AU747236B2

AU747236B2 - Cleanisng bar with high levels of liquid and particulate silica

Info

Publication number: AU747236B2
Application number: AU89469/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jose E. Ramirez; Mohan Vishnupad
Original assignee: Imaginative Research Associates Inc
Current assignee: Imaginative Research Associates Inc
Priority date: 1997-11-07
Filing date: 1998-10-22
Publication date: 2002-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-22
Also published as: EP0919611A1; JPH11217587A; CA2253046A1; AU8946998A; KR19990045091A

Description

-1- P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: IMAGINATIVE RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.

Jose E. RAMIREZ and Mohan VISHNUPAD CARTER SMITH BEADLE 2 Railway Parade Camberwell Victoria 3124 Australia CLEANSING BAR WITH HIGH LEVELS OF LIQUID AND PARTICULATE SILICA The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us CLEANSING BAR WITH HIGH LEVELS OF LIQUID AND PARTICULATE SILICA FIELD OF THE INVENTION This disclosure relates generally to personal cleansing bars with lathering detergents and/or soaps. The bars have a high liquid content in combination with lathering additives and particulate silica to give the bars a desirable consistency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Personal cleansing with mild surface-active cleansing bar preparations has become a focus of great interest. The processability and smear properties of such bars have become a focus of even greater interest.

The fabrication of relatively pure "soap" bars is a well-worked-out engineering procedure involving milling, plodding and molding. Coco/tallow soap becomes quite plastic when warmed and can be easily plodded and molded under relatively low pressures. However, bars made with certain mild surfactants are very difficult to fabricate. The problems of formulating such bars are not limited to the performance characteristics of the finished bars. Thus, problems associated with mild synthetic detergent bars include bar processability, firmness, smear and mildness.

For example, most synthetic detergents and detergent-filler S"combinations do not become plastic and the machinery for fabrication must be specially designed. See U.S. Patent No. 2,678,921.

Ideal processing should be fast and problem free in terms of milling, 20 plodding and molding toilet bar formation. Most mild bar processings fall short in this respect.

Major drawbacks of most synthetic surfactant toilet bar formulations S"are harshness, poor !ather, poor smear, and poor processsability due to stickiness. It will be appreciated that processability, firmness, smear, mildness, lather, and rinsability make surfactant selection for mild personal cleansing bars a delicate balancing act. Thus, rather stringent requirements for formulating mild personal -2cleansing bars limit the choice of surfactants, and final formulations represent some degree of compromise. Mildness is often obtained at the expense of processability, effective cleansing, lathering, or rinsing, or vice versa. Processability is often obtained at the expense of smear.

A superior processable mild personal cleansing bar formulation with good mildness, good smear, good lather potential and good rinsability is difficult to formulate, but would be highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been discovered that particulate silica in certain ratios with emollients like oils, waxes, petrolatum, esters and/or humectants like polyols, e.g., glycerine, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, etc. and/or water in combination with detergent and/or soap additives can be formulated in cleansing bars of good hardness and acceptable processing characteristics. A unique feature of such compositions is that the high levels of the oil or liquid humectant phase provide functional benefits to skin by providing good foam without defatting the skin and also allowing the deposit of a residue with active ingredients. Silica gives the bar the necessary properties for commercial fabrication.

The present invention provides in one form a cleansing bar composition 20 comprising a liquid phase containing one or more members selected from the group consisting of oils, oil and wax mixtures and polyols; particulate silica having a surface area of at least 75 m2/gm; and oia cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent; 25 the ratio of the liquid phase to the particulate silica on a weight to weight basis being between about 2:1 to about 10:1; the cleansing bar containing less than about 10% by weight of added water.

In an alternative form the invention provides a method of preparing a cleansing bar comprising: Melbourne\004003515 Printed 26 February 2002 (10:29) 2aadding particulate silica having a surface area of at least 75 m 2 /gm to a liquid phase containing one or more members selected from the group consisting of oils, oil and wax mixtures and polyols to provide a mixture, the mixture containing no added water; combining the mixture with a cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent to provide a cleansing composition having a penetration value of about or less; and forming the cleansing composition into a bar.

In a further form the invention provides an article of manufacture comprising: a cleansing bar containing less than about 10% by weight of added water formed from a composition including a liquid phase containing one or more polyols; particulate silica having a surface area of at least 75 m 2 /gm; and a cleansing agent, the ratio of the liquid phase to the particulate silica on a weight to weight basis being between about 2:1 to about 10:1.

In a still further form the invention provides a cleansing bar 20 comprising: a composition including liquid phase containing one or more polyols, a cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent; and to particulate silica, the particulate silica being present in an amount sufficient to provide the bar with a penetration value of up to about 50, the bar containing less 25 than abut 10% by weight of added water.

A novel finding of these compositions is the effect of particulate silica having a high surface area on detergents from the groups consisting of sodium acyl isethionate, sodium alpha olefin sulfonates, disodium alkyl sulfosuccinate, soap base, tallow and coco sodium salts, and mixtures thereof, which produces a hard processable cleansing bar. Silica in the presence of these detergents, soaps and Melbourne\004003515 Printed 26 February 2002 (10:29) 2b blends thereof, hardens the bar significantly. The hardening effect desirable for processing is observed at silica contents of a minimum of 1 part silica to 10 parts of liquid on a w/w basis, varying according to the particular liquids and waxes employed.

