U.S. patent application number 10/371411 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for translucent soap bar composition and method of making the same.
Invention is credited to Dalton, James, Demson, Robert.
Application Number | 20040043913 10/371411 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31949834 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040043913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Demson, Robert ; et
al. |
March 4, 2004 |
TRANSLUCENT SOAP BAR COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME
Abstract
A soap bar composition includes a soap mixture, a polyalkylene
glycol, at least one of glycerin and sorbitol, water; and
optionally, free fatty acid. The soap bar composition exhibits
translucent properties.
Inventors: |
Demson, Robert; (Scottsdale,
AZ) ; Dalton, James; (Scottsdale, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Damon L. Boyd
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
One Arizona Center
400 East Van Buren
Phoenix
AZ
85004-2202
US
|
Family ID: |
31949834 |
Appl. No.: |
10/371411 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60407386 |
Aug 30, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
510/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D 9/265 20130101;
C11D 17/0095 20130101; C11D 9/225 20130101; C11D 13/02 20130101;
C11D 13/10 20130101; C11D 9/267 20130101; C11D 13/18 20130101; C11D
9/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
510/147 |
International
Class: |
A61K 007/50 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A soap bar composition comprising: a soap mixture; a
polyalkylene glycol; at least one of glycerin and sorbitol; water;
and optionally, free fatty acid, wherein said soap bar composition
exhibits translucent properties.
2. The soap bar composition of claim 1, said soap mixture
comprising a blend of soaps having alkyl chain lengths with 12 to
18 carbon atoms.
3. The soap bar composition of claim 1, said soap mixture
comprising at least one of sodium tallowate, sodium palmitate,
sodium stearate and sodium palm kernelate.
4. The soap bar composition of claim 1, the soap bar composition
comprising about 65 to about 85 weight percent soap mixture.
5. The soap bar composition of claim 4, the soap bar composition
comprising about 70 to about 75 weight percent soap mixture.
6. The soap bar composition of claim 1, the soap bar composition
comprising about 4.5 to about 8.5 weight percent glycerin.
7. The soap bar composition of claim 6, the soap bar composition
comprising about 6.0 to about 8.0 weight percent glycerin.
8. The soap bar composition of claim 1, the soap bar composition
comprising about 10 to about 20 weight percent water.
9. The soap bar composition of claim 8, the soap bar composition
comprising about 12 to about 16 weight percent water.
10. The soap bar composition of claim 1, said polyalkylene glycol
comprising a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight in the
range of about 300 to about 800.
11. The soap bar composition of claim 10, said polyethylene glycol
comprising PEG-8.
12. The soap bar composition of claim 10, the soap bar composition
comprising about 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent polyethylene
glycol.
13. The soap bar composition of claim 12, the soap bar composition
comprising about 1.0 to about 2.0 weight percent polyethylene
glycol.
14. The soap bar composition of claim 1, said free fatty acid
having an alkyl chain length with 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
15. The soap bar composition of claim 1, said free fatty acid
comprising lauric acid.
16. The soap bar composition of claim 1, further comprising at
least one of organic salts, inorganic salts, chelating agents,
vitamins, dyes, moisturizers, antibacterial agents, preservatives,
antioxidants, conditioners, exfoliants, emollients, and sun
screens.
17. A process for making soap bars having the following
composition: a soap mixture; a polyethylene glycol having a
molecular weight in the range of about 300 to about 800; glycerin;
water, and optionally, a free fatty acid, said soap bars exhibiting
translucent properties, said process comprising: saponifying oils
with a caustic solution to form a soap blend; optionally,
neutralizing unreacted caustic solution with said free fatty acid;
spray drying said soap blend to form soap pellets; adding said
polyethylene glycol to said soap pellets; subjecting said soap
pellets to plodding, roll-milling and extrusion to form a soap
ribbon; and cutting and stamping said soap ribbon to form soap
bars.
18. The process of claim 17, said soap mixture comprising soaps
having alkyl chain lengths with 12 to 18 carbon atoms.
19. The process of claim 17, said soap mixture comprising at least
one of sodium tallowate, sodium palmitate, sodium stearate and
sodium palm kernelate.
20. The process of claim 17, the soap bars comprising about 65 to
about 85 weight percent soap mixture.
21. The process of claim 20, the soap bars comprising about 70 to
about 75 weight percent soap mixture.
22. The process of claim 17, the soap bars comprising about 4.5 to
about 8.5 weight percent glycerin.
