Composition for masking

Abstract

The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a composition for treating a mask, capable of being easily applied to a mask to reduce friction between the surface of the mask and the skin of a wearer.　This composition for treating a mask is characterized by containing silicone oil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for mask treatment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition for mask treatment capable of reducing the frictional resistance of the mask surface by spraying or the like on the mask.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for the prevention of influenza, colds, or hay fever, etc., people often wore masks temporarily from winter to early spring. However, with the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in recent years, a new daily routine (new normal or new standard) that recommends wearing masks at all times regardless of season is becoming common.

[0003] Masks have the function of preventing pollen, pathogens, etc. from entering from the outside and suppressing the scattering of droplets emitted from the wearer. As a mask treatment method for improving these functions, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of applying or spraying a composition containing a nonionic surfactant to a mask to trap airborne suspended particles and suppress their penetration into the mask.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a composition containing water and 60 to 90% by weight of alcohol, which is used for sterilizing or disinfecting a mask containing fibers with a moisture regain of 12% or less. When this composition is applied to a mask containing fibers with a moisture regain of 12% or less, it exhibits a sterilizing or disinfecting effect by alcohol, and at the same time, the alcohol odor is improved due to the decrease in the air permeability of the mask, and the capturing ability of droplets, etc. is improved.

[0005] However, even if the protection function of the mask against droplets, etc. is improved, if there is a gap between the mask and the skin of the wearer, droplets, etc. may enter or scatter through the gap. Therefore, it is preferable that the mask adheres closely to the skin of the wearer without any gaps. However, there are also problems caused by the close adhesion of the mask and the skin.

[0006] Patent Document 3 states that by using a material with a lower average coefficient of friction (MIU) and variation in average coefficient of friction (MMD) than the material of the other parts of the mask (the part that comes into contact with the skin), discomfort on the wearer's face can be more easily suppressed. However, the outer edge of the mask comes into close contact not only with the nose but also with the skin of the cheeks and chin. As a result, friction between the mask and the skin can cause skin irritation and discomfort. Nowadays, wearing a mask is recommended when going out or spending time with multiple people, and masks are often worn for long periods of time, there is a need to reduce friction between the mask and the skin and alleviate irritation. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5072198 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5553563 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6462793 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The object of this invention is to provide a mask treatment composition that can be easily applied to masks, thereby reducing friction between the mask surface and the wearer's skin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of diligent research to solve the aforementioned problems, the inventors have discovered that applying a composition containing silicone oil to a mask can reduce the frictional force on the mask surface, and have completed the present invention.

[0010] In other words, the present invention provides a mask processing composition containing silicone oil. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The mask treatment composition of the present invention, when applied to the inner surface of the mask body (the surface that comes into contact with the skin), can significantly reduce friction between the mask and the skin, thereby alleviating irritation to the skin that comes into contact with the mask. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This graph shows the results of measuring the kinetic friction force when the sample from the test example was applied to a nonwoven fabric (meltblown nonwoven fabric of polypropylene and polyethylene). [Figure 2] This graph shows the results of measuring the kinetic friction force when the sample from the test example was applied to a cotton woven fabric. [Figure 3] This graph shows the results of measuring the kinetic friction force when the sample from the test example was applied to a urethane woven fabric. [Figure 4] This graph shows the results of measuring the kinetic friction force when the sample from the test example was applied to polyethylene woven fabric. [Figure 5] This graph shows the results of measuring the kinetic friction force when the sample from the test example was applied to a nylon woven fabric. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The masking composition according to the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "the composition") contains silicone oil. The silicone oil in the composition of the present invention is a component that exhibits a "friction reduction effect".

[0014] The silicone oil used in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but examples include linear, branched or cyclic polydimethylsiloxane (dimethicone or cyclomethicone), which is a non-volatile silicone oil. For example, dimethicone having a viscosity at 30 °C within the range of 2 to 6,000 cs can be preferably used. When the composition of the present invention is used by spraying, it is preferable to use a silicone oil having a low viscosity of 100 cs or less, 50 cs or less, or 10 cs or less, for example, about 6 cs. The silicone oil may be a modified silicone oil such as phenyl-modified, alkyl-modified, fluorine-modified, or amino-modified, as long as the friction reduction effect is not impaired.

