PROCESS AND COMPOSITION FOR MICROEMULSION GEL HAVING BLEACHING AND ANTISEPTIC PROPERTIES

Abstract: A microemulsion gel having antiseptic and bleaching properties is prepared from the combination of a water phase comprising water and propylene glycol with an oil phase generally comprising one or more surfactants, an emollient, and an oil. In its preferred embodiment, the oil phase comprises a polyethylene glycol ether of isocetyl alcohol, preferably Isoceteth-20 (trademark), a polyethylen glycol ether of oleyl alcohol, preferably Oleth-2 (trademark), a polypropylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol, preferably PPG-15 stearyl ether (trademark). The water phase optionally includes sorbitol and the oil of the oil phase may be mineral oil. The water and oil phases are heated independently then combined and mixed. Hydrogen peroxide is subsequently added to the composition, and the combination is cooled and allowed to stand until a gel is formed. A fragrance may be added as desired.

Description: PROCESS AND COMPOSITION FOR MICROEMULSION GEL HAVING BLEACHING AND ANTISEPTIC PROPERTIES Background of the Invention I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process and composition for a microemulsion gel having blear ng and antiseptic properties. More particularly, the present invention comprises the mixture of a water phase, an oil phase and hydrogen peroxide. The water phase includes propylene glycol and water. The oil phase includes one or more surfactants, an emollient, and an oil. II. Description of the Relevant Art Hydrogen peroxide has long been used as an antiseptic and a bleach. When used for these purposes, the hydrogen-oxygen compound is generally diluted to 3 to 6 percent by mass. The strong oxidizing properties of hydrogen peroxide render it an excellent bleaching agent in both industrial and consumer applications. When employed in industry, hydrogen peroxide is often used in the bleaching (and deodorizing) of textiles, wood and paper pulp, fur, and food stuffs including flour, oils, fats, and sugar. By reacting chemically with the discoloring components of the treated materials , these components are oxidized or reduced to a colorless form or to a form which is soluble and can be removed by subsequent washing. Consumer salon and home applications of hydrogen peroxide as a bleach are most often directed to the bleaching or decoloring of human hair. When used in this capacity, hydrogen peroxide is typically combined with other chemicals called bleaching assistants to assume more uniform penetration of the hair by the bleach and more complete control of the process. The consumer use of known hydrogen peroxide-containing compounds provided for use as decolorizers of human hair is constrained by several undesirable characteristics, the main problem being a general one of control. Hydrogen peroxide is itself a thick, syrupy liquid that, along with the bleaching assistants, is sold as a solution in water. The resulting "oil bleach", as it is called by beauticians, tends to be overmvasive and easily contacts the scalp, skin and eyes. Because it is a strong irritant, the unrestricted distribution of hydrogen peroxide can cause severe burning. Hydrogen peroxide also has valuable application as an antiseptic. As such it is often applied to humans or animals to retard or stop the growth of microorganisms considered harmful. Hydrogen peroxide is viscous in pure form, but is generally diluted to 3 percent by weight with water when used as an antiseptic. The resulting solution is pervasive when applied as an antiseptic and tends to wander out of control. This characteristic contributes to wasteful excess in application. Known methods of disinfecting skin and bleaching human hair have failed to overcome the main problems of product waste and lack of control over the distribution of hydrogen peroxide solutions. Summary of the Present Invention The present invention involves the preparation of a hydrogen pero-ride--cont___ιing microemulsion gel that overcomes the principal problem of known bleaching and antiseptic solutions by allowing the user the ability to control dispersion of the compound. The microemulsion gel of the present invention is prepared from the combination of two independent phases, one being a water phase and the other an oil phase. The phases are each heated then commingled. Hydrogen peroxide is subsequently added, and the resulting solution is mixed and allowed to cool to a preselected temperature. The cooled solution is then allowed to stand until a microemulsion gel is formed. The principal advantage of the present invention is that its colloid nature allows the restriction by the user to selected areas of the body when used as an antiseptic and in the hair when used as a bleach for such specific applications as "streaking" and "frosting" while at the same time preventing the composition from wandering. Accordingly, the present invention overcomes problems of known antiseptic and hair bleaching solutions and methods. Other objects and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention The composition of the present invention includes as its basic components an oil phase and a water phase. Each phase is prepared independent of the