications or finer spray droplets when used in sprays. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide agents that form a fine foam or generate a fine spray mist. At the same time, production should be safe. Furthermore, the carbon footprint should be as small as possible.

[0008] Surprisingly, it has been found that this object is achieved when the propellant required to generate the foam or spray is formed in-situ inside the container. In a first embodiment, the present invention thus relates to a container-containing agent used as a foam or spray, comprising at least one propellant precursor, wherein CO2 is released in-situ from the propellant precursor in the container.

[0009] Surprisingly, it has been shown that using a propellant precursor avoids the known disadvantages of using CO2 as a propellant. At the same time, CO2 has a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional propellants, especially liquefied gases, and is non-flammable. Foam or spray formation is excellent, and risks associated with the propellant during production can be avoided.

[0010] According to the invention, the propellant CO2 is only created inside the container. It therefore does not need to be added as a gas or liquid, eliminating the need for storage, transport, and processing of CO2. Compared to products that are directly pressurized with liquid CO2, the production of the inventive products is technically less complex and safer. Compared to products pressurized with liquefied gas, the environmental impact is significantly lower.

[0011] The agent according to the invention is selected from cosmetic agents, foodstuffs, detergents, paint sprays, air fresheners, or cleaning agents. Cosmetic agents within the meaning of the present invention are all agents for cleaning and / or caring for and / or styling the human body, including the skin, hair, and nails. Detergents are, in particular, agents used for washing and cleaning textiles, such as clothing, table linen, bathroom linen, etc. Air fresheners are typically perfume sprays for improving the olfactory quality of the air in a room and can contain other substances, e.g., for masking unpleasant odors. Cleaning agents are, in particular, agents for cleaning hard surfaces, such as bathroom cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, toilet cleaners, kitchen cleaners, stove and / or oven cleaners, etc. Foodstuffs are all agents suitable for human consumption.In foamed form, they can either be consumed directly (spray cream, espuma, etc.) or used in food processing (e.g., oil spray for spraying pans, pots, or baking pans). Paint sprays are paints provided in suitable containers that can be evenly applied to a surface by spraying. The propellant precursor according to the invention is preferably solid or liquid (under atmospheric pressure) and is therefore easier and safer to handle and dose than CO2. CO2 is released in the container containing the agent. This slightly increases the pressure inside the container, causing CO2 to dissolve further in the liquid formulation.

[0012] The inventive use of a propellant precursor, through which CO2 is generated in situ as a propellant, also ensures special properties of the agent itself. In agents used as foams, the foams have a reduced foam density compared to foams foamed exclusively with nitrogen or compressed air. An effect is also visible in sprays or aerosol sprays (spray and aerosol spray are used synonymously in the present application). The droplet size in agents according to the invention is smaller compared to sprays sprayed exclusively with nitrogen or compressed air. Both the lower foam density and the reduced droplet size mean that the agent according to the invention can be distributed more effectively, thereby reducing the risk of local overdose.

[0013] Suitable propellant precursors must be easy to handle so that no additional risks arise during the production of the product according to the invention. Furthermore, they must be easy and precise to dose in order to adjust the amount of CO2 produced. Furthermore, the propellant precursor should be a cosmetically acceptable agent that does not cause skin irritation or similar effects when used as a cosmetic product. The same applies if the product according to the invention is a food. In this case, the relevant legal requirements for food must be met.

[0014] Preferred propellant precursors are selected from metal carbonates or metal bicarbonates or metal bicarbonates, with the metal being selected in particular from alkali metals and / or alkaline earth metals. Examples include calcium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), magnesium carbonate, etc. The propellant precursor is particularly preferably sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, in particular sodium bicarbonate. These are easy to handle, inexpensive to obtain, and can be easily combined with conventional formulations for cosmetic products or detergents and / or cleaning agents. According to the invention, the product can comprise one, two, or three or more different propellant precursors. The product according to the invention preferably comprises one or two propellant precursors. The product according to the invention particularly preferably comprises one propellant precursor.Baking soda has been shown to be a particularly suitable propellant precursor. The propellant precursor therefore preferably comprises, and in particular consists of, baking soda (NaHCl). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the agent according to the invention therefore comprises at least one active substance and baking soda (NaHCl) as a propellant precursor, with CO2 being released in situ in the container.

[0015] Depending on the precise composition of the agent according to the invention, CO2 may be released in-situ in the container due to the pH value of the agent itself. Should this not occur, the propellant precursor can be physically or chemically activated in preferred embodiments.

[0016] Physical activation can, for example, be achieved by exposing the agent to heat before use. The temperature depends on the type of agent. Typical temperatures at which the propellant precursor is activated and CO2 is thus released in situ are 30°C or more, in particular 40°C or more, preferably 50°C or more. Temperatures above 100°C, in particular above 120°C and above all above 200°C are less preferred because activation then requires unnecessarily high energy. The activation lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes, for example from 10 seconds to 30 minutes, in particular from 15 seconds to 20 minutes, particularly preferably from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. Within this period, complete or almost complete release of CO2 usually takes place.

