A building strut is formed as a cylinder having a plurality of contiguous sidewalls. Opposing terminal ends of the sidewalls define the ends of the cylinder. One or more of the sidewall ends are formed as a coiled spiral. These spirals may be formed within one of the ends of the cylinder or lateral to the cylinder's end and thus provide extreme strength to the end of the cylinder. The ends of the sidewalls that are not coiled may terminate adjacent to the coiled sidewall or may extend axially beyond it, and they may be separated to form independent ears, or they may maintain their mutual integrity. If the ears are separate, they may be bent outwardly lateral to the cylinder, or at an angle to it, to facilitate joining to other structural members.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to structural elements in the building construction industry, and more particularly to a framing strut apparatus with coiled ends.
2. Description of Related Art
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Houghton, Jr., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,241 describes a bridging unit comprising a pair of telescopically adjustable bars of substantially U-shaped cross-section. The female bar includes a longitudinal guide rib in its bight portion and further including longitudinally spaced, outwardly pressed substantially louver-shaped projections defining depressions in its opposed side walls spaced from the free longitudinal edges thereof. The female bar still further having channels in the side walls extending from the depressions to said longitudinal edges, substantially louver-shaped dogs struck out from the side walls of the male section and engageable selectively in and disengageable from the depressions through the channels for releaseably securing the bars in adjusted position. The male section having a longitudinal groove in its bight portions slidably accommodating the rib, and guides struck inwardly from the side walls of the female bar adjacent one end thereof and engaged with the longitudinal edges of the male bar for slidably securing same in the one end of the female bar.
Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 2,711,806 describes an expandable supporting beam for use in building, comprising a plurality of telescopic member including a central member and two end members, each end member having an opening adjacent the outermost end thereof, a bearing portion on each of the end members for respective mounting on spaced supports, means for removing the bearing portions from the supports and including dismounting bars, each bar being provided with a recess facing a corresponding opening; the bars being mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in the outer ends of the end members and movable between inoperative positions within the members and operative positions extending beyond the ends of the end members to abut the supports on which the members bear to force the respective bearing portions from the supports, and means extending through an opening in one of the end members into a recess in one of the bars for moving each of the dismounter bars between the positions.
Short et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,743 describes a girder comprising a pair of open-web I-beams, means, at longitudinally spaced stations connecting adjacent flange edges of the beam in a manner to secure the beams in spaced parallel relationship defining a continuous passageway therebetween, bounded on its sides by the respective webs of the beams and on its top and bottom by the respective adjacent upper and lower flanges of said beams and said connecting means, said adjacent flanges at the bottom of the passageway defining a pair of spaced tracks there along, the adjacent parallel flanges at the top of the passageway defining a pair of tracks there along opposed to the lower tracks, a second pair of open-web I-beams of lesser height and width than said passageway in said first pair of I-beams, means securing the second pair of I-beams in parallel relationship at the adjacent corresponding edges of their upper and lower flanges, the second pair of I-beams being retractable and extensible in the passageway defined by said first pair of I-beams, opposed anti-friction roller means between the first and second pair of I-beams, engageable along the upper and lower pairs of tracks respectively for centering the second pair of I-beams within the first pair of I-beams, and for facilitating longitudinal telescoping movement of said first and second pairs of I-beams, the roller means comprising transverse bearing sleeves welded to the web of the second beam in alignment, and axle extending through said sleeves, and individual rollers on said axle outwardly of the web of the second pair of I-beams in engagement with the flange of the first pair of I-beams, and other of the individual rollers inwardly of the webs of the second pair of I-beams in engagement with the flanges of the second pair of I-beams.
Kimball, U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,634 describes a tubular pole that comprises a plurality of nonmetallic telescopic sections and with the sections of the pole being of substantially identical diameter for the major height of the pole, a metallic conductor embedded within each of the sections and with the conductors having outwardly and inwardly exposed portions whereby the conductors of adjacent sections have in overlying frictional contact when the sections are in telescoped relation to form a continuous electrical conductor throughout the height of the pole, the conductors lying wholly within the pole against external exposure when the sections are assembled.
Young, U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,731 describes an extensible column for supporting an overhead roof structure relative to a floor slab or the like comprising, a pair of load-bearing tubes each having a relatively thin cylindrical wall, cross members joining said tubes rigidly in spaced parallel relationship, an extensible stud having a relatively thin cylindrical wall telescopically interfitting an endwise portion of each load-bearing tube, each stud having a portion projecting outwardly beyond the end of said load-bearing tube, an endwise portion of the stud being flattened and providing an anchor plate projecting from the end portion of the stud at right angles to the axis thereof, the anchor plate being integral with the cylindrical wall of the stud, the anchor plate having fold portions integral with the end of the cylindrical wall of the stud and doubled over upon the anchor plate, the fold portions extending outwardly and joined to the outer edges of the anchor plate at opposite sides, the fold portion providing a rigid connection adapting the anchor plate to resist angular deflection relative to the stud, the end portion of each,load-bearing tube opposite the stud having an anchor plate projecting therefrom at right angles to the axis of the load-bearing tube, the column adapted to be interfitted in upright position between the floor slab and roof structure with the studs extended and with the anchor plates seated against the floor slab and roof structure, and means for locking the extensible studs relative to the load-bearing tubes, thereby adapting the column to carry the weight load of the roof structure.