Particularly useful embodiments of the present cleansing bar 0 0 0 0000 000 0 00 Melboume\004003515 Printed 26 February 2002 (10:29) compositions contain: a liquid phase consisting of either mineral, vegetable oils or polyols with or without the addition of waxes; amorphous silica; and soap, detergent or a mixture thereof. The composition is capable of foaming when combined with water during use. The present compositions provide formulations of a flowable phase of liquids, or of oils or of oils and waxes and silica which, upon combination with soap and/or detergents can be processed and stamped into a cleansing bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This disclosure relates generally to formulations of cleansing bars having high liquid and particulate silica content and containing levels of a suitable hardening agent or agents in combination with soap and/or detergents and additives that give the bars a desirable consistency. More particularly, this disclosure is concerned with the discovery that cleansing bars with soap and/or detergents and high levels of oils or high levels of polyols or water can be formulated properly and fabricated using well-established equipment and procedures. In contrast, most synthetic detergents and detergent-filler combinations that are presently available do not become plastic and modifications have to be made to the manufacturing equipment and fatty acids and soap-like ingredients have to be added for suitable manufacturing.

The use of oils, polyols, water and other materials like petrolatum, paraffin and waxes is well known in the fabrication of bars. However, because of their foam suppressing and softening properties, the use of oils and waxes is limited to S"low levels in cleansing bars. Furthermore, the use of oils, waxes and polyols in synthetic detergent bars softens the product, making it very difficult to prepare a suitable commercial bar. A novel finding of the compositions described herein is that silica when used in certain ratios in the liquid phase, allows the preparation of cleansing bars that can be processed using established manufacturing methods while aiding with the foaming characteristics of the bars.

S The first component of the compositions described herein is a liquid.

phase which contains oils, and/or polyols and optionally waxes. The oils can be mineral oils which are a purified mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Normally, mineral oils are a mixture of oils of the methane series having the general formula CH 2 n 2 Alternatively, the oils can be of vegetable origin, that is extracted from the seeds, fruits or leaves of plants and generally considered to be mixtures of mixed glycerides sesame, avocado, olive, cottonseed, etc.).

Mixtures of vegetable and mineral oils can also be used in the oil phase. The oils can be modified by the addition ofparaffinic and microcrystalline waxes. A particularly useful oil phase is petrolatum. Petrolatum is a combination of mineral oils and wax which forms a white to faintly yellow unctuous mass of well recognized pharmaceutical properties. The preferred white petrolatum USP has a density of from about 0.82 to about 0.865, a melting point of from about 38E to 54EC and a refractive index of from about 1.460 to 1.474. The polyols can be glycerine, corn syrup, propylene glycol, dibutylene glycol, dipropylene glycol or other liquid polyfunctional alcohols. As exemplified hereinafter, in certain embodiments, the liquid phase contains no added water.

In particularly useful embodiments, the liquid phase constitutes from about 15 to about 45 percent by weight of the final composition. Preferably, the liquid phase is from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of the final composition.

second component of the present compositions is an effective amount of silica. Silica gives the liquid phase an appropriate degree of solid characteristic so that the resulting mixture can be processed with soaps, detergents or mixtures thereof. Any particulate silica having a surface area greater than about m 2 /g is suitable. Preferably, the particulate silica is amorphous and has a surface area of greater than 100 m2/gm. A particularly useful amorphous silica is fumed silica.

Fumed silica is fumed silicon oxide, SiO 2 a material which is produced by the hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride vapor in a flame of hydrogen and oxygen. In the to combustion process, molten spheres of silica are formed with extremely small particle size and enormous surface area. The resulting fumed silica is a fluffy white powder of very low bulk density, from 2.5 to 5 lbs./ft 3 and a surface area from 10 to 380 m 2 /gm.

Other silicas having the desired surface area are also suitable; such as, for example precipitated silicas or silica fume.

The particulate silica should be present in the composition in an amount sufficient to harden the composition. The hardness of the composition is conveniently ascertained by measuring penetration value as described more fully hereinafter. The ratio of liquid phase to silica is preferably greater than about 2:1 more preferably in the range of about 4:1 to about 10:1. In particularly useful embodiments, the effective amount of particulate silica will range from about 3 percent by weight of the final composition to about 20 percent by weight of the final composition. Preferably, from about 3 to about 15 weight percent silica is present.

The third component of the present composition is a cleansing agent a soap, a detergent or a mixture thereof. In a mixture with the other components described above, a composition is produced that can be processed and stamped into a cleansing bar and when combined with water exhibits foaming behavior. A particularly useful soap base suitable for personal care is a blend of tallow and coco sodium salts (80/20). Representative classes of detergents which have been found to be useful are the sodium acyl isethionates, the sodium alpha olefin sulfonates and disodium alkyl sulfosuccinates. However, this disclosure is not limited to these detergents.

The amount of cleansing agent included in the composition will vary depending on the exact detergent chosen, the identity of other components employed, and the desired physical and performance characteristics to be achieved. Normally, however, the amount of cleansing agent in particularly useful embodiments will range from about 25 to about 85 percent by weight of the final composition. Preferably, the cleansing agent is present in an amount from about 40 to about 75 percent by weight oe* of the final composition.

The detergent chosen should be mild to the skin and relatively unaffected by ions which might be present in hard water. An unusual finding in connection with the compositions of this disclosure is that when adding silica to oils or oils and waxes (preferably molten), and/or polyols and processing the resulting composition through a blade blender and a screw mixer, the resulting mass can be compacted into a solid that has similar hardness characteristics as compacted soaps, detergents or mixtures thereof. This allows the blend of oils or oils and waxes and/or polyols and silica to be added to the soap, detergent or mixtures thereof without the resulting softening characteristics of adding oils by themselves.

