BRINE TREATMENT

Abstract: An additive for brine and/or a method of treating brine so as to protect skin tissue from attack when in contact with the brine discloses the use of an epidermically effective amount of a surfactant, polymer and/or oil. Examples are given of suitable oils, polymers and surfactants which may be used.

Description: BRINE TREATMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In various industrial situations and occupations, brine solutions are used for various applications and these can frequently result in damage, or at least, irritation to the skin of a user if skin contact occurs. The term "brine" is used throughout the specification to refer to solutions of various types of salts, typically but not exclusively, solutions of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, zinc bromide, zinc chloride, formates and/ or acetates or blends or mixtures thereof, and including what are called "heavy brines" being "super-saturated" solutions. When brine is in contact with human tissue, it is believed to attack that tissue in a number of ways. Firstly, brine may act as an acid initially, as a hydrogen donor, attacking the tissue by altering its pH. Secondly, the brine can act as an astringent and de-moisturiser with long exposure. Thirdly, in extreme cases, the brine can act as an emulsifier of the fats and oil in skin tissue to complexes which are removed with the brine when the exposed skin tissue is washed. Typically, with the brines used in oil exploration, it has been found that oil workers coming into contact with the brine can suffer from erythema, edema, necrosis and up to second degree burns to their exposed skin. It is, thus, an object of the present invention to provide an additive for brine and/or a method of treating brine which will avoid or at least obviate the above problems in the use of brine, or which at least will provide the public with a useful choice. Further objects of this invention in all its various embodiments will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating brine (as herein defined) which will at least alleviate its effect on human skin tissue comprising adding to the brine an epidermically effective amount of a surfactant, polymer and/or oil. In one embodiment of the invention, the method as immediately above defined, includes epidermically effective amounts of at least two of the said surfactant, polymer and/or oil. In one embodiment of the present invention as defined in the two paragraphs immediately above, the method includes epidermically effective amounts of a surfactant, polymer and oil. In one embodiment, a method as defined in the paragraph immediately above, includes, by volume; . one or more oils, approximately 10%; one or more surfactants, approximately 83 % to approximately 84%; and one or more polymers, approximately 6% to 7%; the above percentages being based on the total active ingredients. According to a further aspect of the present invention, an additive for brine to alleviate the effect of brine (as herein defined) on human skin tissue comprises an epidermically effective amount of a surfactant, polymer and/or oil. In one embodiment, the additive as defined immediately above, includes at least two of the said surfactant, polymer and/or oil. In one embodiment, the additive as defined in either of the two paragraphs immediately above, includes a surfactant, polymer and oil In one embodiment, an additive as defined in the paragraph immediately above, has by volume and based on the total volume of the active ingredients: one or more oils, approximately 10%; one or more surfactants, approximately 83% to 84%; and one or more polymers, approximately 6% to 7 % . According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a method and/or additive as defined in any one of the nine immediately preceding paragraphs, is provided according to any of the embodiments substantially as herein described. According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a method and/or additive as defined in any one of the ten immediately preceding paragraphs in which a synergistic effect is obtained. According to a still further aspect of the present invention, an additive for brine as defined in any one of the eleven immediately preceding paragraphs, is in the form of a cream, lotion, spray, liquid, cleanser or the like. Further aspects of this invention should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, and with reference to possible embodiments of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As mentioned above, various types of brine are used in various strengths, depending on the uses to which they will be put. In the strengths and/or formulations having industrial application, the brines will typically have an adverse effect on any human skin tissue with which they come into contact, which effect can range from merely skin irritation, erythema, producing redness, through to edema where the skin is ulcerated and swollen. Within these medical indications, there are of course degrees of effect as well, so that a brine can produce severe erythema with beet redness and with eschar formation, or with severe edema producing swelling which can be more than 1 mm and can extend well beyond the initial area of exposure. The present invention provides in one embodiment an additive which when applied to human skin tissue, is able to prevent or at least alleviate damage to human skin tissue with which it comes into contact. The term "epidermically effective" as used throughout this specification has this meaning. In its effect, the additive of the present invention is believed to buffer 0 the brine