Black, U.S. Pat. No. 3,078,970 describes a section of a sectional adjustable truss-type bridge joist, a prefabricated section comprising, in combination, a linearly straight upper angle iron, a complemental linearly straight lower angle iron parallel to and spaced below the upper angle iron, the angle irons being of duplicate cross-section and each including a vertical flange and a horizontal flange, the vertical flanges being in a common plane, the corresponding inner ends of the upper and lower angle irons terminating together a flat-faced plate of a cross-sectional thickness corresponding to the thickness of the vertical flanges of the angle irons and interposed between and welded to the cooperative lengthwise edges of the flanges, and a vertical longitudinal edge of the plate being flush with the cooperating terminal ends of the vertical flanges, the vertical flanges having several bolt holes cooperating with the transverse end portions of the plate, the end of the upper angle iron opposite to the locale of the plate extending beyond the corresponding end of the lower angle iron and being provided with L-shaped fixedly attached cleats, the cleats providing bearing seats, and diagonal braces connecting the upper and lower angle irons together.
Land, U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,795 describes a building wall comprising first channel means secured to the building ceiling and having downwardly depending spaced apart substantially parallel flanges, second channel means secured to the building floor and having upwardly extending spaced apart substantially parallel flanges, the first channel means being disposed in cooperative relation to the second channel means, a plurality of tubular support elements interposed between the first and second channel means in horizontally spaced generally parallel relation, the ends of the support elements being disposed between the flanges of the first and second channel means, each support element comprising an elongated element into at least one end of which an extension element is mounted in axially adjustable threaded relation, an outer surface of each elongated element being in substantial alignment with the outer surface of one flange of the first channel means and with the outer surface of the corresponding flange of the second channel means, a spacer block threadedly mounted on at least one of the extension elements and normally disposed approximately midway between the one end of the associated elongated element and the associated channel means, the spacer block having an outer surface in substantial alignment with the outer aligned surfaces of the associated elongated element and flanges wall panel means disposed adjacent the vertically aligned surface of said spacer block, flanges, and tubular supports in flat abutting face contacting relation and means for securing the wall panel means to the adjacent aligned surfaces of the flanges, spacer block, and tubular supports.
Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,562 describes an extensible and contractible joist comprising an outer joist member and an inner joist member disposed in telescopic relationship to each other, the outer joist member comprising a top frame, a bottom frame and side frame members defining a hollow frame construction, the inner joist member having a top member, side members and terminating at its bottom in a lateral projection, the inner joist member being of a height less than the spacing between the top and bottom frames of the outer joist member, but the top frame of the outer joist member and the extended portion of the top member of the inner joist member defining a generally continuous unobstructed horizontal load bearing surface, overhanging projection means carried by the bottom frame of the outer joist member at an end thereof, the overhanging projection means overhanging the lateral projection of the inner joist member permitting slidable movement of the inner joist member relative to the outer joist member but restricting upward movement of the inner joist member within the outer joist member to space the top member of the inner joist member a short distance below the top frame of the outer joist member, and a plate carried by the bottom frame of the outer joist member adjacent the overhanging projection means restricting downward movement of the inner joist member within the outer joist member to maintain the top member of the inner joist member in substantially plane-parallel spaced relationship to the top frame of the outer joist member, thereby to cause the inner joist member in use to be loaded in tension at the juncture of the inner joist member with the end of the outer joist member and to prevent the application of crushing force from the outer joist member to the top frame member of the inner joist member.
Hutchinson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,306 describes a method of forming a pair of separably connected cooperating bracing members comprising cutting out a pair of transverse diametrically opposed slots from a long flat strip of metal intermediate the ends thereof and leaving a narrow tongue separating the slots, the slots communicating with the sides of the strip, the slots communicating with the sides of the strip, the slots dividing the strip into first and second end portions which are connected by the tongue, forming at least one opening in the first end portion substantially midway between the sides thereof capable of receiving the tongue, forming the outer end of the strip into wood penetrating elements, forming longitudinally extending rib adjacent one side of the first end portion, forming a longitudinally extending rib on the second end portion adjacent the same side of the strip as the first mentioned rib, the ribs being in parallel relationship and lying on opposite sides of and immediately adjacent to a common longitudinally extending line, the ribs protruding from opposite faces of the strip for subsequent engagement with each other, transversely scoring the strip along the line of juncture between the tongue and first end portion whereby the tongue can be severed from the first end portion by pivotally moving the end portions relative to one another about the weak joint, forming the first end portion into a first channel whereby its rib is located on the side wall of the channel and forming the second end portion into a second channel which is slightly narrower than the first named channel whereby the second channel can be telescopically seated in the first channel and enclosed thereby, and whereby the second named rib is located on the side wall of the second channel corresponding to the side wall of the first channel upon which its rib is located, the first named rib being closer to the side edge of the strip than the second named rib whereby the first named rib lies below and engages the second named rib when the channels are in the telescoped relationship.
Kisovec, U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,223 describes an adjustable framework member consisting of at least two longitudinally extended parts including an outer carrier having a lower edge, an upper edge and side walls which connect the lower edge and the upper edge, and inner carrier telescopically received in said outer carrier with vertical clearance between the two carriers, adjustable locking means disposed inwardly of the end of the outer carrier for displacing the inner end of the inner carrier upwardly with respect to the outer carrier, and inwardly projecting fulcrum means located below the lower surface of the upper edge of the outer carrier at a point which lies outwardly of the locking means.
Rambelje, U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,996 describes a form supporting girder comprising an end support piece disposed at the ends thereof and having a load supporting support flange extending longitudinally from the end at the uppermost point thereof, the invention comprising a bearing rib transversely arranged at the mid-portion of the end face of said piece, the rib extending outwardly from the face a distance approximating the room necessary for pinch bar insertion and having an enlarged end portion, a bearing ridge downwardly extending from the bottom of the flange and having a bearing face aligned with the enlarged end portion of the bearing rib.