23. The process of claim 17, the soap bars comprising about 6.0 to
about 8.0 weight percent glycerin.
24. The process of claim 17, the soap bars comprising about 10 to
about 20 weight percent water.
25. The process of claim 24, the soap bars comprising about 12 to
about 16 weight percent water.
26. The process of claim 17, said polyethylene glycol comprising
PEG-8.
27. The process of claim 17, the soap bars comprising about 0.5 to
about 5.0 weight percent polyethylene glycol.
28. The process of claim 27, the soap bars comprising about 1.0 to
about 2.0 weight percent polyethylene glycol.
29. The process of claim 17, said free fatty acid having an alkyl
chain length with 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
30. The process of claim 17, said free fatty acid comprising lauric
acid.
31. The process of claim 17, further comprising adding to said soap
pellets at least one of vitamins, dyes, moisturizers, antibacterial
agents, antioxidants, conditioners, exfoliants, emollients, and sun
screens.
32. The process of claim 17, further comprising adding to said soap
blend at least one of preservatives, chelating agents, organic
salts and inorganic salts.
33. A translucent soap bar comprising, by weight: about 65 to about
80% of a soap mixture; about 0.5 to about 5.0% of a polyethylene
glycol having a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to about
800; about 4.5 to about 8.5% glycerin; about 12 to about 16% water,
and optionally, about 1.5 to about 3.0% of a free fatty acid.
34. The translucent soap bar of claim 33. said soap mixture
comprising at least one of sodium tallowate, sodium palmitate,
sodium stearate and sodium palm kernelate.
35. The translucent soap bar of claim 33, the translucent soap bar
comprising about 70 to about 75% soap mixture.
36. The translucent soap bar of claim 33, the translucent soap bar
comprising about 6.0 to about 8.0% glycerin.
37. The translucent soap bar of claim 33, said polyethylene glycol
comprising PEG-8.
38. The translucent soap bar of claim 33, the translucent soap bar
comprising about 1.0 to about 2.0% polyethylene glycol.
39. The translucent soap bar of claim 33, said free fatty acid
having an alkyl chain length with 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
40. The translucent soap bar of claim 39, said free fatty acid
comprising lauric acid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application, Serial No. 60/407,386 entitled "Translucent Soap Bar
Composition," filed on Aug. 30, 2002, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to soap compositions
and their method of manufacture, and more particularly to soap
compositions that exhibit translucent properties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Translucent soap bars are popular among consumers for their
aesthetic appeal and their connotation of purity and high moisture
content. Generally, a translucent bar soap is composed largely of
one single homogeneous crystalline phase known as the "beta phase."
The beta phase is one of four known crystalline phases of soap and
imparts translucence, generally due to the small size of the soap
crystals, which are too small to diffract light.
[0004] As used herein, the meaning of "translucent" is that which
is generally employed and is generally in accordance with the usual
dictionary definition. For example, a translucent soap is one that
allows light to pass through it but the light may be so scattered,
as by a small proportion of crystals or insolubles, such that it
will not be possible to clearly identify objects behind the
translucent soap. Furthermore, translucent soaps may include clear,
colorless, and colored transparent soaps.
[0005] As with conventional, opaque soaps, it is popular to include
additives, such as antibacterial agents, fragrance, vitamins and
colorants, to translucent soaps bars to provide other beneficial
characteristics. However, these additional ingredients may impair
translucency of the final product. In such cases, it may be
necessary during manufacturing to run the mix of ingredients
through refining and milling processes multiple times before an
acceptable translucency is achieved. Such additional processing
increases manufacturing time, energy and manpower, thus increasing
product costs and decreasing throughput.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for soap bar compositions that
exhibit satisfactory translucency without undesirable processing.
The present invention addresses this long felt, yet unresolved
need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This summary of the invention section is intended to
introduce the reader to aspects of the invention. Particular
aspects of the invention are pointed out in other sections herein
below, and the invention is set forth in the appended claims which
alone demarcate its scope.
[0008] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a soap bar composition is provided. The soap bar
composition includes a soap mixture, a polyalkylene glycol, at
least one of glycerin and/or sorbitol, water, and optionally, free
fatty acid. The soap bar composition exhibits translucent
properties.
[0009] In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a translucent soap bar is provided. The soap bar
includes, by weight, about 65 to about 80% of a soap mixture, about
0.5 to about 5.0% of a polyethylene glycol having a molecular
weight in the range of about 300 to about 800, about 4.5 to about
8.5% glycerin, about 12 to about 16% water, and, optionally, about
1.5 to about 3.0% of a free fatty acid.
