Patent Application
20070286827
All parts and percentages mentioned herein are parts and percentages by weight unless otherwise indicated.
The term “nail surface” means the natural nail surface, or a natural nail to which a pre-formed artificial nail or nail tip is adhered. In other words, the polymerizable compositions of the invention may be applied directly to the keratinous surface of the natural nail, or to a nail surface having affixed thereto a pre-formed artificial nail or nail tip enhancement.
The term “polymerizable” means that the composition polymerizes on the nail surface upon exposure to appropriate chemicals, heat, light (such as visibile or ultraviolet light), or other types of stimuli. The polymerization may occur by free radical or cationic mechanisms.
The Polymerizable Composition
The invention comprises a polymerizable monomer composition for application to the nails with an optical brightener, and polymerization thereon to yield an artificial nail structure. The polymerizable composition is preferably an anhydrous liquid, having the consistency of a semi-mobile gel to freely mobile liquid at room temperature. Immediately prior to use, the polymerizable composition is applied to the nail surface and shaped by the nail technician. After polymerization an artificial nail structure is obtained, which is then shaped and polished. The polymerizable composition of the invention contains at least one multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer and optical brightener. The polymerization composition may also contain a UV stabilizer.
The Multicarbonyl-Vinyl Containing Monomer
The composition preferably contains at least one multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer, preferably in the range of about 0.1-98.5%, more preferably 0.5-95%, most preferably 1-15%. The multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer includes those having the following general formula:
Wherein R3 is H, a C1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, aryl, aralkyl; and R4 is
wherein
X=C1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, m is 1 to 5, n is 1 to 30, y is 0 to 50; and Z=H or a C1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl.
Preferably R3 is hydrogen or a C1-8 alkyl, preferably methyl, and R4 is
X1=C1-5 alkylene
m=1-5,
n1=1-5, and
Z=C1-10 straight chain alkyl.
Most preferably R3 is hydrogen or methyl, and R4 is as defined above wherein:
X=CH2CH2
m=1
n=1
Z=CH3
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer is a methacrylate, such as acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate, which has the formula:
UV Stabilizer
Dicarboxylic acids including, but not limited to lactic, oxalic, malonic, glutaric, adipic, maleic, fumeric, tartaric, and phthalic acids are useful as UV stabilizers. Preferred carboxylic acid stabilizers are alpha-hydroxy acids. Preferred carboxylic acids are acetic, oxalic and lactic acids. In a preferred embodiment, the polymerizable compositions contain oxybenzone, also known as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethanone, and benzophenone-3, CAS #: 131-57-7, which has the formula:
Polymerization Initiator/Accelerator
During the polymerization process, a polymerization initiator should be added which initiates or otherwise promotes the polymerization of the monomer. The initiator may be a thermal initiator, photo-initiator, or a chemical initiator. The Applicants do not limit their invention to any particular type of initiator.
Photo polymerization initiators or photo-initiators are known in the art and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,868. Preferred photo polymerization initiators for the purposes of this invention include UV initiators, gamma, and electron initiators.
Thermal initiators and chemical initiators are also known in the art. Common chemical initiators include free radical initiators and ion initiators such as cationic or anionic initiators. Preferred initiators for purposes of the present invention include peroxy initiators, barbituric acid, peroxide, or benzoyl acids. Most preferably, the initiator is benzyl peroxide. However, other polymerization promoting materials, such as free radical promoters and initiators, redox initiators, or metal catalysts may also be employed suitable to the chosen monomer and/or polymerizable composition.
Optical Brightener
An optical brightener should be added to the polymerizable composition in its liquid or suspension phase prior to solidification. Optical brighteners are known in the art, for example those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,454. The Applicants do not limit their invention to any particular type of optical brightener. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical brightener is bis(t-butyl benzoxazolyl)thiophene. Other examples of optical brighteners which may be used in the present invention include 2,5-thiophenediylbis(5-tert-butyl-1-3-benzoxazole) and 4,4-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)stilbenzene.
Other Ingredients
The polymerizable compositions may additionally contain a variety of other ingredients, such as another ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a polymerization accelerator, plasticizer, U.V. absorber, polymerization regulator, pigments and/or polymer powder. Pigments include organic and inorganic pigments. Other useful pigments are pearlants such as mica, bismuth oxychloride and treated micas, such as titanated micas and lecithin modified micas. Some of the above are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,818,207 and 6,313,181.
