Abstract:
A fast drying, spray-on cosmetic preparation containing pigments and texturants to simulate the appearance of wearing hosiery when applied to human skin. Specific tailoring of ranges of sizes for pigment and texturant particles simulates the color and texture appearance of hosiery in a durable, removable makeup that smoothes and moisturizes the skin.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a spray applied makeup containing pigment and texturant for application to a human leg, or other body part, to simulate the appearance of wearing hosiery.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002]     Throughout recent history in many cultures women, in particular, have worn hosiery to enhance the appearance of their legs. In particular, sheer hosiery made of natural materials such as silk, or artificial polymers such as nylon, have been worn to simultaneously reveal and enhance leg appearance. Sheer hosiery was originally provided as individual stockings, but is now more generally provided as integrated stocking and brief units known as “panty hose,” even though only the stocking portions are normally displayed when being worn in public. As an alternative to stockings, some women attempt to enhance leg appearance through sun tanning, although sun tanning has attendant medical side effects such as premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. Other alternatives include the use of bronzers or similar cosmetics that are topically applied. As an example, because of the scarcity of silk and nylon materials for hosiery during the Second World War, many women applied cosmetics to their legs to simulate the appearance of hosiery. Unfortunately, although applied cosmetics may simulate the appearance of a sun tan, they fail to simulate the appearance of the texture of hosiery. Moreover the applied cosmetics may be prone to transfer to clothing, prematurely wearing off, or have other durability issues.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     An embodiment of the present invention is a textured, pigmented cosmetic preparation that is applied to skin by spraying and simulates the appearance of hosiery being worn. The pigments and texturants are milled to ranges of particle sizes that are easily suspended in the cosmetic preparation and can be sprayed through a nozzle onto skin. The spraying process disburses the suspended particles in a substantially uniform pattern to simulate a substantially uniform hosiery weave. The blending of ranges of sizes for the various pigment and texturant particles simulates the color variegation and texture appearance of a fabric. The cosmetic preparation comprises a carrier solvent such as water and/or alcohol, along with emollients, humectants, viscosity enhancers, emulsifiers, and preservatives in addition to pigments and texturants. A propellant such as butane, for example, used to spray the cosmetic preparation can reduce drying time after application of the cosmetic preparation to the skin. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  displays a pressurized spray can containing a cosmetic preparation and propellant according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates a pump spray container containing a cosmetic preparation according to another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method of applying a cosmetic preparation according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pressurized spray can  10  for dispensing a cosmetic preparation according to one embodiment of the invention. The cosmetic preparation  11  to be applied is held by gravity in the lower portion of the can  10  when the can  10  is held substantially upright. Propellant  12 , (for example, butane) is present in the can with the cosmetic preparation  11 . Above the cosmetic preparation  11  and propellant  12  is a gas filled region  13  that is filled with propellant vapors and possibly other gasses that forces the cosmetic preparation  11  through siphon  18 , valve assembly  15 , and nozzle channel  19  to spray nozzle  20  where it is emitted as a fine jet or aerosol  21  of the cosmetic preparation containing suspended pigment and texturant particles. Although the propellant  12  is illustrated as being on top of cosmetic preparation  11 , propellant  12  and cosmetic preparation  11  may be at least partially miscible. Pressure seal  16  maintains the pressure of gas filled region  13 . As the contents of spray can  10  are dispensed, cosmetic preparation  11  and propellant  12  levels drop, while the gas filled area  13  expands. Traditionally