In addition to the foregoing components, foam boosters may be incorporated into thepresent compositions. Suitable foam enhancers include potassium polymetaphosphate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, acyl glutamate and amides. These materials will enhance the foam produced when the present compositions are exposed to water during use.

The compositions may also contain conventional additives such as fragrance, color, fillers, preservatives, etc. Additionally, active ingredients may be incorporated in the present compositions. Such active ingredients include, but are not 1 limited to deodorants, medicaments such as, for example coal-tar, benzoyl peroxide, 20 vitamin A and vitamin E, and antibacterial ingredients such as, for example, triclosan, PVP-iodine, salicylic acid and sunscreens. The amount of active ingredient included in the present compositions should be an "effective amount" by which it is meant an amount sufficient to achieve a desired effect. The precise amount that is effective will depend upon the particular active ingredient and the desired effect to be achieved.

Normally, an effective amount will be from about 0.001 to about 10 weight percent, more preferably from about 0.01 to about 5.0 weight percent.

The order of addition of the ingredients of the present compositions is .i not critical. The compositions described herein are preferably prepared by first *0 CC mixing the ingredients of the liquid phase. Silica is then added to the liquid phase.

Heating and vigorous mixing may be used to aid in providing a homogenous liquid/silica composition. Next, the cleansing agent is added to and mixed with the liquid/silica mixture. At this point, the composition can be pelletized, if desired.

Finally, any additives (fragrance, filler, active ingredient, etc.) are added to the composition. In certain particularly useful embodiments, the composition from which the cleansing bar is formed contains less than about 10% by weight of added water.

Once prepared, the composition can be formed into a bar using known techniques.

One such technique is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,812,253, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

EXAMPLES 1-4 Examples 1-4 present formulations of the compacted mass that is produced when fumed silica and petroleum jelly are mixed and properly processed.

The compositions of Examples 1 to 4 show the effect that changing the ratios of silica to petrolatum has on the consistency of the compacted mass.

Comparative example A has been included to show the consistency of pure petrolatum. The petroleum jelly employed in the Examples was designated White 00 0 Petrolatum USP, G1951, and is commercially available from Witco, Greenwich, CT.

20 The silica used in the"Examples presented herein is a fumed silica sold under the trademark CAB-O-SIL, available from Cabot Corp., Tuscola, Ill. The results are presented in Table I.

4 $o 4 4oo$ *~o 4 0 S0 o**S 600 0 0

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6. S S 5* @5

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5.5.

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5* Table I Example No. A 1 2 3 4 Petroleum Jelly USP 100.0 83.3 79.4 74.6 66.6 Fumed Silica 0.0 16.7 20.6 25.4 33.3 R=Si/PJ 0.0 0.2 0.26 0.34 Penetration Value 260.0 80.0 48.0 28.0 15.0 (mmx1O) The consistency of the resulting paste or solid is tested using a Penetrometer (Universal Penetrometer, ASTM, (Precision 73510), Catalog No.

33541, Macalaster Bicknell Company of Connecticut, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut) which was equipped with a 300g cone. The amount of penetration of the cone into the sample was displayed by, and read off, the penetrometer in units of mm x 10. A lower penetration value indicates a harder mass. The samples were compacted by adding 20g of mixture to a die punch. The pasty or powdery mixture was then compressed to form discs 12" wide by 5/8" high. Preferably, the compositions of this invention have penetration values of less than about 50 mm x 10. The compositions preferably have a ratio of silica to oil phase greater than about 0.1.

EXAMPLES 5-8 Examples 5-8 present formulations of the compacted mass that is produced when fumed silica and glycerin are mixed and properly processed.

The compositions of Examples 5-8 show the effect that changing the ratios of silica to glycerin has on the consistency of the compacted mass.

Comparative example B has been included to show the consistency of pure glycerin.

The glycerin employed in the Examples was designated glycerin USP, 99.5% and is commercially available from Ruger Chemical, 83 Cordier Street, Irvington, N.J. The consistency of the compositions, tested as previously described, are reported in Table II. The glycerine-based compositions in accordance with this disclosure preferably have a silica to glycerine ratio greater than about 0.25.

Table II .1 Example No. B 5 6 7 8 Glycerin 99.5 USP 100.0 83.3 79.4 74.6 66.6 Fumed Silica 0.0 16.7 20.6 25.4 33.3 R=Si/glycerine 0.0 0.2 0.26 0.34 Penetration Value Liquid 200+ 50 10 (mmxlO) EXAMPLES 9-20 Examples 9 to 20 present the hardness of the compacted mass that is produced when fumed silica, petroleum jelly and soap are mixed and properly processed. The consistency of the resulting paste or solid is tested as previously described, that is by.using a Penetrometer and measuring the hardness of the resulting 20g disc. Comparative examples C, D and E have been included to show the consistency of the commercial soap base with petrolatum and no fumed silica. The results are present in Table III.

Table III Example No. C 9 10 11 12 Petroleum Jelly USP 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 4.0 5.0 6.67 10.0 Soap Base* 80.0 76.0 75.0 73.33 70.0 R=SiIPJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value 80.0 35.0 28.0 25.0 15.0 (mmxlO) Example No. D 13 14 15 16 Petroleum Jelly USP 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 6.0 7.5 10.0 15.0 Soap Base* 70.0 64.0 62.5 60.0 55.0 R=Si/PJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value 135.0 58.0 45.0 28.0 15.0 (mrnxl0) a. a. a a.

