Patent Application
20100275943
Due to the different attributes that comprise each particular archetypal haircut (e.g., the “shag”, the “blunt,” the “long layers,” the “bob,” and the “pixie”) conventional hair products are not designed for and often cannot achieve and maintain the entire style. For example, an attractive “shag” haircut requires hair strands to have enhanced texture and dimension and requires that the hair strands be lifted at the root so as to yield layers that have fluid movement. In contrast, a “blunt” haircut requires hair strands to be compressed in order to diminish space between strands so that the strands appear uniform.
Due to the various different characteristics required of hair strands in particular haircuts, the actual hairstyle achieved when using conventional styling products may be significantly different from the desired haircut. Conventional hair products such as gels, mousse and hairsprays are used to address single attributes such as root lift, straightening, smoothing, separation, hold, etc. Such products are intended to hold hair strands in the desired attribute. However, these products are not tailored to address all the attributes of specific haircuts. Furthermore, unless combined and/or layered with additional products that “dirty” the hair and makes the style difficult if not impossible to achieve, these products may damage the strength of the hair strand and scalp.
In order to avoid the disadvantages of conventional hair products, a treatment is needed to safely and effectively address the attributes of specific haircuts so that the haircut accurately matches the desired look and maintains the shape and form of the haircut over time. The present invention addresses at least some of the disadvantages of conventional hair styling products and may help achieve effective styling of a particular haircut by applying a dual-formula catalyst mixture to hair shafts that is specifically tailored to the desired haircut.
The present invention relates to compositions, methods and kits to achieve and maintain a specific hairstyle. The compositions comprise a catalyst formula which is a dual-formula mixture comprising at least two polymers and/or macromolecules in two portions. The polymers and/or macromolecules may be contained in each of the two portions or in one of the portions with the second portion containing collateral ingredients such as emollients, oils, shine enhancers and excipient. The two portions may be held separate from one another until the catalyst formula is ready to be applied to the hair, at which time the particular functionalities of the polymers and/or macromolecules in the dual-formula catalyst may act on the hair fibers in such a manner as to allow the hair fibers to be effectively styled. When combined, the polymers and/or macromolecules help to achieve and maintain a specific haircut style.
In one embodiment of the invention, a composition comprising the catalyst formula may be formulated for treating hair fibers, strands or shafts so that the hair is preferentially shaped for a specific haircut. The composition is formed by combining a first and second portion, wherein at least one of the first and second portions comprises a catalyst formula of a polymers and/or macromolecules selected from the group consisting of coiled polymers, cationic polymers and/or macromolecules, anionic polymers and/or macromolecules, zwitterionic or bimodal polymers and/or macromolecules and neutral polymer/macromolecules. The composition comprises at least two or more polymers/macromolecules that are added in the composition in an amount such that they form 1% to 15% w/w, preferably 1.5% to 13% w/w of the total solution composition. In addition to the catalyst composition, the formula also comprises collateral ingredients. The compositions of the invention are generally formulated specifically for a particular haircut.
In one embodiment of the invention, a kit for styling hair strands is provided into the desired style for a specific haircut comprising a dual dispenser, which comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a separator between the first and second chamber. The first chamber contains a first portion which can be the catalyst formula composition of the invention. The second chamber may contain a second portion, selected from the group consisting of polymers/macromolecules and collateral ingredients. The polymeric/macromolecular composition(s) comprise at least one polymer/macromolecule selected from cationic polymers/macromolecules, anionic polymer/macromolecule, zwitterionic or bimodal polymer/macromolecule and neutral polymers/macromolecules. Cationic and anionic polymers may be separated from one another until the dual-formula catalyst composition is ready to be applied to the hair. The dual-formula catalyst may comprise at least two or more polymers/macromolecules selected from cationic polymers/macromolecules, anionic polymers/macromolecules, zwitterionic or bimodal polymers/macromolecules and neutral polymers/macromolecules.
Alternatively, the first and second portions may be contained in separate containers. The kit may also contain styling apparatus such as a comb or brush and instructions for use.
In one embodiment, the invention provides for a method for maintaining a specific haircut, including dispensing a first portion, comprising the catalyst formula of the invention and dispensing a second portion; mixing the first and second portions to form a dual-formula catalyst and applying the dual-formula catalyst onto the hair to shape the hair into the desired haircut style and repeating the application of the dual-formula catalyst on a daily basis or as desired. The second portion may be a polymeric/macromolecular composition or a collateral ingredient composition and the dual-formula catalyst may comprise at least two or more polymers/macromolecules selected from the group consisting of cationic polymers/macromolecules, anionic polymer/macromolecules, zwitterionic or bimodal polymer/macromolecule and neutral polymers/macromolecules.