[0010] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a process for making soap bars is provided. The
soap bars exhibit translucent properties and include a soap
mixture, a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight in the
range of about 300-800, glycerin, water, and, optionally, a free
fatty acid. The process includes saponifying oils with a caustic
solution to form a soap mixture, optionally neutralizing unreacted
caustic solution with the free fatty acid, and spray drying the
soap mixture and ultimately forming soap pellets. Polyethylene
glycol is added to the soap pellets to aid processing, and the
mixture is then subjected to plodding, roll-milling and extrusion
to form a soap ribbon. The soap ribbon is cut and stamped to form
soap bars.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The following description is of exemplary embodiments only
and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following
description provides a convenient illustration for implementing
various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to
the described embodiments may be made without departing from the
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
[0012] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
translucent soap bar composition comprises a soap mixture. As used
herein, the term "soap" is defined as any water-soluble salt of
those fatty acids that contain about 8 or more carbon atoms. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the soap mixture
comprises at least one of sodium tallowate, sodium palmitate,
sodium stearate and sodium palm kernelate, salts of fatty acids
having alkyl chain lengths with 12 to 18 carbons. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the soap mixture suitably comprises a
blend of sodium tallowate, sodium palmitate, sodium stearate and
sodium palm kernelate. It will be appreciated, however, that other
fats and oils from which soaps may be produced can be employed,
such as babassu oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, rapeseed oil or
other comparable vegetable product, whale or fish oils and lards,
and the like. Various other animal fats and oils may also be
employed to produce soaps similar to tallow/palmitate/stearate/palm
kernelate soaps mentioned above.
[0013] Generally, fatty acids with alkyl chains having 12 to 18
carbons are most desirable for soap production, as shorter alkyl
chains may not produce the desired soap properties. Fatty acids
with chain lengths having 20 carbons or more have very little
solubility and may impede lathering.
[0014] In one embodiment of the translucent soap bar composition of
the present invention, the soap mixture comprises about 65 to about
80% by weight of the translucent soap composition. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the soap mixture comprises about 70 to
about 75% by weight of the translucent soap composition. It will be
appreciated, however, that any suitable amount of the soap mixture
may be used to impart a cleaning benefit to the translucent soap
bar. Generally, the soap mixture comprises more than about 60% by
weight of the translucent soap composition, and more preferably
more than about 70% by weight of the translucent soap
composition.
[0015] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
sodium tallowate, sodium palmitate and sodium stearate comprises
about 80 to about 90% by weight of the soap mixture and sodium palm
kernelate comprises about 10 to about 20% by weight of the soap
mixture. In a preferred embodiment, sodium tallowate, sodium
palmitate and sodium stearate comprise on the order of about 85% of
the soap mixture and sodium palm kernelate comprises on the order
of about 15% of the soap mixture.
[0016] Preferably, the translucent soap composition of the present
invention also comprises glycerin, sorbitol, or a mixture of
glycerin and/or sorbitol. In one exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the translucent soap bar composition comprises
about 4.5 to about 8.5% by weight glycerin. In a preferred
embodiment, the translucent soap composition comprises about 6.0 to
about 8.0% by weight glycerin.
[0017] Preferably, the transparent soap composition also comprises
water. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
transparent soap composition comprises about 10 to about 20% by
weight water. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the transparent soap composition comprises about 12 to about 16% by
weight water.
[0018] The translucent soap bar composition also comprises a
polyalkylene glycol, which may include polyethylene glycols and
polypropylene glycols, having a relatively low molecular weight.
The inventors have found that use of a polyalkylene glycol having a
relatively low molecular weight enhances the translucent properties
of the soap bar composition of the present invention. In one
embodiment of the invention, the translucent soap bar composition
comprises polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight in the
range of about 300 to about 800. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the translucent soap bar composition comprises
polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 400, which is
typically sold commercially as "PEG-8". In another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the translucent soap bar
composition comprises about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight
polyethylene glycol. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the translucent soap composition comprises about 1.0 to about 2.0%
by weight polyalkylene glycol.
[0019] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
translucent soap bar composition may comprise free fatty acid. The
free fatty acids generally may have alkyl chain lengths with 8 to
22 carbons, but preferably 12 to 18 carbons. An example of a
suitable free fatty acid for use in the translucent soap
composition of the present invention is lauric acid, although it
will be appreciated that any suitable free fatty acid having an
alkyl chain length of 8 to 22 carbon atoms may be used.