*ommercial soap base composition containing: Sodium Tallowate 68% Sodium Cocoate 17.0% Water 12.5 Glycerin Pentasodium Pentetate Tetrasodium etidronate TABLE III cont'd.

a *.aa a. Example No. E 17 18 19 Petroleum Jelly USP 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 8.0 10.0 13.3 20.0 Soap Base* 60.0 52.0 50.0 46.7 40.0 R=Si/PJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value 270.0 65.0 50.0 28.0 15.0 (mmxlO) The resulting mixtures required at least 1 part of fumed silica for parts of petroleum jelly for the bars with the lower levels of petroleum jelly to have a penetration of approximately 50mm x 10. Higher levels of petroleum jelly require 1 part of fumed silica to 4 parts of petroleum jelly to the hardness of the bars to values of 50mm x 10. It will be pointed out that the hardness of the soap mass processed without fumed silica and without petroleum jelly is 15mm x 10. This value is approached by all the blends of petroleum jelly, silica and soap, once the ratio of fumed silica to petroleum jelly has a value of 0.5, or higher.

EXAMPLES 21-32 Examples 21-32 present the hardness of the compacted mass that is produced when fumed silica, glycerin and soap are mixed and properly processed.

30 The consistency of the resulting paste or solid is tested as previously described, that is by using a Penetrometer and measuring the hardness of the resulting 20g disc.

Comparative examples F, G, and H have been included to show the consistency of the commercial soap base with glycerin and no fumed silica. The results are presented in Table IV.

-11- Table IV Example No. F 21 22 23 24 -Glycerin 99.5 USP 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 4.0 5.0 6.67 10.0 -Soap Base* 80.0 76.0 75.0 73.33 70.0 .R=Si/Glycerine 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value too soft 43.0 22.0 19.0 (mmx 10) to test TableIV Example No. G 25 26 27 28 Glycerin 99.5 USP 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 6.0 7.5 10.0 15.0 Soap Base"* 70.0 64.0 62.5 60.0 55.0 R=Si/Glycerine 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value* Too soft 50.0 41.0 27.0 10.0 (nmxl 0) to test **CommIercial soap base composition containing: Sodium Tallowate 68% Sodium Cocoate 17.0% Water 12.5 Glycerin Pentasodium Pentetate Tetrasodium etidronate -12-

Y

Example No. H 29 30 31 32 Glycerine 99.5 USP 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 8.0 10.0 13.3 20.0 Soap Base* 60.0 52.0 50.0 46.7 40.0 R=Si/Glycerine 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value Too soft 135.0 110.0 36.0 24.0 (mmxl0) to test The resulting mixtures required at least about 1 part of fumed silica for parts of glycerin for the bars with the lower levels of glycerin to have a penetration of approximately 50 mm x 10 or less. Higher levels of glycerin require at least about.1 part of fumed silica in 3 parts of glycerin for bars with penetration values lower than 50 mm x 10. The hardness of the soap mass without silica and without glycerin added is approached by all blends of glycerin, silica, and soap, once the ratio Si/Glycerine is 0.5 or higher.

EXAMPLES 33-44 Examples 33-44 present the penetration values of the compacted mass that is produced when fumed silica, petroleum jelly and a commercial blend of syndet and soap are mixed and properly processed. The consistency of the paste or solid is tested as previously described. Comparative examples I, J and K have been included to show the consistency of the commercial soap/syndet base with petrolatum and no fumed silica.

Table V Example No. 1 33 34 35 36 Petroleum Jelly USP 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 4.0 5.0 6.67 10.0 Soap/Syndet Base*** 80.0 76.0 75.0 73.33 70.0 R=SiIPJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value- 90.0 35.0 30.0 23.0 15.0 Example No. J 37 38 39 Petroleum Jelly liSP 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 6.0 7.5 10.0 15.0 Soap/Syndet Base*** 70.0 64.0 62.5 60.0 55.0 R=SiIPJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Volume 115.0 51.0 42.0 27.0 15.0 (mmx 10) a ***Soap/Syndet commercial base, as follows: Sodium cocoylisethionate Stearic acid 30.0 Sodium Tallowate 10.0 Water Sodium stearate Sodium cocoate Sodium chloride less than 1% Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, PEG-20, sodium isethionate, titanium dioxide, pentasodium pentetate, tetrasodium etidronate.

-14- 9* a.

TABLE V- cont'd.

Example No. K 41 42 43 44 Petroleum Jelly USP 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 8.0 10.0 13.3 20.0 Soap/Syndet Base*** 60.0 52.0 50.0 46.7 40.0 R=Si/PJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value 120.0 55.0 43.0 30.0 15.0 (mmxlO) The resulting mixtures require at least about 1.5 parts of fumed silica for 10 parts of petroleum jelly for bars with the lower levels of petroleum jelly while the higher levels of petroleum jelly require at least about 1 part of fumed silica to 4 parts of petroleum jelly to increase hardness of the syndet/soap bars to values less than 50mm x 10. It will be pointed out that the hardness of the syndet/soap mass processed without fumed silica and without petroleum jelly is x 10. This value is approached by all blends of petroleum jelly, silica and syndet/soap, once the ratios of fumed silica to petroleum jelly has a value of 0.5 or higher.

EXAMPLES 45-56 Examples 45-56 present the hardness of the compacted mass that is produced when fumed silica, petroleum jelly and a commercial blend of syndet are mixed and properly processed. Comparative examples L, M and N have been included to show the consistency of the commercial syndet base with petroleum and no fumed silica.

