WO1997015266A1

WO1997015266A1 - Device for use in massaging the body

Info

Publication number: WO1997015266A1
Application number: PCT/EP1996/004035
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edwin Willis
Original assignee: Unilever Plc; Unilever N.V.
Priority date: 1995-10-23
Filing date: 1996-09-13
Publication date: 1997-05-01
Also published as: AU7085396A; GB9521682D0

Abstract

Hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag for use in conjunction with a personal cleansing composition comprising a surfactant to massage and cleanse human skin.

Description

DEVICE FOR USE IN MASSAGING THE BODY

The present invention relates to a hand held device intended to be used on the human body to massage the human skin. In particular it relates to hard particles contained within a flexible bag to massage the human body.

Devices to massage the human body are known in the art. For example from DE 4 132 975 it is known to massage the foot by walking on a massaging mat. The mat is made from a flexible material filled with hard massaging particles such as wood, metal and plastic.

We have now found that hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag can be used to massage other parts of the human body thereby promoting circulation.

Furthermore, we have found that such a bag can be used in conjunction with a personal cleansing composition to cleanse and massage the human body in a single treatment rather than in two separate treatments.

Thus, according to the invention a method of massaging the human skin comprises applying hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag to the skin surface and moving the bag against the skin surface such that the bag can deform.

The bag is preferably formed from a water-permeable material which may be knitted, woven or non-woven. Preferred materials are those hydrophobic materials which retain only small amounts of water when the bag is used in the presence of water, such as in the shower or bath, or in conjunction with an aqueous liquid product such as a shower gel. Such materials tend to be synthetic or man-made materials. Exemplary fabrics are selected from nylon, polyester, acrylic and polypropylene. The advantage with such materials is that they dry quickly after use thus reducing the propensity for bacteria and mould to breed and leave the bag with an unpleasant odour.

The flexible bag is intended to be in a form and of a size which is suitable for use as a hand held device for ease of use. The bag may be in the form of a ball, rectangle, square of any other shape provided that it can be held in the hand. If the bag is in the form of a square or rectangle it will preferably have two sides of length in the range 5 to 20 cm.

The bag is such so that during use the particles are retained in the bag. In some instances it may be necessary to remove the particles from the bag, replace them by particles with a different hardness. Thus, it is preferable that the bag is provided with sealable means which can easily be opened and resealed.

The particles preferably have a hardness within the range of 2 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness as defined in Kirk Othmar, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 12, page 124.

The particles are preferably formed from synthetic materials such as glass, ceramic and plastics, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylate. Alternatively, although less preferred, they can be formed from natural materials such as pebbles and gravel or from wood treated with a water-resistant coating.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the particles are substantially smooth spheroids. However, other shaped particles are not excluded provided that the shape does not impair free movement of the particles over one another. Any sharp corners or edges on the particles should be rounded to facilitate movement of the particles over each other and prevent damage to the human skin or the fabric from which the bag is formed. Particularly preferred are particles which have a diameter in the range 3 to 20 mm and are of fairly uniform size.

The particles may be solid, hollow, porous or non-porous. If porous, the particles may be impregnated with a benefit agent such as a perfume, emollient oil, for example, isopropyl palmitate; and bactericide which is advantageously deposited onto the skin during massaging thereof .

In one embodiment of the invention the particles may linked together such as by being drilled and threaded onto, for example, a nylon filament to prevent them from scattering if the bag is accidentally ruptured.

The bag may be used to apply products such as emollient oils, skin creams and skin lotions, directly to the human body. However, it also finds particular application when used in conjunction with a personal cleansing composition in aqueous form such as a shower gel, or in solid form such as a soap bar, by which is meant a bar comprising fatty acid soap, synthetic detergent active or a mixture thereof. When used with such a personal cleansing composition the bag may aid generation of foam.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a personal cleansing system comprising

i) hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag; and ii) a personal cleansing composition comprising a surfactant selected from synthetic surface active agents, soap and mixtures thereof.

The personal cleansing and massaging system according to the invention is used for cleansing the skin whilst simultaneously massaging the skin thereby promoting circulation. Although not essential, the bag and personal cleansing composition will preferably be packaged together in a kit.

The synthetic surface active agent is selected from anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric surface active agents. One preferred anionic detergent is fatty acyl isethionate of formula:

RC0₂CH₂CH₂S0₃M

where R is an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 21 carbon atoms and M is a solubilising cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium. Preferably at least three quarters of the RCO groups have 12 to 18 carbon atoms and may be derived from coconut, palm or a coconut/palm blend.

Another preferred anionic detergent is alkyl ether sulphate of formula:

RO(CH₂CH₂0)_nS0₃M

where R is an alkyl group of 8 to 22 carbon atoms, n ranges from 0.5 to 10 especially from 1.5 to 8, and M is a solubilising cation as before.

