WO2001070926A1

WO2001070926A1 - Extrudable multiphase composition comprising lamellar phase inducing structurant in each phase

Info

Publication number: WO2001070926A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/002458
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shuman Mitra
Original assignee: Unilever Plc; Unilever Nv; Hindustan Lever Limited
Priority date: 2000-03-20
Filing date: 2001-03-05
Publication date: 2001-09-27
Also published as: US20020010111A1; EP1607471B1; BRPI0109406B1; ATE449833T1; CA2402399C; BR0109406A; CN1429264A; EP1607471A1; AU2001240677B2; US6534457B2; HK1054962A1; ZA200207067B; JP2003528113A; MXPA02009245A; CA2402399A1; CN1230517C; EP1265981A1; AU4067701A; EP1607471B2; DE60140633D1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plurality of liquid cleansing compositions in lamellar phase which possess a lotion-like appearance conveying perceptions of enhanced moisturization contained in a partitionless container. This multiphase composition is stable upon storage and is dispensed as a striped product where typically one stripe has a cleansing function and a second stripe has a moisturising function.

Description

EXTRUDABLE MULTIPHASE COMPOSITION COMPRISING LAMELLAR PHASE INDUCING STRUCTURANT IN EACH PHASE

The present invention relates to extrudable multiphase liquid cleansing compositions of the type typically used skin cleansing or shower gel compositions which compositions are "structured" lamellar phase compositions.

Dual Phase Cleansing and Related Compositions:

Compositions which both provide a cleansing function and a moisturizing benefit are known. For example, WO 90/13283 to Green, et al . , incorporated herein by reference, discloses compositions comprising an acyl ester of an isethionic acid salt, a long chain fatty acid, a moisturizer component and optional soap.

One problem which had been previously encountered with such dual purpose compositions is that they either contain an insufficient level of moisturizer component; or an insufficient amount deposits on use.

Another problem associated with such dual cleansing and moisturizing compositions is instability. According to WO 94/03152 to Helliwell, included herein by reference, which is concerned with shower gels comprising a non-soap detergent, silicone oil and cationic polymers, the maximum average droplet size of the silicone oil that can be used is 2 microns, if product stability is to be maintained. In applicants U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,307 issued to Chambers, et a l . , included herein by reference, it was found that enhanced deposition of benefit agent could be obtained m a stable formulation by using a dual cleansing and moisturizing product in which the cleansing and moisturizing components were separately, but combinedly dispensed from a packaging means as discrete domains/stripes.

More specifically, the compositions of Chambers, et al . comprised a surfactant-containing base formulation and a benefit agent wherein the benefit agent and base formulation were physically separate (not direct contact) but were nonetheless dispensable from a single packaging means comprising both the base formulation and benefit agent as individual stripes. The stripes had width of at least 1000 microns and base formulation and benefit agent stripes were not post mixed prior to use (compared to EP 468,703 to Unilever where post-mixing is required) .

In applicants U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,019 issued to Puvvada et al . , incorporated herein by reference, applicants modified the benefit agent stripe in the same separately dispensed, non-mixed prior to use, dual cleanser/moisturizer compositions described by Chambers, et al , to include surfactant.

Multiphase cleansing and cosmetic compositions which are not segregated in their package are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,414 issued to Dallal et al . incorporated herein by reference, a multi-phase high viscosity cosmetic product containing two or more independent products a single container, along with simultaneous dispensing, is described. However, this patent related to isotropic products for the hair, whereas the present invention relates to lamellar liquids for personal care (hand, body and hair) .

WO 9824399 to Bordat et al . , included herein by reference, describes highly viscous, separate aqueous and oil phase emulsion compositions which are squeezed out together as a single strand from a tube dispenser for use with the skin, body or hair. In comparison, the present invention uses lamellar liquids with low shear viscosity values between 80- 300 K cps.

Lamellar Compositions:

The rheological behaviour of all surfactant solutions, including liquid cleansing solutions, is strongly dependent on the microstructure, i.e., the shape and concentration of micelles or other self-assembled structures solution.

When there is sufficient surfactant to form micelles (concentrations above the critical micelle concentration or CMC), for example, spherical, cylindrical (rod-like) or discoidal micelles may form. As surfactant concentration increases, ordered liquid crystalline phases such as lamellar phase, hexagonal phase or cubic phase may form. The lamellar phase, for example, consists of alternating surfactant bilayers and water layers. These layers are not generally flat but fold to form submicron spherical onion like structures called vesicles or liposomes. The hexagonal phase, on the other hand, consists or long cylindrical micelles arranged in a hexagonal lattice. In general, the microstructure of most personal care products consist of either spherical micelles; rod micelles; or a lamellar dispersion.

