Patent Description:
In personal care compositions, such as hair treatment compositions, the deposition and delivery of benefit agents are often key drivers of product performance. For example, many of the hair conditioner products in the market today work to deliver benefits to hair by depositing benefit agents such as fragrance materials, silicones and damage repair actives onto the hair during the wash and care process.

However, consumers report being disappointed by the level of benefit derived from use of some compositions. This is usually caused by insufficient amount of benefit agents being delivered to the surface. It is, therefore, desirable to develop compositions that provide improved delivery of benefit materials to a surface, for example hair.

Various types of branched cationic compounds are known in hair treatment compositions for a variety of benefits.

<CIT> discloses a composition for treating keratinous substrates comprising a cationic agent comprising a defined first quaternary ammonium compound and an imidazoline compound, a modified starch, two silane compounds, a cationic vinylpyrrolidone polymer and water. Hair treated with the compositions is purported to have improved mass, body, volume, to be easily rinsed, to dry fast, to stay clean longer and be sufficiently conditioned. <CIT> discloses cosmetic compositions, for example for conditioning and styling hair, comprising a cationic surfactant, which may be a quaternary ammonium salt.

<CIT> discloses an aqueous hair cosmetic composition that can comprise (A) a dimethylpolysiloxane represented by general formula (<NUM>), (B) a dimethylpolysiloxane represented by general formula (<NUM>), (C) a cyclic dimethylpolysiloxane represented by general formula (<NUM>) at a ratio of [(B)+(C)]/(A) greater than or equal to <NUM>; and (D) an additional quaternary ammonium component. The composition is said to provide a range of conditioning benefits to hair in the wet, rinse and dry stages.

Our own published applications <CIT> and <CIT> provide aqueous hair treatment compositions having cleansing and conditioning properties that comprise quaternary ammonium based cationic surfactants having defined hydrocarbyl chains.

Glycine betaine derivatives are known in home and personal care products. These derivatives have been used in hair applications to deliver conditioning benefits to hair.

<CIT> (Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique) discloses surfactant compositions for use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions. The compositions include an alkylpolyglucoside grafted with glycine betaine in combination with a glycine betaine and are stable. Similar compositions are disclosed in <CIT>.

<CIT>) discloses a composition for conditioning hair containing a defined esterquat which has a structure that can cover glycine betaine derivatives and at least one care-providing substance(s) selected from the group of L-carnitine and/or salts thereof, and/or taurine and/or salts thereof, and/or vitamins and vitamin precursors, and/or niacinamide, and/or ubiquinone, and/or ectoin. <CIT> discloses a similar esterquat for conditioning keratin fibres.

<CIT>) disclose a method of preparation of a betaine alkyl ester which can be used in hair cosmetics to give feel benefits to hair. Cetanol (ex Kao Corporation) is used in the formulation examples.

<CIT> discloses a composition for hair treatment containing (a) <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of a modified silicone polymer having at least one alk- oxy group in the molecule and a melting point of not lower than <NUM>° C. , (b) <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of a cationic surface active agent, (c) <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of an oily or fatty material, (d) <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % of an organic liquid which is compatible with water and of which molecule has at least one hydroxy group, and (e) water. Cetostearyltrimethyl ammonium chloride is exemplified as a cationic conditioning material and myristyloxyl modified silicone as particulate benefit agent.

Whilst branched materials are known in home and personal care products, they have not been applied effectively to provide improved deposition of benefit agents onto hair.

Product rheology is a key attribute to consumers. We have, however, found that adding branched surfactant materials into gel networks disrupts the gel bilayers and consequently reduces viscosity and yield stress to unacceptably low levels.

Despite the prior art, there remains a need to deliver improved delivery of benefits to hair without compromising on consumer desired viscosity characteristics.

We have now surprisingly found that compositions comprising a combination of certain branched co-surfactants in combination with defined linear conditioning surfactant provide an unexpectedly large enhancement in the deposition of benefit agents (eg silicone, encapsulated fragrances) whilst maintaining excellent product rheology.

