Patent Description:
Conventional rinse off hair conditioners are popular with consumers for treating hair.

One hair conditioning composition is described by <CIT>. Salvador et al. disclose a hair conditioning composition comprising by weight (a) from about <NUM> % to about <NUM> % of a cellulose polymer having a molecular weight of about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>; (b) from about <NUM> % to about <NUM> % of a cationic surfactant; (c) from about <NUM> % to about <NUM> % of a high melting point fatty compound having a melting point of <NUM> or higher; and (d) an aqueous carrier.

<CIT> discloses functional compositions for use in personal care, household, institutional and pet care applications and which contain cationic hydrophobically modified polysaccharides. The compositions comprise a) at least about <NUM> wt % of a cationic hydrophobically modified polysaccharide wherein i) the cationic hydrophobic polysaccharide has a mean average molecular weight (Mw) from about <NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Dalton, ii) the cationic hydrophobically modified polysaccharide has a cationic degree of substitution greater than <NUM> to about <NUM>, and iii) cationic hydrophobically modified polysaccharide has weight % hydrophobe greater than <NUM>. b) less than <NUM> wt % total of a personal care, pet care, household or institutional care active ingredient material.

<CIT> discloses a hair or skin conditioning composition comprising by weight: (a) from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of a hydrophobically modified cationic thickening polymer; (b) from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof; and (c) from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of a hydrophobically modified silicone; and (d) an aqueous carrier.

Notwithstanding, there remains a need for aqueous conditioner formulations for use on thermally styled hair that provide improved hair alignment.

The present invention provides an aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair, comprising: a cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier; and a modified carbohydrate polymer, comprising a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I)
<CHM>
wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; and (ii) hydrophobic substituents each having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt%, based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units.

The present invention provides a method of making an aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair, comprising: (a) providing a cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier; (b) selecting a hair alignment enhancer for improving hair alignment, wherein the hair alignment enhancer is selected to be a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I), wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; and (ii) hydrophobic substituents each having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt%, based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units; and (c) providing the selected hair alignment enhancer; and (d) combining the cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier and the hair alignment enhancer; wherein the aqueous conditioner formulation contains <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of the hair alignment enhancer.

The present invention provides a method of maintaining thermally styled hair, comprising: providing an aqueous conditioner formulation according to the present invention, applying the aqueous conditioner formulation to hair of a mammal and thermally styling the hair.

We have surprisingly found that hair alignment for thermally styled hair can be significantly improved following treatment with an aqueous conditioner formulation specifically selected to include a modified carbohydrate polymer, comprising a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I)
<CHM>
wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; and (ii) hydrophobic substituents each having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt%, based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units; such that the treated hair retains its shape even after incubating at <NUM> in a <NUM>% humidity environment for a week.

Unless otherwise indicated, ratios, percentages, parts, and the like are by weight.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the phrase "molecular weight" or MW refers to the weight average molecular weight as measured in a conventional manner with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and conventional standards, such as polyethylene glycol standards. GPC techniques are discussed in detail in <NPL>, and in<NPL>. Molecular weights are reported herein in units of Daltons, or equivalently, g/mol.

The term "cosmetically acceptable" as used herein and in the appended claims refers to ingredients typically used in personal care compositions, and is intended to underscore that materials that are toxic when present in the amounts typically found in personal care compositions are not contemplated as part of the present invention.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of a shampoo, a conditioning shampoo, a leave on hair conditioner, a rinse off hair conditioner, a hair coloring agent, a hair styling gel and a hair straightener. More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of a shampoo, a conditioning shampoo, a leave on hair conditioner and a rinse off hair conditioner. Most preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention is a rinse off conditioner.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention, comprises: a cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier (preferably, wherein the aqueous conditioner formulation comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of the cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier); a modified carbohydrate polymer (preferably, wherein the aqueous conditioner formulation comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of the modified carbohydrate polymer), comprising a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I)
<CHM>
wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group (preferably, a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group; more preferably, a methyl group and an ethyl group; most preferably, a methyl group) and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%); and (ii) hydrophobic substituents each having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises > <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons); and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt% (preferably, < <NUM> wt%; more preferably, < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, less than the detectable limit), based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention compries, comprises a cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier. More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention, comprises: <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of the cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier. Most preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention, comprises: <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of the cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier; wherein the cosmetically acceptable carrier comprises water.

