The invention relates to use of polydextrose in combination with sucrose to induce biphasic liquid formation. Salt may be optionally used.

The present invention relates to aqueous liquid cleansing compositions which are biphasic in nature. More specifically, such compositions are characterized by having (assuming they have been standing a sufficiently long period of time after shaking) both an upper aqueous layer and a separate lower aqueous layer. In the subject invention, formation of the biphasic liquids is induced by use of sufficient amount of polydextrose in combination with sucrose. In preferred embodiment, the polydextrose is within an approximate molecular weight window. Use of sucrose widens the window of polydextrose which can be used and lowers the levels of polydextrose necessary to achieve biphasic effect.
Biphasic liquids defined by the general fact that the liquid is divided into two phases are not new. Most of these liquids comprise both one layer which is an aqueous layer and a second layer comprising a water immiscible oily material.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,609 to Weimer, for example, discloses a liquid detergent composition having an aqueous layer and a layer of liquid water immiscible oily material. When shaken, the liquid forms a temporary oil-in-water emulsion.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,478 to Olson Jr. et al. discloses a two phase shampoo composition made by preparing substantially polar and lipophilic portions of a shampoo composition.
Biphasic compositions comprising an upper and lower aqueous phase are also disclosed in the art. U.S. Ser. No. 09/643,142 to Williams et al., entitled xe2x80x9cA Separating MultiPhase Personal Wash Composition in a Transparent or Translucent Packagexe2x80x9d discloses biphasic compositions comprising:
(a) 5 to 35% surfactant;
(b) 1 to 12% thickener;
(c) 4 to 20% polyalkylene glycol; and
(d) sufficient non-chelating mineral salt to induce phase separation.
While the total amount of salt/electrolyte is not specifically discussed in the above specification, it is apparent from the examples that the amount sufficient to induce formation of biphasic layer is at least in the order of 4%, 5%, 6% and greater. By contrast, in the subject invention, salt is not required at all for biphasic formation and, if used, is generally in an amount less than 4%, preferably about 3% by wt. or less and more preferably about 2% by wt. or less. As discussed in the specification below, using small amounts of salt (i.e., about 0.5% to 3%, preferably 0.5% to 1%) does allow less amount of polydextrose to be used to induce biphasic formation.
Unlike the biphasic compositions in the Williams et al. specification, the biphasic compositions of the subject invention are induced by a combination polydextrose and sucrose (and optionally salt). The biphasic compositions of the invention are stable and do not require either thickener or polyalkylene glycol as is required by the compositions of Williams.
EP 0,116,422 to Reckett and Coleman also discloses multi-layered compositions in which two liquids are dispersible and which separate on standing. Again, at least 6% salt/electrolyte (e.g., sodium hexamataphosphate) are required in these compositions (see page 4, lines 17-19). The biphasic liquids of the invention are induced by polydextrose in combination with sucrose, not salt, and no salt is required, although small amounts (e.g., up to about 4%, preferably about 3% or less, more preferably about 1.5% or less, more preferably about 1% or less) may be used. Use of small amounts of salt tend to allow use of less sucrose and/or polydextrose.
In some preferred embodiments of the invention (e.g., where MW of polydextrose is above 1800) use of some salt is preferred to help stability of lower aqueous phase which tends to be more opaque when higher MW polydextrose (e.g., above 1800) are used.
In addition, the compositions of the subject invention are preferably used in translucent or transparent compositions (i.e., for the sensorial benefit) and such is not taught or suggested in EP 0,116,422.
Applicants have filed a co-pending application on same date as subject application in which biphasic as induced by use of polydextrose alone (and optionally salt depending on levels of polydextrose). The subject invention differs from said application in that there is required the use of sucrose in combination with polydextrose and this combination of polydextrose and sucrose provides greater flexibility as to amount of polydextrose used (with or without salt). Further, while the co-pending application requires polydextrose of defined molecular weight, such is not believed required by the present invention (although, as noted above, where MW of polydextrose is above 1800, preferably minimal amounts of salt, e.g., at least 0.1%, preferably at least 0.5%, should be used to help stabilize the lower, more opaque layer formed from the use of higher MW polydextrose; where no salt is used, preferably molecular weight of polydextrose is below 1500 and more preferably below 1200).
Applicants have now found that biphasic liquids (e.g., liquids which separate into top and bottom aqueous liquids) may be induced by addition of sufficient quantity of specifically defined polydextrose in combination with sucrose. This induction can occur with or without use of salt, although use of salt may lower amount of polydextrose used (and is also preferred when MW of polydextrose is above 1800; when such polydextrose is used, use of stabilizer, e.g., xanthan gum, is also preferred). Very low amounts of polydextrose (e.g., as low as about 2.5% by wt.) can be used if sucrose and/or surfactant levels are sufficiently high.
More specifically, the present invention comprises liquid personal cleansing compositions comprising:
(1) 5% to 75%, preferably 6% to 40% by wt. of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof;
(2) at least about 2.5%, more preferably at least 10% by wt. of polydextrose or mixture of polydextrose molecules. It is preferred, although not required that polydextrose have a degree of polymerization (e.g., number of linking glucose units) of 4 to 22 (this corresponds to MW of about 600 to about 3600);
(3) at least about 2.5% to 50% sucrose; and
(4) balance water and minors.
In a second embodiment of the claims, the invention comprises compositions wherein at least 0.5%, preferably at least 1%, more preferably at least 2% salt is used. Generally slightly higher salt allows use of slightly less polydextrose.
In another embodiment of the invention, when polydextrose of MW above 1800 is used, it is also preferred to use some salt. It is further preferred to use some stabilizer (e.g., xanthan gum, carbopol) to stabilize the generally more opaque lower layer.
The present invention relates to biphasic liquid cleansing-compositions wherein the formation of the biphasic liquid is induced by the addition of sufficient amount of polydextrose in combination with sucrose. Preferably, the degree of polymerization (defining number of linking glucose groups) of the polydextrose is 4 to 22.
More specifically, the invention comprises:
(1) 5% to 75% by wt. of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic, cationic surfactant and mixtures thereof;
(2) at least 2.5%, preferably 10% by wt. polydextrose; preferably, although not necessarily, the degree of polymerization (i.e., number of linking glucose units) of the polydextrose is 4 to 22 corresponding to a MW of 600 to 3600; preferably MW is 700 to 1800, more preferably 900 to 1500 and more preferably 900 to 1200 (at higher MW polydextrose, use of at least 0.1% to, preferably at least 0.5% salt is preferred as is, even more preferred, use of some additional stabilizer);
(3) at least about 2.5% sucrose; and
(4) balance water and minors.
As noted, when polydextrose of MW above 1800 is used, some salt is preferably used.
The general concept behind the invention is that, when sufficient amount of specified polydextrose is added in combination with sucrose, phase separation occurs. The sucrose lower level of polydextrose need to achieve the effect. Different surfactant systems can be used and the specific type of surfactants is not a limiting factor.
The inventive compositions may be used in combination with a transparent package in order to view the liquid. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention also comprises a system comprising said transparent or translucent package in combination with the liquid.
Typically, once the biphasic composition is formed (e.g, the composition xe2x80x9csettlesxe2x80x9d after having been shaken), the viscosity of the lower layer is lower than that of the upper layer.
Also, the density of lower layer is typically greater than that of upper layer.
Typically, in such biphasic liquids, there is no recrystallization visible after composition has been standing for 6 months at room temperature.
In a second embodiment of the invention, a small amount of salt is used and the amount of polydextrose needed to induce biphasic liquid may be reduced. More specifically, in this embodiment, the composition comprises at least 0.5% salt and at least 2.5% polydextrose.
In a third embodiment, the polydextrose is of MW above 1800 and some salt (at least 0.1%, preferably at least 0.5%) is used. More preferably, some stabilizer is added to this embodiment.
The various components of the composition are discussed in greater detail below.
Surfactant
The surfactant generally will comprise 5 to 75% by wt. of the total composition.
The surfactant is a surfactant which may be selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Preferably, there will be at least one anionic surfactant.
Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants are disclosed in McCutcheon""s Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American Edition (1986), published by Allured Publishing Corporation; McCutcheon""s Functional materials, North Americas Edition (1992), both of which are incorporated by reference into the subject application.
Examples of anionic surfactants include sarcosinates, sulfates, isethionates, taurates, phosphates, lactylates, glutamates and mixtures thereof. Among isethionates are preferred alkoxyl isethionates such as sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate and mixtures.
The alkyl and alkyl ether sulfates typically have the respective formulae ROSO3M and RO(C2H4O)xSO3M, wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl of from about 10 to about 30 carbon atoms, x is from about 1 to about 10, and M is a water-soluble cation such as ammonium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and triethanolamine. Another suitable class of anionic surfactants are the water-soluble salts of the organic, sulfuric acid reaction products of the general formula:
R1andSO3andM
wherein R1 is chosen from the group consisting of a straight or branched chain, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon of radical having from about 8 to about 24, preferably about 10 to about 16, carbon atoms; and M is a cation. Still other anionic synthetic surfactants include the class designated as succinamates, olefin sulfonates having about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms, and xcex5xcex3-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates. Examples of these materials are sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate.
Other anionic materials useful herein are soaps (i.e., alkali metal salts, e.g., sodium or potassium salts or ammonium or triethanolamine salts) of fatty acids, typically having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms. The fatty acids used in making the soaps can be obtained from natural sources such as, for instance, plant or animal-derived glycerides (e.g., palm oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, castor oil, tallow, lard, etc.). The fatty acids can also be synthetically prepared. Soaps are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,853.
Other useful anionic materials include phosphates such as monoalkyl, dialkyl, and trialkylphosphate salts.