[0017] Alternatively, and equally preferably, the propellant precursor may be chemically activated by at least one acid. In such a preferred embodiment, the agent according to the invention preferably further comprises at least one acid for releasing CO2 from the propellant precursor. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention therefore relates to an agent in a container, which comprises at least one active substance and a propellant precursor, in particular baking soda, and at least one acid, wherein CO2 is released in situ from the propellant precursor in the container.

[0018] The agent according to the invention can contain one or more acids. The choice of acid depends in particular on the type of agent. Depending on the agent, the person skilled in the art can use commonly used acids. If the agent is a cosmetic agent, for example, the acid is preferably an acid approved for cosmetic use. Particularly suitable are, for example, alpha hydroxycarboxylic acids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, etc. Lactic acid is particularly preferred because, upon reaction with the propellant precursor, it forms a lactate that has conditioning properties. If the agent according to the invention is a washing or cleaning agent, the acids already mentioned can also be used.In addition, mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid or nitric acid, as well as carbonic acid, acetic acid or hydrofluoric acid can be used.

[0019] An agent according to the invention may comprise one, two, three, or more different acids. Preferably, it comprises one or two acids that react with the propellant precursor to produce CO2 in situ.

[0020] If the agent according to the invention contains at least one acid, the amount of acid should be selected so that the propellant precursor is converted to CO2 as completely as possible. The ratio should therefore be adapted to the type of propellant precursor and the selected acid. One mole of proton from the acid should be present per mole of carbonate formed from the propellant precursor.

[0021] According to the invention, the amount of propellant precursor can be such that the amount of CO2 produced is sufficient to adjust the pressure in the container so that it can be used by the end user.

[0022] According to the invention, it is also possible for the agent to contain, in addition to the propellant precursor, at least one further propellant that is not CO2. In this embodiment, the agent comprising the at least one active substance and the at least one propellant precursor is placed in a container. The container is sealed. Subsequently, it is possible to increase the pressure in the container by adding a further propellant that is different from CO2. Nitrogen or air is used, in particular, as the further propellant. The improved properties of the product due to the in-situ formation of CO2 (lower foam density or smaller droplets) are retained even when using a further propellant.

[0023] According to the invention, the agent preferably contains at least one active substance. This active substance depends on the type of agent; according to the invention, the agent can be a cosmetic agent, a room freshener, a paint spray, a food product, a detergent, or a cleaning agent. The active substance can be, for example, a surfactant. However, the active substance can also be a film-forming polymer, especially if the agent is a cosmetic agent.

[0024] Cosmetic products, detergents, and cleaning agents are well known to those skilled in the art. According to the invention, the propellant precursor can be added to conventional formulations. In particular, the propellant precursor can completely or partially replace liquefied gas, nitrogen, or compressed air in known formulations and improve product quality. In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for producing a product in a container, the product being used as a foam or spray, comprising: a) providing a container, b) introducing at least one propellant precursor into the container, c) introducing further constituents of the product into the container, d) optionally introducing an acid into the container, and e) closing the container.

[0025] Steps b), c), and d) according to the invention can be carried out in any order. The process according to the invention can further comprise step f) f) increasing the pressure inside the container with a propellant other than CO2.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of an agent as described above as a foam or spray in use as a cosmetic agent, food, room freshener, paint spray, detergent or cleaning agent.

[0027] Features relating to preferred embodiments of the first embodiment, which are only described above in this regard, naturally also apply to the further embodiments as features of preferred embodiments.

[0028] The following examples are intended to illustrate the subject matter of the present invention without limiting it in any way.

[0029] Examples

[0030] The following products were produced:

[0031] The agents (Examples 1 to 4) were used once as a foam and once as a spray. When used as an aerosol foam, nitrogen was used as an additional propellant.

[0032] The foam produced was described by the test subjects as pleasant and easy to spread. The sprays exhibited a very fine spray pattern that could be applied evenly to a surface.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A composition which is used as a foam or spray in a container, wherein the composition comprises at least one propellant precursor, wherein CO2 is released in situ from the propellant precursor in the container.

2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the propellant precursor is selected from metal carbonates or metal hydrogen carbonates or metal bicarbonates or mixtures thereof, wherein the metal is in particular selected from alkali metals and / or alkaline earth metals.

3. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the propellant precursor is selected from calcium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda) and / or magnesium carbonate.

4. Composition according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the composition further comprises an acid for releasing CO2 from the propellant precursor.

5. Composition according to claim 4, characterized in that the acid is selected from alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, citric acid and / or lactic acid.

6. Composition according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the acid is selected from hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid or nitric acid, but also carbonic acid, acetic acid and / or hydrofluoric acid.

7. Means according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further contains at least one additional propellant which is not CO2, wherein the at least one additional propellant is selected from nitrogen and / or compressed air.

8. A composition according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the composition is selected from cosmetic compositions, foodstuffs, detergents, air fresheners or cleaning agents.

9. A method for producing an agent according to at least one of claims 1 to 8 in a container, wherein the agent is used as a foam or spray, comprising: a) providing a container, b) introducing at least one propellant precursor into the container, c) adding further components of the product to the container, d) if necessary adding an acid to the container and e) closing the container.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising f) increasing the pressure inside the container with a propellant other than CO2. 11 , Use of the agent according to at least one of claims 1 to 8 as a foam or spray, in particular in use as a cosmetic agent, food, air freshener, paint spray, detergent or cleaning agent.

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