Chromic compositions

Abstract

A chromic composition adapted for application to a substrate comprising a reversible colour-change composition and a binder composition is provided. The colour change composition includes a leuco-dye and/or liquid crystal. The composition may be applied to keratinous material, polymers or other substrates to provide a colour change effect and other desirable properties such as natural feel and durability.

Claims

1. A chromic composition product adapted for application to a substrate, the substrate including human hair, nails, or skin, comprising a reversible colour-change composition which comprises a colour-change component selected from a leuco dye and a liquid crystal, and a binder composition comprising a fixative, a carrier and optionally a rheology modifier wherein the fixative comprises a polymer having one or more monomeric units selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylic acid, alkyl C.sub.1 to C.sub.4, methacrylic acid, alkyl C.sub.1 to C.sub.4, acrylic acid, alkyl C.sub.1 to C.sub.4, amino acrylic acids, esters of any such acrylic or methacrylic monomers and ethers of any such acrylic or methacrylic monomers, acrylated dimethiconol, alkyl, C.sub.2 to C.sub.8, amide, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene glycols, maleic anhydride, dimethylaminopropylamine (in polyimide-1), vinyl pyrrolidone (in PVP and polyquaternium-1/11), vinyl alcohol, alkylene polyethylene glycol, alkyl C.sub.2 to C.sub.8, acrylamide, vinyl caprolactam, vinyl acetate, vinyl methyl ether, crotonic acid, and esters and ethers thereof and methacrylated gelatin, wherein the colour change composition is present in the chromic composition at a level of 10 to 90% by weight, and the range of the liquid crystal is from 10 to 90% by weight.

2. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the reversible colour change composition comprises a thermochromic compound and the substrate is keratinous material, hair, or nail.

3. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the reversible colour-change composition is thermochromic.

4. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the leuco dye or liquid crystal is encapsulated.

5. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the colour-change compound comprises a poly-dispersed liquid crystal.

6. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the binder composition is present in the chromic composition at a level of 90 to 10% by weight.

7. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the chromic composition provides colour-change and is iridescent.

8. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the chromic composition provides colour-change and is non-iridescent.

9. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the colour change composition comprises two or more colour-change components.

10. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the fixative comprises an alkyl ester of a copolymer of vinyl methyl ether and maleic anhydride or maleic acid.

11. A chromic composition according to claim 1 in the form of a spray, a paint, a hair dye, a shampoo, a conditioner, a mousse, wax, gel or solid hair product.

12. A chromic composition according to claim 1 for application to hair in which the reversible colour change composition comprises a thermochromic encapsulated liquid crystal and the fixative comprises: i) a polymer having one or more monomeric units selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylic acid, alkyl methacrylic acid, alkyl acrylic acid, alkyl amino acrylic acids, esters of any such acrylic or methacrylic monomers; and ii) a glycol selected from polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol and a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene glycol.

13. A chromic composition according to claim 1 further comprising a dye.

14. A chromic composition according to claim 1 adapted for application to hair in which the reversible colour change composition comprises a thermochromic encapsulated liquid crystal having a particle size of 5 to 50 microns to impart a vibrant colour to the hair without compromising its feel.

15. A cosmetic product comprising a cosmetic composition and a chromic composition according to claim 1.

16. A method of providing a reversible colour-change substrate adapted to change colour comprising applying to a substrate a chromic product according to claim 1.

17. A method of providing a temporary colour effect to dark hair without subjecting the hair to a lightening pre-treatment comprising applying to the hair a chromic composition according to claim 1 in which the reversible colour change composition comprises a thermochromic encapsulated liquid crystal having a particle size of 5 to 50 microns to impart a vibrant colour to the hair without compromising its feel.

18. A method according to claim 16 in which the substrate is selected from a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer, metal and keratinous tissue.

Description

(1) The invention is illustrated by the accompanying FIGURES in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an applicator according to the invention.

(3) In FIG. 1, the applicator (1) has a reservoir (2) for a chromic composition, a pump (not shown) in a casing (3) for pumping the composition from the reservoir to an outlet or nozzle (4) for dispensing the composition onto a substrate such as hair. The nozzle (4) is in fluid communication with the reservoir (2) and the pump is arranged so as to convey composition to the nozzle and, in a preferred embodiment to provide for modulation or regulation of the rate of flow of the composition in response to user demand. A source of UV light is provided in casing (6) and light transmission means (7), for example optical fibres for transmitting UV light to the nozzle (4) are provided. The UV light is directed towards the hair so as to irradiate the chromic composition dispensed on the hair.

(4) Upon being dispensed, the chromic composition is irradiated by UV light emanating from optical fibre outlets (8). The applicator (1) comprises a housing (9) for the light transmission means (7) to communicate with the outlets (8), The composition may pass from the reservoir (2) to the nozzle (4) through tubing (5) passing through the housing (9). The housing may be of any shape but is suitably longitudinally extending and of an aesthetically pleasing design. For example, the housing (9) may have a generally triangular cross-section with straight or, as shown, curved sides.