other. The oil phase is a product of the commingling of one or more surfactants, an emollient, and an oil. More particularly, the oil phase components include polyethylene glycol ethers of oleyl alcohol, polyethylene diesters of oleic acid, polyethylene glycol esters of any fatty acid, or a polyethylene glycol derivative of lanolin or oil. Specific components include a polyethylene glycol ether of isocetyl alcohol, preferably Isoceteth-20 (trademark), a polyethylene glycol ether of oleyl alcohol, preferably Oleth-2 (trademark), and a polypropylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol, preferably PPG- 15 stearyl ether (trademark). Other possible substitutions include PEG- 25 hydrogenated castor oil, Oleth-5, Oleth-10, Oleth-20 and PEG-20 hydrogenated lanolin (trademarks). in its preferred embodiment, the oil phase results from the use of Isoceteth-20 (between 15.0 and 35.0 percent by weight), Oleth-2 (Between 0.5 and 10.0 percent by weight), and PPG-15 stearyl ether (between 0.5 and 10.0 percent by weight). Stearyl ether is not soluble in water and is frequently used in perfumery and cosmetics. Up to between 1.5 and 8.0 percent by weight of mineral oil may be added to the oil phase to adjust consistency. The water phase is the product of the commingling of propylene glycol (between 0.5 and 8.0 percent by weight) and water (as much as necessary to provide desired consistency and solubility). Propylene glycol, which is miscible with the water component of this phase and which is often found in cleansing creams and suntan lotions, functions in the present invention as an emulsifier to assist in the stabilizing of the oil phase with the water phase which are ordinarily immiscible. Up to between 1.0 and 12.0 percent by weight of sorbitol may also be included in the water phase. Used as a moisture-conditioner to provide a desire texture and conditioning quality, sorbitol is soluble in both the water and the propylene glycol components of the water phase. Once the components of the two phases are established, each phase is warmed to between 60 ° C and 85 ° C to improve solubility. The heated water phase is subsequently added to the heated oil phase. After addition, the phases are mixed together by stirring at a gradually increased rate of speed. The mixing process is thereafter slowed following a preselected time and the solution is allowed to cool to a preselected temperature of preferably 25 ° centigrade. It is important to understand that the speed and length of the mixing process may be varied according to the temperatures of the two phases as may be understood by one skilled in the art. Hydrogen peroxide (between 6.0 and 35.0 percent by weight) is then introduced into the mixture after it cools. Phosphoric acid is also introduced at this time as required to adjust the pH of the mixture to approximately 3.4 (± 0J), although the pH range may be as broad as 3.0 to 5.0. The mixing is continued for a preselected time and is then stopped. A suspension is allowed to form in the mixture resulting in the setting up of a transparent microemulsion gel. With some variation in the amounts of surfactants and oils as components in the present invention, a creme or paste product may be produced. The gel product may be used in this form in the bleaching of human hair. Fragrances may be added as desired. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide may be used according to the formulation set forth above to provide a gel usable as an antiseptic. The invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following example. All percentages are based upon weight. EXAMPLE Process for Producing Microemulsion Gel Having Bleaching Characteristics As discussed, the oil phase includes one or more surfactants, an emollient, and an oil. According to the present example, the oil phase was established by the conimingling of 27.80 percent Isoceteth-20, 4.00 percent mineral oil, 4.00 percent Oleth-2, and 3.33 percent PPG-15 stearyl ether. A water phase was established by the cornmingling of 3.33 percent propylene glycol, 4.60 percent sorbitol and 43.30 percent water. Each phase was independently heated to between 75 ° C and 78 C. After achieving the desired temperatures, the water phase was added to the oil phase, and mixing of the two phases began. The speed of mixing was gradually increased. Mixing continued for a period of twenty minutes, after which the speed of mixing was decreased and the mixture was allowed to cool to between 25 ° C and 30 ° C. Once the temperature of the mixture dropped to the preferred level of 25 ° C, 9.64 percent hydrogen peroxide was added while mixing was continued. The pH value of the mixture was adjusted to 3.4 (+ 0.1) by the addition of phosphoric acid. Mixing continued thereafter for a period of 10 minutes and was then halted. The mixture was allowed to stand and a microemulsion gel was built after 20 minutes. The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. What is claimed is:

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A process for preparing a composition of matter including the steps of: preparing a water phase by the combination of selected volumes of water and propylene glycol; preparing an oil phase; heating said water and oil phases independently; combining and mixing said water and oil phases to form a water-oil phase mixture; adding a selected volume of hydrogen peroxide to said mixture; mixing said hydrogen peroxide and water-oil phase mixture together to form a compound having bleaching characteristics; and allowing said compound to set. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said water phase comprises selected volumes of water and propylene glycol. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein said oil phase comprises selected volumes of one or more surfactants and an emollient. 4. The process of claim 2 wherein said water phase further includes a selected volume of sorbitol. 5. The process of claim 3 wherein said oil phase further includes a selected volume of an oil. 6. The process of claim 5 wherein said oil is mineral oil. 7. The process of claim 1 wherein said oil phase includes polyethylene glycol ethers of oleyl alcohol. 8. The process of claim 1 wherein said oil phase includes polyethylene diesters of oleic acid. 9. The process of claim 1 wherein said oil phase includes polyethylene glycol esters of a fatty acid. 10. The process of claim 1 wherein said oil phase includes polyethylene glycol derivative of lanolin. 11. The process of claim 1 wherein said oil phase includes polyethylene glycol derivative of oil. 12. The process of claim 1 further including the additional step of combining phosphoric acid with said compound to adjust the pH of said compound to a preferred level. 13. The process of claim 4 wherein said preferred pH level is between 3.0 and 5.0. 14. The process of claim 1 wherein said water phase is heated to between 60.0 ° C and 85.0 C prior to being mixed with said oil phase. 15. The process of claim 1 wherein said oil phase is heated to between 60.0 ° C and 85.0 ° C prior to being mixed with said water phase. 16. The process of claim 1 wherein said mixing of said oil and water phase is carried out for twenty minutes. 17. The process of claim 16 wherein said mixing is undertaken at a gradually decreased speed. 18. The process of claim 1 wherein said mixture of the oil phase and the water phase is cooled to between 25.0 ° C and 30.0 ° C prior to the addition of hydrogen peroxide. 19. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrogen peroxide is added after the water phase and oil phase combination cools to 25.0 ° C. 20. The process of claim 1 wherein said compound is mixed for 10 minutes. 21. The process of claim 20 wherein said compound results in a microemulsion gel after a 20 minute set time following said 10 minute mixing. 22. A composition of matter which comprises: a water phase; an oil phase; and hydrogen peroxide. 23. The composition of matter of claim 22 wherein said water phase comprises water and propylene glycol. 24. The composition of matter of claim 22 wherein said oil phase comprises a surfactant, an emollient, and an oil. 25. The composition of claim 22 wherein said water phase comprises: between 8.0 and 64.0 percent by weight water; and between 0.5 and 8.0 percent by weight propylene glycol. 26. The composition of claim 25 wherein said water phase further comprises up to about 12.0 percent by weight sorbitol. 27. The composition of claim 22 wherein said oil phase comprises: between 15.0 and 35.0 percent by weight a polyethylene glycol ether of isocetyl alcohol; between 0.5 and 12.0 percent by weight a polyethylene glycol ether of oleyl alcohol; and between 1.5 and 10.0 percent by weight a polypropylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol. 28. The composition of claim 27 wherein said oil phase further comprises up to about 8.0 percent by weight mineral oil. 29. The composition of claim 22 wherein between 6.0 and 35.0 percent by weight of said hydrogen peroxide is included. 30. A composition of matter comprising: a water phase consisting of between 8.0 and 64.0 percent by weight water and between 0.5 and 8.0 percent by weight propylene glycol; an oil phase consisting of between 1.5 and 40.0 percent by weight a polyethylene glycol ether of isocetyl alcohol, between 0.5 and 12.0 percent by weight a polyethylene glycol ether of oleyl alcohol, and between 1.5 and 10.0 percent by weight a polypropylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol; and between 6.0 and 35.0 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide. 31. The composition of claim 30 wherein said composition is a microemulsion gel. 32. The composition of claim 30 wherein said water phase further includes up to about 10.0 percent by weight sorbitol. 33. .de composition of claim 30 wherein said oil phase further includes up to about 8.0 percent by weight mineral oil. 34. The composition of claim 30 wherein said composition further includes phosphoric acid in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of said composition to a balance of about 3.4. 35. The composition of claim 30 wherein said hydrogen peroxide is about 35 percent active. 36. The composition of claim 30 wherein said composition is transparent.

Inventors: GAUDREAULT ROSEMARY, PETCHUL JOHN, GAUDREAULT, ROSEMARY, PETCHUL, JOHN
Applicants: PETCHUL JOHN, PETCHUL, JOHN
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A01N59, A61K8, A61Q5, B01J13, C01B15, C11D3, C11D11, C11D17