Rambelje, U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,639 describes and adjustable cambered form-supporting girder for concrete construction comprising a box-like section and an I-beam section slidable lengthwise within the box-like section for adjustment of the length of the girder, locking means for holding an outer end surface of the I-beam section pressed against an inner surface of the box-like section, the box-like section being constructed of a single extruded member having opposed side walls and upper and lower walls extending between the side walls, and at least one flange extending lengthwise of the box-like section and projecting upwardly above the upper wall, the upwardly projecting flange being higher toward the center of the box-like section than toward the ends thereof to produce a camber in the uppermost surface of the box-like section without cambering such section as a whole.
Bigalow, U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,001 describes a vertical column and a base supporting the column, the base comprising a flat stationary plate, a cover having an opening, means fixing the cover to the plate in spaced relation there above, and a flat adjustable plate supported on the stationary plate in the space between it and the cover, the column being fixed to the adjustable plate and extending through the opening, the opening being larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the column to enable adjustment of the adjustable plate with respect to the stationary plate to rotate the column and shift it horizontally in any direction, but smaller than the adjustable plate, whereby the cover retains the adjustable plate, the column remaining vertical throughout adjustments of the adjustable plate.
Demeules et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,957 describes an extensible joist comprising in combination: a main joist assembly composed of a pair of longitudinally extended laterally spaced elongated members, each elongated member having an outwardly directed flange and a downwardly directed flange, a brace means including an elongated element having alternate upward and downward right angle bends, the elongated element having alternate right angle bends located between and secured to the downwardly directed flanges to divide the element into plurality of segments, a longitudinally extended stress member positioned below the members and secured to the brace means, and end piece having a generally U-shaped configuration mounted on one end of the joist assembly for longitudinal sliding movement thereon, the end piece comprising a pair of end piece members positioned adjacent the outside of one end of the downwardly directed flange of the elongated member at the outer end thereof and a cross member connecting the outer ends of the end piece members, each end piece member having an elongated top surface engageable with the bottom surface of the adjacent outwardly directed flange of the elongated member and a side engageable with the outside of the adjacent downwardly directed flange, the end piece members including opposed and aligned longitudinally extended openings, and adjustable and releasable fastening means extended through the openings between adjacent segments of said brace means releaseably clamping the sides of the end piece members into engagement with the downwardly directed flanges, a single retaining means connected to the elongated members longitudinally inwardly from the one end of the joist assembly and extended downwardly therefrom between the end piece members, the retaining means having a portion engaging the bottom of the end piece members and holding the top surfaces of the end piece members in engagement with the bottom surfaces of the downwardly directed flanges
Yancey, U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,295 describes a bumper comprising: an impact absorbing sheet having at least two vertically spaced rows of openings, a horizontally extending ribbon portion being provided on each side of the rows of openings and the openings in each row being separated by a web portion, each ribbon including alternating, longitudinally spaced crests and troughs, the crests extending outwardly from a vertical reference plane and the troughs extending inwardly from the reference plane, the transitional portion of each ribbon between the crests and troughs extending at an angle with respect to the reference plane, the crests on each ribbon being aligned with a trough on an adjacent ribbon whereby the aligned transitional portions of adjacent ribbons are disposed at angles that are inclined oppositely with respect to said reference plane, said webs each having a first end portion merging with a transitional portion of one ribbon and a second end portion merging with the aligned transitional portion of an adjacent ribbon, the intermediate portion of each web between its end portions being twisted throughout its length; and means for mounting said sheet upon a vehicle.
Bolton, U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,425 describes a device including threadably engaged telescoping members adapted to be extended into engagement with spaced apart nonmetallic floor joists. One end of the device has two pointed projections for penetrating a joist and limiting the member from rotating while the other end has a single pointed projection for penetrating a joist but permitting the member to be rotated to extend the device.
McDonnell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,668 describes a spring-loaded, adjustable stud, for a wall partition arrangement, adapted to fit between a pair of channel members secured to a floor and ceiling, comprising; a pair of channel elements arranged in telescoping relation, and having spring means interconnecting said channel elements and urging them away from each other and against said channel members.
Mieyal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,127 describes a metal stud assembly disclosing for use in either drywall construction or as intermediate studs in demountable walls. The stud assembly includes a U-shaped stud member and a U-shaped stud extension which telescopes into one end of the stud member with a resilient-type of interference fit which produces a controlled resistance to relative axial movement and eliminates possible looseness. The stud extension is provided with angulated tabs which snap into a channel-shaped ceiling track to lock the stud extension therein. The lower end of the stud fits into a channel-shaped floor track to secure the lower end of the stud assembly in place. The stud assembly is sufficiently flexible to allow the lower end to be twisted through about 90 degree to position the narrow dimension thereof crosswise with respect to the floor track for easy insertion. After insertion, the stud assembly is returned to the untwisted position to complete the installation.
Larrieu, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,123 describes an elongated stiff but flexive and longitudinally bowable inclined push stick including an upper end engageable with the top plate of a wall frame and equipped with subfloor surface engaging and penetrating teeth on its lower end. The upper end of push stick is engageable with the top plate of a first wall frame adjacent a second relatively angulated wall frame relative to which the first wall frame is anchored and the teeth on the lower end of the push stick are engaged with the subflooring. Thereafter, the longitudinal mid portion of the push stick has downward inclined pressure applied thereto toward the sole plate of the first wall frame while the upper end of the push stick is maintained in engagement with top plate of the first wall frame in order to slide the teeth of the lower end of the push stick along the subflooring until the first wall frame is vertically disposed after which the downward pressure on the longitudinal mid portion of the push stick may be released and inclined brace of the second wall frame may be secured in position.