Other anionic materials include alkanoyl sarcosinates corresponding to the formula RCON(CH3)CH2CH2CO2M wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl of about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms, and M is a water-soluble cation such as ammonium, sodium, potassium and alkanolamine (e.g., triethanolamine), a preferred examples of which are sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate, and sodium myristoyl sarcosinate. TEA salts of sarcosinates are also useful.
Also useful are taurates which are based on taurine, which is also known as 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. Especially useful are taurates having carbon chains between C8 and C16. Examples of taurates include N-alkyltaurines such as the one prepared by reacting dodecylamine with sodium isethionate according to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,072 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further non-limiting examples include ammonium, sodium, potassium and alkanolamine (e.g., triethanolamine) salts of lauroyl methyl taurate, myristoyl methyl taurate, and cocoyl methyl taurate.
Also useful are lactylates, especially those having carbon chains between C8 and C16. Non-limiting examples of lactylates include ammonium, sodium, potassium and alkanolamine (e.g., triethanolamine) salts of lauroyl lactylate, cocoyl lactylate, lauroyl lactylate, and caproyl lactylate.
Also useful herein as anionic surfactants are alkylamino carboxylates such as glutamates, especially those having carbon chains between C8 and C16. Non-limiting examples of glutamates include ammonium, sodium, potassium and alkanolamine (e.g., triethanolamine) salts of lauroyl glutamate, myristoyl glutamate, and cocoyl glutamate.
Non-limiting examples of preferred anionic lathering surfactants useful herein include those selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, ammonium cetyl sulfate, sodium cetyl sulfate, ammonium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, triethanolamine lauroyl lactylate, sodium caproyl lactylate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl methyl taurate, sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium myristoyl glutamate, and sodium cocoyl glutamate and mixtures therefor.
Especially preferred for use herein is ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl lactate, and triethanolamine lauroyl lactylates.
Nonionic Lathering Surfactants
Non-limiting examples of nonionic lathering surfactants for use in the compositions of the present invention are disclosed in McCutcheon""s, Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American Edition (1986), published by allured Published Corporation; and McCutcheon""s, Functional materials, North American Edition (1992); both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Nonionic lathering surfactants useful herein include those selected form the group consisting of alkyl glucosides, alkyl polyglucosides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, alkoxylated fatty acid esters, alcohol ethoxylates, lathering sucrose esters, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof.
Alkyl glucosides and alkylipolyglucosides are useful herein, and can be broadly defined as condensation articles of long chain alcohols, e.g., C8-30 alcohols, with sugars or starches or sugar or starch polymers i.e., glycosides or polyglycosides. These compounds can be represented by the formula (S)nxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94R wherein S is a sugar moiety such as glucose, fructose, mannose, and galactose; is an integer of from about 1 to about 1000, and R is a C8-30 alkyl group. Examples of long chain alcohols from which the alkyl group can be derived include decyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol and the like. Preferred examples of these surfactants include those wherein S is a glucose moiety, R is a C8-20 alkyl group, and n is an integer of from about 1 to about 9. Commercially available examples of these surfactants include decyl polyglucoside (available as APG 325 CS from Henkel) and lauryl polyglucoside (available as APG 600 CS and 625 CS from Henkel). Also useful are sucrose ester surfactants such as sucrose cocoate and sucrose laurate.
Other useful nonionic surfactants include polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, more specific examples of which include glucosamides, corresponding to the structural formula:
wherein R1 is H, C1-C4 alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxy-propyl, preferably C1-C4 alkyl, more preferably methyl or ethyl, most preferably methyl;R2 is C5-C31 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C7-C19 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably C9-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C11-C15 alkyl or alkenyl; and Z is a polyhydroxy hydrocarbyl moiety having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyl directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably is a sugar moiety selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, xylose, and mixtures thereof. As especially preferred surfactant corresponding to the above structure is coconut alkyl N-methyl glucoside amide (i.e., wherein the R2CO-moiety is derived form coconut oil fatty acids). Processes for making compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are disclosed, for example, in GB Patent Specification 809,060, published Feb. 18, 1959, by Thomas Hedley and Co., Ltd.; U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,576, to E. R. Wilson, issued Dec. 20, 1960; U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,798 to A. M. Schwartz, issued Mar. 8, 1955; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,985,424, to Piggott, issued Dec. 25, 1934; which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Other examples of nonionic surfactants include amine oxides. Amine oxides correspond to the general formula R1R2R3NO, wherein R1 contains an alkyl, alkenyl or monohydroxyl alkyl radical of from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties, and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl moiety, and R2 and R3 contain from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and from 0 to about 1 hydroxy group, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, or hydroxypropyl radicals. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of a semipolar bond. Examples of amine oxides suitable for use in this invention include dimethyidodecylamine oxide, oleyldi(2-hydroxyethyl) amine oxide, dimethyloctylamine oxide, dimethyl-decylamine oxide, dimethyl-tetradecylamine oxide, 3,6,9-trioxaheptadecyidiethylamine oxide, di(2-hydroxyethylytetradecylamine oxide, 2-dodecoxyethyidimethylamine oxide, 3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyldi(3-hydroxypropyl)amine oxide, diemethylhexadecyclamine oxide.
Non-limiting examples of preferred nonionic surfactants for use herein are those selected form the group consisting of C8-C14 glucose amides, C8-C14 alkyl polyglucosides, sucrose cocoate, sucrose laurate, lauramine oxide, cocoamine oxide, and mixtures thereof.
Amphoteric Lathering Surfactants
The term xe2x80x9camphoteric lathering surfactant,xe2x80x9d as used herein, is also intended to encompass zwitterionic surfactants, which are well known to formulators skilled in the art as a subset of amphoteric surfactants.
A wide variety of amphoteric lathering surfactants can be used in the compositions of the present invention. Particularly useful are those which are broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, preferably wherein the nitrogen is in a cationic state, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the radicals contains an ionizable water solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate.
Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention are disclosed in McCutcheon""s, Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American Edition (1986), published by Allured Publishing Corporation; and McCutcheon""s, Functional Materials, North American Edition (1992); both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Non-limiting examples of amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants are those selected from the group consisting of betaines, sultaines, hydroxysultaines, alkyliminoacetates, iminodialkanoates, aminoalkanoates, and mixtures thereof.
Examples of betaines include the higher alkyl betaines, such as coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl alphacarboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine (available as Lonaine 16SP from Lonza Corp.), lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(hydroxypropyl)alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) sulfopropyl betaine, amidobetaines and amidosulfobetaines (wherein the RCONH(CH2)3 radical is attached to the nitrogen atom of the betaine),oleyl betaine (available as amphoteric Velvetex OLB-50 from Henkel), and cocamidopropyl betaine (available as Velvetex BK-35 and BA-35 from Henkel).
Example of sultaines and hydroxysultaines include materials such as cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (available as Mirataine CBS from Rhone-Poulenc).
Preferred for use herein are amphoteric surfactants having the following structure:
wherein R1 is unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyl having from about 9 to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred R1 has from about 11 to about 18 carbon atoms; more preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms; more preferably still from about 14 to about 18 carbon atoms; m is an integer from 1 to about 3, more preferably from about 2 to about 3, and more preferably about 3; n is either 0 or 1, preferably 1; R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl having from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or mono-substituted with hydroxy, preferred R2 and R3 are CH3; X is selected form the group consisting of CO2, SO3 and SO4; R4 is selected form the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyl, unsubstituted or mono-substituted with hydroxy, having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms. When X is CO2, R4 preferably has 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 carbon atom. When X is SO3 or SO4, R4 preferably has from about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 carbon atoms.
Examples of amphoteric surfactants of the present invention include the following compounds:
Cetyl dimethyl betaine (this material also has the CTFA designation cetyl betaine);
Cocamidopropylbetaine
wherein R has from about 9 to about 13 carbon atoms.
Cocamidopropyl hydroxy sultaine
wherein R has from about 9 to about 13 carbon atoms.
Cationic Surfactants
Cationic surfactants are another useful class of surfactants that can be employed as auxiliary agents. They are particularly useful as additives to enhance skin feel, and provide skin conditioning benefits. One class of cationic surfactants is heterocyclic ammonium salts such as cetyl or stearyl pyridinium chloride, alkyl amidoethyl pyrrylinodium methyl sulfate, lapyrium chloride.
Tetra alkyl ammonium salts is another useful class of cationic surfactants. Examples include cetyl or stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride or bromide; hydrogenated palm or tallow trimethylammonium halides; behenyl trimethyl ammonium halides or methyl sulfates; decyl isononyl dimethyl ammonium halides; ditallow (or distearyl) dimethyl ammonium halides; behenyl dimethy ammonium chloride.
Other types of cationic surfactants that can be employed are the various ethoxylated quatemary amines and ester quats. Examples are PEG-5 stearyl ammonium lactate (e.g., Genamin KSL manufactured by Clarion), PEG-2 coco ammonium chloride, PEG-15 hydrogenated tallow ammonium chloride, PEG 15 stearyl ammonium chloride, dialmitoyl ethyl methyl ammonium chloride, dipalmitoyl hydroxyethyl methyl sulfate, strearyl amidopropyl dimethylamine lactate.
Still other useful cationic surfactants are quaternized hydrolysates of silk, wheat, and keratin proteins.
Polydextrose
The compound which added to the formulation which induces formation of biphasic (multiphasic) liquid is polydextrose. Generally, the polydextrose has a formulation as follows:
wherein n (defining number of linking glucose units) is preferably, but not necessary, from about 4 to about 22.
