HK1115080A - Multi-phase personal care compositions, processes for making and providing, and articles of commerce - Google Patents

Description

Multi-phase personal care compositions, methods of making and providing the same, and articles of commerce

Technical Field

The present invention relates to stable, visually distinct, multi-phase liquid compositions, methods of making and providing such compositions, and articles of commerce comprising such compositions.

Background

Under the time pressures of daily life, everyone is seeking more effective ways to address the individual's hygiene needs. For example, two-in-one shampoos that clean and condition in a single step are widely used by the consuming public. Consumers seek this same convenience in the form of skin cleansing products that can cleanse like bar soaps but at the same time condition the skin. Consumers likewise seek skin creams, lotions, and other such compositions that can deliver more than one consumer-desired benefit. In addition, consumers are also seeking products that not only provide at least one personal care benefit, but also have a pleasing aesthetic appearance, thereby enhancing the consumer product's enjoyment of use.

Early attempts to provide the above products used dual chamber packages containing, for example, separate cleansing and conditioning products. The separate conditioning and cleansing compositions are capable of remaining physically separated and stable during long term storage. These packages are designed to co-dispense the product to achieve simultaneous cleansing and conditioning. In another embodiment, the cleansing and conditioning products are mixed just prior to dispensing. While the dual-chamber delivery systems described above may appear to provide improved convenience sought by consumers, they often fail to achieve consistent performance because of the uneven dispensing of the different phases that may be present in such dual-chamber systems. This is also often annoying to the consumer, as in use the product in one compartment may have been depleted in another compartment, with a lot of product remaining in the other compartment, resulting in waste of unused product. In addition, these packaging systems add considerable cost to the finished product and tend to take up a lot of space in certain locations (e.g., daily home baths/showers).

Alternatively, a composition comprising two visually distinct phases is combined in a typical top-dispensing (e.g., pump, jar, flask) product package to dispense the two phases simultaneously. These products require special handling in which two initially separate and distinct phase compositions are directed to a fill head and simultaneously dispensed into a rotating package or container. Agitation of the product in the fill head during packaging is achieved by the use of a plurality of agitator bars disposed adjacent the fill head. These products, while having a visually attractive "spiral" appearance in the container prior to use, are likely to lose their appeal once the product is used. For example, when a bottle is inverted and squeezed to dispense product from the mouth of the bottle and then erected again for storage, the initially attractive multi-phase appearance of the product may be disrupted by the movement of air bubbles through the product as it is inverted and then returned to the upright position. This results in the product quickly losing the desired aesthetics, thereby affecting the consumer's use experience. Furthermore, the same pattern of damage may also occur during shipping of the product from the manufacturing facility to the point of purchase of the consumer, resulting in an undesirable appearance of the product even before use.

Based on the above discussion, there remains a need to manufacture individual products. The product is dispensed from conventional packaging, but still retains its desired multi-phase appearance.

Background

The following references relate to multiple liquid phase packaging: us patent 4,159,028, published 26.6.1979 in the name of Barker et al; us patent 4,335,103, published on 6/15/1982 in the name of Barker et al; U.S. patent 6,245,344, entitled Thibian et al, 6/12/2001; U.S. patent 6,367,519, entitled Thibian et al, entitled 4/9/2002; U.S. patent 6,516,838, entitled thibian et al, published 2003, 2/11.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention relates to personal care compositions comprising a plurality of visually distinct phases, wherein the individual phases remain visually stable in a product container. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for preparing and providing the above product.

In one embodiment, a method for preparing a stable visually distinct multiple liquid phase composition comprises the steps of:

a. placing a plurality of liquid components in separate containers equipped with at least one dispensing means for transferring the composition from the containers, wherein the liquid components are physically distinct from each other;

b. providing an empty product container, wherein the empty product container is a tottle;

c. filling said empty product container with said liquid component to form a container of said personal care composition having a void volume of from about 0% to about 4%, wherein said filling step comprises transferring a predetermined amount of said liquid component into said empty product container through at least one of said dispensing means; and

d. optionally curing the personal care composition, wherein the curing step optionally comprises maintaining the product container in the same direction as it was filled until a desired degree of cure is achieved.