(5) The casing (6) may also house electronics and a control chip, for example an arduino chip and a power control module. Power is suitably supplied to the applicator by a mains supply and the housing (9) suitably includes a power input (10). The applicator may be powered by battery (not shown) and the housing (9) may be adapted to accommodate batteries to enable use away from a power supply. The applicator (1) includes a gain switch (11) to control the pump and cable (12) supplies power to the pump. The applicator further includes a gain switch (13) for the UV light source and a power or on/off switch (14). The reservoir (2) may have a removable closure (15) to allow replenishment or replacement of the chromic composition as appropriate. The casing (3) and the casing (6) may be connected by a strut (16) or otherwise mounted on the housing (9).

(6) In a preferred embodiment, the applicator also comprises a screen (not shown) which provides an image of the area of the hair on which the composition is being dispensed to assist the user in controlling the rate of dispensing the composition and the location at which it is dispensed and manipulated by the user.

(7) The applicator (1) is suitably hand-held although automated and/or remote control may be employed.

(8) The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

(9) Examples of colour change formulations suitable for application to hair and having different product forms and resistance to wash are set out below. The amounts of listed components in these examples are by volume, unless otherwise specified.

(10) In Examples 1 to 6 below, the colour-change component is an aqueous leuco dye. Examples 7 to 12 show compositions of the invention in which the colour change component is an encapsulated aqueous liquid crystal. Example 13 shows a composition of the invention in which the colour-change component is an unsealed liquid crystal in low Mn PDMS

Examples 1 to 6—Encapsulated Liquid Crystals

Example 1—Liquid Dye/Spray

(11) TABLE-US-00001 Components Amount poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl methyl ether) 15 ethanolamine 2 encapsulated leuco dye slurry 50 polysorbate 20 3 perfume <5% potassium sorbate  1%

(12) The composition was applied to hair in accordance with the following protocol.

(13) Hair Wash Protocol

(14) After dying, the hair is made wet with water, then agitated with conventional shampoo (for example Head and Shoulders) for 5 minutes, then washed in warm (40° C.) water until no shampoo is left. The hair is then dried with a conventional hair dryer until no longer wet.

(15) Samples of unwashed and washed hair are kept between each wash and the colour intensity compared. At the point at which the washed hair has very similar colour to the original undyed hair, the dye is considered to be washed out.

(16) Wash out hair chalk is suitably applied by washing and drying the hair, applying the chalk, preferably using a brush as described herein and then dry the hair with a hair dryer and brush out any excess material. The chromic composition remains in the hair until the next wash whereupon it is washed out.

(17) The composition of Example 1 was washed and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 2 washes.

Example 2—Mousse

(18) TABLE-US-00002 Components Amount poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) 20 citric acid 2 capryl glucoside 3 encapsulated leuco dye slurry 50 perfume <1

(19) The composition was applied to hair which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 3 washes.

Example 3—Propellable Spray

(20) TABLE-US-00003 Components Amount polyvinylpyrrolidone 24 encapsulated leuco dye slurry 40 dimethyl carbonate 30 sorbic acid 1 glyceryl cocoate 5

(21) The composition was applied to hair which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 1 wash.

Example 4—Salon Applied Gel

(22) TABLE-US-00004 Components Amount Methacrylated gelatin 30 IRGACURE 2959 5 polysorbate 80 5 encapsulated leuco dye slurry 50 carylyl glycol 5 perfume chemicals 4

(23) The composition was applied to hair using a UV applicator device which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 6 washes.

Example 5

(24) TABLE-US-00005 Components Amount acrylic terpolymer 30 encapsulated leuco dye slurry 50 tea tree oil 1 Alkali swellable emulsion (ASE) 15 guar gum 3 perfume chemicals 1

Example 6—Chalk

(25) TABLE-US-00006 Components Amount high molecular weight (Mn > 2000) ethyl acrylamide 30 encapsulated leuco dye slurry 50 citric acid 3 perfume chemicals 3

Examples 7 to 12—Encapsulated Liquid Crystals

Example 7—Liquid Dye/Spray

(26) TABLE-US-00007 Components Amount poly(maleic anhydride-co-vinyl methyl ether) 15 ethanolamine 2 encapsulated liquid crystal slurry 50 polysorbate 20 3 perfume <5% potassium sorbate  1%

(27) The composition was applied to hair which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 2 washes.

Example 8—Mousse

(28) TABLE-US-00008 Components Amount poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) 20 citric acid 2 capryl glucoside 3 encapsulated liquid crystal slurry 50 perfume <1

(29) The composition was applied to hair which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 3 washes.