All percentages quoted herein are by weight based on total weight, unless otherwise stated.

Accordingly, there is provided a composition comprising:.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of increasing deposition of a particulate benefit agent selected from conditioning actives, scalp actives, encapsulated fragrance, emulsified fragrance, and mixtures thereof to hair comprising the step of applying to hair a composition of the first aspect.

The method of the invention preferably comprises an additional step of rinsing the composition from the hair.

Preferably, the method is a method of increasing silicone deposition to hair comprising the steps of applying to hair a composition as defined by the first aspect of the invention and rinsing the hair with water.

Compositions in accordance with the invention are preferably formulated as conditioners for the treatment of hair (typically after shampooing) and subsequent rinsing.

Preferably, the treatment composition is selected from a rinse-off hair conditioner, a hair mask, a leave-on conditioner composition, and a pre-treatment composition, more preferably selected from a rinse-off hair conditioner, a hair mask, a leave-on conditioner composition, and a pre-treatment composition, for example an oil treatment, and most preferably selected from a rinse-off hair conditioner, a hair mask and a leave-on conditioner composition. The treatment composition is preferably selected from a rinse-off hair conditioner and a leave-on conditioner.

Rinse off conditioners for use in the invention are conditioners that are typically left on wet hair for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes before being rinsed off.

Hair masks for use in the present invention are treatments that are typically left on the hair for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, before being rinsed off.

Leave-on conditioners for use in the invention are typically applied to the hair and left on the hair for more than <NUM> minutes, and preferably are applied to the hair after washing and not rinsed out until the next wash.

Conditioner compositions will comprise a linear cationic conditioning surfactant, which is cosmetically acceptable and suitable for topical application to the hair.

Preferably, the linear cationic conditioning surfactants have the formula <NUM>: N+(R<NUM>)(R<NUM>)(R<NUM>)(R<NUM>), wherein R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> are independently (C<NUM> to C<NUM>) alkyl or benzyl.

In formula <NUM>, preferably, one, two or three of R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> are independently (C<NUM> to C<NUM>) alkyl and the other R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> group or groups are (C<NUM>-C<NUM>) alkyl or benzyl.

More preferably, one or two of R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> are independently (C<NUM> to C<NUM>) alkyl and the other R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> groups are (C<NUM>-C<NUM>) alkyl or benzyl groups. Optionally, the alkyl groups may comprise one or more ester (-OCO- or -COO-), amido (-NOC- or NCO-), and/or ether (-O-) linkages within the alkyl chain. Alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. Alkyl groups may be straight chain or branched and, for alkyl groups having <NUM> or more carbon atoms, cyclic. The alkyl groups may be saturated or may contain one or more carbon-carbon double bonds (e.g., oleyl). Alkyl groups are optionally ethoxylated on the alkyl chain with one or more ethyleneoxy groups.

Suitable quaternary amine salts for use in conditioner compositions according to the invention are quaternary amine salt comprising from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms.

Suitable quaternary amine salts for use in conditioner compositions according to the invention include, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, Behentrimonium methosulphate, BehenylAmido Propyl Di-Methyl Amine
Preferred quaternary amine salts are selected from behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, Behentrimonium methosulphate, and mixtures thereof.

A particularly preferred cationic surfactant for use in conditioners according to the invention is behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, available commercially, for example as GENAMIN KDMP, ex Clariant.

Another example of a class of suitable cationic surfactants for use in the invention, either alone or together with one or more other cationic surfactants, is a combination of (i) and (ii) below:.

As used herein, the term hydrocarbyl chain means an alkyl or alkenyl chain.

Preferred amidoamine compounds are those corresponding to formula (I) in which.

Preferably, R<NUM> and R<NUM> are methyl or ethyl groups.

Preferably, m is <NUM> or <NUM>, i.e. an ethylene or propylene group.

