Treating Human, Animal And Synthetic Hair With A Water-proofing Composition

Abstract

A method for treating fibers such as synthetic or natural hair, whereby synthetic fibers can be made to have the appearance of human hair and whereby human hair can be straightened, which comprises applying to the hair a composition containing about 1--50 percent by volume of a substantive water-repellent agent, and about 10--80 percent by volume of a substantive hardening and adhesive agent. A slipping agent, such as a fluoro resin, and en emollient, such as lanolin, is also preferably included.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 386,730, filed Jul. 31, 1964; which application is now abandoned.

Description

This invention relates to the treatment of fibers such as synthetic or natural hair, and it particularly relates to the treatment of synthetic fibers to give the appearance of human hair, as well as to the straightening of so-called "kinky" hair, especially human hair.

It has long been known to straighten kinky or curly hair by applying tension to the individual strands simultaneously with heat or pressure. However, after the strands have been straightened, any accumulation of moisture on the strands overcomes the straightening effects and causes the strands to resume their natural curl. This has always posed a large problem because moisture accumulates on the hair as the result of natural perspiration, especially during physical exertion, or even by condensation from the air itself, especially in warm, humid weather. It also interferes with such activities as swimming, or even bathing.

Various attempts have, heretofore, been made to overcome the above problems by subjecting the hair to chemical treatments with sodium hydroxide, potash, lye and other caustics. However, these treatments prevented the hair from curling only because they so reduced the body of the hair and, therefore, so weakened the hair that it did not have the strength to revert back to its normal curl. Obviously, such treatments often resulted in impairment of the growth of the hair or even in loss of the hair. Furthermore, because of the very caustic nature of these chemicals, only one having professional skill could effectively use the treatment, and even then, the utmost care had to be taken to avoid burning of the scalp, blinding of the eyes or other similar injuries.

The expense and danger of using caustic chemicals resulted in many people affected with the problem resorting to the so-called "hot comb" straightening method. This involved the use of a hot comb used in conjunction with petroleum jelly or lard as a lubricant. The hair then had to be plaited to keep it in place. This method gave the hair an unattractive "corn row" appearance. Others would "hot comb" the hair two or three times a week without lubricants. This latter method, although avoiding the so-called "corn row" appearance, subjected the hair to such constant mistreatment that it often resulted in the ultimate destruction of the hair and impairment of its subsequent growth.

It is also possible to use the present composition to give the appearance of human hair to synthetic fibers such as polyesters and polyamides. Nylon fibers are particularly well adapted to this process.

One object of the present invention is to provide a composition which is suitable both for treating human or animal hair to straighten the hair and for treating synthetic fibers to simulate the appearance of hair.

Another object of the present invention is to treat the hair with a waterproofing composition at the same time that the hair is being straightened whereby the hair, after it is straightened, is not subject to the effects of moisture and, therefore, retains its straight properties.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of straightening hair which, although it provides a straightening effect of substantial duration, obviates the use of caustic chemical agents or undesirable lubricants.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of straightening hair and retaining the hair in such straightened condition for substantial periods of time without the necessity of using professional skill and care.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the specification and claims herein.

In accordance with the present invention, when human hair is to be straightened, the hair is coated with a treating composition, and the coated strands of hair are then subjected to straightening tension and heat, as by means of a heated comb or the like.

The treating composition consists of about 1-- 50 percent of a water-repellent agent, about 10-- 80 percent of a hardening and adhesive agent, about 0.1-- 10 percent of a slipping agent and about 25-- 60 percent of an emollient, these percentages all being by volume. In addition, a small amount of any desired perfume may be added.

The water-repellent agent utilized herein is preferably an aqueous paraffin wax-polymer emulsion wherein the ratio of wax:polymer is about 3:1. The polymer preferably used is a copolymer such as disclosed in U.S. Pat No. 3,026,250 and consists of 15-- 90 percent by weight of an amino group containing comonomer having the structure: ##SPC1##

where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl and cycloalkyl that include R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of H and CH.sub.3; and 10-- 85 percent by weight of a comonomer having the structure:

CH.sub.2=C-Y

where X is a member of the group selected from H and CH.sub.3 and Y is a member selected from the polar group consisting of nitrile, acyloxy having from 1-- 18 carbon atoms and alkoxycarbonyl having from 1-- 18 carbon atoms.

Of particular preference is the copolymer of diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and octadecyl methacrylate.

Other products that may be used as the waterproofing or water-repellent agent are such commercially available products as "Zonyl RP" (DuPont), which is an anionic fluoro compound having a density at 77.degree. F. of 8.85 lb/gal., a viscosity at 77.degree. F. of 10 centipoises, a pH of 7.0 and complete solubility in water. Also "Nalan RF" and "Nalan RD" (DuPont), "Zelcon SL" (DuPont), "Zepel" (DuPont) and other similar water-dispersible products, as, for example, "Scotchgard" (Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.).