The preferred biphasic inducing polydextrose compounds of the invention noted above may also be defined by molecular weight in that they should have MW range of from 600 to about 3600, more preferably 700 to 3000, more preferably 700 to 1800, more preferably 900 to 1500, even more preferably 900 to 1200.
It should be understood that the critical point is that the structure is such as to induce formation of a multiphasic/biphasic formulation defined by those characteristics which in turn define the biphasic liquid (e.g., viscosity and stability in the biphasic state).
The amount of polydextrose used to induce biphasic state may vary depending on whether salt/electrolyte is used. Further, salt is preferably used (as well as stabilizer) if MW of polydextrose is sufficiently high.
Generally, whether or not salt is used (use of no or little salt also distinguishes this invention from other biphasic liquids of the art where relatively large amounts of salt, e.g., greater than 3% by wt., are in fact required to induce the biphasic liquid), there is needed at least 2.5% by wt., preferably at least 10% by wt. of polydextrose to induce biphasic separation. Generally, if less than,10% polydextrose is used, at least 2% salt will be needed.
There is generally a balance between the amount of surfactant used and the amount of polydextrose or sucrose. Generally lower surfactant requires more polydextrose or sucrose and, conversely, more surfactant requires less polydextrose or sucrose.
Generally, the upper limit of polydextrose used is about 75%. This is not an upper limit with regard to inducing biphasic liquid.
In addition, there is some interplay between molecular weight of polydextrose and use of salt. Thus, although not required, if MW of polydextrose is above 1800, preferably at least 0.1%, more preferably at least 0.5%, salt should be used. This is because the higher MW polydextrose tends to form a more opaque lower layer which salt helps stabilize.
In this embodiment, it is even further preferred to add stabilizers. Among the stabilizers which are preferred, but not necessarily used, include gums such as xanthan gum, guar gum or chemically modified guar gums. Other stabilizers include hydrophobically modified polyethers, hydrophobically modified acrylates and hydrophobically modified polyurethanes, all of which are described in the xe2x80x9coptionalxe2x80x9d section below. If used, the stabilizers may comprise 0.01 to 3.0%, preferably 0.01 to 1.0% by wt. of the composition.
A third requirement of the invention is sucrose. Generally, sucrose will have structure as follows:
Generally, at least 2.5%, preferably at least 10% sucrose is used and levels can be as high as 5%, preferably no higher than 40%.
If electrolyte/salt is used, it typically will be used in amount of 0.5% to no higher than 4%, preferably no higher than about 3% by wt. of total composition. However, if less than about 10% polydextrose is used, generally at least about 2% salt is needed.
Preferably, the electrolyte is not a chelating electrolyte (these are generally poor in biodegradability).
Typically, the electrolyte should be a salt of a sulphate, bisulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, chloride, etc. Examples include sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, ammonium sulphate, sodium chloride, and magnesium chloride. Magnesium sulphate and sodium chloride are particularly preferred.
Finally, the balance of composition is water and minors.
Optional
The following optional ingredients may be used in the multiphasic/biphasic compositions of the invention.
The composition may contain polyalkylene glycol. The polyalkylene glycol should be an alcohol, glycol or polyether of minimal molecular weight which is not irritating to the skin.
Examples of such include alcohols, particularly polyalkylene oxides having MW 200-6000, preferably 200 to 3000. The polyalkylene glycol can be comprised of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or their mixtures either as polymers or copolymers. Specific examples include polyethylene glycols such as PEG 400. As noted, use of such alcohols is not required.
The composition may further comprise thickeners. Generally, the thickener/viscosity modifier serves to thicken the upper and/or lower layer. As noted above, when MW of polydextrose is above 1800, use of stabilizer/thickeners (as well as salt) are particularly preferred.
Thickeners which may be used, generally, include hydrophobically modified polyethers. Examples of this class of thickeners which may be used include but are not limited to sugar esters such as PEG (160) sorbitan triisostearate (Rheodol TWS -399C ex Kao Chemicals) or PEG-120 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate ex Croda. Other examples include Glucam DOE 120 (PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate); Rewoderm(copyright) (PEG modified glyceryl cocoate, palmate or tallowate) from Rewo Chemicals; Antil(copyright) 141 (from Goldschmidt); and Carbopol(copyright) polymers from Noveon.
Another class of suitable polymers are hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers including but not limited to hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose and cellulose ethers with long pendant chains such as nonoxynyl hydroxyethylcellulose (Amerchol Polymer HM 1500).
Another class of suitable polymers are the hydrophobically modified acrylate copolymers such as Antil 208(copyright) (ex Goldschmidt) (acrylate/steareth-50 acrylate copolymer).
Another class of suitable polymers are the hydrophobically modified polyurethanes such as Acrysol series (e.g., Acrysol RM-2020) from Rhom and Haas.
Another class of suitable thickeners are xanthan gums, guar gums and chemically modified guar gums.
In addition to the ingredients noted above, the compositions of the invention may contain hydrotropes including but not limited to short chain monohydric or dihydric alcohols, xylene sulphonate and hexylene glycol whose purpose is to avoid the formation of liquid crystal phases resulting from the separation of the surfactant material into the upper phase hence increasing its apparent concentration.
The compositions may comprise benefit agents. Benefit agent may be any material that has potential to provide an effect on, for example, the skin.
The benefit agent may be water insoluble material that can protect, moisturize or condition the skin upon deposition from compositions of invention. These may include silicon oils and gums, fats and oils, waxes, hydrocarbons (e.g., petrolatum), higher fatty acids and esters, vitamins, sunscreens. They may include any of the agents, for example, mentioned at column 8, line 31 to column 9, line 13 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,969, hereby incorporated by reference into the subject application.
The benefit agent may also be a water soluble material such as glycerin, polyols (e.g., saccharides), enzyme and xcex1- or xcex2-hydroxy acid either alone or entrapped in an oily benefit agent.
The benefit agent may be found in either the upper or the lower layer depending on its solubility and partition coefficient, for example, oil may partition into the upper layer while more water soluble agents (e.g., sx-hydroxyacids) may go into the lower.
The compositions may comprise perfumes, sequestering agents such as EDTA EHDP in amounts 0.01 to 1%, preferably 0.01 to 0.05%; coloring agents, opacifiers and pearlizers such as zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, TiO2, mica, EGMS (ethylene glycol monostrearate) or styrene/acrylate copolymers.
The compositions may further comprise antimicrobials such as 2-hydroxy 4,2xe2x80x24xe2x80x2 trichlorodiphenylether (DP300), 3,4,4xe2x80x2-trichlorocarbanilide, essential oils and preservatives such as dimethyl hydantoin (Glydant XL 1000), parabens, sorbic acid etc.
The compositions may also comprise coconut acyl mono or diethanol amides as suds boosters, and strongly ionizing salts such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate may also be used to advantage.
Antioxidants such as, for example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) may be used advantageously in amounts of about 0.01% or higher if appropriate.
Cationic conditioners which may be used including Quatrisoft LM-200 Polyquaternium-24, Merquat Plus 3330-Polyquaternium 39; and Jaguar(copyright) type conditioners.
Composition may also include clays such as Bentonite(copyright) claims as well as particulates such as abrasives, glitter, and shimmer.
The compositions of the invention, when unmixed, have a viscosity of the lower layer which is lower than the viscosity of the upper layer and a density of the lower layer which is greater than the density of the upper layer.
The compositions of the invention, in a separated state, are also stable in that no recrystallization (e.g., in the lower layer) occurs even when left sitting for more than 6 months at temperature of 0xc2x0 C.
Compositions of the invention have an experiential element in that they are intended to be agitated by the consumer to mix and form a single visible phase before separating again after a time, anywhere from about a few seconds to not more than about 24 hours.
When mixed, the compositions have a viscosity in the range of 100 to 700 cps/mPas at 25xc2x0 C. is measured using RV spindle #2 at 10 RPM.
Finally, the packages in which the compositions are contained are preferably translucent or transparent. By this is meant that the materials (e.g., plastics) have a light transmittance of greater than 50%, preferably greater than 75%, more preferably greater than 85% as measured at wavelength of 460 nm as determined by standard spectroscopy method. In practical terms the package should be sufficiently transparent to permit the separation of the two or more layers to be visible to the naked eye.
Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in 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 xe2x80x9caboutxe2x80x9d.
Where used in the specification, the term xe2x80x9ccomprisingxe2x80x9d 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.
The following examples are intended to further illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.
Unless indicated otherwise, all percentages are intended to be percentages by weight.
Description
Brookfield Viscometer was used to measure the viscosities of liquid and semisolid personal wash products at various shear rates.
Equipment
The instrument was a Brookfield DV-II+Viscometer which includes the stand, RV spindles, 600 ml beakers for loading samples, and a waterbath which is maintained at 25xc2x0 C.
Operational Procedure
The water bath, which is set to 25xc2x0 C., and Brookfield viscometer were turned on.
All spindles were removed from the viscometer, and the unit was zeroed.
Measurements:
The appropriate spindle and rotation should be selected such that the readings fall within an operational range determined by Brookfield for that spindle and rotation.
(a) 500 ml of sample product is poured into a 600 ml beaker;
(b) the beaker is then placed into the waterbath until the product reaches 25xc2x0 C.;
(c) the appropriate spindle is then submerged into the product at a 45 degree angle to the surface of the product;
i) if RV Spindle #1 is used, the spindle can be submerged at a 90 degree angle to the product surface.
(d) the viscometer is then lowered down, and the spindle is carefully attached to the lower shaft of the viscometer;
(e) the viscometer is then set to the appropriate rotational speed and the motor is turned on;
(f) the motor remains on for one complete rotation of the spindle, at which time the viscosity is read on the display and recorded;
(g) the viscometer and spindle are raised out of the product, the spindle is removed, and then cleaned off of all product.
Materials
Formulation Preparation:
A simple solution of each ingredient was prepared at about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % without any saccharides. Then solutions were added to desired level. After adding all the solutions, samples were mixed and shaken to insure mixture was homogeneous. The samples were left undisturbed for 24 hours at room temperature and observations then made.
Viscosity and Product Appearance
Formulations were screened for viscosity using standard PW protocols as set forth in methodology section above. The formulations were observed for any discoloration and re-crystallisation of saccharides at room temperature.