In one embodiment, the product container is a bottle that is filled from the same port as the product is dispensed. In a particular embodiment, the bottle-filled port is not only the port at which the product is dispensed, but is also the end at which the consumer rests or rests (e.g., the bottle base) for storage and/or display on a storage shelf (the bottle is referred to herein as a "tottle").

In a particular embodiment, the method further comprises initially placing the nozzle near the bottom of the container to be filled, and lifting the nozzle as the container is filled. Furthermore, during filling, the container may also be placed on a rotating platform for rotating the bottle while filling. The platform may be rotated at a speed to provide a suitable pattern of composition to provide the aesthetic benefits mentioned above. A typical platen speed range is about 0 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 83.8rad/s (800 rpm). The rotatable platform may be rotated by a variable speed drive mechanism if desired.

In one embodiment of the method, the patterns comprise phases that are visually distinct from each other. The visual difference between the phases may be color or texture. The specific pattern may be selected from a variety of patterns including, but not limited to, striped, marbled, geometric, helical, and combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of providing the composition. The method comprises the following steps:

a. placing a plurality of liquid components in separate containers equipped with at least one dispensing means for transferring the composition from the containers, wherein the liquid components are physically distinct from each other;

b. providing an empty product container, wherein the empty product container is a tottle;

c. filling said empty product container with said liquid component to form a container of said personal care composition having a void volume of from about 0% to about 4%, wherein said filling step comprises transferring a predetermined amount of said liquid component into said empty product container through at least one of said dispensing means;

d. optionally curing the personal care composition, wherein the curing step optionally comprises maintaining the product container in the same direction as it was filled until a desired degree of cure is achieved; and

e. placing the container in a shipping package, wherein the container is placed in the shipping package in the same direction in which it was filled.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an article of commerce, wherein the article comprises:

a. a bottle; and

b. a personal care composition contained in the bottle, wherein the personal care composition comprises at least two physically distinct phases, and wherein the personal care composition further has an average low shear rate viscosity of from about 25 to about 2000 pascal-seconds in at least one phase.

In a particular embodiment, the personal care composition has a low shear rate viscosity averaging from about 50 to about 1500 pa.s, and in another embodiment, the personal care composition has a low shear rate viscosity averaging from about 75 to about 1000 pa.s.

In one embodiment, the physically distinct phases include phases that are visually distinct from each other. The visual difference between the phases may be in terms of color or structure. The specific pattern may be selected from a variety of patterns including, but not limited to, striped, marbled, geometric, helical, and combinations thereof.

Definition of

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "ambient conditions" means ambient conditions of 0.1MPa (one (1) atmosphere), 50% relative humidity, and 25 ℃.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "stable" refers to compositions that retain a visually distinct phase in actual contact under ambient conditions for a period of at least about 30 days without agitation.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "personal care composition" refers to the compositions of the present invention, wherein the compositions are intended to include compositions for topical application to the skin or hair. Such personal care compositions can include, but are not limited to, shampoos, hair conditioners, hair styling products, cleansers, soaps, cosmetics, foundations, antiperspirants, deodorants, lotions, creams, ointments, combinations thereof, and the like.

The term "phase" as used herein refers to a homogeneous physically distinct and self-separating fraction of a substance that exists in a heterogeneous physico-chemical system. In some embodiments, the phases herein are compositions having different colors. In some embodiments, the phases comprise the same chemical composition but have different colorants.

The term "visually distinct" or "visually distinct" as used herein describes compositions in a package or to be dispensed that exhibit visually distinct phases. These different phases are either distinct or partially mixed, as long as the multiple liquid phase composition remains visible to the naked eye.

The term "striped" as used herein means that each phase present in the composition occupies separate but distinct physical spaces in the package in which it is stored but is in direct contact with each other. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the personal care composition comprises at least two phases which are present in the container as distinct layers or "stripes". The stripes are more uniform and even across the entire space of the package. Alternatively, the layers may be non-uniform (i.e., wavy) or non-uniform in spatial dimension. The stripe need not extend to the entire space of the package. The "stripes" may comprise various geometric patterns, various colors, or glitter or pearlescence, provided that the selected concentrations form visually distinct bands or regions.