Table VI Example No. L 45 46 47 4 Petroleum Jelly USP 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 4.0 5.0 6.67 10.0 Syndet Base**** 80.0 76.0 75.0 73.33 70.0 R=Si/PJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value 125.0 50.0 40.0 27.0 15.0 (mmx 10) Example No. M 49 50 51 52 Petroleum Jelly USP 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 6.0 7.5 10.0 15.0 Syndet 70.0 64.0 62.5 60.0 55.0 R=Si/PJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value 210.0 40.0 25.0 18.0 15.0 '(mmx 10) a a a a a.

a a a a a a a.

****Commercial syndet base Sodium cocoylisethionate Stearic acid 33% Water Sodium isethionate Titanium dioxide Sodium chloride

S

S.

TABLE VI Cont'd Example No. N 53 54 55 56 Petroleum Jelly USP 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 Fumed Silica 0.0 8.0 10.0 13.3 20.0 Syndet Base**** 60.0 52.0 50.0 46.7 40.0 R=Si/PJ 0.0 0.2 0.25 0.33 Penetration Value 250.0 80.0 55.0 30.0 15.0 (mmxI0) The consistency of the paste or solid is tested as previously described.

The resulting mixtures require at least about 1 part of fumed silica for 5 parts of petroleum jelly for bars with the lower levels of petroleum jelly while the higher levels of petroleum jelly require at least about 1 part of fumed silica to parts of petroleum jelly to increase hardness of the syndet bars to values of x 10. It will be pointed out that the hardness of the syndet mass processed without fumed silica and petroleum jelly is 15mm x 10. This value is approached by all blends of petroleum jelly, silica and syndet, once the ratio of fumed silica to petroleum jelly has a value of 0.5 or higher (that is 1 part of fumed silica to 2 parts of petroleum jelly).

The following are additional specific, non-limiting examples of compositions in accordance with the present invention.

EXAMPLE 57 250g Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 52.00 130.00 Comments: Penetration 50; Si/PJ=0.2; foams well. The sodium cocoyl isethionate used in this and other Examples is available under the designation Tauranol 1-78 from Finetex, Inc., Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

-17- EXAMPLE 58 250g Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 10.50 26.25 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 49.50 123.75 Comments: Penetration 40; Si/PJ=0.26; foams well.

EXAMPLE 59 250g Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 13.00 32.50 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 47.00 117.50 Comments: Penetration 35; Si/PJ=0.325; foams well.

EXAMPLE 250g Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 6.00 15.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 64.00 160.00 Comments: Penetration 35; Si/PJ=0.2; foams well.

EXAMPLE 61 20 250g Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 62.00 155.00 Comments: Penetration 30; Si/PJ=0.267; foams well.

-18- EXAMPLE 62 2502 Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 10.00 25.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 60.00 150.00 Comments: Penetration =23; SiIPJ=0.33; foams well.

EXAMPLE 63 2502 Petroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 4.00 10.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 76.00 190.00 Comments: Penetration =25; SiIPJ=0.2; good foamn.

EXAMPLE 64 2502 Petroleum Jelly *20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 5.50 13.75 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 74.50 186.25 Comments: Penetration =17; SiIPJ=0.275; foams well.

EXAMPLE Perlu el 250gz PtoemJly20.00 50.00 Fumed silica 6.50 16.25 *Sodium cocoyl isethionate 73.50 183.75 Comments: Penetration =15; SiIPJ=0.325; foams well.

EXAMPLE 66 250g Glycerine 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 4.00 10.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 76.00 190.00 Comments: Penetration 22.5; Si/Glyc=0.2; good foam.

EXAMPLE 67 250g Glycerine 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 5.50 13.75 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 74.50 186.25 Comments: Penetration 8.0; Si/Glyc=0.275; foams well.

EXAMPLE 68 250g Glycerine 20.00 50.00 Fumed silica 6.50 16.25 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 73.50 183.75 Comments: Penetration 5; Si/Glyc=0.325; foams well.

S 20 EXAMPLE 69 250g Glycerine 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 6.00 15.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 64.00 160.00 S 25 Comments: Penetration 48 Si/Glyc=0.2; foams well.

S*

S

e EXAMPLE 250g Glycerine 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 62.00 155.00 Comments: Penetration= 30; Si/G=0.267; foams well.

EXAMPLE 71 250g Glycerine 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 10.00 25.00 Sodium cocoyl isetiionate 60.00 150.00 Comments: Penetration 16; Si/G=0.33; foams well.

EXAMPLE 72 250g Glycerine 40.00 100.00 Fumed silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 52.00 130.00 Comments: Penetration 38; Si/Glyc.=0.2; foams well. The sodium cocoyl isethionate used in this and other Examples is available under the designation 20 Tauranol 1-78 from Finetex, Inc., Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

EXAMPLE 73 250g Glycerine 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 10.50 26.25 25 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 49.50 123.75 Comments: Penetration 34; Si/Glyc.=0.26; foams well.

o -21- EXAMPLE 74 ii. 250a Glycerine 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 13.00 32.50 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 47.00 117.50 Comments: Penetration 8.0; SiIGlyc.=0.325; foams well.

EXAMPLE 2502 Glyc. 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 8.00 20.00 Disodium Lauryl 52.00 130.00 Sulfosuccinate Comments: Penetration 45; SiIPJ=0.2; foams well. The disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate used in this and other Examples is available under the designation Monamate LA- 100 from Mona Industries, Patterson, N.J.

250& Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 10.50 26.25 20 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 49.50 123.75 Comments: Penetration =35; Si/PJ:=0.26; foams well.