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for achieving and/or maintaining the style of a specific haircut may include dispensing a first polymeric/macromolecular composition, dispensing a second portion, mixing the first and second portions to form the dual-formula catalyst, applying the dual-formula catalyst onto the hair, and cutting the hair into the specific hairstyle. The second portion may a polymeric/macromolecular composition or a hair emollient composition. The dual-formula catalyst may comprise at least two or more polymers/macromolecules selected from cationic polymers/macromolecules, anionic polymer/macromolecules, zwitterionic or bimodal polymer/macromolecules and neutral polymers/macromolecules.
The term “polymer” as used herein refers to a large, chainlike molecule made of hundreds or thousands of smaller repeating molecular units (monomers). The term “macromolecule” as used herein refers to a large molecule, with a molecular weight of thousands or millions of Daltons. The macromolecule may be made up of a combination of many smaller, similar molecules and can be can be selected from the group consisting of cationic polymers/macromolecules containing at least one positively (+) charged functionality, anionic polymers/macromolecules containing at least one negatively (−) charged functionality, zwitterionic or bimodal polymers/macromolecules containing at least one positive (+) and at least one negative (−) functionality, and neutral polymers that contain no charge.
As used herein, the term “bimodal polymers/macromolecules” refers to polymers/macromolecules having two polymer chains of opposite charge that intertwine, creating a bipolar structure that contains both positive (+) and negative (−) charges.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the polymer/macromolecules may range in molecular weight from 700 daltons to 1,000,000 daltons. In certain embodiments of the invention, the polymer/macromolecules may range in molecular size from 10-10,000 nm. In certain embodiments of the invention, the polymer/macromolecules include hydrogenated castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer, dimethicone, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone, hydrolyzed wheat protein, a microcrystalline wax, VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer, polyquaternium-59, PVM/MA copolymer, polyimide-1, polyquaternium-55, VP/VA copolymer, polyacrylate 15 & polyacrylate-17, polyquaternium-91 & polyacrylate 15, polyacrylate-21 & acrylates/dimethylamino methacrylate copolymer, styrene/acrylates copolymer, oxidized polyethene homopolymers, acrylates/hydroxesters acrylates copolymer and VP/methacrylamide/vinyl imidazole copolymer.
Each of the polymer/macromolecules types listed above may also contain side-chains of carbon or silicone (tails) grafted anywhere along the polymer. These “tails” may be hydrophobic (water repelling or non-polar) or hydrophilic (water attracting or polar). In certain embodiments of the invention, the polymeric/macromolecular portions may contain a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic tails.
The two portions of the dual-formula catalyst composition may be a clear portion and a crème portion. The clear and crème portions may also include suitable collateral ingredients such as emollients, shine agents and oils.
The clear portion may contain anionic and/or cationic and/or zwitterionic/bimodal polymers and/or macromolecules and, in some embodiments of the invention, may contain neutral polymers/macromolecules. In certain embodiments of the invention, the clear portion may contain a rheology modifier which is preferably a hydrophobically modified alkali soluble emulsion.
The crème portion may contain natural oils (abyssinian & Avocado), alkanes (C18-21 alkane), paraffin (C13-16 isoparaffin), a castor oil based copolymer (Hydrogenated Castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer), silicones (cyclohexasiloxane, phanyl trimethicone & dimethicone), a cationic phospholipid (linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone), hydrolyzed wheat protein, a microcrystalline wax, a vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer (VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer), and a UV filter (polyquaternium-59).
Based on the charges and hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the polymers/macromolecules and the negative charges naturally found on the hair surface, the dual-formula catalyst mixture may be applied to hair fiber, enabling the hair strands to be easily shaped into a desired style. The dual-formula catalyst mixture shapes the hair fiber using the ionic and hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties of the polymeric/macromolecular composition, as well as controlling the distances and interactions between individual hair fibers.
The two portions comprising the dual-formula catalyst mixture may be mixed together to form the catalyst mixture just prior to use. Separating the two portions of the catalyst mixture until application of the catalyst mixture to the hair prevents the portions from reacting with one another until applied to the hair. The catalyst mixture may then be applied to the hair to achieve and/or maintain a specific hairstyle as needed.
The particular polymer/macromolecular components of the catalyst mixture may be formulated for styling a particular haircut. The polymers/macromolecules may have a plurality of shapes including a spherical, coil, rectangular, cylindrical, tubular, rod and string shapes. Once applied to the hair, these shapes and structures control longitudinal and horizontal distances between and along hair fibers.
Hair is difficult to cut and style into hairstyles that accurately conform to specific desired styles such as “bob,” long layers, “blunt,” “shag,” and “pixie” haircuts. The use of the dual-formula catalyst mixture may result in effectively achieving and/or maintaining the haircut style that is desired.
