Encapsulated lactams

Abstract

A method of measuring a wet friction of a bundle of hair, using a system which includes a friction probe having a contact surface and fitted with a weight in the range of from 10 g to 500 g, inclusive, a means for securing the bundle of hair, and a water bath, the friction probe being connected to a texture analyser, the method including the step of i) providing a bundle of hair fibres. The method also includes the steps of ii) aligning the bundle of hair fibres; iii) securing the bundle of hair fibres; iv) immersing the bundle of hair fibres under water in the water bath; v) contacting the bundle of hair fibres with the contact surface of the friction probe, which is fitted with the weight; vi) moving the probe along the hair fibres; and vii) recording the friction generated under step vi).

Claims

1. A polymer encapsulated lactam comprising a lactam of Formula Ia or Formula IIa: ##STR00009## wherein R is H, halogen, or C1-4alkyl, and the lactam is dissolved in a carrier oil comprising heptan-2-one; and the polymer is selected from a poly urea polymer, a melamine-formaldehyde copolymer, a urea formaldehyde copolymer and mixtures thereof.

2. The polymer encapsulated lactam of claim 1, wherein R is H, F, Cl, Br, or Me.

3. The polymer encapsulated lactam of claim 1, wherein the lactam is selected from: ##STR00010##

4. The polymer encapsulated lactam of claim 1 wherein the lactam is encapsulated in a polymer formed from polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate and hexamethylenediamine.

5. The polymer encapsulated lactam of claim 1 having an average particle diameter of from 4 m to 40 m.

6. The polymer encapsulated lactam of claim 5 wherein the particles have a multimodal size distribution.

7. A composition comprising a polymer encapsulated lactam according to claim 1.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the composition contains 0.01 to 5% wt. lactam.

9. The composition of claim 7, wherein the composition contains 0.01 to 2% wt. lactam.

10. The composition of claim 7 wherein the composition further comprises water and has a pH greater than 7.

11. The composition of claim 10 further comprising a detergent.

Description

FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a simple representation of encapsulation using an interfacial polycondensation method.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a cured emulsion comprising an encapsulated lactam according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a microscope picture of encapsulated particles according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION

(4) Lactams may be obtained using methods as described in WO 2007/085042 and WO 2004/016588, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

(5) Compositions

(6) The compositions described herein may be compositions having anti-microbial activity. In some cases, the compositions are anti-bacterial. They may have bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic activity. The inventor(s) have observed desirable bacteriostatic activity. Accordingly, in some cases, the composition is a bacteriostatic composition.

(7) The compositions may also prevent and/or inhibit biofilm formation. Biofilms are formed when microorganisms stick to a surface. Biofilm extracellular polymeric substances may be formed. Biofilms (also referred to as slime) present problems in industrial environments; for example, they may form in pipes in apparatus, or industrial and agricultural structures, on solar panels, and on boat hulls and other marine structures. Biofilms may also pose a problem in domestic environments. For example, biofilms may form in domestic appliances such as washing machines. Biofilms are also present in personal care, for example, they may form on tooth surfaces.

(8) Compositions suitable for any and all of these applications are within the scope of the invention. In some cases, the composition is a paint or other coating. In such cases, the composition may further comprise a binder, optionally a pigment and optionally one or more conventional additives (for example, to modify surface tension, improve flow properties, improve the finished appearance, increase wet edge, improve pigment stability, etcsuch additives are known in the art). The composition may comprise an aqueous solvent or an organic solvent to suit purpose.

(9) The composition may also be used in medical applications, for example to coat equipment including medical devices.

(10) In some cases, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition. In other words, the composition may comprise a lactam as described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The composition may be suitable for topical use (for example, it may be a cream or lotion), it may be suitable for ocular use (for example, it may be an used as a pharmaceutical eye drop), it may be suitable for otic use (for example, it may be used as an ear drop), it may be suitable as a mouth wash, or it may be suitable for oral administration.

(11) In some cases, the composition is a composition suitable for use in the home (often referred to as a homecare composition) or institutions. Homecare compositions include, without limitation, cleaning products, laundry detergents, and fabric conditioners. In some cases, the composition is a homecare composition, for example a laundry liquid. The composition may therefore comprise a detergent surfactant and a builder. The composition may be a fabric conditioner (also called a fabric softener) and may comprise an antistatic agent. The composition may also be a domestic cleaning product.

(12) In some cases, the composition is a personal care composition. For example, the composition may be intended for use on the skin (for example, a cream, cleanser or serum). For example, the composition may be useful in the prevention or treatment of acne. For example, the composition may comprise one or more of dimethicone, petrolatum, a humectant such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin; and ceramide(s). The composition may be a deodorant/anti-perspirant composition. In some cases, the composition is a personal care composition comprising a detergent, for example, the composition may be a face wash or shower gel or hair shampoo. The composition may be a hair treatment composition other than a shampoo. The composition may be a deodorant composition (for example, a deodorant powder, paste or liquid). The composition may be an oral care composition (such as a toothpaste or mouthwash and may include, for example, fluoride and/or flavourings.

(13) In some cases, the composition is a contact lens cleaning fluid.

(14) The composition may be a composition suitable for use in agriculture, for example, as a soil additive (solid or liquid).

(15) The composition may be a composition suitable for use in the treatment of or manufacture of glass or lens for example as an additive/treatment for solar panels.

Examples

(16) The following syntheses are provided by way of illustration and exemplification, and not by way of limitation.

(17) Encapsulation was achieved via an interfacial polycondensation method which can be represented simply as shown in FIG. 1.

(18) The following representative example uses 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylene-pyrrol-2-one.

(19) 2-heptanone was used as the carrier (oil phase) for the lactam at a ratio of 1:199 (Lactam:Heptanone) which equates to 0.5% lactam solution. The inventor(s) have determined that the lactam is also soluble at 1%. The isocyanate was polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate (Mn340) and the crosslinker was hexamethylenediamine (HMDA). Emulsification was carried out at a shear of 15K. The stabiliser is a commercial naphthalene sulphonate called Morwet-D425. Morwet forms dark brown solutions so the encapsulated slurry is often buff/brown coloured.

(20) PU Encapsulation Procedure

(21) Preparation of Oil Phase A: 5 g (2-Heptanone:Lactam; 1:199) and 0.42 g isocyanate (PMDI, 340) were mixed in a 28 ml vial and agitated until fully dissolved.

(22) Preparation of aqueous Phase B: 16 ml water containing 3 wt % MorwetD425 was prepared in a beaker.

(23) Preparation of amine soln C: An aqueous HMDA solution (40%) was prepared.

(24) Phase B was added to phase A under homogenization at 15 k rpm and then the mixture emulsified for 2 min (buff coloured emulsion obtained). Afterward, 1 ml of solution C was added dropwise into the emulsion over 1 min whilst stirring at 200-300 rpm. After 1 hour the sample slurry was placed on a bottle roller for approx. 5 hours to obtain a cured emulsion shown in FIG. 2.

(25) As can be seen from FIG. 3, encapsulated particles were obtained.

(26) It will be appreciated that, except where expressly provided otherwise, all preferences are combinable.