The organic pigments include natural colorants and synthetic monomeric and polymeric colorants. Exemplary are phthalocyanine blue and green pigment, diarylide yellow and orange pigments, and azo-type red and yellow pigments such as toluidine red, litho red, naphthol red and brown pigments. Also useful are lakes, which are pigments formed by the precipitation and absorption of organic dyes on an insoluble base, such as alumina, barium, or calcium hydrates. Polymeric colorants include nylon powder, polyethylene, and polyesters. The polyesters can include linear, thermoplastic, crystalline or amorphous materials produced using one or more diols and one or more dicarboxylic acids copolymerized with colorants. An exemplary list of cosmetically acceptable colorants can be found in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 7th Edition, CTFA, 1997, pp. 1628-1630, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the color cosmetics of the present invention, colorants other than the fluorescent brightener will normally constitute from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight of the composition, the amounts varying depending upon the color desired.
The inorganic pigments can include iron oxides (yellow, red, brown or black), ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (blue), manganese violet, ultramarine blue, chrome oxide (green), talc, lecithin modified talc, zeolite, kaolin, lecithin modified kaolin, titanium dioxide (white), and combinations thereof.
In addition, the polymerization composition may additionally contain a variety of antioxidants for protection against UV exposure. Antioxidants are described in Kirk-Othmers (vol. 3, pg. 424) and in Uhlmanns Encyclopedia (vol. 3, pg. 91) and several types of antioxidants suitable for this purpose are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,046. The Applicants do not limit their invention to any particular type of antioxidant.
Molding Techniques
The polymerizable compositions of the current invention may be used in extrusion molding processes, and may also be used in injection molding. Extrusion molding techniques are well known in the art. Extrusion molding involves extruding a molten polymer through a die to create long objects of a fixed cross-section. The injection molding of molten thermoplastic polymer is also well-known in the art. The conventional method of injection molding is to first inject the polymer melt into the closed mold and, subsequently, to pack additional melt into the cavity to compensate for the densification of the melt during the cooling stage.
The polymerizable compositions may also be used in blow molding, compression molding, thermoforming, and rotational molding. The current invention is not limited to a particular molding process.
Polymerization Process
The monomers described herein undergo addition polymerization generally at a temperature of about 50-125° C., and most preferably, at a temperature of about 70-100° C.
The Artificial Nail Structure
The invention is also directed to an artificial nail structure, having the physical properties disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,818,207. The artificial nail structure contains optical brightener. Preferably the artificial nail structure comprises a copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer having the general formula set forth above. More preferably the artificial nail structure comprises a copolymer of one or more monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomers, one or more difunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and one or more tri- or polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the di-carbonyl vinyl containing monomer. Most preferably, the artificial nail structure comprises a methacrylate copolymer, such as ethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, hydroxpropyl methacrylate, acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, or trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate ester. The artificial nail structure may also comprise a UV stabilizer. The artificial nail structure of the invention may also be made in a mold, and attached to the fingernail by adhesive or other similar means.
A Method for Improving the Optical Properties of Nail Enhancements
The invention also comprises a method for improving, optimizing, or enhancing the clarity and color brightness of a nail enhancement structure obtained by polymerizing on the natural nail surface a polymerizable monomer composition, during which polymerization process an effective amount of at least one multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer is added to said polymerizable monomer composition. Preferably, the multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer is as mentioned herein, and the polymerizable monomer composition comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, preferably acetoacetoxyetyl methacrylate. An optical brightener is added during the polymerization process. In a preferred embodiment, bis(t-butyl benzoxazolyl)thiophene is the optical brightener added.
The amount of optical brightener which will improve clarity and color brightness ranges from about 0.001%-0.5%. The greater the amount of optical brightener, the greater the clarity and color brightness imparted.
A Method for Improving the UV Stability of Nail Enhancements
The invention also comprises a method for improving, optimizing, or enhancing the UV stability of a nail enhancement structure obtained by polymerizing on the natural nail surface a polymerizable monomer composition, during which polymerization process an effective amount of at least one multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer is added to said polymerizable monomer composition. Preferably, the multicarbonyl-vinyl containing monomer is as mentioned herein, and the polymerizable monomer composition comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, preferably acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. UV stabilizer is also added during the polymerization process. In a prederred embodiment, oxybenzone is the UV stabilizer added.
The amount of UV stabilizer which will improve UV stability ranges from about 0.001%-1%. The greater the amount of UV stabilizer, the greater the UV stability imparted.
The invention will be further described in connection with the following examples, which are set forth for the purposes of illustration only.
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All the references described above are incorporated by reference in its entirety for all useful purposes. While there is shown and described certain specific structures embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limit to the particular forms herein shown and described.
This application claims benefit U.S. Provisional application 60/812,858 filed Jun. 12, 2006 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all useful purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60812858 | Jun 2006 | US |