Among the hardening agents which may be used are: p,p'-methylenedianiline and various acrylic, acrylonitrile and methacrylic copolymers. One such copolymer which is particularly adapted to this invention is a copolymer obtained by polymerizing a mixture of about 0.5-- 25 percent by weight of itaconic acid, 3-- 4 percent by weight of at least one member of the group consisting of acrylonitrile, alkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, phenyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, p-cyclohexylphenyl methacrylate, methacrylonitrile, methyl vinyl ketone and vinyl chloride, and 35-- 96.5 percent by weight of vinylidene chloride. This product is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,570,478 and will be hereinafter referred to as "acrylic-modified vinylidene chloride polymer."

Other copolymers include the water-insoluble copolymers obtained by emulsion copolymerization of N-methylolacrylamide or N-methylolmethacrylamide or mixtures thereof with acrylamide or methacrylamide. These copolymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,157,562 and are sold by Rohm & Haas under the respective trade names "Rhoplex HA-12" and "Rhoplex HA-16." Similar products produced by Rohm & Haas under the trade names "Rhoplex 201" and "Rhoplex X-52," the latter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,280, may also be used.

Also utilizable are the copolymers of acrylonitrile and styrene produced by Pennsylvania Industrial Chemical Corp. under the trade name "Piccoflex" and "Arolon 363" (Archer Daniels Midland Co.), a solution of a water-soluble, oxidizing resin containing about 50 percent by weight solids, having a viscosity of SX (Gardner-Holdt at 25.degree. C.) and a pH of between 6.9 and 7.3 at 25.degree. C.

The slipping agent may be any one of a number of fluoro resins. Among these resins is a product produced by DuPont under the name of "Teflon P-TFE." This product, as used herein, is a polytetrafluoroethylene having a molecular weight of between about 1,000,000 to 10,000,000, and a viscosity greater than 10.sup. 10 poises at 380.degree. C. Also utilizable is a vinylidene fluoride resin, produced by Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation under the name "Kynar." is a high molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight of between about 300,000 and 6,00,000 and having the structure:

-CH.sub.2-CF.sub.2-CH.sub.2-CF.sub.2-CH.sub.2-CF.sub.2-

All of the compositions embodying the present invention may be prepared by mixing the desired proportions of all the components together at room temperature and pressure until a homogeneous, viscous, greaselike cream is obtained.

The following examples are illustrative of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

To a solution of 300 parts of 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and 700 parts of octadecyl methacrylate in 1000 parts of molten paraffin wax, maintained at 75.degree. C., in a suitable vessel equipped with an agitator, are added 10 parts of 2,2.sup.1 -azodiisobutyronitrile in small increments over a period of 6 to 10 hours. After the last addition of the polymerization initiator, the reaction mass is held at 75.degree. C. for 2 hours, and the temperature is then raised to 100.degree. C. and held at that temperature for about one-half hour. The charge is then diluted with 2,000 parts by weight of molten paraffin wax, to give a wax-copolymer ratio of 3:1. All parts herein are by weight.

Into 100 parts by weight of the above wax-copolymer composition, melted by heating to between 65.degree. and 70.degree. C., 4 parts by weight of glacial acetic acid are stirred. The wax-copolymer mass is then slowly added to 294 parts by weight of water kept under vigorous agitation with a high shear mixer, and maintained at 65.degree. to 70.degree. C. Agitation is then continued for a sufficient time to complete the emulsification. The resulting product is then cooled to room temperature. The product has a molecular weight of between about 20,000 and 80,000 and a viscosity of about 16 centipoises at 80.degree. F. (Brookfield).

EXAMPLE 2

Twelve percent by volume of the emulsion of example 1 was mixed with 37.5 percent by volume of p,p'-methylenedianiline, 0.5 percent by volume "Teflon P-TFE" having a molecular weight of about 1,500,000, and 50 percent by volume lanolin. Three drops of perfume were then added. The mixture was thoroughly agitated at room temperature and pressure until a homogeneous, greaselike cream was produced.

EXAMPLE 3

Twenty five percent by volume of the emulsion of example 1 was mixed with about 25 percent by volume of "Rhoplex HA-12," 1 percent by volume "Kynar," having a molecular weight of about 600,000, and 49 percent by volume lanolin. About five drops of perfume were then added. The mixture was thoroughly agitated at room temperature and pressure until a homogeneous, greaselike cream was produced.

EXAMPLE 4

About 0.2 ounces of the product formed in example 2 was applied to a human head of hair by rubbing it into the hair until the hair was completely coated. A heated iron straightening comb was then passed through the hair in a manner to hold the hair strands under tension while heat from the comb was applied thereto. When this treatment was completed, it was noted that each strand of hair possessed a thin, highly flexible film that repelled water, moisture from the air and perspiration. The treated hair was then styled in a desirable manner.