[0020] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the translucent soap bar composition may comprise one or more other
conventional processing aids and conventional additives, including
organic and inorganic salts, chelating agents, vitamins, dyes,
moisturizers, antibacterial agents, preservatives, antioxidants,
conditioners, exfoliants, emollients, and the like.
[0021] A process for making translucent soap bars in accordance
with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be
described. A soap mixture may be manufactured by saponifying
suitable raw oils, such as, for example, tallow, palm oil, stearin
oil and palm kernel oil, with a caustic solution, such as sodium
hydroxide, to form a "neat soap." The pH of the neat soap may be
alkaline when produced and can be suitably adjusted by the addition
of an organic acid, such as citric acid. Free fatty acid may also
be added to the neat soap to neutralize any undesirable excess
caustic solution and to enhance the lather characteristics of the
resulting soap. Optionally, at this stage of the process,
preservative agents, chelating agents, and inorganic and/or organic
salts may also be added. The neat soap may then be spray dried to
reduce the moisture content of the soap, yielding soap pellets. In
one embodiment of the invention, the water content is reduced to
about 16 to about 19% by weight of the soap pellets.
[0022] Pre-mixes then may be formulated. The PEG-8 and colorants
may be combined into a first pre-mix using, for example, a slurry
tank agitator. Perfume and other active ingredients, such as an
antibacterial agent, skin controlling agents, and other additives
may be combined in the second pre-mix.
[0023] The soap pellets may then be transferred to an amalgamator
where they are coated with the ingredients of the three pre-mixes.
The three pre-mixes may be added to the soap pellets sequentially
or in unison. The coated pellets may then be double refined through
a twin-screw formulation plodder and transported to a
four-roll/double-pass mill and a first duplex plodder that
pelletizes the soap. The refined formulated pellets may then be
transported to the top hopper of a final duplex plodder at which
point a recycle stream from a soap press, described below, is
introduced. The mix may be combined through the top hopper,
preferably with screens and compaction plates removed. A lower
vacuum plodder then may extrude the soap into a ribbon that may be
cut into slugs. The slugs may be stamped into finished bars using
an automatic soap press, from which the recycle stream described
above is produced.
[0024] While the above process describes one embodiment for
manufacturing the translucent soap bar composition of the present
invention, it will be appreciated that the translucent soap bar
composition of the present invention is not limited to the method
of manufacture described above, but can be manufactured using any
suitable process. For example, the soap may be manufactured in a
batch process where all the ingredients are combined in situ and
processed to refine the crystallinity of the mixture to produce a
translucent soap bar composition. In another exemplary embodiment,
the translucent soap composition may be subjected to additional
plodding and/or milling to further enhance the translucency of the
resulting composition.
[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the translucent soap bar
composition of the present invention, with each of the components
set forth in weight percent of the total soap bar composition, is
as follows:
1 Component wt. % soap (sodium tallowate, sodium palm 72.0129
kernelate, sodium palmitate and sodium stearate) water 14.3700
glycerin 7.6060 lauric acid 2.1076 fragrance 1.5000 polyethylene
glycol (PEG-8) 1.4994 chelating agent (pentasodium pentetate)
0.2108 chelating agent (tetrasodium etidronate) 0.2108
antibacterial agent (triclosan) 0.1999 sodium chloride 0.1341
vitamin additives 0.1000 citric acid 0.0479 dye (red 4) 0.0003 dye
(yellow 5) 0.0003 Total 100.00
[0026] While the above example illustrates a soap composition
comprising a soap mixture of sodium tallowate, sodium palm
kernelate, sodium palmitate and sodium stearate, free fatty acid of
lauric acid, and a polyalkylene glycol of PEG-8, it will be
appreciated that any other suitable soap mixture, free fatty acid
and polyalkylene glycol may be used and may be present in any
suitable amount. It will further be appreciated that although an
example of a soap composition comprising glycerin is illustrated
above, sorbitol or a sorbitol and glycerin mixture could also be
used. Similarly, while the above example illustrates use of
chelating agents, dyes, fragrance, bacterial agent and vitamins, it
will be understood that any other conventional, suitable additive
or combination of additives, present in any suitable proportion,
may be used. Further, it will be appreciated that any such
additives may be absent from the translucent soap bar composition
altogether.