Example 9—Propellable Spray

(30) TABLE-US-00009 Components Amount polyvinylpyrrolidone 24 encapsulated liquid crystal slurry 40 dimethyl carbonate 30 sorbic acid 1 glyceryl cocoate 5

(31) The composition was applied to hair which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 1 wash.

Example 10—Salon Applied Gel

(32) TABLE-US-00010 Components Amount Methacrylated gelatin 30 IRGACURE 2959 5 polysorbate 80 5 encapsulated liquid crystal dye slurry 50 carylyl glycol 5 perfume chemicals 4

(33) The composition was applied to hair using a UV applicator device which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 6 washes.

Example 11

(34) TABLE-US-00011 Components Amount acrylic terpolymer 30 encapsulated liquid crystal dye slurry 50 tea tree oil 1 ASE 15 guar gum 3 perfume chemicals 1

Example 12—Chalk

(35) TABLE-US-00012 Components Amount high molecular weight (Mn > 2000) ethyl acrylamide 30 encapsulated liquid crystal dye slurry 50 citric acid 3 perfume chemicals 3

Examples 13—Unsealed Liquid Crystal (in Low Mn PDMS): Salon Applied Gel

(36) TABLE-US-00013 Components Amount Methacrylated gelatin 30 IRGACURE 2959 5 polysorbate 80 5 unsealed liquid crystal 50 carylyl glycol 5 perfume chemicals 4

(37) The composition was applied to hair using a UV applicator device which was then successively washed in accordance with the Hair Wash Protocol and remained in the hair providing effective colour-change for 6 washes.

Example 14

(38) A composition according to the invention was formulated as a hair dye whose colour changes with response to temperature, creating a vivid effect with high aesthetic. The colour change characteristics were tested with external influence being provided from i) the ambient temperature of the environment and ii) contact of skin.

(39) Environmental:

(40) Infra-red thermographic data was collected to find differences in the temperatures of a surface, including hair and skin, utilising a controlled environment chamber in which temperature, whether by convection or irradiation, wind speed, UV and humidity are controlled. This data was used to tune the formulation to display a thermochromic effect at desired temperature points with a bandwidth to mimic different scenarios. The scenarios were: summer heat vs winter cool temperatures indoor vs outdoor temperatures day vs night temperatures
Skin Contact:

(41) Thermographic data and published thermal physiological research literature, was used to tune the formulation to display a thermochromic effect upon contact with skin in various environmental conditions.

(42) Colour:

(43) Compositions of the invention were formulated to provide two, three and four colour changes, respectively dichromic, trichromic and tetrachromic, were prepared by formulating materials to provide the desired sequence of colour change and then tailoring the vibrancy of the colour and contrast between the colours of the chromic composition. The compositions provided vivid colours and colour change and provided uniform colouration uniform across the hair.

(44) 2. Construction of Colour Change Sequence:

(45) The composition was prepared so as to provide desired colour change sequences and the desired thermochromic effects were provided by using thermographic data previously collected. Colours were selected so that complementary and contrasting colours were placed adjacent to each other in sequence together to create optimal, striking and appealing differentiations between each colour. An example of sequences can be seen below: a. Tetrachromic (four colours): i. 15° C.<T.sub.Hair<20° C.=black ii. 20° C.<T.sub.Hair<23° C.=red iii. 23° C.<T.sub.Hair<28° C.=orange iv. 30° C.<T.sub.Hair=yellow b. Trichromic (three colours): i. 20° C.<T.sub.Hair<23° C.=red ii. 23° C.<T.sub.Hair<28° C.=orange iii. 30° C.<T.sub.Hair=yellow c. Dichromic (two colours): i. T.sub.Hair<29° C.=black ii. 29° C.<T.sub.Hair=red

(46) 3. Optimisation of the Colour Vibrancy:

(47) The Thermochromic colour tone was developed from conventional pastel colours to create a more brilliant tone (brighter, more reflective) by successive reformulations with varying proportions of dye components. The results of this method were a more intense and more vivid colour, with a more striking aesthetic effect and contrast between different colours of the chromic composition and especially the contrast between black and red. Additive dyes were selected and reformulated based on their refractive indices, such that molecules with more similar indices had brighter colours.

(48) Results

(49) The results show that compositions of the invention may be formulated and tuned to provide a desired thermochromic effect to display colour changes to convey a concept story. For example, a black to red change gradually during the summer or instantly when temperatures are above 28 degrees, or black to blue instant change when the wind chill below 15 degrees contacts the hair.

(50) We conducted experiments on hair to select the bandwidth of temperature in which the colour change effect takes place for each concept scenario.

(51) Lengthening and shortening the time it takes for each colour effect to respond may be tuned by adding a dopant that delays or speeds up the chemical interaction which produces a colour change over short or long temperature gradients.