EXAMPLE 77 2502 25 Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 13.00 32.50 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 47.00 117.50 Comments: Penetration =25; Si/PJ=0.325; foams well.

C

C* Petroleum Jelly Fumed Silica Disodiumn Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 30.00 6.00 EAMPLE 78 250g 75.00 15.00 64.00 160.00 Comments: Penetration 30; Si/PJ=0.2; foams well.

EXAMPLE 79 Petroleum Jelly Fumed Silica Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 30.00 8.00 62.00 250g- 75.00 20.00 155.00 Comments: Penetration 22; Si/PJ=0.27; foams well.

EXAMPL 8 AL 2502 Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 10.00 25.00 Disodiumn Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 60.00 150.00 Comments: Penetration 15; SiIPJ=0.33; foams well.

EXAMPLE 81 9e 9* 9* *9

U.

9 .9 9 0e 9 9 9999~9 9* .9 .9 99 9 9* .9 2502 Petroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 4.00 10.00 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 76.00 190.00 Comments: Penetration 20; SiIPfr0.2; foams well.

-23- Petroleum Jelly Fumed Silica Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 20.00 6.50 73.50 EXAMPLE 82 250g 50.00 16.25 183.75 Comments: Penetration =14; SiIPJ=0.325; foams well.

EXAMPLE 83 250g dtroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 wmed Silica 5.50 13.75

P

Fi Disodium. Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 74.50 186.25 Comments: Penetration =1 8; Si/PJ=0.275; foams well.

EXAMPLE 84 250y Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 31.00 77.50 Disodium. Lauryl Sulfosuccinate LA-1.00 31.00 77.50 25 Comments: Penetration 35; Si/PJ=0.27; foaming characteristics good.

0 .0 *0 0* SO 0 0 00 .66.

9 00 EXAMPLE 250g Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 26.00 65.00 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 26.00 65.00 Comments: Penetration 52; Si/PJ=0.2; very good foaming characteristics.

EXAMPLE 86 250g Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 27.25 68.10 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 24.75 61.90 Comments: Penetration 42; Si/PJ=0.2625; very good foaming characteristics.

EXAMPLE 87 a. a.

a.

250g Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed Silica 13.00 32.50 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 23.50 58.75 25 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 23.50 58.75 Comments: Penetration 30; Si/PJ=0.325; very good foaming characteristics.

EXAMPLE 88 250y Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 6.00 15.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 32.00 80.00 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 32.00 80.00 Comments: Penetration 42; Si/PJ=0.2; very good foaming characteristics.

EXAMPLE 89 250g 0 00* 0 .0 0.

0:*.0 0 1 0 0 Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed Silica 10.00 25.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 30.00 75.00 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 30.00 75.00 Comments: Penetration 27; Si/PJ=0.33; very good foaming characteristics.

20 EXAMPLE 250g Petroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 4.00 10.00 Sodium cocoyl 25 isethionate 38.00 95.00 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 38.00 95.00 Comments: Penetration 26; Si/PJ=0.2; very good foaming characteristics.

-26- EXAMPLE 91 250g Petroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 5.50 13.75 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 37.50 93.75 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 37.00 92.50 Comments: Penetration 20; Si/PJ=0.275; very good foaming characteristics.

EXAMPLE 92 250g Petroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 6.50 13.25 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 37.00 92.50 Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 36.50 91.50 Comments: Penetration 17; Si/PJ=0.375; very good foaming characteristics.

20 EXAMPLE 93 250g SPetroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 4.00 10.00 Sodium C 1 4- 16 76.00 190.00 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 34;,Si/PJ=0.2; foams well. The Sodium C4- 16 Olefin Sulfonate used in this and other examples is available under the designation Bioterge from Stepan Company, Northfield, IL 60093.

o -27- EXAMPLE 94 Petroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 5.50 13.75 Sodium C 1 4 1 6 74.50 186.25 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 25; Si/PJ=0.275; foams well.

EXAMPLE 0 A% 250g Petroleum Jelly 20.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 6.50 16.25 Sodium C 1 4 1 6 73.50 183.75 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 21; Si/PJ=0.325; good foam.

EXAMPLE 96 250g

C..

C

C d.C..

C

C.

Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 20 Fumed silica 6.00 15.00 Sodium C 14 6 64.00 160.00 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 47; Si/PJ=0.2; good foam.

EXAMPLE 97 25 A% 250g Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed silica 8.00 20.00 Sodium C4- 1 6 62.00 155.00 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 25; Si/PJ=0.267; good foam.

-28- EXAMPLE 98 250g Petroleum Jelly 30.00 75.00 Fumed silica 10.00 25.00 Sodium C4- 1 6 60.00 150.00 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 22; Si/PJ=0.33; good foam.

EXAMPLE 99 250g 0 Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed silica 8.00 20.00 1 Sodium C 14 6 52.00 130.00 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 48; Si/PJ=0.2; good foam.

EXAMPLE 100 250g a a. Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed silica 10.50 26.25 Sodium C 1 4 1 6 49.50 123.75 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 32; Si/PJ=0.2625; good foam.

EXAMPLE 101 40% 250g Petroleum Jelly 40.00 100.00 Fumed silica 13.00 32.50 Sodium Ci4- 6 47.00 117.50 Olefin Sulfonate Comments: Penetration 25; Si/PJ=0.325; good foam.

e e -29- Petroleum Jelly Fumed silica Sodium cocoyl isetbionate Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate 0 Potassium Polymetaphosphate Corn Starch Soap base 30.00 8.00 15.00 15.00 EXANTLE 12 500 150.00 40.00 75.00 75.00 2.00 79.00 79.00 15.80 15.80 Comments: Penetration 25; Si/PJ=0.267; good foam. See Table II for Composition of soap base.