Other possible anionic detergents include alkyl glyceryl ether sulphate, sulphosuccinates, taurates, sarcosinates, sulphoacetates, alkyl phosphate, alkyl phosphate esters and acyl lactylate, alkyl glutamates and mixtures thereof.

Sulphosuccinates may be monoalkyl sulphosuccinates having the formula: R⁵0₂CCH₂CH(S0₃M)C0₂M; and amido-MEA sulphosuccinates of the formula: R⁵CONHCH₂CH₂0₂CCH₂CH (S0₃M)C0₂M; wherein R⁵ ranges from C₈-C₂₀ alkyl, preferably C₁₂-C₁₅ alkyl and M is a solubilising cation.

Sarcosinates are generally indicated by the formula: R^sCON(CH₃)CH₂C0₂M, wherein R⁵ ranges from C₈-C₂₀ alkyl, preferably C₁₂-C₁₅ alkyl and M is a solubilising cation.

Taurates are generally identified by the formula: R⁵CONR⁶CH₂CH₂S0₃M, wherein R⁵ ranges from C_e-C₂₀ alkyl, preferably C₁₂-C₁₅ alkyl, R⁶ ranges from C₁-C₄ alkyl, and M is a solubilising cation.

Harsh surfactants such as primary alkane sulphonate or alkyl benzene sulphonate will generally be avoided.

Suitable nonionic surface active agents include alkyl polysaccharides, lactobionamides, ethyleneglycol esters, glycerol monoethers, polyhydroxyamides (glucamide), primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C_8-20 aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

If the surface active agent comprises soap, the soap is preferably derived from materials with a C₈ to C₂₂ substantially saturated carbon chain and, preferably, is a potassium soap with a C₁₂ to C_lβ carbon chain.

Mixtures of any of the foregoing surface active agents may also be used. Where the personal cleansing composition is an aqueous liquid the surface active agent is preferably present at a level of from 1 to 60 wt%, preferably 4 to 20wt%.

For such aqueous liquid compositions it is also preferable that the composition includes from 0.5 to 15 wt% of a cosurfactant agent with skin-mildness benefits, i.e. a synergistic mildness active. Suitable materials are zwitterionic detergents which have an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 18 carbon atoms and comply with an overall structural formula: -

O

R¹ -[-C-NH (CH₂)_m-]_n-N^*-X-Y

where R¹ is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 18 carbon atoms R² and R³ are each independently alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

m is 2 to 4; n is 0 or 1;

X is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl; and

Y is -C0₂ ^" or -S0₃ ^".

Zwitterionic detergents within the above general formula include simple betaines of formula:-

and amido betaines of formula

R²

R¹ - C0NH ( CH₂ ) _m-iNr-CH₂C0₂

R³ where m is 2 or 3

In both formulae R¹, R² and R³ are as defined previously.

R¹ may, in 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 group R¹ has 10 to 14 carbon atoms. R² and R³ are preferably methyl.

A further possibility is a sulphobetaine of formula:-

R² R^:-N⁺- (CH₂)₃S0₃

I

R³ or R²

I R¹-CONH(CH₂)_m N⁺- (CH₂)₃S0₃

R³ where m is 2 or 3, or variants of these in which

-(CH₂)₃S0₃- ^{iS re}P^{laced b}^ OH -CH₂C IHCH₂S0₃

R¹, R² and R³ in these formulae are as defined previously.

When the composition is in solid form the surface active may comprise soap, synthetic detergent or a mixture of soap and synthetic detergent. In addition to the surfactant, the personal cleansing composition, particularly when it is in the form of an aqueous liquid, will advantageously contain skin benefit agents which, when deposited on the skin, moisturise, condition and/or protect the skin. Such benefit agents include

a) silicone oils, gums and modifications thereof such as linear and cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, amino, alkyl alkylaryl and aryl silicone oils; b) fats and oils including natural fats and oils such as jojoba, soyabean, rice bran, avocado, almond, olive, sesame, persic, castor, coconut, mink oils; and synthetic mono, di and triglycerides such as myristic acid glyceride and 2-ethylhexanoic acid glyceride; c) waxes such as carnauba, beeswax, lanolin and derivatives thereof; d) hydrophobic plant extracts; e) hydrocarbons such as liquid paraffins, petroleum jelly, and mineral oil; f) higher fatty acids and fatty alcohols containing at least 12 carbon atoms; g) esters such as cetyl octanoate, myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl adipate, butyl stearate, decyl oleate, cholesterol isostearate, glycerol monostearate, glycerol distearate, glycerol tristearate, alkyl lactate for example lauryl lactate, alkyl citrate and alkyl tartrate; h) essential oils such as pine, lavender, starflower, rose, evening primrose; i) lipids such as cholesterol, a commercially available source of which is Super Hartolan (ex Croda) which contains at least 30%wt cholesterol, ceramides, sucrose esters and pseudo-ceramides as described in European Patent Specification No. 556 957; j) vitamins such as vitamin A and E, and vitamin alkyl esters, including those vitamin C alkyl esters; k) sunscreens such as octyl methoxyl cinnamate (Parsol MCX) and butyl methoxy benzoylmethane (Parsol 1789) and 1) mixtures of any of the foregoing components.