Frigon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,251 describes An extendable pole or mast is constructed from a plurality of nested pole sections with each pole section is made from an initially flat sheet which is roll formed into a rectangular, preferably square, cross section element. A seam is formed by over lapping the edges of the sheet, with the bulk of the seam being placed inwardly of the element. Each of the inner sections includes its own seam and an offset of sufficient size and depth to receive the seam and offset of outer sections. The sheet material permits tabs to be cut or stamped into outer walls of the outer sections in order to support an adjacent inner pole section. Tabs are formed in each of the outer pole sections. These tabs are biased to extend inwardly, against the adjacent inner pole section. Tabs may be formed below the first tab to provide a choice in the amount of extension of the pole.
Keil, U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,288 describes a rigid tubular member of variable length and rectangular cross-section adapted to be sized, flared and conjoined with at least one other rigid member to create a variety of tubular member frameworks for greenhouse construction, and the like. Each member is provided with a plurality of elongate, linear groovings, either located proximal to, or coincident with, the external and/or internal elongate seams of the member, with the inscribed sets of groovings are such being of a depth sufficient to facilitate separation under manual force of at least one, up to four, of the end sidewall segments, providing flared end segments, either disposed at right or acute angles, which segments are adapted to be fastened to another rigid member in any of several locations, along it, in the course of a framework erection.
Muller et al., EP 0625622, describes an extensible structural support having an inner tube which is plugged telescopically into an outer tube and is provided in the longitudinal direction with a plurality of bores for receiving a plug-in bolt which is intended for the length adjustment of the structural support and, in the event of loading of the structural support, is supported on the outer tube. According to the invention, adjacent bores of the inner tube are arranged such that they are offset, in the circumferential direction of the inner tube, by a predetermined angular amount in each case. By virtue of the bores being arranged such that they are offset at certain angles, the invention makes it possible, for a structural support with a predetermined nominal load-bearing capacity and with a spacing between adjacent bores of the inner tube which is the same as in the prior art, to reduce the wall thickness and/or the diameter of the inner tube considerably, as a result of which savings in materials and thus weight can be made for the structural support, this having considerable advantages in terms of costs, in particular as far as the mass production of such structural supports is concerned.
Engelburg, NR 469472, no English translation.
The prior art teaches the use of tubular building struts, but does not teach coiling of the ends of the sidewalls of these struts to achieve significant strength improvements. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

Metal framing strut with coiled end portions


The invention provides a hair treatment composition such as a shampoo or conditioner suitable for topical application to hair for the repair and prevention of damage, comprising (i) cholesterol, and (ii) a hair benefit agent which is a mixture of a basic amino acid and a fatty acid. Preferably the cholesterol and hair benefit agent are compounded into a dispersion of multilamellar vesicles, stabilised with nonionic surfactant.

The invention relates to hair treatment compositions. More particularly the invention relates to hair treatment compositions comprising cholesterol in combination with certain hair benefit agents, which compositions are particularly suitable for application to hair for repair and restoration of damaged hair, and for moisturisation and protection of the hair fibre against future damage.
Hair can suffer damage from a number of sources. The hair fibre can be damaged by environmental influences such as exposure to UV and chlorine; chemical influences such as bleaching, perming, overfrequent washing with harsh surfactant based cleansing shampoo compositions; and mechanical influences such as prolonged use of heated styling appliances.
Damage to the hair typically manifests itself in cuticle and protein loss from the hair fibre, excessive fibre stiffness, hair fibre brittleness and breakage and frayed or split ends.
A wide array of ingredients are claimed to be effective in the treatment and prevention of hair damage, as can be seen from the literature and from marketed products.
For example, certain amino acids are known to provide beneficial results in the prevention and treatment of hair damage. A number of shampoo and conditioner formulations are on the market which contain aloe vera extract, a substance rich in arginine, as an ingredient for fibre repair and moisturisation. Literature references include DE 3118882-A, which describes a tonic for hair which contains a mixture of amino acids. In this mixture, a 1:4:12 histidine:lysine:arginine ratio is said to stimulate keratin formation. FR 2669224-A describes a scalp treatment comprising amino-dicarboxylic acid complexed with a basic amino acid complex as the active ingredient. The complex is said to prevent degradation of the hair root and improve the hydration of the hair keratin by neutralisation of scalp lactic acid. U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,235 describes hair treatment with a xe2x80x9ccocktailxe2x80x9d of 20 different amino acids and vitamins to enhance softness, lustre and body.
WO93/15709 is directed to the treatment and prevention of damage to keratinous material. This document describes a composition comprising an xe2x80x9coleophilic liquid vehiclexe2x80x9d which is preferably a mixture of oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids, for infusing the other reagents in the composition into the hair shaft. The other reagents are a higher n-alkane such as eicosane, which is said to bond hydrophobically to keratin, and preferably a long chain dibasic acid such as sebacic acid, which is postulated to cross-link and therefore reinforce keratin chains at damage sites.
There remains a need for topical hair treatment compositions which deliver improved damage repair and protection to the hair.
The present inventors have now found that the penetration of certain hair benefit agents into the hair fibre from a topical hair treatment product can be specifically enhanced by the inclusion of cholesterol in the hair treatment composition. Compositions according to the present invention demonstrate improved efficacy in the repair and prevention of the principal symptoms of damaged hair.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a hair treatment composition suitable for topical application to hair for the repair and prevention of damage, comprising:
(i) cholesterol, and
(ii) a hair benefit agent which is a mixture of a basic amino acid and a fatty acid.