Preferred amidoamines useful herein include stearamido-propyldimethylamine, stearamidopropyldiethylamine, stearamidoethyldiethylamine, stearamidoethyldimethylamine, palmitamidopropyldimethylamine, palmitamidopropyldiethylamine, palmitamidoethyldiethylamine, palmitamidoethyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethyl-amine, behenamidopropyldiethylmine, behenamidoethyldiethyl-amine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldiethylamine, arachid-amidoethyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldimethylamine, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred amidoamines useful herein are stearamidopropyldimethylamine, stearamidoethyldiethylamine, and mixtures thereof.

Commercially available amidoamines useful herein include:.

Acid may be any organic or mineral acid which is capable of protonating the amidoamine in the conditioner composition. Suitable acids useful herein include hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, tartaric acid, hydrochloric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof.

The primary role of the acid is to protonate the amidoamine in the hair treatment composition thus forming a tertiary amine salt (TAS) in situ in the hair treatment composition. The TAS in effect is a non-permanent quaternary ammonium or pseudoquaternary ammonium cationic surfactant.

Suitably, the acid is included in a sufficient amount to protonate more than
<NUM> mole% (<NUM>) of the amidoamine present.

In conditioners for use in the invention, the level of linear cationic conditioning surfactant will generally range from <NUM> to <NUM>%, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>%, most preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by total weight of cationic conditioning surfactant based on the total weight of the composition.

The composition of the invention comprises from <NUM> to <NUM> wt % of a linear fatty material.

The combined use of fatty materials and cationic surfactants in conditioning compositions is believed to be especially advantageous, because this leads to the formation of a structured lamellar or liquid crystal phase, in which the cationic surfactant is dispersed.

By "fatty material" is meant a fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol, a fatty acid or a mixture thereof. Preferably the linear fatty material is selected from a fatty alcohol and a fatty acid, most preferably a fatty alcohol.

Preferably, the alkyl chain of the fatty material is fully saturated. Representative fatty materials comprise from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

Suitable fatty alcohols comprise from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, most preferably C16 to C18. Fatty alcohols are typically compounds containing straight chain alkyl groups. Preferably, the alkyl groups are saturated. Examples of preferred fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. The use of these materials is also advantageous in that they contribute to the overall conditioning properties of compositions for use in the invention.

Alkoxylated, (e.g. ethoxylated or propoxylated) fatty alcohols having from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms in the alkyl chain can be used in place of, or in addition to, the fatty alcohols themselves. Suitable examples include ethylene glycol cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene (<NUM>) stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene (<NUM>) cetyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

The level of fatty material in conditioners of the invention is suitably from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> percent by weight of the total composition. The weight ratio of cationic surfactant to fatty alcohol is suitably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, optimally from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, for example <NUM>:<NUM>.

The composition of the invention comprises a particulate benefit agent. The particulate benefit agent is selected from conditioning actives, scalp actives, encapsulated fragrance, emulsified fragrance, and mixtures thereof. More preferably the particulate benefit agent is selected from conditioning actives, encapsulated fragrance and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the particulate benefit agent is selected from a silicone emulsion and an encapsulated fragrance.

Preferred conditioning actives are silicone emulsions.

Preferred silicone emulsions do not comprise a hydrophobic modification, preferably the silicone emulsion is not a myristyloxyl modified silicone, most preferably not a myristyloxyl modified silicone or a cetyloxyl modified silicone. Most preferably, the silicone emulsions for use in the compositions of the invention are selected from emulsions of dimethicone, dimethiconol, amodimethicone and mixtures thereof.

The particulate benefit agent may be a scalp active, which is insoluble in the composition of the invention, or in the form of an emulsion. Preferred scalp actives are selected from metal pyrithiones, azoles, octopirox (piroctone olamine), selenium sulfide, salicylic acid and combinations thereof, preferably metal pyrithiones, azoles and octopirox. Azole based antifungal agents include ketoconazole and climbazole, preferably climbazole.