Biphasic composition induced by polydextrose and sucrose

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


The ergonomic syringe is used by an operator to inject fluid under pressure into a patient during a medical procedure, which can include angiographic procedures where catheters are used. Although said ergonomic syringe may be connected to and used with a catheter of any size, it is particularly suited for use by an operator to inject radiopaque dye through catheters having small diameters. The large handgrip and locations of the fingergrips, together with other features on these elements of the ergonomic syringe, increase comfort and reduce the fatigue, strain, and risk of disability which may be associated with achieving the force required for each injection to achieve high pressures necessary for proper dye density in the blood flow in the target blood vessels, where such force is greater in smaller catheters than in larger catheters.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This invention relates to a manually-operated syringe, having ergonomic advantages, to be used in medical procedures. More particularly, an intent of this ergonomic syringe is its use for injecting radiographically opaque contrast medium into the vascular system of a patient during angiographic procedures, for the purpose of enhancing visualization of the vascular system on angiograms or other radiograms.
The radiographically opaque contrast medium, also called dye, is injected into the vascular system typically through a hollow catheter which has been inserted into a patient""s artery or vein. For example, the catheter for coronary angiography is usually inserted into the femoral artery or radial artery. The open end of the catheter through which the dye is introduced into the blood flow is guided through the vascular system to the target area by the operator, normally a physician. The dye is injected through the catheter into the blood vessels being evaluated at the time that the angiogram is recorded. Because the dye is opaque to the x-rays used in angiography, it enhances the contrast on the angiogram so as to better show the interior topography of the blood vessels into which the dye is injected. A minimum density of dye in the blood flow of the vessels being evaluated is required in order for a diagnostically-useful angiogram to result. Dye normally has a higher viscosity than water or blood, with a measured viscosity, in centipoise, of between 2 and 20, where the viscosity of water is 1.
Dye is normally injected from a manually-operated syringe into an attached manifold, and therefrom into an attached catheter, these three items being in fluid communication by direct connection or by hollow tubing. The syringe, manifold, tubing, and proximal end of the catheter are located outside the patient""s body. The connections between the syringe, manifold, tubing, and catheter are made using a threaded connector, typically a Luer connector. The manifold is used as a means of connecting the syringe, catheter and sources of dye and sometimes saline solution. By manipulating valves, also commonly known as stopcocks, the operator can open and close channels to the dye, saline and catheter, enabling desired fluid flow.
For coronary angiography, between six and 12 milliliters of dye are normally injected per angiogram; this injection should normally take approximately two seconds. If the injection takes substantially longer than approximately two seconds, the density of the dye in the blood flow decreases, lowering the contrast of the angiogram, thereby reducing its usefulness since the interior topography of the vessels being evaluated will not stand out sufficiently from the background of the angiogram. A catheter used for injecting dye is often also called a diagnostic catheter. Multiple injections of dye are required during each procedure, since many different angiographic views are recorded.
Operators injecting the dye normally use syringes made of plastic or polypropylene, with the barrel of the syringe held with the index and third finger placed either in rings or against flanges formed as part of the barrel, and with the plunger of the syringe actuated by the thumb. In many instances, a ring is formed as part of the end of the plunger, so as to enable forward and backward motion in response to the thumb""s direction of movement. This style of syringe has been adequate to administer dye with the sizes of catheters in common use, for example, those sized 6 French or larger. French Size increments are in intervals of 0.3 millimeters; for example, a 6 French catheter has an outside diameter of 2.0 millimeters, and a 7 French catheter has an outside diameter of 2.3 millimeters. Inside diameters vary from catheter to catheter; a 6 French diagnostic catheter can be expected to have an inside diameter of approximately 1.3 millimeters, and a 7 French diagnostic catheter an inside diameter of approximately 1.6 millimeters.
Smaller catheters have been introduced because of benefits associated with the smaller puncture hole required to insert the catheters into the body; as the size of the puncture hole decreases, the risk of puncture site complications and the time required for the patient to ambulate decreases. These recently-introduced smaller diagnostic catheters, in 4 French and 5 French sizes, have narrower lumens; a 4 French catheter can be expected to have an inside diameter of approximately 1.1 millimeters and a 5 French catheter an inside diameter of approximately 1.2 millimeters. The inside diameter of a 4 French catheter can therefore be about 15% smaller than that of a 6 French catheter and about 30% smaller than that of a 7 French catheter.
The smaller inside diameters of the 4 French and 5 French catheters make manual injection of the viscous dye more difficult compared with larger catheters. This difficulty is caused by the increased amount of injection force required to propel the dye through a smaller lumen diameter to approximate the same density of dye in the blood flow as is normally achieved with larger-diameter catheters. The degree of difficulty in maintaining a minimum density of dye in the blood flow has not normally been a problem with catheters sized 6 French or larger. As lumen sizes decrease, operator hand strength becomes a limiting factor in the proper administration of dye, even when two hands are used to inject. Where the operator""s hand strength is not sufficient, for example after repeated injections, lower quality angiograms result and the operator""s wrist, hand and fingers become fatigued and incur a high risk of disability due to either acute or repetitive motion injury. This in turn reduces the adoption rate of the smaller diagnostic catheters, delaying realization of the benefits of lower complication risk and earlier post-procedure ambulation.
Therefore a means of injecting dye through catheters sized 5 French or smaller is needed, which reduces stress on the operator""s hand, wrist and fingers while providing a density of dye in the blood flow of the vessels being evaluated sufficient for diagnostic purposes.
One approach to alleviating this problem includes the same type of manifold and catheter normally used in angiographic procedures, but which substitutes an electro-mechanical injector for the manually-operated syringe. Examples of such injectors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,221,045, 5,383,858, 4,854,324, 4,677,980 and 4,006,736. These injectors were initially developed for purposes of injecting the larger volume of dye into the ventricles of the heart required for ventriculography, and are operated by inputting instructions and then actuating the device, which then automatically injects the pre-set amount of dye at the pre-set flow rate. Although useful and generally safe for ventriculography, these injectors"" use in angiography incurs additional risk because of the smaller tolerances involved with injecting into the much smaller volume of a blood vessel, combined with possible unplanned variation in rate or volume of dye administration. Another important disadvantage of these injectors is that, in the event of unforeseen vessel interior topography, malfunction, or inputting improper settings when injecting into a blood vessel, a rupture or other damage could occur resulting in severe adverse health outcomes including death. An additional disadvantage is the very high cost of the injectors, both for acquiring the equipment, maintaining it during its useful life, and for procuring the disposable supplies required for its operation. A further disadvantage is the injector""s large size and complexity of operation.
Manually-operated syringes have not substantially changed since the introduction of the 4-French and 5-French catheters and are similar in general form and construction to that shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. 320,276. Syringes in common use for angiography purposes are generally made of a plastic or polypropylene, with the barrel of the syringe held with the index and third fingers placed either in rings or against flanges formed as part of the barrel, and with the plunger of the syringe actuated by the thumb or a small portion of the palm of the hand. In many instances, a ring is formed as part of the proximal end of the plunger, so as to enable forward and backward motion in response to the thumb""s direction of movement. None of the syringes in current use feature plungers with handgrips having a large surface area over which to distribute the pressure across a large portion of the operator""s hand; such pressure is caused by application of manual force required to perform the injection. Specialized means of comfortably using two hands during the injection is not typically provided. In addition, features for finger placement on currently-used syringes are not spaced to permit best application of force during injection. A threaded connection, for example a Luer connector, is provided at the nozzle of these syringes for removable connection to the manifold which in turn connects using a similar connector to the tubing and catheter. For most operators, these syringes are often proving inadequate for use with the smaller catheters because of insufficient dye density leading to low diagnostic quality of the angiogram, and in addition, because of stress and pressure on operators+ hands, wrists and fingers even when two hands are used. These types of syringes are marketed by companies examples of which include Merit Medical Systems, Inc., Boston Scientific, and DeRoyal.