As noted above, micelles may be spherical or rod-like. Formulations having spherical micelles tend to have a low viscosity and exhibit Newtonian shear behaviour (i.e., viscosity stays constant as a function of shear rate; thus, if easy pouring of product is desired, the solution is less viscous and, as a consequence, it doesn't suspend as well) . In these systems, the viscosity increases linearly with surfactant concentration.

Rod micellar solutions are more viscous because movement of the longer micelles is restricted. At a critical shear rate, the micelles align and the solution becomes shear thinning. Addition of salts increases the size of the rod micelles thereof increasing zero shear viscosity (i.e., viscosity when sitting bottle) which helps suspend particles but also increases critical shear rate (point at which product becomes shear thinning; higher critical shear rates means product is more difficult to pour) .

Lamellar dispersions differ from both spherical and rod-like micelles because they can nave high zero shear viscosity

(because of the close packed arrangement of constituent lamellar αroplets), yet tnese solutions are very shear thinning (readily dispense on pouring) . That is, the solutions can become thinner than rod micellar solutions at moderate shear rates. In formulating liquid cleansing compositions, therefore, there is the choice of using rod-micellar solutions (whose zero shear viscosity, e.g., suspending ability, is not very good and/or are not very shear thmnmg) ; or lamellar dispersions (with higher zero shear viscosity, e.g. better suspending, and yet are very shear th nmg) . Such lamellar compositions are characterized by high zero shear viscosity

(good for suspending and/or structuring) while simultaneously being very shear thmnmg such that they readily dispense pouring. Such compositions possess a

"heaping", lotion-like appearance which convey signals of enhanced moistuπzation .

In order to form such lamellar compositions, however, some compromises have to be made. Firstly, generally higher amounts of surfactant are required to form the lamellar phase. Thus, it is often needed to aαd auxiliary surfactants and/or salts which are neither αesirable nor needed. Secondly, only certain surfactants u.ll form this phase and, therefore, the choice of surfactants is restricted.

In short, lamellar compositions are generally more desirable (especially for suspending emollient and tor providing consumer aesthetics), but more expensive that they generally require more surfactant and are more restricted the range of surfactants that can be used.

When rod-micellar solutions are used, they also often require the use of external structurants to enhance viscosity and to suspend particles (again, because they have lower zero snear viscosity than lamellar phase solutions) . For this, carbomers and clays are often used. At higher shear rates (as m product dispensing, application of product to body, or rubbing with hands), since the rod- micellar solutions are less shear thinning, the viscosity of the solution stays high and the product can be stringy and thick. Lamellar dispersion based products, having higher zero shear viscosity, can more readily suspend emollients and are typically more creamy. Again, however, they are generally more expensive to make (e.g., they are restricted as to which surfactants can be used and often require greater concentration of surfactants).

In general, lamellar phase compositions are easy to identify by their characteristic focal conic shape and oily streak texture while hexagonal phase exhibits angular fan-like texture. In contrast, micellar phases are optically isotropic .

It should be understood that lamellar phases may be formed in a wide variety of surfactant systems using a wide variety of lamellar phase "mducers" as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,286 issued to Puvvada, et a l . Generally, tne transition from micelle to lamellar phase are functions of effective average area of headgroup of the surfactant, the length of the extended tail, and the volume of tail. Using branched surfactants or surfactants with smaller headgroups or bulky tails are also effective ways of inducing transitions from rod micellar to lamellar. One way of characterizing lamellar dispersions include measuring viscosity at low shear rate (using for example a Stress Rheometer) when additional inducer (e.g., oleic acid or isostearic acid) is used. At higher amounts of inducer, the low shear viscosity will significantly increase.

Another way of measuring lamellar dispersions is by the use of freeze fracture electron microscopy. Micrographs generally will show lamellar microstructure and close packed organization of the lamellar droplets (generally m size range of about 2 microns) .

Applicants have now surprisingly discovered that a stable, extrudable multiphase product may be prepared. The term multiphase product is defined herein as the combination of two or more distinct lamellar compositions having viscosities of at least about 80,000 cps (T-bar) at 25°C. Preferably the viscosity has an upper limit of 300,000 cps at 25°C order to facilitate filling containers and dispensing with a conventional pump bottle.