the spray nozzle  20  and siphon  16  assembly is outfitted with a valve assembly  15  to actuate and/or control the dispensing of the cosmetic preparation through the depression of button  18 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a pump spray container  30  for dispensing a cosmetic preparation according to another embodiment of the invention. The cosmetic preparation  31  to be applied is held by gravity in the lower portion of the container  30  when the container  30  is held substantially upright. Container  30  has a threaded neck region  33  onto which cap  34  is screwed. Pump assembly  35  is coupled to, and penetrates cap  34  in a substantially coaxial manner, as shown. When pump assembly  35  is actuated by the depression of button  36 , cosmetic preparation  31  is pumped through siphon  40 , through pump assembly  35 , through nozzle channel  37 , and out of nozzle  38  where it is emitted as a fine jet or aerosol  39  of the cosmetic preparation containing suspended pigment and texturant particles. Region  32  of can  30  contains incidental gasses such as atmosphere and vapors of cosmetic preparation  31 , at approximately one atmosphere pressure when the pump assembly  35  is not being actuated.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts an example of a method of use of an embodiment of the invention. Pressurized spray can  10  is held in a substantially upright manner, actuated and moved along the surface of leg  60  in broad overlapping strokes at a typical distance of two to six inches to apply the cosmetic preparation. If complete coverage of the skin is not achieved upon first application, second and subsequent applications may be made, preferably after the prior application has dried, i.e. the carrier solvent and residual propellant have substantially evaporated. Although more time consuming than a single application, multiple applications serve to promote the evenness of coverage of the pigment and texturant.  
         [0010]     As for the propellant used in the present invention, those widely known in the art as propellants for spray cans can be used without particular limitation. For example, in addition to butane, the following compounds may be used, without limitation: (i) liquid propane gas (LPG); (ii) chlorinated, fluorinated, and chlorinated/fluorinated low molecular weight hydrocarbons such as various Freons®; (iii) low molecular weight hydrocarbon mixtures (e.g., a mixture of butane, isobutene and propane commercially known as propellant A46 manufactured by the Phillips Chemical Co., which is an affiliate company of Phillips Petroleum Company); and (iii) ethers, and halohydrocarbons, e.g., dimethylether or dichlorodifluoromethane, or mixtures thereof with dichlorotetrafluoroethane. Mixtures of hydrocarbon and halohydrocarbon propellants with dinitrogen monoxide can be also employed. Additionally, nitrogen and carbon dioxide can also be used as propellants.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the carrier solvent for the present invention is a mixture of water and ethanol, with the ethanol content being up to and including 50 percent by weight. It is well known in the field of cosmetic arts that ethanol can serve several purposes in such a solution, for example without exclusion: (i) ethanol acts as a preservative; (ii) the volatility of ethanol promotes rapid drying of the cosmetic preparation after application; and (iii) the ethanol promotes the miscibility of water with organic molecules. A disadvantage of ethanol is that it can dry out the skin when applied, necessitating the limiting of the ethanol content, and in some cases, the co-application of humectants and emollients. The ethanol may be denatured, for example by including traces of isoamyl alcohol (fusel oil) from which the ethanol may not be separated by simple distillation, as may be required by laws and regulations.  
         [0012]     As described above, butane is used as a propellant in one embodiment of the invention. Not only can the high room temperature vapor pressure of butane provide the overpressure within the spray can to expel the cosmetic preparation, but the butane expelled as part of the cosmetic preparation quickly evaporates after application, also promoting the rapid drying of the cosmetic preparation. In various embodiments of the present invention, the content of butane in the cosmetic preparation as dispensed typically ranges from 0.0001 to about 20%, depending upon such factors as mechanical agitation of the can prior to spraying, and the content of emulsifying and organic compounds in the cosmetic preparation.  
