Claims
- 1-19. (canceled)
- 20. A nanoscopic composition for treating hair comprising a payload covalently attached to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in hair following a change in conditions such that the payload and nanostructure are attached to the hair.
- 21. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure is a nanoparticle.
- 22. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 21 wherein the nanoparticle is optically transparent or translucent.
- 23. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure is a nanoscopic network.
- 24. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 23 wherein the nanoscopic network is selected from the group consisting of a linear polymer, a branched polymer, and a highly branched polymer.
- 25. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure comprises a smart polymer.
- 26. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the payload is selected from the group consisting of dyes, coloring agents, pigments, opacifying agents, blocking agents, UV absorbers/blockers, scents, fragrances, drugs, pharmaceuticals, softeners, insect repellents, antibacterials and antimicrobials.
- 27. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the payload is a dyestuff.
- 28. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 27 wherein the nanostructure is a nanoparticle.
- 29. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 27 wherein the nanostructure is a nanoscopic network.
- 30. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure comprises hair-reactive functional groups that, under the change in conditions, will covalently bond to the hair.
- 31. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure comprises functional groups that are electrostatically interactive with complementary groups on the surface of the hair when ionic strength or surfactant content is shifted by rinsing.
- 32. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 31 wherein the electrostatic interaction is selected from the group consisting of charge-charge, dipolar, hydrogen-bonding, hydrophobic, and dehydration interactions.
- 33. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure is a polyelectrolyte.
- 34. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure comprises functional groups that are reactive with a species that contains a metal atom with an oxidation number of 2 or higher.
- 35. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 34 wherein the nanostructure is a crosslinkable surfactant comprising functional groups that are reactive with a species that contains a metal atom with an oxidation number of 2 or higher.
- 36. A nanoscopic composition according to claim 20 wherein the nanostructure is reversibly reactive to hair or capable of being reversibly immobilized onto or in hair.
- 37. A hair treatment preparation comprising, in a suitable medium, a payload covalently attached to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in hair following a change in conditions such that the payload and nanostructure are attached to the hair.
- 38. A hair treatment solution comprising a payload in an intimate relationship to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in hair following a change in conditions such that the payload and nanostructure are attached to the hair.
- 39. A method of treating hair which comprises,
applying a hair treatment preparation to the hair, the hair treatment preparation comprising a solution of a payload in an intimate relationship to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in the hair; and changing the conditions such that the payload and nanostructure are attached to the hair.
- 40. A method according to claim 39 wherein the nanostructure comprises hair-reactive functional groups that, under the change in conditions, will covalently bond to the hair.
- 41. A method according to claim 39 wherein the nanostructure comprises functional groups that are electrostatically interactive with complementary groups on the surface of the hair when, under the change of conditions, the ionic strength or surfactant content is shifted by rinsing, and the change in conditions is rinsing the hair.
- 42. A method according to claim 41 wherein the electrostatic interaction is selected from the group consisting of charge-charge, dipolar, hydrogen-bonding, hydrophobic, and dehydration interactions.
- 43. A method according to claim 39 wherein the nanostructure is a polyelectrolyte and the change in conditions is exposure of the nanostructure to a polyelectrolyte of opposite isoelectric point to form a complex coating the treated hair.
- 44. A method according to claim 39 wherein the hair treatment preparation further comprises a surfactant, and the nanostructure is in a finely divided dispersion; and the change of conditions is rinsing away the surfactant, leaving the nanostructure adhering to the treated hair.
- 45. A method according to claim 39 wherein the change of conditions is a change in the thermodynamic balance of the solution, causing the nanostructure to be deposited on the surface of the treated hair.
- 46. A method according to claim 39 wherein the nanostructure comprises functional groups that are reactive with a species that contains a metal atom with an oxidation number of 2 or higher, and the change of conditions is the application of said species to the hair to form a complex with the nanostructure to coat the treated hair.
- 47. A method according to claim 46 wherein the nanostructure is a crosslinkable surfactant comprising functional groups that are reactive with a species that contains a metal atom with an oxidation number of 2 or higher.
- 48. A method according to claim 39 which comprises the further step of reversing the change of conditions, such that the payload and nanostructure are detached from the hair.
Parent Case Info
[0001] The present invention is a continuation of co-pending International Patent Appln. No. PCT/US01/11970, filed Apr. 13, 2001 and designating the United States of America, which application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 60/197,766, filed Apr. 14, 2000; the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60197766 |
Apr 2000 |
US |
Continuations (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10269272 |
Oct 2002 |
US |
Child |
10892953 |
Jul 2004 |
US |
Parent |
PCT/US01/11970 |
Apr 2001 |
US |
Child |
10269272 |
Oct 2002 |
US |