The particulate benefit agent may be an emulsified fragrance or an encapsulated fragrance. For the sake of clarity, "fragrance" may also be referred to herein as "perfume". The following are perfume materials that may suitably be emulsified or encapulated for use in the compositions of the invention.

Examples of perfume materials for use in the invention include geraniol, geranyl acetate, linalol, linalyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalol, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, dihydromyrcenol, dihydromyrcenyl acetate, tetrahydromyrcenol, terpineol, terpinyl acetate, nopyl acetate, <NUM>-phenyl-ethanol, <NUM>-penylethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, benzyl salicylate, styrallyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, amyl salicylate, dimethylbenzyl-carbinol, trichloromethylphenyl-carbinyl acetate, p-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, isononyl acetate, vetiveryl acetate, vetiverol, α-hexylcinnamaldehyde, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-p-tert-butylpheyl)propanal, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-(p-isopropylphenyl)propanal, <NUM>-(p-tert-butylpheyl)propanal, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-cyclohex-<NUM>-enyl-carboxaldehyde, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate,<NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-methylpentyl)-<NUM>-cyclohexenecarboxyaldehyde, <NUM>-(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-pentenyl)-<NUM>-cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, <NUM>-acetoxy-<NUM>-pentyl-tetrahydropyran, <NUM>-carboxymethyl-<NUM>-pentylcyclopentane, <NUM>-n-heptylcyclopentanone, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-pentyl-<NUM>-cyclopentenone, n-decanal, n-dodecanal, <NUM>-decenol-<NUM>, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, phenyl-acetaldehyde dimethyl-acetal, phenylacetaldehyde diethylacetal, geranyl nitrile, citronellyl nitrile, cedryl acetate, <NUM>-isocamphylcyclohexanol, cedryl methyl ether, isolongifolanone, aubepine nitrile, aubepine, heliotropin, coumarin, eugenol, vanillin, diphenyl oxide, hydroxycitronellal, ionones, methylionones, isomethylionones, irones, cis-<NUM>-hexenol and esters thereof, indan musks, tetralin musks, isochroman musks, macrocyclic ketones, macrolactone musks, ethylene brassylate and mixtures thereof.

Encapsulated fragrances preferably comprise a polymeric shell (capsule wall) that forms a microcapsule. The polymeric shell of the microcapsule may be prepared using interfacial polymerisation.

Interfacial polymerisation produces encapsulated shells from the reaction of at least one oil-soluble wall forming material present in the oil phase with at least one water-soluble wall forming material present in the aqueous phase. A polymerisation reaction between the two wall-forming materials occurs resulting in the formation of covalent bonds at the interface of the oil and aqueous phases to form the capsule wall.

Preferably the polymeric shell of the microcapsule is an aminoplast resin selected from polyurea formed by reaction of polyisocyanates with material selected from polyamines, polyimines or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the microcapsules are activated by shear; that is to say they are broken by shear to release the contents.

A particularly preferred microcapsule has a polyurea shell, prepared as described in <CIT> and <CIT> and available from International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

Advantageously the polymeric shell comprises at most <NUM> wt% of the weight of the microcapsules.

By modifying process conditions microcapsules of a desired size can be produced in known manner. The microcapsules typically have a mean diameter in the range <NUM> to <NUM> microns, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> microns, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> microns and most preferably <NUM> to <NUM> microns. If necessary, the microcapsules as initially produced may be filtered or screened to produce a product of greater size uniformity.

In a typical composition according to the invention the level of microcapsules will generally range from <NUM> to <NUM>%, and preferably ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

The compositions of the invention can contain emulsified droplets of a silicone conditioning agent, which is preferably not hydrophobically modified.