A manually-driven syringe is described by Saez et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,449, whereby a comparison and modification to a then-existing syringe is described. Features of this syringe include: fingergrips on two opposing sides of the barrel, each of which includes an opening to fit two fingers; a plunger with a thumbring on its head, which, in an embodiment, may be axially collapsible; the distance between the plunger head and the placement of the operator""s fingers in the fingergrips being lessened as a result of the shape and location of the fingergrips and the location of the plunger head when extended. Although this syringe may represent an improvement over the then-current syringes, it has several disadvantages. A disadvantage is the requirement that two fingers be placed in each of the fingergrips, which departs from the normal current expectation of operators and the design of syringes in common use for this purpose, where only the index finger instead of the index and third fingers held together, is placed in a fingergrip. Furthermore, the head of the plunger is shown to be similar in size to the then-current syringe of which it purports to be an improvement; this small size is a significant disadvantage in that it places excessive pressure on a small portion of the palm of the operator""s hand or thumb when performing the injection. Such pressure is caused by application of manual force required to perform the injection. This disadvantage is exacerbated as the force required for injecting into the 4 French and 5 French catheters is significantly greater than the force required for injecting into the size of catheters commonly in use at the time the Saez invention was patented. A further disadvantage is the noted lack of specialized means for permitting two-handed use, which therefore reduces the potential utility of the syringe by limiting the amount of force to be applied during injection to that which can be applied with only a single hand, and increases the amount of discomfort associated with the injection.
A manually-operated, mechanically-assisted power syringe is described by Anwar in U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,368, whereby a syringe is connected in a levered apparatus providing mechanical advantage to the injection action. Although providing mechanical advantage and reducing physical stresses on operators, a disadvantage of the power syringe is its relatively large size and corresponding requirement for stable, horizontal space not normally available near the catheterization procedure table. Another disadvantage is its high cost relative to other manually-operated syringes in common use, caused by the power syringe""s design, size and construction. Another disadvantage is the power syringe""s mode of use, which requires the operator to press down on a lever, actuating the injection action, while the power syringe lies on a flat surface near the patient; this fundamentally different operation is unfamiliar to operators who may find gauging flow rate and volume during injection more difficult.
An object of this invention, an ergonomic syringe, is to increase comfort and reduce fatigue, strain and risk of disability for operators using syringes to inject angiographic dye during catheterization procedures, particularly when catheters sized 5 French and smaller are being used.
A further object of the invention is to make injection of fluids during medical procedures easier.
An additional object of the invention is to enable acquisition of angiograms having sufficient contrast for proper diagnostic and therapeutic use.
An additional object of the invention is to reduce the cost of each syringe.
An additional object of the invention is that its usage be similar to that of manually-operated syringes commonly used in catheterization procedures.
These and other objects are achieved with the ergonomic syringe described herein. In an embodiment, the ergonomic syringe is generally comprised of the following basic elements: a hollow barrel; a nozzle; a top fingergrip; a bottom fingergrip; a plunger; a handgrip.
The ergonomic syringe is typically used during catheterization procedures, where it is connected inline to a manifold, which in turn is connected to the catheter using tubing through which the dye is injected into the target blood vessels. The syringe, manifold, tubing and catheter are in fluid communication. The manifold, tubing and catheter are distinct elements separate from the syringe. Manipulation of the syringe by the operator causes the plunger to move longitudinally, in either a rearward or forward direction. Rearward plunger movement, towards the proximal end of the syringe, draws dye into the barrel from the manifold; forward plunger movement, towards the distal end of the syringe, expels dye into the manifold and therefrom into the catheter.
A hollow nozzle is located at the distal end of the barrel. The nozzle and barrel are in fluid communication, and the nozzle also may serve as a connector to a manifold and catheter, or other means of injecting dye.
Fingergrips are located on the exterior walls of the barrel, generally opposite each other, and include a top fingergrip and a bottom fingergrip.
The top fingergrip includes an open finger ring to contain an index finger, and an area which may be used to rest the index finger of the opposite hand, comprising an anterior top fingergrip and anterior top fingergrip catch. This top fingergrip design specifically enables, but does not require, use of two hands during dye injection. The bottom fingergrip includes an open interior bottom fingergrip, into which the third, fourth and little fingers of a hand may be inserted. The bottom fingergrip further includes an anterior bottom fingergrip around which the third, fourth and little fingers of the opposite hand may be placed, and a little finger rest which prevents the little finger of said hand from slipping off of the anterior bottom fingergrip. These features on this bottom fingergrip specifically enable, but do not require, use of two hands during dye injection and enable improved deployment of all fingers on one or both hands during the dye injection, enabling more force to be comfortably applied by the operator.
In an embodiment, (i) the top fingergrip is also placed such that the vertical plane of the rearmost interior wall of the finger ring is placed forward of the vertical plane of the rearmost interior wall of the interior bottom fingergrip, permitting more force to be exerted by the index finger during the injection, and (ii) the surface on which the third finger is placed is located forward of the surfaces on which the fourth and little fingers are placed, permitting more force to be exerted by the third finger during the injection. The barrel, nozzle and fingergrips are formed generally from a rigid material, and the nozzle, in an embodiment, may revolve around its longitudinal axis.
The plunger includes a plunger shaft, formed of a rigid material, and a plunger tip, formed of a generally resilient or elastomeric material. A barrel cap, located at the proximal end of the barrel, prevents the plunger from slipping out of the barrel when the plunger is moved proximally and may also be used to prevent the plunger from significantly rotating about its longitudinal axis.
The handgrip is located at the proximal end of the plunger and includes a handgrip base at the bottom, a handgrip arch in the middle, and a thumbrest and thumbhook at the top. The handgrip base extends significantly downward from the junction of the handgrip and the plunger, permitting a much greater surface area of the palm and ball of the thumb of the operator""s hand to come in contact with the handgrip than in other manually-operated syringes. More particularly, the handgrip base extends, when being gripped by an operator, to the general area of the palmar surface of the annular ligament located at the base of the palm, and also is generally in contact with aspects of the flexor brevis pollicis, palmaris brevis, and abductor pollicis muscles of the hand; the handgrip arch is generally in contact with aspects of the adductor pollicis and immediately adjacent muscles of the hand.
The portion of the handgrip which includes the thumbrest and thumbhook extends upwards from the junction of the handgrip and plunger in generally the same axis as the other portions of the handgrip. The thumbrest enables use of the thumb on the hand opposite the hand gripping the interior bottom fingergrip to specifically enable, but not require, use of two hands during dye injection. The thumbhook provides a convenient means of moving the handgrip and plunger proximally, for purposes of drawing dye into the barrel from the manifold, using the thumb of the hand gripping the ergonomic syringe; alternatively, a finger from the opposite hand may be used to move the thumbhook. Additional features are included on the syringe to enhance its ergonomic performance, including surfaces on the handgrip and fingergrips sculpted to fit anatomical features on the operator""s hand and fingers, and radii or bevels on comers and edges of gripping surfaces.
The ergonomic syringe therefore achieves its objects relative to the prior art, as follows:
(a) Increased comfort and reduced fatigue, strain and risk of disability compared to current syringes and the syringe described by Saez in U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,449 result from: (i) the flexibility of using either one or two hands to inject; (ii) the greatly increased surface area on the handgrip with which to exert force onto the plunger, and the shape and large surface area of the handgrip base, which distributes the pressure over a larger portion of the palm and ball of the thumb on the operator""s hand, (iii) the locations of the fingergrips enable placement of fingers such that additional force may be applied without increasing operator discomfort. This object""s achievement is particularly important as use of catheters sized 5 French and smaller increases.
(b) Easier injection of fluids during medical procedures is due to the increased comfort and reduced fatigue and strain for operators, and as a result of enabling one-handed operation for both loading the syringe with dye and injecting the dye; the thumbhook provides a convenient means of using the thumb on the hand gripping the syringe to draw back the syringe, permitting the other hand to be used for other purposes.
(c) Angiograms taken when the ergonomic syringe is used provide sufficient contrast because of the proper density of dye in the blood flow of the target vessels; this results from the operator being able to exert a larger amount of pressure to inject the dye without experiencing significant increase in discomfort, fatigue or strain compared to current manually-operated syringes and the syringe described by Saez in U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,449.
(d) The unit cost of the ergonomic syringe is expected to be similar to that of currently available syringes used for angiographic dye injections, less than that of the syringe described by Anwar in U.S. Pat. No 6,030,368, and far less expensive than using electro-mechanical injectors, in particular because the cost of the injector equipment is very high.
(e) The ergonomic syringe functions similarly to other manually-operated syringes used for angiography, in that (i) force is exerted directly upon a plunger, (ii) the barrel is positioned between the index and third fingers, (iii) the syringe is handheld, and (iv) the connection to the manifold and operation of the plunger with respect to loading and injecting are the same as with manually-operated angiography syringes.