[0027] To evidence the performance characteristics of various
formulations of the translucent soap bar compositions according to
the present invention, tests were conducted to determine the
difference in translucency between soap compositions with a
polyalkylene glycol and those without. Ten peach-colored
translucent soap bars, Sample A, were manufactured using the
formulation and process described above, each soap bar comprising
about 1.5% PEG-8. Ten other peach-colored translucent soap bars,
Sample B, were manufactured using the same formulation and process
as those of the soap bars of Sample A, except the soap bars of
Sample B did not contain any polyalkylene glycol.
[0028] Similarly, ten teal-colored translucent soap bars, Sample C,
were manufactured using a formulation and process similar to those
described above, each soap bar comprising about 1.5% PEG-8,
although variations in dye color to accommodate teal-colored bars
were implemented. Ten other teal-colored translucent soap bars,
Sample D, were manufactured using the same formulation and process
as those of the soap bars of Sample C, except that the soap bars of
Sample D did not contain any polyalkylene glycol.
[0029] Opacity measurements were taken on a Hunter Lab Color Quest
II colorimeter capable of measuring the reflectance of light
through a sample bar, first against a white background and then
against a black background. Opacity of the soap bars was calculated
according to the equation: 1 % Opacity = [ Y black_background Y
white_background ] .times. 100
[0030] where Y.sub.black.sub..sub.--.sub.background is the
reflectance value of a soap bar against a black background and
Y.sub.white.sub..sub.--.sub.background is the reflectance value of
the soap bar against a white background. As reflectance increases
(i.e., as translucency improves),
Y.sub.white.sub..sub.--.sub.background increases and
Y.sub.black.sub..sub.--.sub.background decreases. Thus, as opacity
decreases, translucency increases.
[0031] Table 1 illustrates the increase in translucency between
Sample A, the peach-colored soap bars without PEG-8, and Sample B,
the peach-colored soap bars with PEG-8:
2TABLE 1 Sample A Sample B % Increase (Peach) Opacity (Peach)
Opacity Translucency Bar 1 94.09 Bar 1 79.04 16.00 Bar 2 93.18 Bar
2 78.16 16.12 Bar 3 94.85 Bar 3 78.43 17.31 Bar 4 94.45 Bar 4 79.68
15.64 Bar 5 94.82 Bar 5 82.53 12.96 Bar 6 95.87 Bar 6 79.00 17.60
Bar 7 93.52 Bar 7 81.70 12.64 Bar 8 95.15 Bar 8 77.72 18.32 Bar 9
95.15 Bar 9 78.45 17.55 Bar 10 93.77 Bar 10 77.83 17.00 Overall
16.11% Average:
[0032] Similarly, Table 2 illustrates the increase in translucency
between Sample C, the teal-colored soap bars without PEG-8, and
Sample D, the teal-colored soap bars with PEG-8:
3TABLE 2 Sample C Sample D % Increase (Teal) Opacity (Teal) Opacity
Translucency Bar 1 97.12 Bar 1 84.12 13.39 Bar 2 96.69 Bar 2 86.09
10.96 Bar 3 96.49 Bar 3 84.97 11.94 Bar 4 97.26 Bar 4 83.43 14.22
Bar 5 96.91 Bar 5 87.57 9.64 Bar 6 97.28 Bar 6 86.05 11.54 Bar 7
96.66 Bar 7 83.14 13.99 Bar 8 96.57 Bar 8 86.43 10.50 Bar 9 97.60
Bar 9 86.34 11.54 Bar 10 96.69 Bar 10 84.88 12.21 Overall 11.99%
Average:
[0033] The above results illustrate that the addition of a
polyalkylene glycol in an amount as small as 1.5% by weight of the
soap composition increased the translucency of the soap bar
composition to an extent noticeable to a consumer. For the
peach-colored soap bars, translucency increased an average of about
16.11%. For the teal-colored soap bars, translucency increased an
average of about 12%.
[0034] As should now be appreciated, the translucent soap bar
composition, in accordance with the various embodiments of the
present invention evidences translucent properties while comprising
a soap mixture, glycerin, water and a relatively small amount of a
polyalkylene glycol having a low molecular weight. It will be
appreciated in accordance with principles of the present invention,
various other additives can be used without significantly affecting
the translucent properties of the soap composition.
[0035] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications
and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,
the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than
a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the present invention.
[0036] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to the problems
have been described above with regard to specific embodiments.
However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all
the claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or
any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus.
* * * * *