The lamellar phases may have substantially the same or different compositions, but preferably the phases have similar rheological properties, such as viscosity, etc. The lamellar phases preferably have different colors or other visual differences and preferably are filled vertically or in a pulsating manner a single container without any partitions, i.e. "partitionless".

Squeezing a flexible container holding the inventive product may dispense the product but a single pump, or the like, is preferably used to dispense the product. When dispensed, each phase of the multiphase inventive product should be present m a concentration range of 1 - 99 weight % . In this manner, duality in the case of a two phase system, can be advantageously, economically, and visually communicated through a single, partitionless container.

Another advantage of the inventive product is the fact that two or more separate lamellar compositions having specific functions, e.g. cleansing and moisturizing the skin may be simultaneously dispensed in a partitionless container. A further advantage of using a lamellar composition is that elevated amounts of emollients may be added to the formula without affecting product stability. Unexpectedly, the lamellar phases in the inventive product remain separated (i.e. do not mix) at room temperature for at least 4 months and at high temperature (125° F) for at least two weeks.

"Stability" as used herein is tnerefore defined as the ability of the multiphase lamellar product to maintain the separation of each phase from the other under the above combinations of time and temperature.

In accordance with these and other aspects of the mvention, the invention will now be described with reference to tne accompanying drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURE

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention wherein two separate liquid cleansing compositions m lamellar phase are contained m a partitionless container.

Referring to Figure 1 in more detail, a partitionless container 10 contains two separate liquid cleansing compositions 18 and 20 separated by a boundary layer 22. Also depicted in Figure 1 is a pump mechanism 12 having a single outlet 14 and a suction tube 16 with a single intake hole 24. Preferably, the cleansing compositions 18 and 20 are visually distinct signaling duality to the consumer. More preferably, the cleansing compositions 18 and 20 have different colors or distinctive visual clarity. In another embodiment of the invention, the partitionless container may contain more than two separate liquid cleaning compositions in the lamellar phase.

The present invention also relates to multiphase liquid lamellar cleansing compositions, wherein the liquid is in a lamellar phase, comprising a surfactant system, preferably a system which contains at least about 5 wt . %, preferably at least about 10 wt. % of surface active compounds. The inventive composition also includes an amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant. Preferably the amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, or a blend thereof is present at about 3 to 40 wt . %, more preferably at about 5 to 20 wt . %. The inventive composition also contains at least one anionic surfactant. Preferably the anionic surfactant is present at about 3 to 40 wt . %, more preferably at about 5 to 20 wt . %. The inventive composition also contains a lamellar structurant. Preferably the lamellar structurant is present at about 0.3 to 15 wt . %, more preferably at about 0.5 to 5 wt. %.

Each of the component phases of the inventive multiphase lamellar composition has a low shear viscosity in the range of about 80,000 to 300,000 centipoises (cps) measured at 0.5 RPM using a T-bar spindle A according to the procedure described below. Preferably the viscosity ranges from about 100,000 to 200,000 cps and the difference in viscosity between abutting phases is in the range of 0 to 10 % expressed as a relative value.

Surfactants

The surfactant system of the subject invention comprises 5 to 60% by weight, preferably 10 to 30% by wt . of the composition and comprises:

(a) at least one anionic surfactant;

(b) at least one amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant;

(c) at least one lamellar structurant compound; and (d) optionally one or more nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, or blends thereof.

The anionic surfactant (which may comprise 3 to 40 % by wt . of total composition) may be, for example, an aliphatic sulfonate, such as a primary alkane (e.g., Ce^~C22) sulfonate, primary alkane (e.g., Cg-C₂₂) disulfonate, C₈-C₂₂ alkene sulfonate, C₈-C₂2 hydroxyalkane sulfonate or alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (AGS); or an aromatic sulfonate such as alkyl benzene sulfonate, and the like.

The anionic may also be an alkyl sulfate (e.g., C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl sulfate) or alkyl ether sulfate (including alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates), and the like. Among the alkyl ether sulfates are those having the formula:

RO(CH₂CH₂0) _nS0₃M

wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl having 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 18 carbons, n has an average value of greater than 1.0, preferably between 2 and 3; and M is a solubilizmg cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium. Ammonium and sodium lauryl etner sulfates are preferred.