Preferably, the water used in the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention is at least one of distilled water and deionized water. More preferably, the water used in the aqueous conditioiner formulation of the present invention is distilled and deionized.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention comprises a modified carbohydrate polymer. More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer. Most preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I)
<CHM>
wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group (preferably, a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group; more preferably, a methyl group and an ethyl group; most preferably, a methyl group) and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%); and (ii) hydrophobic substituents, wherein the hydrophobic substituents comprise an alkyl group having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons); and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt% (preferably, < <NUM> wt%; more preferably, < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, less than the detectable limit), based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units.

Preferably, the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons). More preferably, the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons); wherein the cellulose ether base material is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose and mixtures thereof. Still more preferably, the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons); wherein the cellulose ether base material is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons); wherein the cellulose ether base material is hydroxyethyl cellulose.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditoner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I), wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group (preferably, a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group; more preferably, a methyl group and an ethyl group; most preferably, a methyl group) and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content corrected for ash and volatiles, TKN, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%). More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditoner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I), wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group (preferably, a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group; more preferably, a methyl group and an ethyl group; most preferably, a methyl group); wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content corrected for ash and volatiles, TKN, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%); and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer contains < <NUM> moles (preferably, < <NUM> moles; more preferably, < <NUM> moles; most preferably, less than a detectable limit) of trialkyl ammonium moieties having formal (II) per mole of the cellulose ether base material
<CHM>
wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from a methyl group and an ethyl group and wherein R<NUM> is selected from a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention, comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (ii) hydrophobic substituents, wherein the hydrophobic substituents comprise an alkyl group having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents. More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention, comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (ii) hydrophobic substituents, wherein the hydrophobic substituents comprise an alkyl group having <NUM> carbon atoms bonded to the cellulose ether base material through at least one of an ether linkage (e.g., an ether linkage alone or an ether linkage and a <NUM>-hydroxypropyl group) and an ester linkage; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents. Still more preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention, comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (ii) hydrophobic substituents, wherein the hydrophobic substituents comprise an alkyl group having <NUM> carbon atoms bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether base material through at least one of an ether linkage (e.g., an ether linkage alone or an ether linkage and a <NUM>-hydroxypropyl group) and an ester linkage; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; and wherein the hydrophobic groups are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention, comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (ii) hydrophobic substituents, wherein the hydrophobic substituents comprise an alkyl group having <NUM> carbon atoms bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether base material through at least one of an ether linkage or an ether linkage and a <NUM>-hydroxypropyl group; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; and wherein the hydrophobic groups are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material.