Petroleum Jelly Fumed silica Sodium cocoyl isethionate Disodiumn lauryl 25 sulfosuccinate 30.00 8.00 15.00 15.00 EXMPiL 0 500g 150.00 40.00 75.00 75.00 Potassium polymetaphosphate 0.4 2.00 Soap base 31.60 158.00 Comments: Penetration 42; SiI/hfrO.267; sticky, soft.

Petroleum Jelly 30.00 Fumed silica 8.00 Sodium cocoyl isethionate 15.00 Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate 15.00 Potassium polymetaphosphate .40 Syndet/Soap base 31.60 Comments: Penetration 40; formulation of syndet/soap base.

EXAMPLE 104 500g 150.00 40.00 75.00 75.00 2.00 158.00 Si/PJ=0.267; too tacky, sticky. See Table III for a.

a a a Petroleum Jelly Fumed silica Sodium cocoyl isethionate 20 Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate Potassium polymetaphosphate Confectioners' sugar Soap base 30.00 8.00 15.00 15.00 .40 15.80 15.80 37.50 37.50 1.00 39.50 39.50 EXAMPLE 105 250g 75.00 20.00 Comments: Penetration 36; Si/PJ=0.267; See Table II for composition of soap base.

EXAMPLE 106 250g Petroleum Jelly Fumed silica Sodium cocoyl isethionate Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate 30.00 8.00 15.00 32.00 75.00 20.00 37.50 80.00 Soap base 15.00 37.50 Comments: Penetration 40; Si/PJ=0.267; good foaming characteristics. See Table II for composition of soap base.

EXAMPLE 107 Avocado Oil Fumed silica Sodium cocoyl isethionate 30.00 8.00 62.00 250g 75.00 20.00 155.00 fl

S

S Comments: Penetration 24; Si/Oil=0.267; foams very well.

EXAMPLE 108 250g Sesame Oil Fumed silica Sodium cocoyl isethionate 30.00 8.00 75.00 20.00 155.00 62.00 Comments: Penetration 24; Si/Oil=0.267; foams very well, but tacky.

EiXAMPLE 109 20 lbs INGRDIENTS PHiASEA Glycerine 96% Fumed Silica

PHSB

Potassium Polymetaphosphate Titanium dioxide PHASE C Polyethylene glycol 8000 Powder Fragrance Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 25.00 6.66 50.00 13.32 0.50 1.00 1.00 2.00 30.84 61.68 1.0.0 2.00 a.

C

C,.C

CC

.35.00 70.00 100.00 200.00 Comments: Penetration 19; Si/Glyc. 0.266 EXAMPLE

INGREDIENTS

200Qlbs PHASE A Glycerine 96% Fin Solv TN Cab-o-Sil M-5 25.00 10.00 6.66 50.00 20.00 13.32 PHASE B Potassium Polymetaphosphate 0.50 1.00 1.00 2.00 Titanium dioxide USP PHASE C Polyethylene glycol 8000 Powder PHASE D Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 21.84 43.68 35.00 70.00 100.0 200.0 Comments: Penetration 15; Si/Oil Glyc.=0. 19; F1N-SOLV-TN is a C 12 5 Ail Benzoate available from Finetex, Inc., Elmwood Park, NJ. Polyethylene glycol 8000 available from Ruger Chemical Co., Inc., Hillside, N.J.

-34- EXAPLEI I

INGREDIENTS

PHASE A Dipropylene glycol Fumed Silica

PHAS

Potassium Polymetaphosphate Titanium dioxide USP PHASE C Polyethylene glycol 8000 Powder 200 grams 25.00 6.66 50.00 13.32 0.50 1.00 1.00 2.00 30.84 61.68 2.00 a a. a a a.

Fragrance PHASE D Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 1.00 35.00 100 70.00 200 Comments: Si/Dipropylene glycol 0.266 penetration EXAMPLE 112

INGREDIENTS

PHASE A Propylene glycol Fumed Silica PHASE B Potassium Polymetaphosphate Titanium dioxide USP PHASE C Polyethylene glycol 8000 Powder PHASE D Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 200 grams/lbs 25.00 6.66 50.00 13.32 0.50 1.00 1.00 2.00 30.84 61.68 35.00 70.00 99.0 198.0 Comments: Penetration 12 Si/Dipropylene glycol 0.266 EXAMPLE 113 PHASE A Butylene glycol 25.00 50.00 Cab-o-Sil M-5 6.66 13.32 PHASE B Potassium Poly- 0.50 1.00 metaphosphate Titanium dioxide USP. 1.00 2.00 PHASE C Polyethylene glycol 30.84 61.68 8000 Powder PHASE D Sodium Cocoyl 35.00 70.00 Isethionate 99.0 198.0 Comments: Penetration 46; Si/Butylene glycol =0.266 -37- EXAMPLE 114 INRDINTS00 PHASE A Sorbitol 70% 25.00 50.00 Fumed Silica 8.00 16.00 PHASE B Potassium Poly- 0.50 1.00 metaphosphate Titanium dioxide USP 1.00 2.00

PHAS

Polyethylene glycol. 29.50 59.00 8000 Powder PHASE D Sodium Cocoyl 35.00 70.00 Isethionate 0% 0 30 99.0 198.0 *Comments: Penetration Si/Sorbitol 0.32 %fee -38- EXAMPLE 115

INGREIENTS

Water Silica Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 200 grams 40.00 13.00 147.00 200.00 73.50 Penetration 15; foams very well.