The anionic may also be selected from alkyl sulfosuccinates

(including mono- and dialkyl, e.g., Cg-C₂₂ sulfosuccinates ) ; alkyl and acyl taurates, alkyl and acyl sarcosinates, sulfoacetates, C₈-C2₂ alkyl phosphates and phosphates, alkyl phosphate esters and alkoxyl alkyl phosphate esters, acyl lactates, C8-C2₂ monoalkyl succ ates and maleates, sulphoacetates, and acyl isethionates, and the like.

Sulfosuccinates may be monoalkyl sulfosuccinates having the formula : R O₂CCH₂CH (SO₃M C0₂M;

amido-MEA sulfosuccinates of the formula

R⁴CONHCH₂CH₂θ₂CCH₂CH (SO₃M) CO2M

4 wherein R ranges from C₈-C₂₂ alkyl and M is a solubiliz g cation;

amido-MIPA sulf osuccinates of the formula

R CONH(CH₂)CH(CH₃) 'S0 M)C0₂M

wherein R and M are as defined above.

Also included are alkoxylated citrate sulfosuccinates ; and alkoxylated sulfosuccinates such as the following:

0

R-O- (CH₂CH₂0) _nCCH₂CH (SO₃M) C0₂M wherein n = 1 to 20; and M is as defined above.

Sarcosmates are generally indicated by the formula RCON (CH₃) CH₂CO₂M, wherein R ranges from C₈ to C₂o alkyl and M is a solubilizmg cation.

Taurates are generally identified by the formula R²CONR³CH2CH₂S0₃M

2 3 wherein R ranges from C₈-C₂₀ alkyl, R ranges from C₁-C₄ alkyl and M is a solubilizmg cation.

Another class of anionics are carboxylates such as follows:

R- (CH₂CH₂θ)nC0₂M

wherein R is Cs to C₂₀ alkyl; n is 0 to 20; and M is as defined above.

Other suitable carboxylate are amido alkyl polypeptide carboxylates such as, for example, Monteine LCQ^(R) by Seppic.

Other surfactants which may be used are the Cβ-Cie acyl isethionates. These esters are prepared by reaction between alkali metal isethionate with mixed aliphatic fatty acids having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms and an iodine value of less than 20. At least 75% of the mixed fatty acids have from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and up to 25% have from 6 to 10 carbon atoms .

Acyl isethionates, when present, will generally range from about 0.5-15% by weight of the total composition. Preferably, this component is present from about 1 to about 10% by weight of the total composition.

The acyl isethionate may be an alkoxylated isethionate such as is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,393,466, to Ilardi et al . , hereby incorporated by reference. This compound has the general formula:

O X Y II I I

R C-O-CH-CH₂- (OCH-CH₂)_m-SO ₃M⁺ wherein R is an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbons, m is an integer from 1 to 4, X and Y are hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbons and M⁺ is a monovalent cation such as, for example, sodium, potassium or ammonium.

Zwitterionic and Amphoteric Surfactants

Zwitterionic surfactants are exemplified by those which may be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. A general formula for these compounds is:

; R^~

(+) 4 (-)

R -Y -CH₂-R Z

2 wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxy alkyl radical containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl moiety; Y is selected from nitrogen, phosphorus,

3 and sulfur atoms; R is an alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group containing about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; X is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom, and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus

4 atom; R is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene of from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, and phosphate groups .

Examples of such surfactants include:

4- [N, N-di (2-hydroxyethyl) -N-octadecylammonio^ -butane-1- carboxylate;

5- [S-3-hydroxypropyl-S-hexadecylsulfonio] -3-hydroxypentane-

1-sulfate;

3- [P, P-diethyl-P-3, 6, 9-trioxatetradexocylphosphonio] -2- hydroxypropane-1-phosphate; 3- [N, N-dipropyl-N-3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropylammonio] - propane-1-phosphonate,^•

3- (N, N-dimethy1-N-hexadecylammomo) propane-1-sulfonate;

3- (N, N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio) -2-hydroxypropane-l- sulfonate; 4- [N, N-di- (2-hydroxyethyl) -N- (2-nydroxydodecyl ) ammonio] - butane-1-carboxylate;

3- [S-ethyl-S- ( 3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl) sulfonio] -propane-

1-phosphate;

3- [P, P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphosphonio] -propane-1-phosphonate; and

5- [N, N-di (3-hydroxypropyl ) -N-hexadecylammonio] -2-hydroxy- pentane-1-sulfate.