A process is described for the biological treatment of waste water containing a specific component such as ammonia, wherein the waste water together with surplus sludge from an activated sludge reactor is treated in a bioaugmentation reactor, applying a hydraulic retention time in the continuously or discontinuously operated reactor which is shorter than the sludge retention time by retaining part of the sludge in the reactor and continuing the use of the separated part in the reactor. The non-retained part of the sludge, together with the effluent of the bioaugmentation reactor, is added to the activated sludge reactor.

The invention relates to a process for the combined biological treatment of waste water containing one or more specific components in a pre-treatment reactor and waste water containing non-specific COD in a main reactor. The specific component can in particular be an organic substance or ammonia.
A process for the treatment of waste water containing ammonia by nitrifying bacteria, wherein ammonia is predominantly oxidised to nitrite, is disclosed in EP-A-826639. According to this known process, the waste water is treated in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) without sludge retention, with adjustment of the hydraulic retention time at about 1xc2xd days. Under such conditions the bacteria which convert ammonia to nitrite, including e.g. the genus Nitrosomonas, have a sufficient growth rate to compensate for the sludge loss from the reactor, while the bacteria which convert nitrite to nitrate, including e.g. the genus Nitrobacter, do not have a sufficient growth rate to be maintained in the reactor. As a result, conversion of nitrite to nitrate is suppressed, which has the advantages of reduced oxygen consumption and reduced electron donor (COD) demand in a downstream denitrification process. This process is also referred to as Single reactor for High activity Ammonia Removal Over Nitrite (SHARON) process.
A drawback of this known process is that the required hydraulic retention time of 1-2 days necessitates the use of large reactors, which are loaded to a low level only. This is especially disadvantageous in the treatment of relatively diluted waste water.
Another approach is the use of selected microorganisms (EP-A-562466). In this process specific mixtures of micro-organisms (such as Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Moraxella, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium and Bacillus) are grown in separate reactors (so called propagators) and continuously or discontinuously dosed from these reactors into the waste water treatment plant. Drawbacks of such a process are the laborious (and therefore costly) cultivation of the selected micro-organisms and the relatively ineffective use of the bioreactors.
EP-A-503546 describes a process characterised in that a waste water containing a high concentration of nitrogen (i.e. reject water) is stored in a tank in which subsequently nitrification/denitrification takes place. The produced biomass is continuously or periodically transferred to the waste water treatment plant. The setbacks are comparable to the setbacks of the SHARON process referred to above, i.e. low sludge concentration, relatively large reactor volume and poor settling characteristics.
WO 98/00370 describes a nitrification process for the treatment of ammonia, in which a concentrated ammonia-containing side stream, e.g. reject water of the main stream, is treated in a conventional high loaded unit for producing nitrifiers. The nitrifiers are fed to the main stream in order to enhance the nitrification in the main stream. As in the process of EP-826639, the nitrifiers will be sensitive to preferential grazing by higher organisms in the main process.
A process has been found now which overcomes this drawback. In the process of the invention, surplus sludge from an activated sludge plant is used in a pre-treatment reactor in which higher levels of the specific component(s) are treated than in the activated sludge plant. The reactivated sludge is recycled to the activated sludge process.
In the process of the invention, the hydraulic retention time in the pre-treatment reactor can be shorter than the sludge retention time and the sludge age is controlled. In case of nitrification, the sludge age is preferably shorter than the doubling period of the nitrate-producing bacteria. The desired retention times are effected by settling and separating part of the sludge from the pre-treatment reactor, either together with the treated waste water or separately, and returning part of the sludge to the pre-treatment reactor.
Preferably, the pre-treatment reactor is operated batch-wise, and part of the sludge separated from the pre-treatment reactor is fed to the activated sludge plant treating organic waste containing non-specific COD and lower concentrations of the specific component(s). Non-specific COD is understood to comprise regular waste, for example municipal waste, exclusively or predominantly consisting of non-aromatic biodegradable organic material such as alcohols, fatty acids, fats, carbohydrates, proteinaceous material and the like. The configuration of the invention is referred to as a Bio Augmentation Batch Enhanced configuration, and the pre-treatment reactor will be referred to as the BABE reactor or bio-augmentation reactor.
An important feature of the process of the invention is that a limited amount of surplus sludge from the main (activated sludge) process is used in the BABE reactor, allowing the growth of specific micro-organisms and incorporation thereof in the added floc-forming sludge from the main process. In this way, the sludge is reactivated and, together with the effluent form the BABE reactor, recycled to the activated sludge plant. Thus, the removal capacity of the activated sludge plant for the specific component(s) is enhanced. Preferably, 0.01 to 0.25 part, especially 0.05 to 0.2 part per weight per part of the sludge from the activated sludge reactor returned to the activated sludge reactor is added to the bio-augmentation reactor. Without this sludge control of the invention, the specific micro-organisms would not sufficiently survive the selection pressure by the non-specific micro-organisms in the main process.
An advantage of the process of the invention is that the sludge retention time in the pre-treatment (bioaugmentation) reactor can be controlled independently from the hydraulic retention time, by separating sludge from the reactor effluent continuously or, preferably, discontinuously, and retaining part of the sludge in the reactor. As a result, the hydraulic retention time can be much shorter than the sludge retention time, and thus the reactor dimensions can be reduced and the productivity of the reactor increased.
The part of the sludge that is retained is preferably between 10 and 90 wt. % of the total sludge content of the reactor, especially between 20 and 80 wt. %. The sludge retention time in the pre-treatment reactor is usually between 1 and 5 days and the hydraulic retention time is generally less than 2 days, especially from 2 h to 12 h, depending on the nature of the specific component and of the micro-organism which converts the specific component. The sludge concentration in the pre-treatment reactor is generally between 1 and 30 g/l.
The specific component to be treated can be any organic or inorganic component, which requires particular organisms to be degraded or which are xenobiotic or inhibitory chemicals not sufficiently degraded in a normal activated sludge plant. Examples are organic substances like phenolic compounds, organic nitrogen compounds such as aromatic amines, especially phenylenediamines, organohalogen compounds and inorganic substances, such as thiocyanate and especially ammonia. Degradation of thiocyanate can take place by bacteria of the genus Thiobacillus, while phenol can be removed by Pseudomonas bacteria. Ammonia is degraded by nitrifying bacteria including the genus Nitrosomonas. Breakdown of o-phenylenediamine in a conventional nitrifying sludge system by yet unidentified, but commonly available, species was confirmed.
The bacteria capable of specifically converting these components are usually present in normal waste water treatment sludge, and will grow and become sufficiently active in the pre-treatment reactor as a result of the higher relative concentration of the specific component. For this purpose, it is important that the level of non-specific COD in the pre-treatment (bioaugmentation) reactor is lower than in the main reactor, while the level of specific component(s) is higher than in the main reactor. In particular, the level of non-specific COD in the pre-treatment reactor is less than 10 times, preferably less than 5 times (w/w), the concentration of the specific component. Alternatively, the ratio of specific component to non-specific COD in the pre-treatment reactor should be at least 5 times higher than the same ratio in the main reactor. As a result, the amount of specific biomass is increased and a large fraction of the specific component is removed prior to the final treatment in the conventional system. The process of the invention is further illustrated below with reference to ammonia as the specific component, but the process can suitably be performed in a similar manner with other specific components.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, reject water (water originating from sludge dewatering) or any other waste water with at least 150 mg/l, especially at least 200 mg/l of ammonia and no or a limited amount of COD, together with a limited flow of return sludge from the main process, is intermittently fed to a discontinuously operated pre-treatment reactor. The sludge retention time of the nitrifying bacteria is 1-2 days. After feeding and reacting (aerated, anoxic or combined aerobic/anoxic) for a given period of time, the sludge mixture inside the reactor is allowed to settle. After settling a volume equal to the feed volume is discharged to the existing biological treatment. In this way the surplus sludge is discharged together with the effluent.
This mode of operation has the following advantages:
by applying the settling phase the sludge retention time is no longer coupled with the hydraulic retention time;
the use of the return sludge ensures incorporation of the nitrifying sludge in the flocs, thus enhancing the nitrification capacity of the activated sludge reactor, and preventing the preferential xe2x80x9cgrazingxe2x80x9d by higher organisms of nitrifiers;
a faction of the added return sludge is partly digested, thus applying a xe2x80x9ccost-freexe2x80x9d carbon source for denitrification.
In the process according to the invention, the pre-treatment reactor may be operated in the aerated (nitrification) mode only. Advantageously, however, it is periodically operated in an anoxic mode, by interrupting the oxygen supply. As a result, nitrite and/or nitrate that has accumulated in the reactor is endogenously denitrified to produce molecular nitrogen. An electron donor, such as an alcohol or other organic substance, may be added during the anoxic phase. It is also possible, during the anoxic periods, to continue the addition of ammonia-containing water, resulting in oxidation of ammonia using nitrite and/or nitrate as oxygen source according to the reaction: NH4++NO2xe2x88x92xe2x86x92N2+2H2O. This process is also referred to as the xe2x80x9cAnammoxxe2x80x9d process (cf. WO 98/07664).
The ammonium-containing waste water, containing little or no COD, can originate from an autonomous source, such as industrial or agricultural (e.g. pig breeding) waste streams. It may also be the reject water of a sludge dewatering plant used downstream of the activated sludge reactor. The reject water may be introduced as such, or together with part of the sludge.
The temperature in the pre-treatment reactor is preferably in the range of 20-45xc2x0 C. More preferably, it is between 30 and 40xc2x0 C., in case optimum nitrification is the goal of the process. The reactor temperature can be controlled by the ratio of influent to return sludge fed into the pre-treatment reactor. By maintaining an elevated temperature in the pre-treatment reactor, while the temperature in the activated sludge reactor is at the usual level of 8-20xc2x0 C., an effective overall degradation of COD and removal of specific component (ammonia) is achieved.
FIG. 1 shows the typical configuration of the process. Herein a pre-treatment reactor 1 is fed with water containing ammonia, or containing another specific component, through line 2, and is continuously or periodically aerated through air supply 3. An optional buffer tank 7 may be used to accommodate a continuous feed of influent to be supplied to the pre-treatment (BABE) reactor which operates batch-wise. An optional settler 4, which may or may not be integrated with the reactor, can be used to return part of the sludge to the pre-treatment reactor. The effluent and part of the sludge from the pre-treatment reactor are fed to activated sludge plant 8 through 5 and 6, respectively, or in a single flow (not shown). Waste water containing COD, which may also contain the specific component, is fed through line 9. The effluent from the activated sludge reactor 8 is discharged through line 10 and is clarified in settler 11. Treated waste water is carried off through line 12, and the sludge is returned to the activated sludge plant 8 through 13 and, optionally, partly to the pre-treatment reactor 1 through 14.