The term "marbled" as used herein refers to a striped pattern having a veined and/or mottled appearance similar to marble.

The method defined below makes it possible to quantitatively measure the striated and marbleized patterns used in the compositions comprising multiple liquid phases of the present application:

1. method for measuring average stripe size (AS)

First, a vertical line is drawn with a pencil along the center of the product package. The total number of visually distinct product stripes, or N, is calculated, including all product stripes having different colors. The height of the product package (measured in millimeters (mm) as D) is divided by N. Calculate average stripe size:

AS＝D/N

in one embodiment of the invention, the average stripe size (AS) is from about 0.1mm to about 10mm, in another embodiment from about 0.5mm to about 5mm, and in another embodiment from about 0.5mm to about 2 mm.

2. Method for colouring striped/marbled multi-liquid phase compositions

The Color difference of the striped/marbled multi-liquid phase composition was measured using a GretagMacbeth Color-Eye 70000A spectrophotometer. The aperture size is 3mm by 8mm (very small viewing area). The device operates in a reflective mode with an incident beam of 2 °. First, a measurement of one color is made around the brightest area of the sample. This reading was used as a color standard. The measurement of the second color is performed around the darkest region of the sample. The color reading is compared to a color standard (bright spot) and the color difference is calculated as Δ E.

The striped/marbled multi-liquid phase composition of the present invention has a Δ E of 1 or more. Preferably, Δ E is greater than 2. Most preferably, Δ E is greater than 4.

3. Viscosity of the personal care composition

The viscosity of the liquid personal care compositions described herein was measured using a Wells-Brookfield Cone/Plate Model DV-II + viscometer. The gap between the two small needles on the cone and plate, respectively, was 0.013mm, as measured at 25 ℃ using a 2.4cm cone measurement system. The measurement was performed by injecting 0.5mL of the sample to be analyzed between the cone and the plate and setting the cone to a fixed rate of 0.1rad/s (1 rpm). The resistance to rotation of the cone produces a torque proportional to the shear stress of the liquid sample. The value of the torque was read by the viscometer 2 minutes after loading the sample and calculated as absolute centipoise units (mPa · s) based on the geometric constants of the cone, the rotation rate, and the torque related stress. Average low shear rate of liquid personal cleansing compositions

The average low shear rate viscosity of the liquid personal cleansing compositions was measured using an AR 2000 rheometer from TA Instruments of New Castle (Delaware, USA). For the purposes herein, the average low shear rate viscosity is measured by calculating the average of the viscosity in the range of 0.0005L/s to 0.005L/s. The measurements were performed at 25 ℃ with a 4cm 2 cone (truncated to 53 microns) measurement system with a gap set at 53 microns. The measurement is made by applying a logarithmic shear stress ramp (typically from about 0.05 pa to about 500 pa) in a programmed manner over a 4 minute time interval.

Void volume of personal care compositions

The void volume remaining in the package after the filling and capping operations were completed was determined as follows:

1. a representative package and cap sample is taken, the package is filled (by hand if necessary) with water at 25 ℃ up to the point of overflow and capped with a cap, and any water drained off is dried. The average weight is recorded.

2. For the same packages and closures, the average weight of the empty and dry packages and closures was obtained.

3. A representative number of packages are filled with the composition to be tested, preferably degassed, and capped with a closure. The average weight was obtained.

4. Calculate void volume (this will correspond to the bubble in most cases that will pass through the package when it is inverted from its original filling direction):

volume of water	(water weight average-empty weight average)/water sp.
		Volume of composition	(composition weight average-empty weight average)/composition sp.
		Void volume%	100 (volume of water-volume of composition)/volume of water

Note: the same weight units were used for each weight measurement; gr.

All percentages, parts and ratios used herein are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise specified. All weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include solvents or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified.

Detailed Description

As noted above, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a composition having multiple liquid phases, a method of providing, and an article of commerce.

Since many variations in the physical properties of the components are possible, namely color, rheology, structure, density, etc., variations in color are widely sought. The specific design or pattern (i.e., width, length, etc. of the striations or marbling) that can be achieved in the combined product can be varied by varying a number of factors including, but not limited to, the rheological properties of the phases, the diameter of the dispensing means, the rotation with or without a container during filling, the rate and constancy.