Amphoteric detergents which are suitable for the present invention include at least one acid group. This may be a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid group. They include quaternary nitrogen and therefore are quaternary amido acids. They should generally include an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 18 carbon atoms and usually comply with an overall structural formula: O R²

R¹ - [-C-NH(CH₂)_n-]m-N⁺-X-Y

R³ wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 7 to 18 carbon atoms;

R and R are each independently alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or a carboxyalkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

n is 2 to 4 ;

X is an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl, and

Suitable amphoteric detergents within the above general formula include simple betames of formula: R

R — N — CH Cθ2

R and amido betames of formula

R²

R¹ - CONH (CH₂)_m— ⁺—CH₂C0₂ ^"

R

wherein m is 2 or 3

1 2 3 1

In both formulae R , R and R are as defined previously. R may, m particular, be a mixture of C₁₂ and C₁₄ alkyl groups derived from coconut so that at least half, preferably at least three quarters of the groups R have 10 to 14 carbon

2 3 atoms. R and R are preferably methyl. A suitable betame is cocoamidopropyl betame.

A further possibility is that the amphoteric detergent is a sulphobeta e of formula

R¹—N⁺— (CH₂) ₃SO₃ ^'

R^~

or P²

R¹ - CONH (CH₂)_m—N⁺— (CH₂) ₃SO₃ ^"

R³

where m is 2 or 3, or variants of these which -(CH2)₃SO ₃ is replaced by

OH

-CH₂CHCH₂ S0₃ ^~

1 2 3 In these formulae R , R and R are as discussed previously.

Amphoacetates and diamphoacetates are also intended to be covered m possible zwitterionic and/or amphoteric compounds which may be used, especially C8 - C20 amphoacetates or mixtures thereof, and the like. A suitable amphoacetate is sodium laurylamphoacetate .

The amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactant, when useα, generally comprises 3 to 30%, preferably 5 to 20% by weight, more preferably 10 to 20% by weight of the composition.

A preferred surfactant system of the invention comprises tne following : anionic surfactant (e.g. alkali metal alkyl ethersulfate) , 2-50%; amphoteric surfactant (e.g. alkyl betame or alkyl amphoacetate), 3-20%. The surfactant system may also optionally comprise a nonionic surfactant.

Suitable nonionic surfactants include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic detergent compounds are alkyl (C₆-C₂₂) phenols-ethylene oxide condensates, the condensation products of aliphatic ( CQ -C Q ) primary or secondary, linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamme . Other so-called nonionic detergent compounds include long chain tertiary amme oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkyl sulphoxides, and the like.

The nonionic may also be a sugar amide, such as a polysacchaπde amide. Specifically, the surfactant may be one of the lactobionamides described in U.S. Patent No.

5,389,279 to Au et al . (incorporated herein by reference) or it may be one of the sugar amides described in Patent No.

5,009,814 to Kelkenberg, hereby incorporated into the subject application by reference.

Other surfactants which may be used are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,723,325 to Parran Jr. and alkyl polysacchaπde nonionic surfactants as disclosed m U.S. Patent No. 4,565,64/ to Llenado, both of which are also incorporated into the subject application by reference.

Preferred alkyl polysaccharides are alkylpolyglycosides of the formula

R²0 (C_nH_2nO) _t (glycosyl) _x

2 wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18, preferably from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; n is 0 to 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from 1.3 to about 10, preferably from 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose.

To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position) . The additional glycosyl units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6-position, preferably predominantly the 2-position.

The nonionic surfactant generally comprises 3 to 40% by wt . of the composition, preferably 0 to 10% by wt . of the composition.

Lamellar Structurant

The compositions of the invention utilize about 0.3% to 15% by wt . , preferably 0.5 to 10% by wt . , more preferably 0.5 to 5% by wt . of a structuring agent each phase which functions in the compositions to form a lamellar phase. The lamellar phase enables the compositions to suspend particles more readily (e.g., emollient particles) while still maintaining good shear thinning properties. The lamellar phase also provides consumers with desired rheology ("heaping") .

The structurant is preferably a fatty acid or ester derivative thereof, a fatty alcohol, or trihydroxystearm, and the like. More preferably the structurant is selected from lauric or isostearic acid, or trihydroxystearm.

Suitable examples of fatty acids include Cι₀-C₂2 acids such as the following: lauric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, lmoleic acid, lmole ic acid, ricmoleic acid, elaidic acid, arichidonic acid, myristoleic acid and palmitoleic acid, and the like. Ester derivatives include propylene glycol isostearate, propylene glycol oleate, glyceryl isostearate, glyceryl oleate and polyglyceryl dnsostearate, and the like.