Process for the treatment of waste water containing specific components e.g. ammonia


The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions, particularly foaming cleansing compositions, comprising a cationic component and an anionic alkyl glucoester surfactant. These compositions are particularly useful as color-depositing shampoos containing cationic dyes.

The invention relates to cosmetic compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to foaming cosmetic compositions.
One of the most important characteristics of a hair cleansing composition is its ability to foam. Consumers perceive a high-foaming shampoo as being more effective, i.e., the greater the foam level, the greater the cleansing properties of the shampoo. To this end, most shampoos contain one or more primary surfactants, which have the dual effect of cleansing the hair as well as building a rich lather when applied to the hair. To a large extent, a majority of the primary surfactants used are high foam producing anionic surfactants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, and sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. Typically, these primary surfactants are combined with secondary surfactants, to build viscosity and enhance the foaming properties of the product. The usual secondary surfactants are either nonionic, such as lauraride DEA or amphoteric/zwitterionic, such as cocoamidopropyl betaine. Such systems are widely and very effectively used in a variety of hair-cleansing shampoos.
The aforementioned combination of primary and secondary surfactants does not prove useful, however, in hair care products containing a cationic component. Cationic components are highly favored in a variety of different types of skin care and hair care products: their cationic nature permits them to bind to the abundant anionic sites on both skin and hair, thereby giving them greater substantivity and staying power, and also other useful properties, such as antibacterial activity. Examples of widely used cationic cosmetic ingredients include cationic hair dyes, and quaternary ammonium compounds that are useful in hair styling and conditioning. However, this very property is the one which prevents them from being used in the typical surfactant system containing a strong anionic surfactant, in that cationic materials are not generally compatible with anionics. The combination of these two types of materials in a single product can result in the reduction of the foaming properties of the anionic surfactant, reduction of the amount of deposition of the cationic on the intended surface, or even the precipitation of the resulting anionic/cationic complex. Therefore, shampoos that must incorporate cationic components, such as coloring shampoos, have traditionally had to resort only to the use of amphoteric and nonionic surfactants, resulting in a product that produces very little foam, and a viscosity that is difficult to control without the use of additional gums or ethoxylated viscosifying agents. This problem does not arise when an anionic surfactant is combined with amphoteric and/or nonionic secondary surfactants, as viscosity can readily be built in such a system by the simple and inexpensive addition of sodium chloride. However, the added materials needed in the presence of cationics tend to inhibit foaming further, and to build a viscosity that is less aesthetically desirable than the viscosity that is built when adding sodium chloride to a traditional anionic surfactant system.
Several possible solutions have been proposed for permitting the combination of anionics with cationics, but most have their drawbacks. For example, the base can be made less anionic by the addition of high amounts of amphoteric or nonionic surfactants; however, this may result in unacceptable viscosity of the product. It has also been suggested to reduce the charge density on the cationic or anionic, usually by ethoxylation; however, any change in the structure of the original material runs the risk of altering the surfactant properties that made it desirable in the first place. Use of an excess of anionic can also be employed, and thereby any anionic/cationic complex formed can be solubilized in the excess; however, the use of large amounts of anionic can result in an alteration in the desired level of foam. The excess anionic may also greatly reduce, if not completely eliminate, the effectiveness of the cationic component.
For the foregoing reasons, it has been difficult to create a high performance hair color-depositing shampoo, since the cationic dyes so frequently used in hair coloring will not perform properly in the anionic surfactant system. This type of dye is particularly useful because of its ability to bind to the hair and its relative resistance to being washed off, but the formulation of a truly high quality color shampoo, having all the desirable qualities of a typical cleansing shampoo, by using the traditional type of shampoo system, has remained problematical.
The present invention provides a cosmetic composition suitable for application to the hair or skin comprising a cationic component, and at least one anionic surfactant which is a an alkyl glucoester. The compositions of the invention have excellent foaming properties, as well as viscosity, and permit effective deposit and retention of the desired cationic component on the skin or hair. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is a color-depositing shampoo containing at least one cationic dye.
It has been unexpectedly discovered that it is now possible to formulate a composition having one or more cationic components in an anionic surfactant system, provided that the predominant anionic surfactant employed is an alkyl glucoester. The alkyl glucoesters useful in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,481, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and preferably have the formula:
wherein R=a fatty alcohol radical, n=an integer  less than 4, X is H, or
provided that at least one X is not H.
The fatty alcohol may be C6-C22 alcohols, and preferably is predominantly C12-C18 alcohols. These alkyl glucoesters are manufactured by Lamberti S.p.A, Albizzate, Italy, and are distributed in the US by Pilot Chemical Company(Santa Fe Springs, Calif.) under the trade name Eucarol AGE. Particularly preferred of the available AGEs are disodium cocopolyglucose sulfosuccinate(AGE-SS), disodium cocopolyglucose citrate(AGE-EC), and sodium cocopolyglucose tartrate(AGE-ET). These surfactants have been recommended for use in cleansing compositions, including shampoos, but only in the traditional combination with amphoteric/zwitterionic or nonionic secondary surfactants. It has now been surprisingly discovered, however, that these anionic surfactants, unlike other anionics, are compatible with a cationic component in the formulation, and can therefore be used in combination with a variety of cationic materials, which combination has either not previously been possible or which resulted in a very inferior product. In contrast to previous cationic-containing products, the composition containing the present combination retains an excellent foaming capacity, and can be routinely viscosified by the standard measures used in more traditional surfactant systems, i.e., by the interaction of the anionic with the secondary surfactant and salt. In a typical surfactant system, the alkyl glucoester is used in amount of about 1% to about 30%, preferably about 3% to about 15%, by weight of the total composition.
In a preferred embodiment, the alkyl glucoesters are combined with a cationic hair dye, to create a color-depositing shampoo with a performance superior to such shampoos currently available. Cationic dyes are widely used in hair coloring, and are commonly referred to as xe2x80x9cbasicxe2x80x9d dyes, with a color and number identification, such as xe2x80x9cBasic yellow 57xe2x80x9d Such dyes are widely used, and a list can be found in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook 8thedition, 1999, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. An exemplary list includes, but is not limited to, Basic Brown 16, Basic Blue 99, Basic Red 76, and Basic Yellow 57. The amount of any given dye used in a formula will depend upon the color desired, but generally, in a color-depositing shampoo, the cationic dye(s) will constitute from about 0.01 to about 3%, preferably about 0.2% to about 1.5% by weight of the total composition.
Although the combination with cationic dyes is a particularly beneficial use of these alkyl glucoesters, it is also possible to obtain the benefit with other cationic materials commonly used in cosmetic compositions. For example, there are a number of very effective hair styling/conditioning agents that are cationic, for example, as stearalkonium chloride or cetrimonium bromide, that are commonly used in cream rinse formulations. However, they are generally incompatible with the predominant anionic surfactants of shampoos without major adjustments to the formula, and therefore have not been routinely used in conditioning shampoos. In the presence of an alkyl glucoester as the dominant anionic surfactant, hod this type can now be used in shampoos to impart a conditioning effect to a shampoo. Although less of an incompatibility is experienced between polymeric cationics and anionics, the alkyl glucoesters can also be beneficially combined with these cationic surfactants, for example, Polyquaternium-5, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-11, and Polyquaternium 24, or meadowfoam glyceryl quaternium. However, it is now possible to create a shampoo containing such styling components, using the alkyl glucoesters as the non-ionic surfactant, to achieve superior deposition and retention of the cationic styling agent on the hair with shampooing, in the same manner in which they are used in cream rinses and conditioners. Likewise, certain short chain quaternay ammonium salts, such as benzatkonium chloride, have a variety of useful properties, including antibacterial activity. Products such as these can now be used in an anionic surfactant-containing cleansing composition, providing the anionic surfactant is an alkyl glucoester.
In the cosmetic compositions of the invention, it will also in some cases be desirable to employ one or more secondary surfactants. As in traditional shampoos, it will be preferred that the composition contain an amphoteric/zwitterionic and/or nonionic surfactant, to complement the anionic alkyl glucoester, by stabilizing the foam and building the viscosity. Any surfactant of the secondary type can be used. Examples of useful amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, acylamphoglycinates, acylamphopropionates, and amine oxides or combinations thereof Examples of useful nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, N-alkylpyrrolidones, alkanolamides, and alkylpolyglucosides, or combinations thereof Each of these types of surfactants is used in substantially the same amounts as would be used in a traditional shampoo, i.e., at about 0.5 % to about 10% by weight of the total composition. It is also possible to incorporate a small quantity of an additional anionic surfactant, provided that the amount is not such as to interfere with the foaming and deposition properties of the composition. Ordinarily, the secondary anionic surfactant, if present, will be used in an amount of no more than 5%. Examples of anionic surfactants that can be used include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, isethionates, or phosphoric acid esters.
The compositions also can contain other cosmetic ingredients that are typically incorporated into cleansing or shampoo compositions. Examples of other types of cosmetic ingredients are conditioners, preservatives, opacifiers, colorants, frgance, and the like.