Suitable silicones include polydimethylsiloxanes which have the CTFA designation dimethicone. Also suitable for use compositions of the invention are polydimethyl siloxanes having hydroxyl end groups, which have the CTFA designation dimethiconol. Preferably, the silicone is selected from the group consisting of dimethicone, dimethiconol, amodimethicone and mixtures thereof. Also preferred are blends of amino-functionalised silicones with dimethicones.

The viscosity of the emulsified silicone itself (not the emulsion or the final hair conditioning composition) is typically at least <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>/s (cst) at <NUM> the viscosity of the silicone itself is preferably at least <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>/s (cst), most preferably at least <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>/s (cst), ideally at least <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM><NUM>/s (cst). Preferably the viscosity does not exceed <NUM><NUM> mm<NUM>/s (cst) for ease of formulation.

Emulsified silicones for use in the compositions of the invention will typically have a D90 silicone droplet size in the composition of less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM> micron, ideally from <NUM> to <NUM> micron. Silicone emulsions having an average silicone droplet size (D50) of <NUM> micron are generally termed microemulsions.

Silicone particle size may be measured by means of a laser light scattering technique, for example using a 2600D Particle Sizer from Malvern Instruments.

Examples of suitable pre-formed emulsions include Xiameter MEM <NUM> and microemulsion DC2-<NUM> available from Dow Corning. These are emulsions /microemulsions of dimethiconol. Cross-linked silicone gums are also available in a pre-emulsified form, which is advantageous for ease of formulation.

A further preferred class of silicones for inclusion in compositions of the invention are amino functional silicones. By "amino functional silicone" is meant a silicone containing at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine group, or a quaternary ammonium group. Examples of suitable amino functional silicones include: polysiloxanes having the CTFA designation "amodimethicone". A preferred amodimethicone is commercially available from Dow Corning as DC <NUM>.

Specific examples of amino functional silicones suitable for use in the invention are the aminosilicone oils DC2-<NUM>, DC2-<NUM> and DC2-<NUM> (all ex Dow Corning).

Suitable quaternary silicone polymers are described in <CIT>. A preferred quaternary silicone polymer is K3474, ex Goldschmidt.

Also suitable are emulsions of amino functional silicone oils with non ionic and/or cationic surfactant.

Pre-formed emulsions of amino functional silicone are also available from suppliers of silicone oils such as Dow Corning and General Electric. Specific examples include DC939 Cationic Emulsion and the non-ionic emulsions DC2-<NUM>, DC2-<NUM>, DC2-<NUM> and DC2-<NUM> (all ex Dow Corning).

The total amount of silicone is preferably from <NUM> wt % to <NUM> wt % of the total composition more preferably from <NUM> wt % to <NUM> wt %, most preferably <NUM> wt % to <NUM> wt % is a suitable level.

The composition of the invention comprises a branched cationic co-surfactant.

The branched cationic co-surfactant is selected from structure <NUM>, structure <NUM>, structure <NUM> and mixtures thereof. <CHM>
wherein:.

The molar ratios of branched cationic co-surfactants (iv) to linear cationic surfactants (i) are in the range of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, most preferably <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The variable, p has a range of from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably selected from <NUM> and <NUM>, most preferably <NUM>.

In structures <NUM> - <NUM>, the amine head group is charged within the final formulation. Raw materials include, however, species where the charge is not permanent and can be induced by protonation in the formulation using a strong acid. When R<NUM> is a proton in the above general formulae therefore, the proton may be present in the raw material or become associated during formulation.

Optionally, at least one of R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> comprise linkages within the alkyl chain selected from the group consisting of an ester group (-OCO- or -COO-), an amido group (-NOC- or NCO-), and an ether group (-O-).

The branched co-surfactant is present in an amount of from <NUM> to <NUM> wt %, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, most preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt % (at <NUM> % active and based on weight of total composition).

X is an organic or inorganic anion. Preferably, X comprises an anion selected from the halide ions; sulphates of the general formula RSO<NUM>-, wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and anionic radicals of organic acids.