         [0013]     Sodium chloride (NaCl) can be dissolved in the water/ethanol mixture for a number of reasons, such as without exclusion: (i) preservation; (ii) isotonicity with perspiration; and (iii) control of the solubility of organic molecules. In various embodiments of the present invention, NaCl is added at ten percent or less by weight to prevent skin irritation and to promote miscibility and emulsification.  
         [0014]     Cyclomethicone, dimethicone, and/or PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone can be mixed with the carrier solvent for inclusion as emollients in various embodiments of the invention. The concentration of one of the above, or the aggregate concentration of a combination of the above is typically 20% or less by weight. This promotes a usable viscosity for the topical application of the cosmetic preparation, as well as serving as a binding agent for the cosmetic preparation after application to the skin.  
         [0015]     Triethylsiloxysilicate, dimethiconol, and/or decamethylcyclopentasiloxan can similarly be added, individually, or in aggregate concentrations of 20% or less by weight to contribute emollient and miscibility properties in additional embodiments of the invention.  
         [0016]     Methyl paraben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and/or benzoyl alcohol can be included in some embodiments of the present invention as anti-microbial preservatives, either singly or in various combinations with aggregate concentrations of typically 3% or less by weight.  
         [0017]     PEG-12 glyceryl distearate or another diacylglyceryl PEG can be included to form liposomes. PEG-12 glyceryl distearate (and some other diacylglycerol-PEG lipids in general) are known to form thermodynamically stable liposomes in aqueous solution. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,322 to Keller et. al., herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The liposome suspensions thus formed can be useful in delivering other compounds included in the formulation that have been encapsulated into the liposomes and to improve skin adherence and substantiveness of ingredients onto, and premeation into, the skin, improving the cosmetic appearance of the area being treated. Additionally PEG-12 glyceryl distearate or another diacylglyceryl PEG can be included in some embodiments at concentrations 10% or less by weight as a moisturizer or humefactant.  
         [0018]     It is well known in the conventional field of foundation cosmetics that there are respective purposes for containing compounds such as describe above in connection with various embodiments of the present invention. Such purposes include, for example, moisturizing agent, humectant, non-volatile oil, emulsifier, preservative, and/or viscosity enhancer. Some of the above components can be removed from the composition, likewise additional components may be added without substantively affecting the function of the invent, as readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, pigments of inorganic compound s such as iron oxides are added to provide brownish or reddish colors. These pigment particles can be milled to a variety of particle sizes ranging from nanometers to tens of microns or more, and blended to create a color with a dimensionally textured appearance rather than the appearance of a simple die. Other pigments such as titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, cerium dioxide, zinc oxide, chromium oxide, ferric blue, chromium hydrate, carbon black, aminosilicate polysulfide (ultramarine), manganese pyrophosphate, and certain types of metallic powder such as silver or aluminum may also be used.  
         [0020]     The precise formulation of pigment types and particle sizes can easily be adjusted by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide a wide range of proprietary color/texture appearances, each of which can be sold as a specific, identified formulation such as shades of lipstick and other color cosmetics are presently sold. For example, some embodiments of the invention can use various proportions of iron oxide particles milled to and/or sieve separated to the approximate size classes as shown in Table 1  
                                                       TABLE 1                                       Particle size               in Nanometers            Size Class   Minimum   Maximum                    I   50   100       II   500   5000       III   10,000   50,000       IV   50,000   100,000                  
 