insofar as it reduces or eliminates the pH effect on the skin, provides the skin with a moisturiser or at least prevents or limits the effect of the brine until it is able to be removed. It is envisaged the additive of the present invention may be added ^ • ^ directly to the brine to protect against accidental or work-related exposure to the brine. Additionally or alternatively, the additive of the present invention, may it is envisaged, be used as a barrier, cream or lotion for workers to apply to their skin which would increase their protection when the additive may already have been used in the brine itself. Such cream or lotion may be - u recommended for workers who may be overly sensitive to the effect of brine. Additionally, such a cream or lotion or other liquid could, it is envisaged, be used to protect the outerwear of workers, particularly leather wearing apparel which is subject to severe attack by brine. 2 5 Additionally or alternatively, it is envisaged that the additive of the present invention could be provided in a spray form which could be in individual containers for use by workers or perhaps could be used as a body spray in a shower unit. 3 0 Additionally or alternatively, it is envisaged that the additive of the present invention could be used in a cleanser used for cleaning any skins which may have been exposed to brine. In that brines may have substantially different formulations and be of substantially different strengths, it is envisaged that the additive of the present invention may have a specific formulation which may be specifically adapted for use with a particular brine. However, the additive is required to have high water solubility so that even in a super-saturated heavy brine, the additive may be accepted. In determining the formulation of the additive, a selection may be made from one or more of the following EXAMPLES of natural or synthetic oils, surfactants and/or polymers: Natural Or Synthetic Oils Lanolin and derivatives; Collagen and derivatives; Phospholipids and mixtures thereof; Soya protein; Cholesterol; Tocopherol (vitamin E) and derivatives; Petrolatum; Aloe Vera Lipoid; Castor oil and derivatives; and Coal tar derivatives; Methyl esters; Fish oil and derivatives. Surfactants Lactic acid derivatives; Glycolic acid derivatives; Aloe Vera Linne; Aloe Barbadensis Miller; Camellia Oleifera Extract; Gotu Kola Hydrocotyl extract; Glycerin; Sodium Hyalurate; Echinacea angustifolia; Caffeine; Burdock root; Casanthranol; Glycoaminoglycans (and Hydrolised); Saiclic acid and derivatives; Cucumber extract; and Witch Hazel extract. Polymers Polyphenois; Glycols; Dimethicone; Myrrh gum; Cucumber extract; Oligosaccharides; Yarba Mate; Xanthan Gum; Cellulose and derivatives; and OKRA extract. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the medical and pharmaceutical arts especially, that some of the above ingredients may have some action in more than one category, e.g. some of the polymers will also be surfactants and some of the oils may be polymeric in nature. In experimentation, it has been found that the additive of the present invention in various formulations is able to substantially protect human skin tissue and also animal skin tissue against the effects of brine. The applicants believe that a synergistic effect is achieved with at least certain of the formulations. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: I CLAIM 1 . A method of treating brine (as herein defined) which will at least alleviate its effect on human skin tissue comprising adding to the brine an epidermically effective amount of a surfactant, polymer and/or oil. 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 which includes epidermically effective amounts of at least two of the said surfactant, polymer and/or oil. 3. A method of treating brine as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, including 0 epidermically effective amounts of a surfactant, polymer and oil. 4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 which includes by volume; one or more oils, approximately 1 0%; 5 one or more surfactants, approximately 83% to approximately 84%; and one or more polymers, approximately 6% to 7%; ^ 0 the above percentages being based on the total active ingredients. 5. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the surfactant, polymer and/or oil is/are one or more of those listed in the EXAMPLES. 25 6. An additive for brine to alleviate the effect of brine (as herein defined) on human skin tissue comprising an epidermically effective amount of a surfactant, polymer and/or oil. 7. An additive as claimed in Claim 6 which includes at least two of the said 3 0 surfactant, polymer and/or oil. 8. An additive for brine as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 which includes a surfactant, polymer and oil. . An additive as claimed in Claim 8 which has by volume and based on the total volume of the active ingredient: one or more oils, approximately 10%; one or more surfactants, approximately 83 % to 84% ; and one or more polymers, approximately 6% to 7 % . 0. An additive for brine (as herein defined) substantially as herein described in the form of a cream, lotion, spray, liquid, cleanser or the like. 1 . An additive for brine as claimed in Claim 6 in which the surfactant, polymer and/or oil is/are one or more of those listed in the EXAMPLES.

Inventors: SHARP FREDERICK ROBERT, VON KROSIGK JAMES RICHARD, SHARP, FREDERICK, ROBERT, VON KROSIGK, JAMES, RICHARD
Applicants: SHARP FREDERICK ROBERT, VON KROSIGK JAMES RICHARD, SHARP, FREDERICK, ROBERT, VON KROSIGK, JAMES, RICHARD
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q19