Preferred halide ions are selected from fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide. Preferred anionic radicals of organic acids are selected from maleate, fumarate, oxalate, tartrate, citrate, lactate and acetate. Preferred sulphates are methanesulphonate and ethanesulphonate.

Most preferably, X- comprises an anion selected from a halide, a methanesulfonate group and an ethanesulphonate group.

An example of a suitable material specific to structure <NUM> is N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-octyldodecan-<NUM>-aminium methansulphonate.

An example of a suitable material specific to structure <NUM> is <NUM>-(dioctylamino)-N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-oxoethan-<NUM>-aminium methanesulphonate.

Examples of suitable materials conforming to structure <NUM> are <NUM>-((<NUM>-butyloctyl)oxy)-N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-oxoethan-<NUM>-aminium methanesulphonate, <NUM>-((<NUM>-hexyldecyl)oxy)-N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-oxoethan-<NUM>-aminium methanesulphonate, N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-((<NUM>-octyldodecyl)oxy)-<NUM>-oxoethan-<NUM>-aminium methanesulphonate, <NUM>-((<NUM>-decyltetradecyl)oxy)-N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-oxoethan-<NUM>-aminium methanesulphonate, <NUM>-((<NUM>-dodecylhexadecyl)oxy)-N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-oxoethan-<NUM>-aminium methanesulphonate and N,N,N-trimethyl-<NUM>-oxo-<NUM>-((<NUM>-tetradecyloctadecyl)oxy)ethan-<NUM>-aminium methanesulphonate.

The compositions of the invention provide good viscosity and yield stress properties.

The compositions have a preferred yield stress range of from <NUM> to <NUM> Pascals (Pa), most preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> Pa peak value at <NUM> and <NUM>. The method to measure the yield stress uses a serrated parallel-plate geometry, <NUM> in diameter, attached to a suitable rheometer capable of applying oscillations at a constant frequency of <NUM>, and an amplitude sweep in the range of <NUM>% to <NUM>%. The amplitude sweep range is applied at no more than ten points per decade of strain range covered at no more than <NUM> cycles per amplitude. The instrument should be operated under controlled strain, such as with the ARES G2 Rheometer from TA Instruments. The geometry's temperature should be set at <NUM> by means of, for example, a Peltier-controlled plate, or a recirculating bath. The yield stress is determined by plotting the elastic stress against strain amplitude, and at the peak of the curve, the maximum value is quoted as the yield stress. The elastic stress is calculated as the multiplication of (storage modulus)*(strain amplitude), each readily obtained from the instrument.

The compositions have a viscosity of from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>/s (centipoise), preferably from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> as measured at <NUM> on a Brookfield RVT using a Spindle A or B at <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds on a Helipath stand.

A preferred conditioner comprises a conditioning gel phase. These conditioners have little or no vesicle content. Such conditioners and methods for making them are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Such a conditioning gel phase comprises, by total weight of the composition,.

and the composition confers a Draw Mass of from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, even more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> and most preferably <NUM> to <NUM> to hair treated with the composition.

Draw Mass is the mass required to draw a hair switch through a comb or brush. Thus the more tangled the hair the greater the mass required to pull the switch through the comb or brush, and the greater the level of condition of the hair, the lower the Draw Mass.

The Draw Mass is the mass required to draw a hair switch, for example of weight <NUM> to <NUM>, length <NUM> to <NUM>, and width <NUM> to <NUM> through a comb or brush, as measured by first placing the hair switch onto the comb or brush, such that from <NUM> to <NUM> of hair is left hanging at the glued end of the switch, and then adding weights to the hanging end until the switch falls through the comb or brush.

Preferably, the hair switch is of weight <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, most preferably from <NUM> to10 g. Preferably, the hair switch has a length of from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and a width of from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Most preferably, the Draw Mass is the mass required to draw a hair switch, for example of weight <NUM>, length <NUM>, and width <NUM> through a comb or brush, as measured by first placing the hair switch onto the comb or brush, such that from <NUM> of hair is left hanging at the glued end of the switch, and then adding weights to the hanging end until the switch falls through the comb or brush.