[0015] The blending amount of the silicone oil in the composition of the present invention is preferably 0.1 to 30% by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 20% by mass, and even more preferably 1 to 15% by mass. If the blending amount is less than 0.1% by mass, a sufficient friction reduction effect cannot be obtained.

[0016] The composition of the present invention preferably contains a liquid component (referred to as "volatile component") that evaporates over time at normal temperature and pressure in addition to the silicone oil. Examples of the volatile component include water, lower alcohols such as ethanol, and volatile oils. "Volatile oil" means an oil component that exhibits volatility at normal temperature and pressure and has a boiling point at normal pressure within the range of about 60 to 260 °C. Specific examples of the volatile oil include volatile hydrocarbon oils such as isodecane, isododecane, and isohexadecane, and volatile silicone oils, for example, linear, branched, and cyclic silicone oils having a viscosity of less than 2 cs. In the composition of the present invention, the blending amount of the volatile component is preferably 60% by mass or more, and more preferably 90% by mass or more.

[0017] When the volatile component is not compatible with the silicone oil, the composition of the present invention can be provided in a form that separates into multiple layers when left standing, or in an emulsified form in which the silicone oil is dispersed as the internal phase. The composition of the present invention is preferably in the form of an oil-in-water type emulsion composition containing water as the volatile component and in which the silicone oil is dispersed.

[0018] Furthermore, by incorporating a lower alcohol such as ethanol into the aqueous phase which is the external phase of the oil-in-water type emulsion composition, a composition having a sterilizing effect can be obtained when applied to a mask. When incorporated for sterilization purposes, the amount of the lower alcohol incorporated is preferably 20% by mass or more, more preferably 30% by mass or more, or even more preferably 40% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the composition.

[0019] When the composition of the present invention is provided as an oil-in-water type emulsion composition, the composition preferably contains a surfactant (emulsifier).

[0020] The surfactant used in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can emulsify silicone oil, but a silicone-based surfactant is preferred. The "silicone-based surfactant" in the present invention is a surfactant that exhibits emulsifying ability by having a silicone skeleton (polysiloxane structure) and a hydrophilic moiety in the molecule, and is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in cosmetics and the like. Specific examples of the silicone-based surfactant include, for example, polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone, polyoxyalkylene-alkyl co-modified silicone, polyglycerin-modified silicone, and polyglycerin-alkyl co-modified silicone.

[0021] In addition to the above, as the silicone-based surfactant in the composition of the present invention, a "copolymer having a silanol group and an oxypropylene group (PO) or an oxyethylene group (EO)", that is, a copolymer containing a polysiloxane structure and a polyoxyalkylene structure in the main chain of the polymer and having a side chain having a trialkoxysilane group or a silanol group (hereinafter referred to as "crosslinked silicone POA copolymer") is preferably used.

[0022] The polysiloxane structure constituting the main chain of the crosslinked silicone POA copolymer of the present invention is composed of polydialkylsiloxane, preferably polydimethylsiloxane, and a part of the alkyl group (preferably a methyl group) may be substituted with a phenyl group.

[0023] The polyoxyalkylene structure constituting the main chain of the crosslinked silicone POA copolymer of the present invention preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of oxyethylene groups (EO), oxypropylene groups (PO), and oxybutylene (BO) as repeating units.

[0024] The crosslinked silicone POA copolymer in the present invention preferably further has side chains made of organic groups. Examples of organic groups that form side chains include hydrocarbon groups (preferably alkyl groups, for example, linear or branched alkyl groups having about 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or phenyl groups) which may be optionally substituted with amino groups, hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, etc. The hydrocarbon group preferably has an amino group, and the hydrogen atoms of the amino group may be further substituted with alkyl groups, etc.

[0025] The crosslinked silicone POA copolymer of the present invention preferably further contains nitrogen atoms in its main chain, and preferably the side chains are bonded to these nitrogen atoms.

[0026] A specific example of a cross-linked silicone POA copolymer is polysilicone-29 (INCI name: Polysilicone-29). Polysilicone-29 is defined as a composite silicone compound obtained by the reaction of a dimethylsiloxane polymer having glycidoxypropyl groups at its termini with PEG-13 diglycidyl ether, diethylaminopropylamine, and aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane.