EXAMPLE 5

About 0.2 ounces of the product formed in example 3 was applied to a human head of hair by rubbing it into the hair until the hair was completely coated. A heated iron straightening comb heated to about 250.degree. F., was then passed through the hair in a manner to hold the hair strands under tension while heat from the comb was applied thereto. When this treatment was completed, it was noted that each strand of hair possessed a thin, highly flexible film that repelled water, moisture from the air and perspiration. The treated hair was then styled in a desirable manner.

It is to be understood that the amount of the composition used may vary widely depending on the type and condition of the hair.

It is also possible to obtain a utilizable product for treating hair in accordance with the present invention which consists essentially only of a water-repellent agent, as described above, and the hardening and adhesive agent. In such a composition, the relative percentages by volume are about 20-- 50 percent of the water-repellent agent and about 80-- 50 percent by volume of the hardening agent. Such a product, although it may feasibly be used, is less preferable than the products described above because it is more difficult to apply and to retain on the hair. A composition of this type is illustrated in example 6 as follows:

EXAMPLE 6

Twenty five percent by volume of the emulsion of example 1 was mixed, at room temperature and pressure, with 75 percent by volume of the acrylic-modified vinylidene chloride polymer, disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,570,478, until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. This composition was then applied as a coating to a human head of hair, by placing a dab of cream on the fingers and rubbing it into the hair until a thin film was formed, and a heated iron straightening comb was then passed through the hair. The strands of hair were generally all provided with a thin, highly flexible film similar to that of example 4.

EXAMPLE 7

One-half pound of nylon fiber, dyed to a particular shade, and containing about 10,000 individual fibers, was coated with the composition of example 2 and passed between a series of rollers to smooth out the coating. The coated fibers were then baked in an oven at a temperature of between about 300.degree.-- 400.degree. F. The resulting fibers have the appearance of human hair.

Although specific commercially available products have been utilized as components for the exemplified compositions, it is to be understood that equivalent materials may be substituted within the concept of this invention.

Obviously, many modifications of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

I claim:

1. A composition for treating natural and synthetic hair consisting essentially of about 1--50 percent by volume of a water-repellent agent consisting of (a) a wax-polymer emulsion wherein the ratio of wax to polymer is about 3:1, the polymer being a copolymer which consists of (1) about 15--90 percent by weight of an amino group containing comonomer having the structure: ##SPC2##

where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl and cycloalkyl that include R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of H and CH.sub.3, and ( 2) 10--85 percent by weight of a comonomer having the structure:

CH.sub.2=C-Y

where X is a member of the group selected from H and CH.sub.3 and Y is a member selected from the polar group consisting of nitrile, aliphatic acyloxy having from 1--18 carbon atoms and alkoxycarbonyl having from 1--18 carbon atoms, said copolymer having an intrinsic viscosity in benzene at 30.degree. C. of from 0.04--0.5; and (b) about 10--80 percent by volume of a hardening agent selected from the group consisting of (1) p,p'-methylenedianiline, (2) a copolymer obtained by polymerizing a mixture of 0.5--25 percent of itaconic acid, 3--40 percent of at least one polymerizable compound selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, alkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, phenyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, p-cyclohexylphenyl methacrylate, methacrylonitrile, methyl vinyl ketone, and vinyl chloride, and 35--96.5 percent of vinylidene chloride, the proportions being selected to total 100 percent, (3) water-insoluble copolymers formed by the emulsion copolymerization of 0.5--6 percent by weight of either N-methylolacrylamide, N-methylolmethacrylamide or mixtures thereof with 0.5--25 percent by weight of either acrylamide or methacrylamide and having a molecular weight of 100,000 to 10,000,000, and (4) copolymers of acrylonitrile and styrene wherein a 50 percent solution has a viscosity of SX (Gardner-Holdt at 25.degree. C.).

2. The composition of claim 1 also containing about 0.1--10 percent by volume of a slipping agent, said slipping agent being a member of the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene having a molecular weight of between about 1,000,000 and about 10,000,000 and vinylidene fluoride polymer having a molecular weight of between about 300,000 and 600,000.

3. The composition of claim 2 also containing about 25--60 percent by volume of an emolient which is substantive to the hair.

4. A method of treating natural and synthetic hair which comprises coating the hair fibers with the composition of claim 1 and then heating the coated fibers to a temperature at which the composition thermally sets.

5. A method of treating natural and synthetic hair which comprises coating the hair fibers with the composition of claim 2 and then heating the coated fibers to a temperature at which the composition thermally sets.

6. A method of treating natural and synthetic hair which comprises coating the hair fibers with the composition of claim 3 and then heating the coated fibers to a temperature at which the composition thermally sets.