Preferably, the modified carbohydrate polymer is of formula (III)
<CHM>
wherein n is determined based on the weight average molecular weight, MW, of the cellulose ether base material; wherein R<NUM> is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having <NUM> carbon atoms and the residue of a C<NUM> alkyl glycidyl ether; and wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl goup (preferably, a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group; more preferably, a methyl group and an ethyl group; most preferably, a methyl group); and wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons); and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt% (preferably, < <NUM> wt%; more preferably, < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, less than the detectable limit), based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner for thermally styled hair of the present invention, optionally, further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of a cosmetically acceptable cleansing surfactant; a thickener (e.g., polysaccharides, cellulosic polymers); a soap; a colorant; pH adjusting agent; an antioxidant (e.g., butylated hydroxytoluene); an emollient (polyoxyethylene glycol (C<NUM>-<NUM>) fatty acid, esters of glycerol-e.g., PEG-<NUM> glyceryl cocoate, PEG-<NUM> glyceryl cocoate, PEG-<NUM> glyceryl laureate, PEG-<NUM> glyceryl oleate); a wax; a foaming agent; an emulsifying agent (e.g. PEG-<NUM> stearate & glyceryl stearate mixture); a colorant; a fragrance; a chelating agent (e.g., disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, citric acid, lactic acid); an antimicrobial agent/preservative (e.g., methylchloroisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, esters of parabenzoic acid, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea, benzoic acid, sorbic acid); a bleaching agent; a lubricating agent; a sensory modifier; a sunscreen additive; a vitamin; a protein/amino acid; a plant extract; a natural ingredient; a bioactive agent; an anti-aging agent; a pigment; an acid; a penetrant; an anti-static agent; an anti-frizz agent; an antidandruff agent; a hair waving/straightening agent; a hair styling agent; a hair oil; an absorbent; a hard particle; a soft particle; a conditioning agent (e.g., guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, PQ-<NUM>, PQ-<NUM>); a slip agent; an opacifier; a pearlizing agent and a salt. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention, optionally, further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of an emulsifying agent (e.g. PEG-<NUM> stearate & glyceryl stearate mixture); an antimicrobial agent/preservative (e.g., methylchloroisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, esters of parabenzoic acid, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea, benzoic acid, sorbic acid); a thickener (e.g., polysaccharides, cellulosic polymers); and a chelating agent (e.g., disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, citric acid, lactic acid). Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention, optionally, further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of an emulsifying agent mixture of PEG-<NUM> stearate & glyceryl stearate mixture; a hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer thickener; cetearyl alcohol emollient; tetrasodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid chelating agent and a mixture of phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone preservative.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention optionally further comprises an emulsigying agent. More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention optionally further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; still more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of an emulsifying agent. Most preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; still more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of an emulsifying agent; wherein the aqueous conditioner formulation is selected from the group consisting of a leave on hair conditioner and a rinse off hair conditioner; and wherein the emulsifying agent comprises a mixture of PET-<NUM> stearate and glyceryl stearate.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention optionally further comprises a thickener. More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation further comprises a thickener, wherein the thickener is selected to increase the viscosity of the aqueous conditioner formulation, preferably without substantially modifying the other properties of the personal care composition. Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention further comprises a thickener, wherein the thickener is selected to increase the viscosity of the personal care composition, preferably without substantially modifying the other properties of the personal care composition and wherein the thickener accounts for <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt %; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt %; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation. Preferred thickeners include polysaccharides and cellulosic polymers. Preferably, the thickener is a hydroxyether cellulose polymer.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention optionally further comprises a chelating agent. More preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a chelating agent, wherein the chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), tetrasodium EDTA, citric acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of a chelating agent, wherein the chelating agent, wherein the chelating agent includes tetrasodium EDTA.

Preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention optionally further comprises an antimicrobial agent/preservative. More preferably, aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention optionally further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of an antimicrobial agent/preservative; wherein the antimicrobial/preservative is selected from the group consisting of phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoate, DMDM hydantoin, <NUM>-ethylhexyl glyceryl ether, isothiazolinone (e.g., methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone) and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair of the present invention optionally further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of an antimicrobial agent/preservative; wherein the antimicrobial/preservative is a mixture of phenoxyethanol and an isothiazolinone (more preferably, wherein the antimicrobial/preservative is a mixture of phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone).

Preferably, the method of making an aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair, comprises: (a) providing a cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier (preferably, water); (b) selecting a hair alignment enhancer for improving hair alignment, wherein the hair alignment enhancer is selected to be a modified carbohydrate polymer; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I), wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group (preferably, a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group; more preferably, a methyl group and an ethyl group; most preferably, a methyl group) and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%); and (ii) hydrophobic substituents each having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to < <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, MW, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons (preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; more preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; most preferably, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons); and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt% (preferably, < <NUM> wt%; more preferably, < <NUM> wt%; most preferably, less than the detectable limit), based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units; and (c) providing the selected hair alignment enhancer; and (d) combining the cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier and the hair alignment enhancer; wherein the aqueous conditioner formulation contains <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; more preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; most preferably, <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), based on weight of the aqueous conditioner formulation, of the hair alignment enhancer.

Preferably, the method of thermally styling hair of the present invention, comprises: providing an aqueous conditioner formulation of the present invention; applying the aqueous conditioner formulation to hair of a mammal; optionally, rinsing the aqueous conditioner formulation from the hair; and thermally styling the hair (preferably, thermally styling the hair with at least one of a hot iron and a thermally heated comb).

