FOAM OF POLYURETHANE FOR USE IN COSMETIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The use of a foam comprising polyurethane for cosmetic applications is provided. Process for applying a cosmetic component to a skin via the foam and a process for cleaning a part of a skin via the foam are provided too. An applicator as well as an envelope and a layered structure comprising the foam are shown.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A method comprising utilizing a foam comprising a polyurethane for cosmetic applications on the skin or hair of a human or an animal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the polyurethane is a hydrophilic, aliphatic polyurethane.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the foam is produced by reacting at least the following components: A) isocyanate-functional prepolymers, obtainable by reaction of A1) low molecular weight aliphatic diisocyanates having a molar mass of 140 to 278 g/mol with A2) di- to hexafunctional, polyalkylene oxides having an OH number of 22.5 to 112, and an ethylene oxide content of 50 to 100 mol %, based on the total amount of oxyalkylene groups present, B) optionally alkali metal salts containing catalysts or alkali metal salts of weak inorganic acids, C) water, D) optionally heterocyclic 4-ring or 6-ring oligomers of low molecular weight aliphatic diisocyanates having a molar mass of 140 to 278 g/mol, E) optionally further catalysts additionally to component B), F) optionally surfactants, G) optionally mono- or polyhydric alcohols, and H) optionally hydrophilic polyisocyanates obtainable by reaction of component A and/or D) with H1) monofunctional polyalkylene oxides having an OH number of 10 to 250 and an ethylene oxide content of 50 to 100 mol %, based on the total amount of oxyalkylene groups present, wherein the reaction of component A) and/or D) with component H1) is established before the mixing with component C); wherein the selected components are delivered, mixed, foamed and cured.

18. The method according to claim 15 wherein the cosmetic application is selected from the group consisting of: CA1. applying a cosmetic component to the skin or hair via the foam; CA2. retracting a cosmetic component from the skin or hair via the foam; or CA3. a combination of CA1. and CA2.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the foam provides at least one of the following properties: F1) a density in a range of from 0.01 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3; or preferably in a range of from 0.05 to 0.45 g/cm.sup.3; or in a range of from 0.1 to 0.4 g/cm.sup.3; F2) an tensile strength in a range of from 20 to 100 kPa, or preferably in a range of from 25 to 90 kPa, or in a range of from 30 to 80 kPa; (determined according to DIN 53504); F3) an elongation at break in a range of from 20 to 100%, or preferably in a range of from 25 to 90%; (determined according to DIN 53455); F4) a rebound elasticity of greater than 50%, or preferably of greater than 60%, or preferably of greater than 70% (determined according to DIN EN ISO 3386-1); F5) a water retention capacity in a range of from 5 g/g, or preferably 10 g/g, or preferably 15 g/g, or preferably in a range of from 5 to 20 g/g; F6) a maximal water absorption rate in a range of from 50% to 2500%, or preferably in a range of from 100 to 2000%, or preferably in a range of from 200 to 1500%, according to DIN EN 13726-1 with a piece of foam with a dimension of 5*5 cm; F7) a surface roughness in a range of from 200 to 2000 nm, or preferably in a range of from 300 to 1800 nm, or preferably in a range of from 500 to 1500 nm.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the foam further comprises I) a superabsorber; II) a thickener, III) a diluent, IV) a filler, V) a dye.

21. A process for applying a cosmetic component to a skin or hair of a human or animal, comprising at least the following steps: i. providing a foam comprising a polyurethane; ii. contacting the foam with a cosmetic component in a way that at least a part of the cosmetic component is in contact with the foam forming an active part of the foam; iii. contacting the skin or hair of a human or an animal with the active part of the foam in a way that the cosmetic component covers at least a part of the contacted skin;

22. A process for cleaning a part of a skin or hair of a human or an animal, comprising the steps: I. providing a foam comprising a polyurethane; II. contacting at least the part of the skin or hair of a human or an animal by the foam which should be cleaned; III. removing the foam from the skin or hair of the human or the animal.

23. An applicator, comprising at least the following components: (1) a foam, comprising a polyurethane; (2) a cosmetic component on a surface of the foam or inside the foam.