In one embodiment, a mixed polymer composition for application to “bob” haircut may contain cationic polymers/macromolecules, spherical polymers, and coiled polymers/macromolecules which have a three-dimensional spherical shape and in certain embodiments the cationic polymers may have hydrophobic side-chains. Examples of such polymers include without limitation VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer and linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone. The mixed polymer composition may also contain neutral polymers in the shape of tightly wound coils. Examples of such polymers include without limitation styrene/acrylate polymers. In a specific embodiment, the formulation includes water, cetyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, VP/methacrylamide/vinyl imidazole copolymer, hydrogenated castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer, stearyl alcohol, C18-21 alkane, ethylhexyl stearate, butylene glycol, panthenol, abyssinian oil, avocado oil, styrene/acrylates copolymer, cyclopentasiloxane, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate, dimethicone, ceteareth 20, dimethicone, acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer, VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer, phenyl trimethicone, microcrystalline wax, polyquaternium-91, sodium PCA, arginine, aspartic acid, PCA, glycine, alanine, serine, valine, sodium lactate, C13-16 isoparaffin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, oleth-20, triethanolamine, polyacrylate 15, polyquaternium-59, proline, threonine, isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, disodium EDTA, and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
In another embodiment, a polymer composition for application to the “long layers” haircut includes cationic polymers with hydrophobic tails and oblong coil polymers. The polymers include without limitation polyquaternium-91 & polyacrylate-15, VP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer and linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone. The composition also includes neutral polymers in the shape of oblong coils. Such polymers include without limitation oxidized Polyethethylene homopolymer, microcrystalline wax and C18-21 Alkane & C13-16 Isoparaffin. In a specific embodiment, the composition for application to the “long layers” haircut includes. In a specific embodiment, the composition includes water, cetyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, acrylates/hydroxesters acrylates copolymer, hydrogenated castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer, stearyl alcohol, C18-21 alkane, ethylhexyl stearate, butylene glycol, panthenol, abyssinian oil, avocado oil, cyclopentasiloxane, linoleamidopropyl PG, dimonium chloride phosphate, dimethicone, ceteareth-20, dimethicone, acrylates/beheneth-25, methacrylate copolymer, VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer, phenyl trimethicone, oxidized polyethene homopolymers, microcrystalline wax, polyquaternium-91, sodium PCA, arginine, aspartic acid, PCA, glycine, alanine, serine, valine, sodium lactate, C13-16 isoparaffin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, oleth-20, aminomethylpropanol, polyacrylate 15, polyquaternium-59, proline, threonine, isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, triethanolamine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, disodium EDTA, and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
In another embodiment, a polymer composition for application to the “blunt” haircut includes neutral hydrophobic polymer, straight jacket polymers and cylindrical polymers. Such polymers include without limitation dimethicone, microcrystalline wax and linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone. Other polymers include polycationic cylindrical polymers. Such polymers include without limitation polyquaternium-55, polyquaternium-11 and polyquaternium-7. In a specific embodiment, the composition includes water, cetyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, PVM/MA copolymer, hydrogenated castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer stearyl alcohol, C18-21 alkane, ethylhexyl stearate, butylene glycol, panthenol, abyssinian oil, avocado oil, cyclopentasiloxane, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone, ceteareth-20, dimethicone, acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate, copolymer, polyacrylate-21, VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer, phenyl trimethicone, microcrystalline wax, polyquaternium-91, sodium PCA, arginine, aspartic acid, PCA, glycine, alanine, serine, valine, sodium lactate, C13-16 isoparaffin, hydrolyzed wheat Protein, and polyquaternium-55, acrylates/dimethylamino methacrylate copolymer, PPG-26 Buteth-26, polyimide-1, dimethiconol, triethanolamine, polyacrylate 15, polyquaternium-59, proline, threonine, isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, sodium hydroxide, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor Oil, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, disodium EDTA, and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
In another embodiment, a polymer composition for application to the “shag” haircut includes zwitterionic macromolecules/polymer. These polymers include without limitation polyacrylate-21 & acrylates/dimethylamino methacrylate copolymer and polyquaternium-91 and polyacrylate-15. In a specific embodiment, the composition includes water, cetyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, polyimide-1, hydrogenated castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer, stearyl alcohol, C18-21 alkane, VP/VA copolymer, ethylhexyl stearate, butylene glycol, panthenol, abyssinian oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, avocado oil, cyclopentasiloxane, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate, dimethicone, ceteareth-20, dimethicone, acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer, VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer, phenyl trimethicone, polyacrylate-21, microcrystalline wax, acrylates/dimethylamino methacrylate copolymer, sodium PCA, arginine, polyquaternium-91, aspartic acid, PCA, glycine, alanine, serine, valine, sodium lactate, C13-16 isoparaffin, oleth-20, triethanolamine, polyacrylate 15, polyquaternium-59, proline, threonine, isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, disodium EDTA, and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