The placement of the dispensing member is an additional process parameter during the filling of these multiple liquid phase products. In one embodiment, the method includes initially placing a nozzle near the bottom of a container to be filled, and lifting the nozzle as the container is filled. In other variations, the container itself may be raised above the dispensing member, or the container may be filled from the top. In one possible variation, the containers may be filled upside down and the bottoms attached to the containers filled sequentially.

For embodiments in which a non-foaming (lipid) phase is used in conjunction with a gas bubble phase. The foamed phase may require heating and cooling by a heat exchanger before the assembly/filling process can begin.

In one embodiment of the invention, the composition is dispensed from the container by manually squeezing or inverting the composition to flow out by gravity. In one embodiment, the method is used to produce a helically striped personal cleansing composition. The composition has a first stripe comprising a lathering phase comprising surfactant, water and optionally conventional personal cleansing ingredients and at least one additional stripe comprising a separate non-lathering phase.

In one embodiment, one or more of the phases may include a stable coloring agent that results in a pattern that may be observed when the personal cleansing composition is packaged in a container that allows the contents to be seen.

These multi-liquid phase personal care compositions are treated so that the two separate phases are in physical contact but remain stable. These compositions also provide improved aesthetics through a visually distinct (e.g., striped) appearance during and after application.

a.Liquid composition

Any suitable liquid component may be used in the practice of the present invention. For example, suitable liquid components may include shampoos, conditioners, foundations, detergents, soaps, and the like. The liquid components used to prepare the personal care compositions herein preferably have substantially the same density and/or rheological characteristics. Suitable examples of compositions that can be used herein include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in the "background" section above.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two liquid components are used, which are physically distinct, preferably visually distinct. In a particular embodiment, the visually distinct phases are different colors. For example, one or more phases may comprise dyes, pigments, pearlescent agents, lakes, colorants, or mixtures thereof. The coloring agent used in the present invention may be, for example, selected from the group consisting of: red 30 low iron, FD & C Red 40 aluminum lake, lake blend of D & C Red lake 27 and lake 30, FD & C yellow 5 aluminum lake, FD & C yellow 6 aluminum lake, FD & C yellow 5 lake, FD & C blue #1 aluminum lake, Kowet titanium dioxide, D & C Red 30 Talc lake, D & C Red 6 barium lake, D & C Red 7 calcium lake, D & C Red 34 calcium lake, D & C Red 30 aluminum lake, D & C Red 27 aluminum lake, D & C yellow 10 aluminum lake, D & C Red 21 aluminum lake, yellow iron oxide, D & C Red 30 lake, Octocir yellow 6 aluminum lake, Octocir yellow 5 aluminum lake, D & C Red 28 lake, D & C orange 5Zirc aluminum lake, Cos Red oxide, Cos iron oxide Red BC, Cos iron oxide black BC, Eurore yellow iron oxide yellow, Euroro iron oxide black, Euroxide black, Hydrophobic Euroxide yellow, hydrophobic Euroxide Red, D & C yellow 6 lake, D & C yellow 5 zirconium lake, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the personal care composition comprises at least two physically distinct phases, wherein at least one phase has an average low shear rate viscosity of from about 25 to about 2000 pa-sec, in another embodiment from about 50 to about 1500 pa-sec, and in another embodiment from about 75 to about 1000 pa-sec.

b.Product container

Any suitable product container may be used herein. In one embodiment, the container is a bottle. In another embodiment, the container is a bottle with a flat top cap. In another embodiment, the container is a tottle.

In a particular embodiment, transparent or opaque bottles are used. For example, in one particular embodiment, the bottle can be made from, for example, polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene (e.g., linear low density, high density copolymers such as ethylene, vinyl and acetate copolymers), polyethylene terephthalate and copolymers, and nylon.

In one embodiment, the product container is a bottle that is filled from the same port as the product is dispensed. In a particular embodiment, the bottle-filled port is not only the port at which the product is dispensed, but is also the port at which the consumer places or rests (e.g., bottle base) for storage and/or display on a storage shelf (the bottle is referred to herein as a "tottle"). Typically, the closure on the tottle is flat or concave so that the tottle can rest on the closure when stored. In particular embodiments, the cover may be, for example, a cap-like cover, a flip cover, a swivel flip cover, a rocker cover, or the like.