Such benefit agents will preferably be present in an amount from 0.1 to 25wt% based on the composition.

Other components which may be included in the personal cleansing include anti-viral agents; hydroxycaprylic acids; pyrrolidone; carboxylic acids; 3, 4, 4 ' -trichlorocarbanilide; benzoyl peroxide; perfumes; essential oils; germicides and insect repellents such as 2, 4, 4 ' -trichloro-2 ' -hydroxydiphenyl ether (Irgasan DP300); salicylic acid; willow extract, N,N- dimethyl m-toluamide (DEET) ; opacifiers, preferably present in an amount 0.2 to 2.0 wt%; preservatives, such as 2-Bromo- 2-nitropropane-l, 3-diol, methyl paraben or a mixture of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate, preferably present in an amount of 0.2 to 2.0 wt% and perfumes, preferably present in an amount 0.5 to 2.0 wt%.

Liquid and/or gel compositions for use in the invention may be prepared by simply mixing their constituents with water. Premixes of some components may be made and combined, if convenient .

When the product is formulated as a liquid or gel it will preferably have a viscosity within the range 1000 to 100 000 mPas, measured at a shear rate of 10s^"1 and 25°C in a Haake Rotoviscometer RV20.

Solid cleansing compositions for use in the invention may be prepared by forming a neat soap, if present, adding any other surface active agent and/or cosurfactant agent and drying the mixture such as by air or vacuum drying. Thereafter, benefit agents and any optional components such as preservatives are added before the resulting product is milled, plodded and stamped.

The invention will now be further illustrated by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

In the examples:-

Sodium lauryl ether (3 EO) sulphate was Genapol ZRO ex Hoechst.

Cocamidopropylbetaine was Tegobetaine CK ex Goldschmidt. Glycerol was Pricerine 9081 ex Unichema Styrene/acrylate copolymer was Lytron 621B ex Morton.

A bag (14cm x 9 cm) with one open side was prepared from knitted polypropylene fabric, filled with 180grams of glass beads (diameter in the range 4.5-5.5mm) and sealed by sewing together the open side.

The cleansing composition used in the examples had the following formulation:- wt%

Sodium lauryl ether (3 EO) 13.0 Sulphate Cocoamidopropylbetaine 2.0

Sorbic acid 0.37

Sodium citrate dihydrate 0.49*

Citric acid 0.01*

Sodium chloride 1.9** Glycerol 1.0

Styrene/acrylate polymer 0.2

Minors + water to 100

* adjustable to give a pH = 5.3 ** adjustable to give a viscosity of 5000 mPas (measured on a Haake Rotoviscometer MVIII at a shear rate of 10s^"1 and temperature of 25°C) .

The following procedure was employed to assess the effect of massaging the skin using the aforementioned bag. In this procedure the redness of the forearms of human volunteers was assessed visually. The redness was taken as a measure of the effectiveness of the bag in massaging the skin surface and thereby stimulating blood flow.

The redness of both forearms of human volunteers were assessed prior to the test. Both forearms were then wetted with warm water. The cleansing composition, formulation given above, was then dispensed directly onto the arms and rubbed into the skin for 30 seconds; on one forearm using a hand, on the other using the bag described above. The forearms were then rinsed with warm water for 15 seconds before being patted dry with a paper towel. Both forearms were assessed immediately after treatment and 5 and 10 minutes thereafter.

For 6 out of 7 volunteers, forearms which had been washed using the bag were redder than those washed using the hand demonstrating the effectiveness of the bag as a massaging aid.

Claims

£IΔIM£

1. A method of massaging the human skin comprising applying hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag to the skin surface and moving the flexible bag against the skin surface such that the bag can deform.

2. A personal cleansing and massaging system comprising

i) hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag; and ii) a personal cleansing composition comprising a surfactant selected from synthetic surface active agents; soap and mixtures thereof.

A method of cleansing and massaging the human body using

i) hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag; and ii) a personal cleansing composition comprising a surfactant selected from synthetic surface active agents; soap and mixtures thereof,

the method comprises cleansing and massaging the human skin by lathering said personal cleansing composition by moving the hand held flexible bag against the surface skin such that the bag can deform; and rinsing the lather from the skin.

4. A method according to claims 1 or 3 wherein the flexible bag is formed from synthetic or man-made materials.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the material is selected from nylon, polyester, acrylic and polypropylene.

6. A method according to claims 1 or 3 wherein the hard particles are formed from synthetic materials selected from glass, ceramic and plastics.

7. A method according to claims 1 or 3 wherein the hard particles have a diameter within the range 3 to 20 mm.

8. A method according to claims 1 or 3 wherein the hard particles are linked together within the flexible bag.

9. Use of hard particles contained within a hand held flexible bag in conjunction with a personal cleansing composition to massage and cleanse human skin treated therewith.