A <NUM>,<NUM>, four necked, round bottomed flask was charged with cellulose ether base material (<NUM>, CELLOSIZE™ QP-100MH hydroxyethyl cellulose available from The Dow Chemical Company), isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>) and deionized water (<NUM>). The flask was fitted with a nitrogen inlet connected to a <NUM> pressure equalizing addition funnel, rubber septum cap, a stirring paddle connected to an electric motor and a Claisen adaptor connected to a Friedrich condenser with a mineral oil bubbler outlet. The addition funnel was then charged with <NUM>-bromododecane (<NUM>) in isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>). The stirring paddle was engaged and the head space in the flask was purged with a slow, steady flow of nitrogen (one bubble per second) for one hour to remove any entrained oxygen. Then a <NUM>% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (<NUM>) was added dropwise to the flask contents over two (<NUM>) minutes. The flask contents were left to stir for an hour following addition of the <NUM>% sodium hydroxide solution. The <NUM>-bromododecane in isopropyl alcohol solution in the addition funnel was then charged dropwise to the flask contents over three (<NUM>) minutes. The flask contents were left to stir for twenty (<NUM>) minutes following the addition of the <NUM>-bromododecane in isopropyl alcohol. Then heat was applied to the contents of the flask using a heating mantle. The flask contents were allowed to reflux with continued stirring under nitrogen for four and a half (<NUM>) hours. The flask was then placed in an ice water bath while maintaining a positive nitrogen pressure in the flask to cool the flask contents. The flask contents were then neutralized via the addition thereto of glacial acetic acid (<NUM>) using a syringe. The flask contents were left to stir for ten (<NUM>) minutes under nitrogen. The flask contents were then vacuum filtered through a large fritted metal Buchner funnel to recover the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether base material. The recovered hydrophobically modified cellulose ether base material was then washed in the Buchner funnel by stirring in the funnel for five (<NUM>) minutes with the specified wash solvents followed by vacuum removal of the wash liquor: deionized water (<NUM>) in isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>); deionized water (<NUM>) in isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>); and then isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>) for desiccation. To confer cold-water dispersibility on the final polymer, a <NUM>% aqueous glyoxal (<NUM>) and acetic acid (<NUM>) were added to the final desiccation wash. The washed product hydrophobically modified cellulose ether base material was then briefly air dried and then dried overnight in vacuo at <NUM>. The dried product hydrophobically modified cellulose ether base material was then sieved through a #<NUM> mesh US standard sieve and obtained as an off-white solid with a volatiles content of <NUM>%, an ash content (as sodium acetate) of <NUM>%. The <NUM>% solution viscosity (corrected for ash and volatiles) was measured at <NUM> sec-<NUM> using a TA Instruments DHR-<NUM> rheometer equipped with a <NUM>, <NUM>° stainless steel cone & plate sensor at <NUM> and was found to be <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s.

A <NUM>,<NUM>, four necked, round bottomed flask was charged with hydrophobically modified cellulose ether base material prepared according to Comparative Example C1 (<NUM>), isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>) and deionized water (<NUM>). The flask was fitted with a nitrogen inlet connected to a <NUM> pressure equalizing addition funnel, rubber septum cap, a stirring paddle connected to an electric motor and a Claisen adaptor connected to a Friedrich condenser with a mineral oil bubbler outlet. The addition funnel was then charged with <NUM>% aqueous glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride (<NUM>, available from QUAB Chemicals under the trade name QUAB® <NUM>). While stirring the flask contents, the apparatus was slowly purged with nitrogen for one hour to remove any entrained oxygen. After the nitrogen purge was completed, a <NUM>% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (<NUM>) was added to the flask contents with stirring under nitrogen through the serum cap using a plastic syringe over two minutes. After stirring for one hour, the contents of the addition funnel were added dropwise into the flask contents over three minutes. The flask contents were stirred under nitrogen for <NUM> minutes. Then heat was applied to the flask contents using the J-KEM controller with a set point temperature of <NUM>. The flask contents were left to reflux for <NUM> hours with stirring under nitrogen. The flask contents were then cooled to room temperature while maintaining a positive nitrogen pressure in the flask. The flask contents were then neutralized by adding glacial acetic acid (<NUM>) by syringe. After stirring for <NUM> minutes, cationic hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer (cationic hmHEC polymer) was recovered from the flask contents by vacuum filtration through a metal fritted Buchner funnel. The recovered cationic hmHEC polymer was then washed in the Buchner funnel once each with the following: a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>) and deionized water (<NUM>), a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>) and deionized water (<NUM>) and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (<NUM>), <NUM>% glyoxal (<NUM>) and glacial acetic acid (<NUM>). The cationic hmHEC polymer was then briefly air dried and dried overnight in vacuo at <NUM>. The dried cationic hmHEC polymer was then manually group using a mortar & pestle and screened through a #<NUM> mesh US standard sieve to give <NUM> of product cationic hmHEC polymer. The product cationic hmHEC polymer had a volatiles content of <NUM> %, an ash content of <NUM> % (as sodium chloride) and a Kjeldahl nitrogen content of <NUM> %. The <NUM>% solution viscosity (corrected for ash and volatiles) was measured at <NUM> sec-<NUM> using a TA Instruments DHR-<NUM> rheometer equipped with a <NUM>, <NUM>° stainless steel cone & plate sensor at <NUM> and was found to be <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s.