[0027] A commercially available product may be used as the crosslinked silicone POA copolymer in the composition of the present invention. For example, "Silsoft TMCLX-E (manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials) is preferably used, and this copolymer corresponds to "Polysilicone-29". This copolymer has a main chain containing a polysiloxane structure, a polyoxyalkylene structure and a nitrogen atom, and side chains having trialkoxysilane groups and organic groups, with the polysiloxane structure containing polydimethylsiloxane, the polyoxyalkylene structure containing polyoxyethylene and polyoxyisopropylene, and the side chains being bonded to the nitrogen atom of the main chain. TM "CLX-E" is a product containing 15% by mass of polysilicone-29, dipropylene glycol, and water.

[0028] The amount of surfactant in the composition of the present invention should be such that an oil-in-water emulsion containing silicone oil in the internal phase is formed. For example, the lower limit of the amount of surfactant can be 0.01% by mass or more, 0.1% by mass or more, or 0.3% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the composition. The upper limit of the amount of surfactant can be 5% by mass or less, 4% by mass or less, or 3% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the composition.

[0029] The composition of the present invention may contain other components as needed, provided that they do not inhibit the effects of the present invention. While not particularly limited, for example, a moderate fragrance may be added to reduce stress from prolonged mask wear, or a film-forming agent may be added to improve the retention of the active ingredients on the mask surface.

[0030] The composition of the present invention is preferably provided in a form that can be easily applied to the surface of a mask. For example, the composition of the present invention is preferably provided in a form contained in a container that can spray or mist it.

[0031] If the composition of the present invention is separated into multiple layers, it is preferable to shake the entire container to mix it so that the silicone oil, which is the friction-reducing component, is uniformly applied to the mask surface before spraying. However, if a (seemingly) uniform emulsion is formed using a surfactant, it is not necessary to shake it before use.

[0032] In order to take advantage of the characteristics of the present invention, the viscosity of the composition is preferably 10,000 mPa·s or less, more preferably 5,000 mPa·s or less, and even more preferably 1,000 mPa·s or less.

[0033] The composition of the present invention can reduce friction on the surface of a mask by applying it to the inner surface (the side that comes into contact with the skin) of the mask by spraying or other means. The material of the mask to which the composition of the present invention is applied is not particularly limited. For example, woven and nonwoven masks made of natural fibers such as cotton, or synthetic fibers such as polyurethane, polyethylene, and nylon are examples.

[0034] In this specification, "woven fabric mask" refers to a mask that is also commonly called a "cloth mask," and whose main body is made of cloth (woven fabric) created by interlacing warp and weft threads, usually at right angles to each other. In contrast, a "nonwoven fabric mask" is a mask whose main body is made of a sheet (nonwoven fabric) that is manufactured by intertwining or bonding fibers in some way, rather than weaving or knitting the fibers (see "JIS L 0222:2001" for the definition of nonwoven fabric). Nonwoven fabrics differ in their manufacturing method depending on whether they are short-fiber nonwoven fabrics or long-fiber nonwoven fabrics. Meltblown nonwoven fabric, which is classified as a long-fiber nonwoven fabric, is a nonwoven fabric of extremely fine fibers manufactured by extruding raw materials under high pressure and blowing them with hot air, and is widely used as a mask material.

[0035] In recent studies on preventing the spread of COVID-19, some argue that non-woven fabric masks are more effective than woven fabric masks in suppressing droplet dispersion. On the other hand, the inventors have found that applying alcohol to a non-woven fabric mask increases the surface friction. Therefore, the composition of the present invention can be used to treat non-woven fabric masks that have been treated with alcohol for disinfection purposes, thereby increasing the surface friction. By treating the mask with the composition of the present invention, friction on the mask surface is reduced, easing skin irritation and reducing stress caused by wearing a mask for extended periods. [Examples]

[0036] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. However, the following examples do not limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Unless otherwise specified, the amount of each ingredient is expressed as a mass percentage of the total amount of the composition.