Cholesterol is an essential component of the compositions of this invention.
The level of cholesterol in the composition is suitably from 0.005 to 0.1%, preferably from 0.01 to 0.05%, optimally from 0.02 to 0.03%, by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
Compositions of the invention contain as a further essential component, a hair benefit agent which is a mixture of a basic amino acid and a fatty acid.
By xe2x80x9cbasic amino acidxe2x80x9d is meant those amino acids having more basic groups than carboxyl groups. Suitable basic amino acids are L-arginine, DL-arginine hydrochloride, L-histidine, DL-histidine, L-lysine, and DL-lysine. L-Arginine is particularly preferred.
Simple derivatives of the basic amino acid may also be employed, such as salts and hydrosalts.
A particularly preferred example of a hydrosalt is a hydrohalide, especially the hydrochloride derivative.
It is further possible to employ other derivatives such as acyl, ester and peptide derivatives. These too may be used as salts or hydrosalts.
Examples are N-alkanoyl derivatives in which the alkanoyl moiety has an alkyl chain length of from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, e.g. N-butanoyl, N-hexanoyl and N-octanoyl, N-alkyl or COO-alkyl derivatives in which the alkyl group is straight chain and from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. methyl, ethyl and n-propyl and peptide derivatives in which the peptide residue comprises from 2 to 8 amino acid residues or substituted amino acid residues.
The level of basic amino acid in the composition is suitably from 0.005 to 0.5%, preferably from 0.01 to 0.4%, optimally from 0.1 to 0.3%, by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
By xe2x80x9cfatty acidxe2x80x9d is meant those compounds represented by the general formula RCOOH, wherein R denotes a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 7 to 25, preferably from 10 to 22 carbon atoms on averagexe2x80x94the hydrocarbon radical having a straight or branched chain or having hydroxyl group.
Suitable fatty acids are branched chain fatty acids such as 18-methyleicosanoic acid and other homologues of this series, straight chain fatty acids such as stearic, myristic and palmitic acids, and unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. The fatty acids may be added singly, as mixtures, or in the form of blends derived from extracts of, e.g. lanolin. Oleic acid is a particularly preferred fatty acid, since this is a principal component of the natural free fatty acid content of hair.
The level of fatty acid in the composition is suitably from 0.005 to 0.1%, preferably from 0.01 to 0.05%, optimally from 0.02 to 0.03%, by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
A particularly preferred combination is L-arginine and oleic acid.
The total weight of hair benefit agent in compositions of the invention is suitably from 0.005% to 5%, preferably from 0.085% to 2%, most preferably from 0.1 to 0.5% by total weight of hair benefit agent based on the total weight of the hair treatment composition.
Advantageously, in hair treatment compositions of the invention, the cholesterol and hair benefit agent may be compounded into a dispersion of multilamellar vesicles. This is highly preferred, since it is a convenient way of enhancing the efficacy of hair treatment compositions of the invention in the repair and prevention of the principal symptoms of damaged hair.
Thus, in a further aspect the present invention provides a hair treatment composition comprising a dispersion of multilamellar vesicles, the vesicles being formed of cholesterol, basic amino acid and fatty acid.
The dispersion of multilamellar vesicles may conveniently be prepared by the following steps:
(i) compounding the fatty acid with the cholesterol, and
(ii) adding the mixture so obtained to an aqueous solution of the basic amino acid.
In step (i), preferred fatty acids are as described above under the heading xe2x80x9cFatty Acidsxe2x80x9d. Especially preferred is oleic acid.
In general, if the amount of fatty acid relative to the amount of cholesterol is too low, then difficulties in compounding may be encountered. Conversely, too high an amount of fatty acid may be detrimental to conditioning performance of the final product. A suitable weight ratio of cholesterol to fatty acid (e.g. oleic acid) in step (i) was found to be about 3:1 to 1:2. Optimally, the weight ratio was found to be about 1:1, in terms of ease of processing, stability of the multilamellar vesicles and product performance.
In step (ii), in order to disperse the mixture of cholesterol and free fatty acid successfully, a basic (alkaline) aqueous solution was found to be an essential requirement. For example, aqueous solutions of derivatives of basic amino acids which are in salt form and therefore neutral (e.g. L-arginine monohydrochloride) are not suitable in this method, whereas aqueous solutions of free basic amino acid (e.g. L-arginine), are suitable.
The above process gives rise to the formation of a dispersion of multilamellar vesicles, which can be observed by polarised optical microscopy.
It is highly preferred to add a nonionic surfactant to the above dispersion. This has been found to improve the stability of the multilamellar vesicles towards the type of pH value normally encountered in hair treatment compositions (e.g. 6-7).
Suitable nonionic surfactants include condensation products of aliphatic (C8-C18) primary or secondary linear or branched chain alcohols or phenols with alkylene oxides, usually ethylene oxide and generally having from 4 to 30 ethylene oxide groups. Preferred nonionic surfactants are polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers and polyoxyethylene alkyl esters. Examples are polyoxyethylene lauric, myristic, and cetyl ethers, and sorbitan fatty acid esters such as Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80.
After addition of nonionic surfactant as described above, it is preferred to adjust the pH of the dispersion of multilamellar vesicles to around 6-7, before blending with the remaining formulation ingredients to form the final hair treatment composition. This may typically be accomplished by addition of a suitable acid, e.g. an organic acid such as lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, or an inorganic mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid.
Advantages of the above process include the fact that dispersion of cholesterol and fatty acid may be effected by simple stirring (no special equipment or mixing facilities required) and the short processing time (generally no longer than about 40 minutes).
