United States Patent:  6,015,574

Assignee:  L'Oreal (Paris, FR)

Filed:  June 9, 1997

A composition containing an organic phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in solution, a nonionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant in a combined amount sufficient to allow lipophilic ingredients to be incorporated into an aqueous solution, and method for making such compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve these and other advantages, the present invention is drawn to a composition made up of at least one organic phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution, at least one nonionic surfactant, and at least one amphoteric surfactant. The nonionic surfactant is present in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of the organic phospholipid.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an aqueous delivery system for lipophilic materials. The delivery (or "carrier") system includes at least one organic phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution, at least one nonionic surfactant, at least one amphoteric surfactant, at least one lipophilic ingredient, and an aqueous phase. The nonionic surfactant is present in an amount by weight equal to or greater than the amount of the phospholipid. The organic phospholipid, the nonionic surfactant, and the amphoteric surfactant are present in a combined amount sufficient to allow the lipophilic ingredient to be incorporated into the delivery system.

The present invention is also drawn to a process for the preparation of an aqueous system comprising: (a) combining at least one organic phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution, at least one nonionic surfactant, and at least one amphoteric surfactant to form a mixture, (b) heating the mixture obtained in step (a), (c) adding an aqueous solution to form a diluted mixture, and (d) cooling the diluted mixture. Lipophilic ingredients can be incorporated in step (a).

Claim 1 of 22 Claims

1. A composition comprising:

at least one organic phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution;

at least one amphoteric surfactant; and

at least one nonionic surfactant present in an amount by weight equal to or greater than the amount of said at least one phospholipid,

wherein said at least one phospholipid, said at least one amphoteric surfactant, and said at least one nonionic surfactant are present in a combined amount sufficient to allow lipophilic ingredients to be incorporated into an aqueous solution containing said composition.

____________________________________________
If you want to learn more about this patent, please go directly to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site to access the full patent.