[0037] <Example Test> Samples 1-4 of the formulations listed in Table 1 below were prepared. Nonwoven polypropylene and polyethylene fabrics, cotton fabrics, urethane fabrics, polyethylene fabrics, and nylon fabrics—materials used in commercially available masks—were fixed onto a flat plate, and one of the above samples 1-4 was sprayed onto it (equal amounts of the sample were sprayed onto a 10cm x 5cm area). After standing for 10 minutes, a friction measuring instrument (Tribomaster; manufactured by Trinity Lab Co., Ltd.) was used to measure the kinetic friction force 10 times with a 50g weight placed on top and a sweeping speed of 5cm / sec. The results obtained are shown in Figures 1-5. Sample 3, which had separated into two layers during standing, was mixed and homogenized by shaking before being sprayed.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] Figure 1 shows the measurement results for nonwoven fabrics. The nonwoven fabric exhibited a property different from other materials (woven fabrics): when sample 1, which contains alcohol (ethanol) but substantially no oil, was applied, the surface friction increased significantly. On the other hand, when samples 2-4, which contain silicone oil or ester oil along with alcohol, were applied, the surface friction was reduced. However, with sample 2, which contained ester oil, the frictional force increased with each measurement, and by the 7th measurement, it was at the same level as the uncoated (control) sample. In contrast, samples 3 and 4, which contained silicone oil, showed excellent friction reduction effects, and it was confirmed that this effect lasted for a long time.

[0040] Figure 2 shows the measurement results for cotton woven fabric (gauze), Figure 3 for urethane woven fabric, Figure 4 for polyethylene woven fabric, and Figure 5 for nylon woven fabric. In common to all of these materials, even when sample 1, which contains alcohol and is substantially free of oil, was applied, friction reduction was observed compared to the uncoated (control) surface. The friction reduction effect of sample 2, which contains ester oil along with alcohol, was observed in cotton woven fabric and urethane woven fabric, but not in polyethylene woven fabric or nylon woven fabric. On the other hand, samples 3 and 4, which contain alcohol and silicone oil, showed a greater friction reduction effect on all materials compared to the other samples, and a similar level of effect was maintained throughout 10 measurements.

[0041] <Examples and Comparative Examples> Oil-in-water emulsion compositions were prepared according to conventional methods using the formulations listed in Tables 2 and 3 below. Following the above test examples, the kinetic friction force (F0) of the uncoated nonwoven fabric was measured, and then the kinetic friction force (F1) was measured after applying the compositions shown in Tables 2 and 3 (average value of 10 measurements). From the obtained measurements, the "kinetic friction force reduction rate" was calculated according to the following formula (I). [(F0-F1) / F0]×100 (I) The values ​​calculated for each composition are listed in Tables 2 and 3.

[0042] [Table 2]

[0043] [Table 3]

[0044] As shown in Table 2, when Comparative Examples 1 and 2, which contain alcohol but do not contain silicone oil, are applied to a nonwoven fabric, surface friction increases. These results are consistent with the results shown in the test example (Figure 1). On the other hand, the compositions of the present invention that contain silicone oil (Examples 1 to 6) showed a significant friction reduction effect.

[0045] The results shown in Table 3 confirm that the friction-reducing effect of the composition of the present invention can be obtained even when the viscosity of the silicone oil and the amount of surfactant added are changed.

Claims

1. An oil-in-water emulsion composition comprising an outer phase containing water and a lower alcohol, and an inner phase containing silicone oil, The amount of the aforementioned lower alcohol is 20% by mass or more of the total amount of the composition. The amount of the silicone oil blended is 0.5 to 20% by mass of the total amount of the composition. A mask treatment composition for reducing friction between the mask and the skin by being applied to the inner surface of the mask body.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silicone oil is dimethicone having a viscosity of 2 to 6,000 cs at 30°C.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of silicone oil blended is 2.8 to 20% by mass of the total amount of the composition.

4. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising a surfactant, wherein the amount of the surfactant is 5% by mass or less of the total amount of the composition.

5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the surfactant is polysilicone-29.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity is 10,000 mPa·s or less.

7. The composition according to claim 1, which is sprayed.

8. The composition according to claim 1, for use in nonwoven masks.

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