The final product form of hair treatment compositions according to the invention may suitably be, for example, shampoos, conditioners, sprays, mousses or lotions. Particularly preferred product forms are shampoos, post-wash conditioners (leave-in and rinse-off) and hair treatment products such as hair essences.
A particularly preferred hair treatment composition in accordance with the invention is a shampoo composition.
Cleansing Surfactant
Such a shampoo composition will comprise one or more cleansing surfactants which are cosmetically acceptable and suitable for topical application to the hair. Further surfactants may be present as an additional ingredient if sufficient for cleansing purposes is not provided as emulsifying agent for oily or hydrophobic components (such as silicones) which may typically be present in the shampoo.
It is preferred that shampoo compositions of the invention comprise at least one further surfactant (in addition to that used as emulsifying agent) to provide a cleansing benefit.
Suitable cleansing surfactants, which may be used singularly or in combination, are selected from anionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. The cleansing surfactant may be the same surfactant as the emulsifier, or may be different.
Examples of anionic surfactants are the alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates, alkaryl sulphonates, alkanoyl isethionates, alkyl succinates, alkyl sulphosuccinates, N-alkyl sarcosinates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether carboxylates, and alpha-olefin sulphonates, especially their sodium, magnesium, ammonium and mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts. The alkyl and acyl groups generally contain from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and may be unsaturated. The alkyl ether sulphates, alkyl ether phosphates and alkyl ether carboxylates may contain from 1 to 10 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule.
Typical anionic surfactants for use in shampoos of the invention include sodium oleyl succinate, ammonium lauryl sulphosuccinate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate, triethanolamine dodecylbenzene sulphonate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauryl isethionate and sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate. The most preferred anionic surfactants are sodium lauryl sulphate, triethanolamine monolauryl phosphate, sodium lauryl ether sulphate 1 EO, 2EO and 3EO, ammonium lauryl sulphate and ammonium lauryl ether sulphate 1EO, 2EO and 3EO.
Examples of amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulphobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, wherein the alkyl and acyl groups have from 8 to 19 carbon atoms. Typical amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants for use in shampoos of the invention include lauryl amine oxide, cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine and preferably lauryl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium cocamphopropionate.
The shampoo composition can also include co-surfactants, to help impart aesthetic, physical or cleansing properties to the composition. A preferred example is a nonionic surfactant, which can be included in an amount ranging from 0% to about 5% by weight based on total weight.
For example, representative nonionic surfactants that can be included in shampoo compositions of the invention include condensation products of aliphatic (C8-C18) primary or secondary linear or branched chain alcohols or phenols with alkylene oxides, usually ethylene oxide and generally having from 6 to 30 ethylene oxide groups.
Other representative nonionics include mono- or di-alkyl alkanolamides. Examples include coco mono- or di-ethanolamide and coco mono-isopropanolamide.
Further nonionic surfactants which can be included in shampoo compositions of the invention are the alkyl polyglycosides (APGs). Typically, the APG is one which comprises an alkyl group connected (optionally via a bridging group) to a block of one or more glycosyl groups. Preferred APGs are defined by the following formula:
ROxe2x88x92(G)n
wherein R is a branched or straight chain alkyl group which may be saturated or unsaturated and G is a saccharide group.
R may represent a mean alkyl chain length of from about C5 to about C20. Preferably R represents a mean alkyl chain length of from about C8 to about C12. Most preferably the value of R lies between about 9.5 and about 10.5. G may be selected from C5 or C6 monosaccharide residues, and is preferably a glucoside. G may be selected from the group comprising glucose, xylose, lactose, fructose, mannose and derivatives thereof. Preferably G is glucose.
The degree of polymerisation, n, may have a value of from about 1 to about 10 or more. Preferably, the value of n lies in the range of from about 1.1 to about 2. Most preferably the value of n lies in the range of from about 1.3 to about 1.5.
Suitable alkyl polyglycosides for use in the invention are commercially available and include for example those materials identified as: Oramix NS10 ex Seppic; Plantaren 1200 and Plantaren 2000 ex Henkel.
The total amount of surfactant (including any co-surfactant, and/or any emulsifying agent) in shampoo compositions of the invention is generally from 0.1 to 50% by weight, preferably from 5 to 30%, more preferably from 10% to 25% by weight of the total shampoo composition.
Cationic Polymer
A cationic polymer is a preferred ingredient in shampoo compositions of the invention, for enhancing conditioning performance of the shampoo. Typically such a polymer enhances deposition of conditioning components such as silicone from the shampoo composition onto the intended site during use, i.e. the hair and/or the scalp.
The cationic polymer may be a homopolymer or be formed from two or more types of monomers. The molecular weight of the polymer will generally be between 5 000 and 10 000 000, typically at least 10 000 and preferably in the range 100 000 to about 2 000 000. The polymers will have cationic nitrogen containing groups such as quaternary ammonium or protonated amino groups, or a mixture thereof.
The cationic nitrogen-containing group will generally be present as a substituent on a fraction of the total monomer units of the cationic polymer. Thus when the polymer is not a homopolymer it can contain spacer non-cationic monomer units. Such polymers are described in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Directory, 3rd edition. The ratio of the cationic to non-cationic monomer units is selected to give a polymer having a cationic charge density in the required range.