24. The applicator, according to claim 23, wherein the cosmetic component is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a cream, a powder, a fluid, a pharmaceutical, an oil, a shampoo, a conditioner, a color, a hair color or a combination of at least two thereof

25. A layered structure comprising at least the following layers: L1st) a first foam comprising a polyurethane; L2nd) an interlayer; L3rd) a second foam comprising a polyurethane

26. The layered structure according to claim 25, wherein the interlayer provides at least one of the following properties: EF1 the interlayer comprises a polyurethane foil, EF2 the interlayer comprises a non-woven, EF3 the interlayer comprises a paper, EF4 the interlayer has a thickness in the range of from 10 m to 5 mm.

27. The layered structure according to claim 25, wherein the first foam and/or the second foam provides at least one of the following properties: F1) a density in a range of from 0.01 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3; or preferably in a range of from 0.05 to 0.45 g/cm.sup.3; or in a range of from 0.1 to 0.4 g/cm.sup.3; F2) an tensile strength in a range of from 20 to 100 kPa, or preferably in a range of from 25 to 90 kPa, or in a range of from 30 to 80 kPa; (determined according to DIN 53504); F3) an elongation at break in a range of from 20 to 100%, or preferably in a range of from 25 to 90%; (determined according to DIN 53455); F4) a rebound elasticity of greater than 50%, or preferably of greater than 60%, or preferably of greater than 70% (determined according to DIN EN ISO 3386-1); F5) a water retention capacity in a range of from 5 g/g, or preferably 10 g/g, or preferably 15 g/g, or preferably in a range of from 5 to 20 g/g; F6) a water absorption rate in a range of from 50% to 2500%, or preferably in a range of from 100 to 2000%, or preferably in a range of from 200 to 1500%, according to DIN EN 13726-1 with a piece of foam with a dimension of 5*5 cm; F7) a surface roughness in a range of from 200 to 2000 nm, or preferably in a range of from 300 to 1800 nm, or preferably in a range of from 500 to 1500 nm.

28. An envelope, wherein the envelope comprises at least a first layer comprising a polyurethane and a second layer comprising a polyurethane, wherein the first layer and the second layer superimpose each other in a manner that the envelope is formed.

Description

[0251] The present invention is illustrated by reference to examples in form of figures, although these are not to be understood as being limiting. Unless stated otherwise, all of the quantitative data, fractions and percentages are based on the weight and the total amount or on the total weight of the compositions.

[0252] FIG. 1a show a lateral view onto a scheme of a foam according to the invention;

[0253] FIG. 1b shows a top view onto a scheme of a foam according to the invention;

[0254] FIG. 2 shows a scheme of a layered structure according to the invention;

[0255] FIG. 3 shows a scheme of an envelope according to the invention.

[0256] In FIG. 1a a lateral view onto a scheme of a foam 10 according to the invention is shown. The foam 10 has a thickness of about 500 m to 1 mm. The foam comprises a polyurethane in a range of from 80 to 100 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the foam. The foam 10 can be impregnated by a cosmetic component which is transferred to the skin of a user, when the foam is brought into contact to the skin.

[0257] In FIG. 1b a top view onto a scheme of a foam 10 according to the invention is shown which is the same foam 10 as shown in FIG. 1a. The diameter of the foam is in a range of 2 to 10 cm.

[0258] In FIG. 2 a scheme of a layered structure 40 according to the invention. The layered structure 40 comprises a first foam 10, an interlayer 20 and a second foam 30. The first foam 10 and the second foam 30 can be of the same material and size. As example the first foam 10 has the same dimension as described in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The interlayer 20 is preferably formed as foil 20, e.g. from polycarbonate. The second foam 30 can be of the same material as the first foam 10. One or both foams 10, 30 may be impregnated by a cosmetic component (not shown).

[0259] In FIG. 3 a scheme of an envelope according to the invention is shown. The envelope 70 as shown in FIG. 3 has the shape of a hand, but could also be shaped in form of a foot or any other body part of a human. The envelope 70 has two layers 50 and 60 in form of a first layer 50 and a second layer 60. The layers 50 and 60 may be part of one piece of foam 10 or they can be built from two or more pieces of foam 10 which are glued or fused together to form the envelope 70. When utilising the envelope 70, the body part of the user which should be contacted with the foam may be placed in the envelope 70 which can be entered by the opening 80. In the case the foam 10, 30 of envelope 70 has been impregnated by any cosmetic component, the envelope can be used as applicator 70. However, the envelope itself does not have to comprise a cosmetic component.