Oil/Emollient

One of the principle benefits of the invention is the ability to suspend oil/emollient particles in one or more lamellar phases in the multiphase composition. The following oil/emollients may optionally be suspended the compositions of the invention. Various classes of oils are set forth below:

Vegetable oils: Arachis oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, corn oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, palm kernel oil, rapeseed oil, safflower seed oil, sesame seed oil and soybean oil, and the like.

Esters: Butyl myristate, cetyl palmitate, decyloleate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl ricmoleate, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl isostearate, hexyl laurate, isobutyl palmitate, isocetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl laurate, isopropyl l oleate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate, propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene glycol ricmoleate, propylene glycol stearate, and propylene glycol isostearate, and the like.

Animal Fats: acetylated lanolin alcohols, lanolin, lard, mink oil and tallow, and the like.

Other examples of oil/emollients include mineral on, petrolatum, silicone oil such as dimethyl polysiloxane, lauryl and myristyl lactate, fatty acid oils, triglyceπdes , glycerin, and the like.

The emollient/oil is generally used in an amount from about 0 to 70%, preferably 5 to 40% by wt . of the phase in wh_ch it is to be found. Generally, it should comprise no more than 70% of such phase. A portion of the emollient may oe present the form of solid or semi-solid beads. The Deads - 2 :

are used in an amount from about 0 to 10%, preferably 0 to 5% of the phase.

In addition, the multiphase lamellar compositions of the invention may include optional ingredients as follows:

Organic solvents, such as ethanol; auxiliary thickeners, sequestering agents, such as tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) , EHDP or mixtures in an amount of 0.01 to 1%, preferably 0.01 to 0.05%; and coloring agents, opacifiers and pearlizers such as z nc stearate, magnesium stearate, Tι0₂, EGMS (ethylene glycol monostearate) or Lytron 621 (Styrene/Acrylate copolymer); all of which are useful in enhancing the appearance or cosmetic properties of the product.

The compositions may further comprise antimicrobials such as 2-hydroxy-4, 2 ' 4 ' -tπchlorodiphenylether (DP3000) ; preservatives such as dimethyloldimethylhydantom (Glydant XL1000), parabens, sorbic acid etc.

The compositions may also comprise coconut acyl mono- or diethanol amides and the like as suds boosters.

Antioxidants such as, for example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) may be used advantageously m amounts of about 0.01% or higher if appropriate.

Cationic conditioners which may be used include Quatrisoft LM-200 Polyquaternιum-24 , Merquat Pius 3330 - Polyquatermum f R )

39; and Jaguar type conditioners. Another optional ingredient which may be aaaed are the deflocculating polymers such as are taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,147,576 to Montague, incorporated herein icy reference.

Other ingredients whicn may be included are exfoliants such as polyoxyethylene beads, walnut sheets and apricot seeds, and the like. PH and viscosity adjusters may oe used such as citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, other alpha or beta hydroxy acids, and the like.

The multiphase compositions of the invention, as noted, are lamellar compositions. In particular, the lamellar phase comprises 20 to 80%, preferably 30 to 65% of the total phase volume of each phase. The phase volume may be measured, for example, by conductivity measurements or other measurements which are well known to those skilled m the art. While not wishing to be bounα by theory, higher phase volume is believed to provide better suspension of emollieⁿts.

The invention will now be described greater aetail by way of the following non-limiting examples. The examples are for illustrative purposes only and not mtendec. to limit the invention m any way.

Except the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers this description indicating amounts or ratios of materials or conditions or reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about". Where used in the specification, the term "comprising" is intended to include the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

All percentages in the specification and examples are intended to be by weight unless stated otherwise.

Examples 1 - 4 are inventive compositions having two lamellar phases, denoted stripe A and stripe B. All the compositions were found to remain separated (i.e. did not mix) at room temperature for at least 4 months and at high temperature (125° F) for at least two weeks. The compositions were held in a transparent PET container as depicted in Figure 1. The dispensed product in all cases was found to contain each stripe in the range of 1 - 99 weight % .