EXAMPLE 116 INGREDIENTS 200 grams Water Silica 30.00 10.00 60.00 100.00 60.00 20.0 Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 120.00 200.00 Penetration 8; foams very well.

-39- EXAMPLE 117 INGREDIENTS 200 grams Water Silica 40.00 13.00 80.00 26.00 94.00 200.00 Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 47.00 100.00 P =14, foams very well EXAMPLE 118 INGREDIENTS 200 grams Avocado Oil Silica Soap Base 10.00 3.00 20.00 6.00 174.00 200.00 87.00 100.00 5 5 p 21 Si/Avocado oil 0.3 EXAMPLE 119 Petroleum Jelly 200 p-rams 50.00 Silica 17.00 70.00 Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate 35.0

S..

S

S S Oatmeal 31.5 100.00 SiIPJ=0.34 63.0 200.00 p= 3 3 EXAMPLE 120 INGREDIENTS 2000 g Petrolatum 20.00 400.0 Fumed Silica 3.20 64 Corn Syrup Solids 23.5 470 Polyethylene glycol 20.00 400 8000 Sodium Cocoyl 30.00 600.0 Isethionate Water 2.0 40.0 Potassiumpolymeta 0.3 phosphate Titanium Dioxide 1.0 20.0 100.0 2000.00 Comments: Si/PJ 0.16 penetration o While the above description contains many specific details of compositions and has in accordance with this invention, these specific details should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will o envision many other possible variations that all within the scope and spirit of he invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

-41-

Claims

1. A cleansing bar composition comprising a liquid phase containing one or more members selected from the group consisting of oils, oil and wax mixtures and polyols; particulate silica having a surface area of at least 75 m 2 /gm; and a cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent; the ratio of the liquid phase to the particulate silica on a weight to weight basis being between about 2:1 to about 10:1; the cleansing bar containing less than about 10% by weight of added water.

2. A cleansing bar composition comprising: a liquid phase containing one or more members selected from the group consisting of oils, oil and wax mixtures and polyols, the mixture containing no added water; a cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent; and particulate silica in an amount sufficient to provide a penetration value for the composition of up to about

3. A cleansing bar composition as in claims 1 or 2 wherein the particulate silica comprises fumed silica.

4. A cleansing bar composition as in claims 1 or 2 wherein the liquid phase contains a polyol.

A cleansing bar composition as in claim 4 wherein the liquid phase Scontains a compound selected from the group consisting of glycerine, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, butylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, :and sorbitol. 25

6. A cleansing bar composition as in claims 1 or 2 wherein the liquid phase is present in an amount from about 15 to about 45 weight percent based on the entire composition.

7. A cleansing bar composition as in claims 1 or 2 wherein the cleansing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium acyl isethionates, sodium alpha olefin sulfonate and disodium alkyl sulfosuccinates. Melboume\004003515 Printed 26 February 2002 (10:29) -43-

8. A cleansing bar composition as in claims 1 or 2 wherein the cleansing agent is present in an amount from about 25 to about 85 weight percent based on the entire composition.

9. A composition as in claims 1 or 2 further comprising an effective amount of an active ingredient.

A composition as in claim 9 wherein said active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of coal tar, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin A, vitamin E, triclosan, PVP-Iodine, salicylic acid and sunscreens.

11. A composition as in claims 1 or 2 further comprising a foam booster.

12. A composition as in claim 11 wherein said foam booster is selected from the group consisting of potassium polymetaphosphate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, acyl glutamate and amides.

13. A composition as in claim 2 wherein the particulate silica has a surface area of at least 75 m 2 /gm.

14. A method of preparing a cleansing bar comprising: adding particulate silica having a surface area of at least 75 m 2 /gm to a liquid phase containing one or more members selected from the group consisting of oils, oil and wax mixtures and polyols to provide a mixture, the mixture containing no added water; 20 combining the mixture with a cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent to provide a cleansing composition having a penetration value of about or less; and forming the cleansing composition into a bar.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein the particulate silica is added to the 25 liquid phase at a weight ratio of about 1:2 to about 1:10. 0*

16. A method as in claim 14 wherein fumed silica is added to glycerine to *o form a mixture.

17. A method as in claim 14 wherein the cleansing agent combined with the mixture comprises a synthetic detergent selected from the group consisting of Melboume\004003515 Printed 26 February 2002 (10:29) -44- sodium acyl isethionates, sodium alpha olefin sulfonates and disodium alkyl sulfosuccinates.

18. An article of manufacture comprising: a cleansing bar containing less than about 10% by weight of added water formed from a composition including a liquid phase containing one or more polyols; particulate silica having a surface area of at least 75 m 2 /gm; and a cleansing agent, the ratio of the liquid phase to the particulate silica on a weight to weight basis being between about 2:1 to about 10:1. In a still further form the invention provides (19) a cleansing bar comprising: a composition including liquid phase containing one or more polyols, a cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent; and particulate silica, the particulate silica being present in an amount sufficient to provide the bar with a penetration value of up to about 50, the bar containing less than abut 10% by weight of added water.

19. A cleansing bar comprising: a composition including liquid phase containing one or more polyols, a cleansing agent comprising a synthetic detergent; and particulate silica, the particulate silica being present in an amount sufficient to provide the bar with a penetration value of up to about 50, the bar containing less than abut 10% by weight of added water. A cleansing bar, as defined in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples. DATED: 26 February 2002 FREEHILLS CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: IMAGINATIVE RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. p. p p p p p op Melboure\004003515 Printed 26 February 2002 (10:29)