The product cationic hydrophobically modified cellulose ether base material in each of Comparative Examples C3-C6 and Examples <NUM>-<NUM> was prepared using the same process as described above for Comparative Examples C1-C2, with appropriate changes in raw material charges to provide the product cationic hydrophobically modified cellulose ether base material with the (i) trimethyl ammonium moieties with Kjeldahl nitrogen, TKN; and (ii) the hydrophobic substituent with degree of substitution noted in TABLE <NUM>.

A rinse off conditioner formulation was prepared in each of Comparative Examples CF1-CF9 and Examples F1-F6 using the rinse off conditioner formulation noted in TABLE <NUM>.

The shampoo formulation was prepared in each of Comparative Examples CF1-CF9 and Examples F1-F6 using the following process: Deionized water was added to a <NUM> beaker and heated to <NUM> with constant stirring. The hydroxyethyl cellulose thickener was then added to the beaker with continued stirring and heating until homogeneously thickened. Then the cetearyl alcohol and the PEG-stearate & glyceryl stearate and the Polymer noted in TABLE <NUM> were added to the beaker over three minutes. Then the tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid was added to the beaker over three minutes after which the heat source was removed and mixing continued until the temperature of the beaker contents was below <NUM>. Then the PEG-<NUM> stearate & glyceryl stearate and phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone were added to the beaker. The final pH of the product shampoo formulation was then adjusted to a pH of <NUM> using sodium hydroxide or citric acid as necessary and sufficient water was added to adjust the total formulation weight to <NUM>.

Unless otherwise specified, the following hair treatment experiments were performed using darkly bleached tresses (<NUM>) purchased from International Hair Importers & Products, Inc. Each expirement was done in triplicate with the average result provided. Each tress was first rinsed with tap water for <NUM> seconds, washed with a <NUM>% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS; <NUM>/g of hair) for <NUM> seconds, rinsed with tap water for <NUM> minute, treated with a rinse off conditioner noted in TABLES <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>/g of hair) for <NUM>, and rinsed with tap water for <NUM> seconds. The treated tresses were then air dried at room temperature overnight prior to analyses.

Dry/Wet combing was performance was measured using an Instron Model <NUM> and BlueHill <NUM> software. Reference STP PC <NUM>. The Dry/Wet combing performance was done using two different lots of hair with results for the different lots provided in a separate table. The results are provided in TABLES <NUM>-<NUM>.

Reduced breakage performance was measured using repeated combing instrument. <NUM>,<NUM> comb strokes; speed: <NUM> cycles/min (<NUM> comb strokes/tress/min). Percent reduction was calculated from the weight difference of the treated hair tresses before and after combing. The results are provided in TABLE <NUM>.

Hair alignment performance was measured using Frizzy Type A hair. The treated hair tresses were thermally straightened using a hair straightener applied on each tress at <NUM> for a total of <NUM> passes with <NUM> seconds each pass. Hair alignment and orientation styling was measured using RUMBA-Bossa Nova with the alignment coefficient reported for after <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> passes. The results are provided in TABLE <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aqueous conditioner formulation for thermally styled hair, comprising:
a cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier; and
a modified carbohydrate polymer, comprising a cellulose ether base material functionalized with (i) trialkyl ammonium moieties of formula (I)
<CHM>
wherein each R<NUM> is independently selected from the group consisting of a C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl group and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, corrected for ash and volatiles, of <NUM> to <NUM> wt%; and (ii) hydrophobic substituents each having <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on weight of the cellulose ether base material, of the hydrophobic substituents; wherein the hydrophobic substituents are randomly distributed across the backbone of the cellulose ether base material; wherein the cellulose ether base material has a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of > <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> Daltons; and wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer comprises < <NUM> wt%, based on weight of modified carbohydrate polymer, of crosslinking units.