In another embodiment, a polymer composition for application to the “pixie” haircut includes longitudinal string-like polymers. These polymers include without limitation neutral vinyl/pyrrolidone hydrophilic polymers such polyvinylpyrrolidone. Other polymers include cationic polymers with hydrophilic tails including without limitation polyquaternium-55, hydroxethylcellulose and zwitterionic or bimodal polymers, including without limitation polyacrylate-21 and acrylates/simethylamino methacrylate copolymer. In a specific embodiment, the composition includes water, cetyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, polyester-5, hydrogenated castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer, stearyl alcohol, C18-21 alkane, VP/VA copolymer, ethylhexyl stearate, butylene glycol, panthenol, polyacrylate-21, abyssinian oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, avocado oil, cyclopentasiloxane, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone, ceteareth 20, dimethicone, acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate, copolymer VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer, phenyl trimethicone, microcrystalline wax, acrylates/dimethylamino methacrylate copolymer, sodium PCA, arginine, polyquaternium-91, dimethiconol, aspartic acid, PCA, glycine, alanine, serine, valine, sodium lactate, C13-16 isoparaffin, oleth-20, triethanolamine, polyacrylate 15, polyquaternium-59, proline, threonine, isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, disodium EDTA, and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
The compositions, kits, methods and tools of the invention may enable the use of a single composition to quickly and effectively style hair with reduced adverse effects on hair strand strength. Advantages of a dual-formula catalyst mixture can additionally include improved control of hair form and position, and easy application to the hair.
The Examples set forth illustrative embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Some embodiments may be practiced without all of the details that are disclosed. While the data shown in the Tables and Figures was obtained using certain components, they can be expanded to encompass a wide range of other components.
This Example illustrates a formulation for a “bob” haircut.
As shown in Table 1(a), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a clear portion having the following composition with styrene/acrylates copolymer, polyquaternium-91 and polyacrylate-15 and VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer acting as the catalyst polymers.
As shown in Table 1(b), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a crème portion having the following composition with styrene/acrylates copolymer, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone and polyquaternium-91 and polyacrylate-15 hydrolyzed wheat protein acting as the catalyst polymers.
This Example illustrates a formulation for a “long layers” haircut.
As shown in Table 2(a), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a clear portion having the following composition with polyquaternium-91 and polyacrylate-15 and VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer acting as the catalyst polymers.
As shown in Table 2(b), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a crème portion having the following composition with oxidized polyethylene homopolymers, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone, and polyquaternium-91 and polyacrylate-15 acting as the catalyst polymers.
This Example illustrates a formulation for a “blunt” haircut.
As shown in Table 3(a), in certain formulations, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a clear portion having the following composition with hydroxyethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyquaternium-11, polyquaternium-7 and polyquaternium-55 acting as the catalyst polymers.
As shown in Table 3(b), in other formulations, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a crème portion having the following composition with dimethicone 350 cst, phenyl trimethicone, C18-21 alkane and C13-16 isoparaffin, hydrogenated castor oil/sebacic acid copolymer, Abyssinian oil, avocado oil, microcrystalline wax, ethylhexyl stearate, cyclohexasiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane and dimethiconol acting as the catalyst polymers.
This Example illustrates a formulation for a “shag” haircut.
As shown in Table 4(a), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a clear portion having the following composition with polyacrylate-21 and acrylates/dimethylamino methacrylate copolymer and hydrolyzed wheat protein acting as the catalyst polymers.
As shown in Table 4(b), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a crème portion having the following composition with polyquaternium-91 and polyacrylate-15 and hydrolyzed wheat protein acting as the catalyst polymers.
This Example illustrates formulations for a “pixie” haircut.
As shown in Table 5(a), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a clear portion having the following composition with hydroxyethylcellulose, polyacrylate-21 and acrylates/dimethylamino methacrylate copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyquaternium-55 acting as the catalyst polymers.
As shown in Table 5(b), in certain embodiments, the polymers/macromolecules may comprise a crème portion having the following composition with VP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer, polyquaternium 55, linoleamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate dimethicone and polyquaternium-91 and polyacrylate-15 acting as the catalyst polymers.
The components, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages that have been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, or the discussions relating to them, is intended to limit the scope of protection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated, including embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or different components, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages. The components and steps may also be arranged and ordered differently.
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitution, changes and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/175,133, filed May 4, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61175133 | May 2009 | US |