         [0021]     Other embodiments of the invention can use various proportions of titanium dioxide particles milled to and/or sieve separated to, for example, the approximate size classes as shown in Table 2.  
                                                       TABLE 2                                       Particle size               in Nanometers            Size Class   Minimum   Maximum                    I   50   200       II   3,500   4,500       III   10,000   50,000       IV   100,000   200,000                  
 
         [0022]     In a further embodiments, texturant particles such as mica flecks, milled to various sizes, can be included to add mechanical texture and iridescent or opalescent properties. The mica flecks can include both natural and coated mica. Mica may be coated, for example without exclusion, with titanium dioxide, iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride, and titanium. Other types of particles that may be added, without exclusion, for the purposes of texture and optical appearance include talc, silica, kaolin, Nylon® powder, polyethylene powder, Teflon®, vegetable starch, boron nitride, polymer microspheres, silicone microbeads, calcium carbonate, or magnesium carbonate hydrate.  
         [0023]     For example, some embodiments of the invention can use various proportions of texturant particles milled to and/or sieve separated to the approximate size classes as shown in Table 3.  
                                                       TABLE 3                                       Particle size               in Microns            Size Class   Minimum   Maximum                    I   5   20       II   20   50       III   50   100                  
 
         [0024]     In still further embodiments the cosmetic preparation may include water or lipid soluble dyes for background coloration of the skin, that are readily known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0025]     Table 4 summarizes ingredients and respective concentration ranges for a class of preferred embodiments for the formulation of the cosmetic preparation of the invention for dispensing from a pressurized spray can.  
                                         TABLE 4                                   Ingredient   Concentration by weight (%)                                        ethanol   &lt;50           butane   &lt;20           cyclomethicone   &lt;20           dimethicone   &lt;20           PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone   &lt;19           sodium chloride   &lt;10           triethylsiloxysilicate   &lt;12           dimethiconol   &lt;18           decamethylcyclopentasiloxane   &lt;15           phenoxyethanol   &lt;5           methylparaben   &lt;3           propylparaben   &lt;3           butylparaben   &lt;3           isobutylparaben   &lt;2           benzoyl alcohol   &lt;3           PEG-12 Glyceryl Distearate   &lt;10 (optional)           iron oxide   &lt;3           titanium dioxide   &lt;5           mica   &lt;3           water   (remainder of weight)                      
 
         [0026]     Table 5 summarizes ingredients and respective concentration ranges for a class of other preferred embodiments for the formulation of the cosmetic preparation of the invention for dispensing from a pressurized spray can.  
                           TABLE 5                                   Ingredient   Concentration by weight (%)                           ethanol   40-50            butane   10-20            cyclomethicone   5-15           dimethicone   5-15           PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone   5-15           sodium chloride   2-5            triethylsiloxysilicate   5-10           dimethiconol   5-15           decamethylcyclopentasiloxane   2-10           phenoxyethanol   0.5-2             methylparaben   0.1-1             propylparaben   0.1-2             butylparaben   0.1-2             isobutylparaben   0.1-1             benzoyl alcohol   1-3            PEG-12 Glyceryl Distearate   2-8 (optional)           iron oxide   0.1-3             titanium dioxide   0.1-2             mica   0.1-3             water   (remainder of weight)                      
 
         [0027]     The embodiments of Table 5 are particularly suited to beige, light brown, and dark brown color formulations of the cosmetic preparation.  
         [0028]     In the event that the cosmetic preparation is dispensed from a pump spray container, rather than a pressurized spray can, the butane propellant and ethanol used in the pressurized spray can formulation of the cosmetic preparation can be omitted as shown in Tables 3 and 4, below, corresponding to Tables 1 and 2, respectively.  
         [0029]     Table 7 summarizes ingredients and respective concentration ranges for a class of preferred embodiments for the formulation of the cosmetic preparation of the present invention for dispensing from a pump spray container.  
                                         TABLE 6                                   Ingredient   Concentration by weight (%)                                        cyclomethicone   &lt;20           dimethicone   &lt;20           PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone   &lt;19           sodium chloride   &lt;10           triethylsiloxysilicate   &lt;12           dimethiconol   &lt;18           decamethylcyclopentasiloxane   &lt;15           phenoxyethanol   &lt;5           methylparaben   &lt;3           propylparaben   &lt;3           butylparaben   &lt;3           isobutylparaben   &lt;2           benzoyl alcohol   &lt;3           PEG-12 Glyceryl Distearate   &lt;10 (optional)           iron oxide   &lt;3           titanium dioxide   &lt;5           mica   &lt;3           water   (remainder of weight)                      
 
         [0030]     Table 7 summarizes ingredients and respective concentration ranges for a class of other preferred embodiments of the formulation of the cosmetic preparation of the for dispensing from a pump spray container.  
                           TABLE 7                                   Ingredient   Concentration by weight (%)                           cyclomethicone     5-15           dimethicone     5-15           PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone     5-15           sodium chloride     2-5           triethylsiloxysilicate     5-10           dimethiconol     5-15           decamethylcyclopentasiloxane     2-10           phenoxyethanol   0.5-2           methylparaben   0.1-1           propylparaben   0.1-2           butylparaben   0.1-2           isobutylparaben   0.1-1           benzoyl alcohol     1-3           PEG-12 Glyceryl Distearate   2-8 (optional)           iron oxide   0.1-3           titanium dioxide   0.1-2           mica   0.1-3           water   (remainder of weight)                      
 
         [0031]     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention. For example, the cosmetic preparation is described as being dispensed from a pressurized spray can or pump spray container, but it could also be applied using a contact applicator or sprayed using an external pressure source or electrostatic techniques. Also, the size ranges for the pigments and/or texturants can be modified from those presented above as examples, in order to achieve a desired color variegation and/or texturing effect, as is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.