Example 1 :

Stripe A COMPONENT % IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE 7

SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 14

CETYL ACETATE AND ACETYLATED LANOLIN 0.5 ALCOHOL

LAURIC ACID 2.5-3. C

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 3

COCAMIDE MEA 2

GLYCERIN 2

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE 0.5

CITRIC ACID 1.2 TITANIUM DIOXIDE 0.2

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 lODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidromc Acid) 0.02

PERFUME 0.5

WATER TO 100.0

* to adjust viscosities

:7 -

Stripe B

COMPONENT IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE 3

SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 6

CETYL ACETATE AND ACETYLATED LANOLIN 1.5 ALCOHOL

LAURIC ACID 2.5-3.

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 8

COCAMIDE MEA 2

GLYCERIN 2

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE 0.5

CITRIC ACID 0.7

RED DYE SOLUTION @ 0.1% 0.7

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 lODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

VITAMIN E ACETATE 0.1

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidronic Acid) 0.02

PERFUME 0.5

WATER TO 100.0 to adjust viscosities

Example 2

Stripe A

COMPONENT % IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE 10

SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 15

BEADS 1

LAURIC ACID 1.2

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 10

COCAMIDE MEA 2.5

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE 0.5

CITRIC ACID 0.5 TITANIUM DIOXIDE 0.2

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 lODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidronic Acid) 0.02

PERFUME 1

WATER TO 100.0

* to adjust viscosities

Stripe B

COMPONENT % IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE 18

SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 5

LAURIC ACID 1.6

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 10

TRIHYDROXYSTEAR:.: 0.5

COCAMIDE MEA 2.5

GLYCERIN 2

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE 0.5

CITRIC ACID 1

RED DYE SOLUTION @ 0.1% 0.1

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 LODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

VITAMIN E ACETATE 0.2

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidronic Acid) 0.02

PERFUME 1.5

WATER TO 100.0 to adjust viscosities Example 3:

Stripe A

COMPONENT IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE 5

SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 15

SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE 4

CETYL ACETATE AND ACETYLATED )LIN 0.5 ALCOHOL

LAURIC ACID 3.6

COCAMIDE MEA 2

GLYCERIN 4

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORID DEE 0.5

CITRIC ACID 0.7 TITANIUM DIOXIDE 0.2

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 lODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidronic Acid) 0.02

PERFUME 0.5

WATER TO 100.0

* to adjust viscosities Stripe B

COMPONENT % IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE 12

SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 9

CETYL ACETATE AND ACETYLATED LANOLIN 1 ALCOHOL

LAURIC ACID 3.4

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 10

COCAMIDE MEA 2

GLYCERIN 6

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE ^λ

CITRIC ACID 0.8

BLUE DYE SOLUTION @ 0.1% _{Q Q5}

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 lODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

VITAMIN A PALMITATE 0.2

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidronic Acid) 0.02

PERFUME 1

WATER TO 100.0 to adjust viscosities Example 4

Stripe A

COMPONENT IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE 10

SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 7

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE 3

ISOSTEARIC ACID 3.5

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 5

COCAMIDE MEA 2

GLYCERIN 7

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE 0.6

CITRIC ACID 0.9 TITANIUM DIOXIDE 0.3

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 lODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidronic Acid) 0.02

TRICLOSAN 0.5

PERFUME 0.6

WATER TO 100.0

* to adjust viscosities Stripe B

COMPONENT IN FORMULATION

SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE

AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE

AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE

LAURIC ACID 3.2

PETROLATUM 15

COCAMIDE MEA 2

GLYCERIN

GUAR HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE

CITRIC ACID 0.9

RED DYE SOLUTION @ 0.1% 0.1

DMDM HYDANTOIN/ 0.2 lODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

VITAMIN E ACETATE 0.2

EDTA 0.02

EHDP (Etidronic Acid) 0.02

PERFUME 1.4

WATER TO 100.0 to adjust viscosities Viscosity measurements were obtained in accordance with the following protocol:

Viscosity Measurement Scope:

This method covers the measurement of the viscosity of the finished product. Apparatus :

Brookfield RVT Viscometer with Helipath Accessory; Chuck, weight and closer assembly for T-bar attachment; T-bar Spindle A; Plastic cups diameter greater than 2.5 inches.

Procedure :

1. Verify that the viscometer and the helipath stand are level by referring to the bubble levels on the back of the instrument.

2. Connect the chuck/closer/weight assembly to the Viscometer (Note the left-hand coupling threads) .

3. Clean Spindle A with deionized water and pat dry with a Kimwipe sheet. Slide the spindle the closer and tighten .

4. Set the rotational speed at 0.5 RPM. In case of a digital viscometer (DV) select the % mode and press autozero with the motor switch on. 5. Place the product in a plastic cup with inner diameter of greater than 2.5 inches. The height of the product in the cup should be at least 3 inches. The temperature of the product should be 25°C.

