Patent Application
20080145323
The present invention relates generally to mammal skin care products and more specifically to methods of using such products for topical treatment of mammals, including humans and pets the skin of which is in need of protection from sun.
Many mammals, including humans and domestic animals, such as dogs, cats, and horses frequently suffer from exposure to sun, particularly when the exposure is prolonged. It is very desirable to have a product that can provide protection from sun radiation. Currently, such a product has not been provided. The present application provides the formulations that achieve these goals and describes the methods of using such compositions.
The present invention provides a composition useful for treating an animal having a skin in need of protection from sun radiation, the composition comprising at least one UV absorber, at least one skin conditioner, at least one film former, at least one antioxidant, (e) at least one fragrance, and at least one solvent.
The present invention further provides a method for preparing such a composition as well as a method for using the composition for protecting the skin of a domestic animal such as a dog, a cat, or a horse, from sun exposure.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an aqueous composition is provided for treating mammals, including humans and animals, to achieve enhanced protection against sun radiation. The composition can include at least one UV absorber, at least one skin conditioner, at least one film former, at least one antioxidant, and at least one fragrance. The overall composition can contain a total of between about 10 and 25 mass % of all the above-mentioned components combined and the balance of at least one solvent, such as water or SD alcohol 40, or combination thereof. Optionally, the composition can also be formulated using any commonly used buffer system, if maintaining a certain level of pH is necessary.
The total concentration of the UV absorber(s) in the composition can be between about 20 and 30 mass % of the total composition, such as between about 24 and 28 mass %, for example, about 26 mass %. Examples of the UV absorber(s) that can be used include, but are not limited to, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, homosalate, benzophenone-3, and octyl salicylate, also known as ethylhexyl salicylate.
The total concentration of the skin conditioner(s) in the composition can be between about 1 and 5 mass % of the total composition. Examples of the skin conditioner(s) that can be used include, but are not limited to, C12-C15 alkyl benzoates.
The total concentration of the film former(s) in the composition can be between about 1 and 5 mass % of the total composition. Examples of the film former(s) that can be used include, but are not limited to, acrylates and octylacrylamide copolymers.
The total concentration of the antioxidant(s) in the composition can be between about 0.1 and 0.9 mass % of the total composition. An example of the anti-oxidant that can be used includes, but is not limited to, tocopheryl acetate. The total concentration of the fragrance(s) in the composition can be between about 0.1 and 0.9 mass % of the total composition.
Any composition satisfying the above-described requirements can be prepared using common formulating techniques known to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the above-described components can be mixed with one another, followed by adding water, to form an aqueous composition, e.g., by employing rapid stirring. Alternatively, each component, in a separate container, can be preliminary dissolved in water, or otherwise mixed with water resulting in a plurality of water-based systems, each contained in a separate container. The contents of all the containers can then be combined, e.g., by stirring or shaking, to form the final composition.
If desired, those having ordinary skill in the art can design other methods of mixing the components forming the composition. Regardless of the method of mixing that is selected, those having ordinary skill in the art will provide such quantities of each component so that the concentration of each of the components in the composition satisfies the above-described limits.
A method for the treatment of a mammal, such as a human or an animal, is further provided. A composition can be prepared according to a procedure described above. The composition can be then applied topically onto the skin of a mammal, such as a human or an animal, that needs the protection from sun exposure. Various methods can be used for applying the composition onto the skin of an animal. For example, the composition can be sprayed using a conventional hand-operated pump. Alternatively, the composition can be formulated to form an aerosol using commonly known methods for aerosol preparation. The composition can be also formulated as a solution or a shampoo. Those having ordinary skill in the art can devise other methods for applying the composition.
Referring now to
Following the brushing procedure, the composition can be sprayed onto the entire body of the dog (
When the product has been sprayed on, the product can then be brushed into the hair coat and skin of the dog using the metal side of the brush (
A variety of mammals can be treated according to the methods of the present invention. In addition to dogs, as disclosed in the above-described exemplary procedure, some non-limiting examples of other animals that can be similarly treated can also include other domestic pets, such as cats, as well as horses, cows, sheep, goats, guinea pigs, rats or other bovine, ovine, equine, canine, feline, or rodent species. Humans may be also treated using the compositions and methods of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can adjust the treatment procedure taking in account the nature of the mammal to be treated.
The following example is provided to further illustrate the advantages and features of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Composition # 1 was prepared by mixing, by energetic stirring for about three hours, the following components in the quantities shown below:
(a) about 7.5 mass % of UV absorber ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate;
(b) about 7.5 mass % of UV absorber homosalate;
(c) about 6.0 mass % of UV absorber benzophenone-3;
(d) about 5.0 mass % of UV absorber octyl salicylate;
(e) about 2.5 mass % of skin conditioner C12 alkyl benzoate
(f) about 2.5 mass % of film former octylacrylamide copolymer;
(g) about 0.5 mass % of antioxidant tocopheryl acetate;
(h) about 10.0 mass % of water; and
(i) the balance, SD alcohol 40.
The resulting composition # 1 can be applied on a domestic animal in need of protection from sun radiation, such as a dog or a cat, using the procedure described above and illustrated by
Although the invention has been described with reference to the above example, it will be understood that modifications and variations are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/843,498 filed Sep. 7, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60843498 | Sep 2006 | US |