The composition according to the invention may comprise any of a number of ingredients which are common to hair conditioning compositions.

Other ingredients may include, preservatives, colouring agents, polyols such as glycerine and polypropylene glycol, chelating agents such as EDTA, antioxidants such as vitamin E acetate, fragrances, antimicrobials and sunscreens. Each of these ingredients will be present in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Generally these optional ingredients are included individually at a level of up to about <NUM>% by weight of the total composition.

Preferably, the further ingredients include perfumes, , preservatives, colours and conditioning silicones.

The compositions of the invention are preferably free from viscosity modifiers and thickening agents. The composition are free fromthickening polymers.

Mixtures of any of the above active ingredients may also be used.

Generally, such ingredients are included individually at a level of up to <NUM>%, preferably up to <NUM>%, by weight of the total composition.

Embodiments of the invention are given in the following examples, in which all percentages are quoted by weight based on total weight unless otherwise stated.

The following compositions were prepared:.

The conditioners in examples A and <NUM> to <NUM> were prepared using the following method:.

The hair used was dark brown European hair, in switches of <NUM> weight and <NUM> (<NUM> inches) in length.

Hair was first treated with a cleansing shampoo using the following method:-
The hair fibres were held under running water for <NUM> seconds, shampoo applied at a dose of <NUM> of shampoo per <NUM> of hair and rubbed into the hair for <NUM> seconds. Excess lather was removed by holding under running water for <NUM> seconds and the shampoo stage repeated. The hair was rinsed under running water for <NUM> minute.

The wet hair was then treated with the compositions using the following method:- Conditioner was applied to the wet hair at a dose of <NUM> of conditioner per <NUM> of hair and massaged into the hair for <NUM> minute. The hair was rinsed under running water for <NUM> minute and excess water removed.

Claim 1:
A composition comprising:
(i) <NUM> to <NUM> wt % of a linear, cationic conditioning surfactant selected from behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulphate, and mixtures thereof;
(ii) <NUM> to <NUM> wt % of a linear fatty material;
(iii) a particulate benefit agent selected from conditioning actives, which are silicone emulsions;
(iv) <NUM> to <NUM> wt %, at <NUM> % active, of a branched cationic co-surfactant, selected from structure <NUM>, structure <NUM>, structure <NUM> and mixtures thereof
<CHM>
wherein:
• R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> comprise linear alkyl chains, saturated or unsaturated, with carbon-carbon chain lengths of from C<NUM> to C<NUM>, preferably from C<NUM> to C<NUM>;
• R<NUM> and R<NUM> comprise linear or branched alkyl chains, saturated or unsaturated, with carbon-carbon chain lengths of from C<NUM> to C<NUM> ; preferably from C<NUM> to C<NUM>
• n and m have a range of from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably selected from <NUM> and <NUM>;
• p has a range of from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably selected from <NUM> and <NUM>;
• R<NUM> comprises an alkyl chain having a carbon-carbon chain length of from C<NUM> to C<NUM>, preferably C<NUM> to C<NUM>;
• R<NUM> comprises a proton or an alkyl chain having a carbon-carbon chain length of from C<NUM> to C<NUM>, preferably C<NUM> to C<NUM>; and
• X is an organic or inorganic anion;
wherein the molar ratios of branched cationic co-surfactants (iv) to linear cationic surfactants (i) are in the range of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>;
wherein, where the cationic surfactant is a quaternary amine salt, it is selected from quaternary amine salts comprising from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms
wherein the compositions have a viscosity of from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM><NUM>/s (centipoise), preferably from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> as measured at <NUM> on a Brookfield RVT using a Spindle A or B at <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds on a Helipath stand;
wherein the silicone emulsions are not myristyloxyl modified silicone;
wherein the composition is free from thickening polymers.