Low amounts of high molecular weight polymers for enhancing viscosity of aqueous/aqueous biphasic liquids
AssigneeUnilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
InventorsRajesh Patel, Rosa Paredes
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Abstract
The invention provides high molecular weight polymers used in small amounts as viscosity modifiers for aqueous/aqueous biphasic liquids. The viscosity of the biphasic is enhanced at least 20%, preferably at least 30% relative to same compositions without use of polymer. Further, the polymer is included without destroying the ability of dual phase compositions to form after product is left standing.
Claims15
A biphasic liquid product composition comprising:
- (a) 5 to 20%, preferably 5 to 50% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof;
- (b) at least about 15% of a polydextrose molecule or molecules, wherein the degree of polymeric cation is about 4 to 22 (corresponding to MW about 600 to about 3600);
- (c) balance water and minors,
- wherein said composition comprises at least two visibly separated aqueous based layers when left sitting without shaking or stirring;
- and
- (d) 0.01 to less than 1% by wt. of polymer and/or copolymer having molecular weight of at least 5,000,
- wherein said polymer enhances viscosity at least 5% relative to same composition without polymer.
A biphasic liquid personal product composition comprising:
- (a) about 5 to 20%, preferably 5 to 50% by wt. of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof;
- (b) 1 to 12% by wt. thickener;
- (c) 4 to 20% by wt. polyalkylene glycol;
- (d) a non-chelating mineral salt selected from alkali metal or alkaline earth sulfates, bisulfates, carbonates, bicarbonates, and mixtures thereof,
- wherein the non-chelating mineral salt is present in an amount sufficient to induce a separation of the aqueous composition into at least two distinct aqueous layers that are present in a volume ratio of upper to lower phase of from 4:1 to 1:4;
- wherein on standing the personal product composition forms two or more visibly distinct aqueous phases and, when agitated, the composition forms a visible single phase product,
- wherein, when left to stand after the composition has been agitated and has formed a single phase, the composition will again form two or more visibly distinct aqueous phases within 24 hours;
- (e) 0.01 to less than 1% by wt. of polymer and/or copolymer having molecular weight of at least 10,000, preferably at least 25,000,
- wherein said polymer enhances viscosity at least about 5% relative to same composition without polymer.
A process for enhancing viscosity of aqueous/aqueous biphasic liquid compositions comprising using 0.01 to less than 1% by wt. of a polymer and/or copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 10,000.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.