Suitable cationic polymers include, for example, copolymers of vinyl monomers having cationic amine or quaternary ammonium functionalities with water soluble spacer monomers such as (meth)acrylamide, alkyl and dialkyl (meth)acrylamides, alkyl (meth)acrylate, vinyl caprolactone and vinyl pyrrolidine. The alkyl and dialkyl substituted monomers preferably have C1-C7 alkyl groups, more preferably C1-3 alkyl groups. Other suitable spacers include vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
The cationic amines can be primary, secondary or tertiary amines, depending upon the particular species and the pH of the composition. In general secondary and tertiary amines, especially tertiary, are preferred.
Amine substituted vinyl monomers and amines can be polymerized in the amine form and then converted to ammonium by quaternization.
The cationic polymers can comprise mixtures of monomer units derived from amine- and/or quaternary ammonium-substituted monomer and/or compatible spacer monomers.
Suitable cationic polymers include, for example:
copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidine and 1-vinyl-3-methyl-imidazolium salt (e.g. chloride salt), referred to in the industry by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, (CTFA) as Polyquaternium-16. This material is commercially available from BASF Wyandotte Corp. (Parsippany, N.J., USA) under the LUVIQUAT tradename (e.g. LUVIQUAT FC 370);
copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidine and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium-11. This material is available commercially from Gaf Corporation (Wayne, N.J. USA) under the GAFQUAT tradename (e.g., GAFQUAT 755N);
cationic diallyl quaternary ammonium-containing polymers including, for example, dimethyldiallyammonium chloride homopolymer and copolymers of acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 6 and Polyquaternium 7, respectively;
mineral acid salts of amino-alkyl esters of homo-and co-polymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,256);
cationic polyacrylamides (as described in WO95/22311).
Other cationic polymers that can be used include cationic polysaccharide polymers, such as cationic cellulose derivatives, cationic starch derivatives, and cationic guar gum derivatives.
Cationic polysaccharide polymers suitable for use in compositions of the invention include those of the formula:
Axe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94[Rxe2x88x92N+(R1) (R2) (R3)Xxe2x88x92],
wherein: A is an anhydroglucose residual group, such as a starch or cellulose anhydroglucose residual. R is an alkylene, oxyalkylene, polyoxyalkylene, or hydroxyalkylene group, or combination thereof. R1, R2 and R3 independently represent alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or alkoxyaryl groups, each group containing up to about 18 carbon atoms. The total number of carbon atoms for each cationic moiety (i.e., the sum of carbon atoms in R1, R2 and R3) is preferably about 20 or less, and X is an anionic counterion.
Cationic cellulose is available from Amerchol Corp. (Edison, N.J., USA) in their Polymer JR (trade mark) and LR (trade mark) series of polymers, as salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 10. Another type of cationic cellulose includes the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium-substituted epoxide, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 24. These materials are available from Amerchol Corp. (Edison, N.J. USA) under the tradename Polymer LM-200.
Other suitable cationic polysaccharide polymers include quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose ethers (e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,418), and copolymers of etherified cellulose and starch (e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,581).
A particularly suitable type of cationic polysaccharide polymer that can be used is a cationic guar gum derivative, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (Commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc in their JAGUAR trademark series).
Examples are JAGUAR C13S, which has a low degree of substitution of the cationic groups and high viscosity. JAGUAR C15, having a moderate degree of substitution and a low viscosity, JAGUAR C17 (high degree of substitution, high viscosity), JAGUAR C16, which is a hydroxypropylated cationic guar derivative containing a low level of substituent groups as well as cationic quaternary ammonium groups, and JAGUAR 162 which is a high transparency, medium viscosity guar having a low degree of substitution.
Preferably the cationic polymer is selected from cationic cellulose and cationic guar derivatives. Particularly preferred cationic polymers are JAGUAR C13S, JAGUAR C15, JAGUAR C17 and JAGUAR C16 and JAGUAR C162.
Conditioning Surfactant
Compositions in accordance with the invention may also be formulated as conditioners for the treatment of hair (typically after shampooing) and subsequent rinsing. Such a conditioner will comprise one or more conditioning surfactants which are cosmetically acceptable and suitable for topical application to the hair.
Suitable conditioning surfactants are selected from cationic surfactants, used singly or in admixture.
Examples of suitable cationic conditioning surfactants include quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants.
Suitable quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants for use in hair conditioners of the invention include cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, octyltrimethylammonium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, octyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, decyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, didodecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride, tallowtrimethylammonium chloride, cocotrimethylammonium chloride, and the corresponding hydroxides thereof. Further suitable cationic surfactants include those materials having the CTFA designations Quaternium-5, Quaternium-31 and Quaternium-18. Mixtures of any of the foregoing materials may also be suitable. A particularly useful cationic surfactant for use in hair conditioners of the invention is cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, available commercially, for example as GENAMIN CTAC, ex Hoechst Celanese.
A further preferred class of cationic conditioning surfactants are acid-neutralised amidoamine compounds of the general structural formula (I):
R1xe2x80x94C (O)xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94R2xe2x80x94N(R3)(R4)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein R1 is a fatty acid chain containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene group containing from one to four carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are, independently, an alkyl group having from one to four carbon atoms.
Examples of suitable amidoamine compounds of general structural formula (I) include stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, stearamidopropyl diethylamine, stearamidoethyl dimethylamine, stearamidoethyl diethylamine, palmitamidopropyl dimethylamine, behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, myristamidopropyl dimethylamine, oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, ricinoleamidopropyl dimethylamine, and combinations thereof.
The acid used to neutralise the amidoamine compound can be essentially any organic acid or mineral acid of sufficient acid strength to neutralise a free amine nitrogen. Such acids include hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, acetic acid, gluconic acid, glycolic acid and propionic acid, or combinations thereof. A preferred acid is lactic acid, since neutralisation of the amidoamine compound with this acid yields an exceptionally stable composition.