6. Lower the spindle into the product (-1/4 inches) . Set the adjustable stops of the helipath stand so that the spindle does not touch the bottom of the plastic cup or come out of the sample.

7. Start the viscometer and allow the dial to make one or two revolutions before turning on the Helipath stand. Note the dial reading as the helipath stand passes the middle of its downward traverse.

8. Multiply the dial reading by a factor of 4,000 and report the viscosity reading in cps.

While this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it is apparent that numerous other forms and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A stable, extrudable, multiphase aqueous lamellar structured liquid cleansing composition, comprising:

at least two aqueous lamellar structured phases which abut each other;

a surfactant selected from amphoteric, zwitterionic, or mixtures thereof;

an anionic surfactant;

a lamellar structurant present in each lamellar phase of the liquid composition, selected from fatty acids, fatty esters, trihydroxystearm, fatty alcohols; and

wherein each of the lamellar phases has a minimum low shear viscosity value of 80 cps at 25°C.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein each lamellar phase has a maximum low shear viscosity of 300K cps at 25°C.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein two lamellar phases are present.

4. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein each of the lamellar phases has a low shear viscosity value of between 100K and 200K cps at 25°C.

5. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the amphoteric surfactant concentration m eacn phase is in the range of about 3 to 30 weight percent.

6. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the anionic surfactant concentration each phase is in the range of about 3 to 40 weight percent.

7. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the nonionic surfactant concentration m eacn phase is m the range of abo_^t 3 to 40 weight percent.

8. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the emollient concentration in each phase is in the range of about 0 to 70 v.eight percent.

9. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lamellar structurant concentration m eacn phase is the range of abo_t 0.3 to 15 weight percent.

A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant _n each phase is selected from either cocamιdoprop/1 betame, or an alkali metal salt of alkyl amphoacetate.

11. A composition according to any of the preceding clai^ms wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from al ali metal or ammonium alkyl etner sulfate, alkali metal or ammonium alkyl sarcosmate, alkali metal or ammonium alkyl sulfosuccmate, ana alkali metal or αmmon_^^m alkyl sulfate.

12. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein mixing of each abutting lamellar phase is prevented across the interfacial boundary surfaces of the abutting phases, when the compositions are stored at 25°C for at least 120 days or at least 50°C for 14 days.

13. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lamellar structurant is selected from lauric acid, isostearic acid, trihydroxystearm, palm kernel acid, capric acid, oleic acid, and caprylic acid.

14. An extrudable aqueous multiphase lamellar structured liquid composition, comprising:

at least two abutting lamellar phases;

at least 5 weight percent of surface active material in each lamellar phase;

about 3 to 30 weight percent of one or more amphoteric, or zwitterionic surfactants or a blend thereof each lamellar phase;

about 3 to 40 weight percent of an anionic surfactant m each the lamellar phase;

about 0.5 to 10 weight percent of a lamellar structurant selected from fatty acids, fatty esters, fatty alcohols, or trihydroxystearm each lamellar phase; and wherein each lamellar phase has a low shear viscosity value between 80 and 300 K cps at 25°C.

15. An extrudable multiphase agueous lamellar structured liquid cleansing product contained in a partitionless container .

16. A product according to claim 15 wherein the container has a single opening for dispensing a multiphase lamellar composition.

17. A product according to claim 16 wherein the dispensed composition has at least 1 weight percent of each lamellar phase contained within the partitionless container.

18. A product according to claim 16 wherein t e opening has a single pump attached thereto.

19. A product according to any of claims 15 to 18 wherein each lamellar phase has a distinct physιca_ appearance.

20. A product according to claim 19 wherein each lamellar phase has a distinct color.

21. A product according to any of claims 15 to 20 wherein there are two lamellar phases.

22. A method of using an extrudable mult_^ohase aqueous lamellar structured liquid cleansing

the composition having at least two abutting phases, comprising:

a surfactant selected from amphoteric, zwitterionic, or mixtures thereof;

an anionic surfactant;

a lamellar structurant present in each phase of the liquid composition, selected from fatty acids, fatty esters, trihydroxystearin, fatty alcohols; and

wherein each of the lamellar phases has a low shear viscosity value between 80 and 300 K cps at 25° C.