High performance color-depositing shampoo


A method for patterning a layer on a substrate can include projecting coherent radiation toward a reflector surface so that the coherent radiation is reflected off the reflector surface to provide a holographic projection of a desired image wherein the reflector surface includes information that corresponds to an inverse of the holographic projection of the desired image. The substrate including the layer can be maintained in the path of the reflected radiation so that the holographic projection is projected onto the layer. Related systems are also discussed.

The present invention relates to the field of microelectronics and more particularly to microelectronic patterning.
As integrated circuit devices become more highly integrated, dimensions of structures such as conductive lines and via holes and spaces therebetween are reduced. Accordingly, patterning processes are needed for smaller patterns. In the past, conventional optical lithography techniques have been used.
In optical lithography, an image of a pattern is optically projected onto a substrate by transmitting radiation through a mask including the pattern thereon. In essence, a pattern from a mask is projected onto a photosensitive material which is then developed so that the developed photosensitive material has the pattern of the mask. As the dimensions of microelectronic structures are further reduced, however, mask projection techniques may limit further reductions in pattern sizes.
Accordingly, there continues to exist a need in the art for improved patterning methods and systems.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a layer on a substrate can be patterned using interference patterns. For example, coherent radiation can be projected toward a reflector surface so that the coherent radiation is reflected off the reflector surface to provide a holographic projection of a desired image wherein the reflector surface includes information that corresponds to an inverse of the holographic projection of the desired image. The substrate including the layer can be maintained in the path of the reflected radiation so that the interference pattern is projected onto the layer. Accordingly, the holographic projection of the desired image can be used to patter the layer. For example, after maintaining the substrate including the layer in the path of the reflected radiation, the layer can be developed so that portions thereof are maintained and removed according to the intensity of the holographic projection of the desired image projected thereon.
Methods and systems according to embodiments of the present invention can thus provide patterning for microelectronic structures having relatively fine dimensions. Moreover, defect tolerance can be increased because the effect of a defect on the reflector surface is distributed throughout the interference pattern projected onto the surface of the layer being patterned.

Patterning methods and systems using reflected interference patterns

University of Tennessee Research Foundation


A ceiling fan blade comprises a cloth blade, a plurality of springs and an arctuated frame. The arctuated frame is provided with a protrusive shaft for cooperating with the springs. The cloth blade forms an inclined angle for pushing air. Meanwhile, by taking advantage of the spring at the inner side of the cloth blade to hook the protrusive shaft of the adjacent frame, whereby to stabilize the inclined angle for pushing air and prevent the torsion oscillation as well. Furthermore, the structure of the cloth blade is not only easy for reassembling and dismantling and cleaning, but also can be folded for storage and transportation, substantially cutting down the storing space.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ceiling fan blade, and more particularly to a ceiling fan blade structure comprising cloth blade, springs and arctuated frame, which is not only easy for reassembling and dismantling and cleaning, but also can be folded for storage and transportation, substantially cutting down the storing space.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
With the development and improvement of people""s life, ceiling fan has become one of the indispensable domestic electric equipments. The ceiling fans sell in market are varied. However, due to the structure of the conventional blade occupies large space of storage and hard to be cleaned. Thereby whether the ceiling fan blade is easy for cleaning or the storage space is saved or not have become the most important features that the user cares most, and to develop a novelty ceiling fan blade structure which can solve the above-mentioned problems is motivation of this invention.
All the conventional ceiling fan blade assembly includes a plurality of blades mounted to a fan holder and then fixed to the rotator. Each of the blades must occupy a certain space and inclined at a certain angle for pushing the air. Such kind of blades have been widely sell and used, however, there are still some disadvantages need to be improved:
First, due to the conventional blades must have certain area and inclined angle for pushing air (should have certain amount of length and width), which will result in difficulties for users in case of storing the blades away, further will accordingly increase the cost for transportation and package.
Second, the conventional blades are fixed plate members (weight is not light), the users have to dismantle the whole set of the ceiling fan first and then the blades by tools, and finally clean the blades one by one, it is time-consuming.
Third, the shape and color of the conventional blades are regular, it is difficult to replace and reassemble or dismantle it, and thereby normally the manufacturers didn""t develop the optional changeable blades.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional ceiling fan blades.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling fan blade comprising cloth blade, springs and arctuated frame, which is able to greatly cut down the storage space.
The second object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling fan blade comprising cloth blade, springs and arctuated frame, the cloth blade of which can be replaced and cleaned easily.
The further object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling fan blade that is characterized as the easy replaceable and storage spacesaving structure, such that allows the manufacturers to develop varied cloth blades in different forms and colors, accordingly the users will have much more choices and replace the blades by themselves (DIY) so as to match with the domestic decoration.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which shows, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.