In general, a sufficient amount of acid is added to neutralise the amidoamine compound and to adjust the final pH of the composition to within a range of from about 2.5 to about 6, preferably in a pH range of from about 3 to about 5.
In conditioners of the invention, the level of cationic surfactant is preferably from 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.05 to 5%, most preferably 0.1 to 2% by total weight of cationic surfactant based on the total weight of the composition.
Fatty Alcohol
Conditioners of the invention advantageously incorporate a fatty alcohol. The combined use of fatty alcohols and cationic surfactants in conditioning compositions is believed to be especially advantageous, because this leads to the formation of a lamellar phase, in which the cationic surfactant is dispersed.
Representative fatty alcohols comprise from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 16 to 20. Examples of suitable fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. The use of these materials is also advantageous in that they contribute to the overall conditioning properties of compositions of the invention.
The level of fatty alcohol in conditioners of the invention is conveniently from 0.01 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composition. The weight ratio of cationic surfactant to fatty alcohol is suitably from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably from 4:1 to 1:8, optimally from 1:1 to 1:4.
Silicone is a particularly preferred ingredient in hair treatment compositions of the invention. In particular, hair shampoos and conditioners of the invention will preferably also comprise emulsified particles of silicone, for enhancing conditioning performance. The silicone is insoluble in the aqueous matrix of the composition and so is present in an emulsified form, with the silicone present as dispersed particles.
Suitable silicones include polydiorganosiloxanes, in particular polydimethylsiloxanes which have the CTFA designation dimethicone. Also suitable for use compositions of the invention (particularly shampoos and conditioners) are polydimethyl siloxanes having hydroxyl end groups, which have the CTFA designation dimethiconol, and polydimethylsiloxanes having containing at least one amino functional group, which have the CTFA designation amodimethicone or trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Examples of suitable materials include:
the DC200 series of silicone fluids, available from Dow Corning (e.g. DC200, viscosity 350 cs), or SF96 or the VISCASIL series of silicones, available from General Electric Silicones;
silicone gums such as SE30, SE54 and SE76, available from General Electric Silicones;
silicone gum/fluid blends such as Q2-1403 available from Dow Corning, or CF 1251, available from General Electric Silicones;
pre-formed emulsions of dimethiconol such as emulsions DC2-1766, DC2-1784, and microemulsions DC2-1865 and DC2-1870, all available from Dow Corning;
amino functional silicones such as Q2-8220 and Q2-8466 fluids, available from Dow Corning, and also SF-1708-D1, available from General Electric Silicones;
pre-formed emulsions of amino functional silicones such as DC929 Cationic Emulsion, DC939 Cationic Emulsion, and the non-ionic emulsions DC2-7224, DC2-8467, DC2-8177 and DC2-8154 (all ex Dow Corning);
silicone gum/silicone fluid/amino functional silicone blends.
Most preferably, the silicone for inclusion in the hair treatment composition of the invention, is sourced as a pre-formed aqueous emulsion, for example a mechanically-formed aqueous emulsion. In such emulsions, it is highly preferable that the emulsion additionally includes at least one emulsifier in order to stabilise the silicone emulsion. Suitable emulsifiers are well known in the art and include anionic and nonionic surfactants.
Preferably, the average particle size of the silicone droplets in the emulsion and also in the final hair treatment composition is less than 20 microns, more preferably less than 10 microns. A smaller silicone particle size enables a more uniform distribution of silicone on the hair for the same amount of silicone in the composition.
A particularly suitable silicone emulsion for use in compositions of the invention is an emulsion containing silicone gum with a viscosity greater than 1 Mcs, silicone fluid with a viscosity of less than 100 kcs and an amino functional silicone, in a nonionic surfactant base, of silicone particle size 5 microns.
Silicone particle size in the emulsion may be measured by means of a laser light scattering technique, for example using a 2600D Particle Sizer from Malvern Instruments.
Viscosity (of the silicone itself and not the emulsion or the final hair treatment composition) can be measured by means of a glass capillary viscometer as set out further in Dow Corning Corporate Test Method CTM004, Jul. 20, 1970.
The total amount of silicone incorporated into hair treatment compositions of the invention depends on the level of conditioning desired and the material used. A preferred amount is from 0.01 to about 10% by weight of the total composition although these limits are not absolute. The lower limit is determined by the minimum level to achieve conditioning and the upper limit by the maximum level to avoid making the hair and/or skin unacceptably greasy.
We have found that a total amount of silicone of from 0.3 to 5%, preferably 0.5 to 3%, by weight of the total composition is a suitable level.
Composition of the invention are preferably aqueous based, but non-aqueous solvents also can be used in order to help solubilise ingredients that are not sufficiently soluble in water. Suitable non-aqueous solvents include the lower alcohols like ethyl alcohol and propyl alcohol; polyols like glycerol; glycols or glycol ethers, like 2-butoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether or monomethyl ether and mixtures thereof. These non-aqueous solvents can be present in the composition of the invention in an amount of from 1 to 100%, preferably 5 to 50%, by weight based on the total weight of the vehicle of the composition of the invention.
Compositions of this invention may contain any other ingredient normally used in hair treatment formulations. These other ingredients may include viscosity modifiers, preservatives, colouring agents, polyols such as glycerine and polypropylene glycol, chelating agents such as EDTA, antioxidants such as vitamin E acetate, fragrances, antimicrobials and sunscreens. Each of these ingredients will be present in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Generally these optional ingredients are included individually at a level of up to about 5% by weight of the total composition.

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.