POLISHED TALC MICROBEADS

Abstract

Polished talc microbeads, i.e. polished talc particles with a largest average diameter of less than 500 m and methods for the preparation thereof, which microbeads are especially suitable to be use as an alternative for plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and personal hygiene products. Body scrubs, tooth pastes and soaps comprising the present polished talc microbeads. The use of polished talc microbeads with a talc content of more than 70% (w/w) and a largest diameter of less than 500 m as a substitute for plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal hygiene products.

Claims

1. A cosmetics or personal hygiene product including polished talc microbeads with a talc content of more than 70% (w/w) and a largest diameter of less than 500 m.

2. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the largest diameter is between 500 m and 250 m and the personal hygiene product is a body scrub.

3. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the largest diameter is between 250 m and 125 m and the personal hygiene product is a facial scrub.

4. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the largest diameter is between 125 m and 0.5 m and the personal hygiene product is a tooth paste, cream or soap.

5. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the personal hygiene product is a liquid soap comprising 1% to 5% (w/w) polished talc microbeads, 1% to 15% (w/w) of one or more surfactants and water up to 100% (w/w).

6. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the personal hygiene product is a dry soap comprised of at least 50% (w/w) polished talc microbeads and at least 15% (w/w) of one or more surfactants.

7. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetics or personal hygiene product comprises a body scrub comprising polished talc microbeads with a talc content of more than 70% (w/w) with a largest diameter between 500 m and 250 m.

8. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetics or personal hygiene product comprises a facial scrub comprising polished talc microbeads with a talc content of more than 75% (w/w) with a largest diameter between 250 m and 125 m.

9. The cosmetics or personal hygiene product according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetics or personal hygiene product comprises a tooth paste, a cream or a soap comprising polished talc microbeads with a talc content of more than 75% (w/w) with a largest diameter is between 125 m and 0.5 m.

10. A soap comprising: a liquid soap comprising 1% to 5% (w/w) polished talc microbeads, 1% to 15% (w/w) of one or more surfactants and water up to 100% (w/w); or a dry soap comprised of at least 50% (w/w) polished talc microbeads and at least 15% (w/w) of one or more surfactants.

11. (canceled)

12. A method for providing polished talc microbeads, the method comprising: a) providing course talc with a talc content of at least 70% and an average largest diameter of between 1 cm to 10 cm; b) crushing the course talc particles; c) sieving the crushed talc particles through a sieve to obtain talc particles with an average largest diameter of less than 500 m; d) tumbling the sieved talc particles in a tumbler to obtain polished talc microbeads.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said course talc in step a) has a talc content of at least one of: at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97% at least 98%, at least 99%, or substantially 100%.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein step c) talc particles are obtained with an average largest diameter of less than 250 m or less than 125 m.

15. (canceled)

Description

[0018] The present invention will be further detailed in the following examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the examples, reference is made to a FIG. 1 wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1: shows a 30 magnification of the present polished talc microbeads after tumbling (right) and before tumbling (left).

EXAMPLES

Example 1: General Preparation of the Polished Talc Microbeads

[0020] Coarse talc (hydrated magnesium silicate) of less than 10 cm diameter was subjected to crushing and subsequently sieved to obtain a fractions with 1) an average largest diameter of 500 to 250 m; 2) an average largest diameter of 250 to 125 m; 3) an average largest diameter of 125 to 90 m and 4) an average largest diameter of less than 90 m. Subsequently, the fractions were added into a rotating drum and allowed to tumble at 60 rpm for 20 minutes in order to polish the talc particles. A representative example of the 500 to 250 m fraction before (left) and after (right) tumbling is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 1, tumbling provides smoothness and roundness to the talc particles and, additionally, provides a more spherical shape.

Example 2: Powdered Soap (Dry Soap)

[0021] Three formulations of a powdered (dry) soap were prepared by mixing the constituting ingredients in any given order:

TABLE-US-00001 Fomulation 1 Amount in Compound percentage (w/w) Function Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate 26 Surfactant Polished talc ad 100 fraction less than 250 m Sorbitol 5 Humectant Citric acid monohydrate 0.3 Buffer

TABLE-US-00002 Formulation 2 Amount in Compound percentage (w/w) Function Sodium lauryl sarcosinate 24.7 Surfactant Polished talc ad 100 fraction less than 250 m Citric acid 0.3 Buffer Sodium methyl cocoyl 5.2 Surfactant taurate

TABLE-US-00003 Formulation 3 Amount in Compound percentage (w/w) Function Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate 23.0 Surfactant Polished talc ad 100 fraction less than 250 m Citric acid 0.3 Buffer Sodium methyl cocoyl 5.7 Surfactant taurate Sorbitol 5.0 Humectant Allantoin 0.2 Skin soothing and protection Urea 0.3 Skin conditioning

Example 3: Liquid Soap

[0022]

TABLE-US-00004 Formulation liquid soap Amount in Compound percentage (w/w) Function Aqua Ad 100 Solvent Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl 0.8 Viscosity modifier Acrylate Crosspolymer Sodium Lauroyl 5.13 Surfactant Sarcosinate Sodium Laureth Sulfate 2.7 Surfactant Cocamidopropyl Betaine 0.9 Surfactant Triethanolamine q.s. buffer Polished talc 2.5 fraction less than 250 m

Manufacturing Procedure:

[0023] Heat water of phase A up to 40 C. Add Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer while stirring and homogenize for 1 to 2 min. to ensure complete hydration. Mix the remained of the ingredients and adjust the pH with triethanolamine to 6.8. Stir with moderate speed until a homogenous gel is obtained.

Appearance: milky homogenous gel
pH-Value: 6.8
Viscosity (Brookfield RVDVI, spindle 3, speed 10 rpm) mPa.Math.s: 4500-7000
Stability: more than 3 months.