In particular embodiments, a tottle may be the preferred container. If a tottle is used, the personal care composition can be stored with the port (filled therefrom) facing downward. This avoids the consumer having to tilt the bottle over each use to dispense the product, thus eliminating the movement of air bubbles in the package through the length of the product each time the consumer uses it. The movement of the bubbles through the length of the product is undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint, as it can detract from the attractive appearance of a product having visually distinct phases. This loss of product appeal undesirably detracts from consumer preference for the product.

In another embodiment, the container is a bottle. The bottle can be erected on either end.

c.Filling an empty product container to form a container having a void of about 0% to about 4% Volumetric personal care compositions

In one embodiment, an empty product container is filled with liquid components to form a container of personal care composition. The composition has a void volume of from about 0% to about 4%, in another embodiment from about 0% to about 2%, and in another embodiment from about 0% to about 2%. The filling includes transferring predetermined amounts of the plurality of liquid components into an empty product container by at least one dispensing member.

Preferably, a minimum amount of void volume is maintained in the finished container of personal care composition. Minimization of the void volume may be achieved by any suitable method. Such methods may include, but are not limited to, filling methods known in the art, such as: (1) overfilling the container and subsequently removing the overflow; (2) filled (e.g., by using a second filler, filled by hand, etc.); (3) using a container closure that displaces at least a portion of the void (e.g., a deformable plug occupies at least a portion of the void); (4) use of a deflatable cover that allows voids (e.g., bubbles) to escape; and (5) carefully fill the container.

The container may be filled using any suitable method. For example, those methods set forth in the "background" section above may be used.

d.Curing

After filling, the composition may optionally be subjected to a curing step. During the curing step, the composition may be stabilized prior to shipping. For example, the composition may be allowed to cool, crystallize, etc., before being shipped to a consumer for purchase.

e.Provide for

The present invention also provides methods for providing stable, visually distinct multi-liquid phase compositions. The method comprises placing the container in a shipping package, wherein the container is placed in the shipping package in the same direction in which it was filled. For example, if the container is filled in a vertical position, it is placed in a transport package in a vertical position. This can help to maintain the desired aesthetics of the multi-phase personal care product, as it can prevent air bubbles from moving through the product, which can disrupt the visually distinct patterns of the product. Furthermore, it may also reduce the occurrence of leakage from the hole of the closure.

Any suitable shipping package may be used herein. For example, the shipping package may be a box or container. In one embodiment, the package is a box for shipping to a destination for purchase by a consumer. The box includes a plurality of spaces for containing a plurality of finished packages.

f.Optionally inverted for storage

In one embodiment, the personal care composition is stored on a storage shelf and/or by the consumer in the opposite direction that it was filled.

g.Article of commerce

In another aspect, the present invention provides an article of commerce. The article of commerce provides a container and a personal care composition. In one particular composition, an article of commerce comprises:

a. a bottle; and

b. a personal care composition contained in the bottle, wherein the personal care composition comprises at least two physically distinct phases, and wherein the personal care composition further has an average low shear rate viscosity of from about 25 to about 2000 pascal-seconds in at least one phase.

Examples

The following examples further describe and demonstrate embodiments within the scope of the present invention. These examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All exemplified amounts are concentrations by weight of the total composition, i.e., wt/wt percentages, unless otherwise indicated.

Each of the exemplified compositions provides improved deposition or the effect of skin conditioning agents or optional ingredients delivered by each of the prepared compositions.

The following examples described in table 1 are non-limiting examples of the personal cleansing compositions herein.

Phase 1	Example 1	Examples example 234
			Lauryl polyoxyethylene ether-3 ammonium sulfate	10
Ammonium dodecyl sulfate	6
			Sodium lauryl Ether-3 sulfate		12 12 12
Sodium lauryl sulfate		2 2 2
			Cocoamidopropyl betaine		2 2 2
Coconut monoethanolamide (CMEA, Mona Industries)	0.8	2 2 2
			Cetyl alcohol	0.6	0 0 0
Ethylene Glycol Distearate (EGDS)	1.5
			Acrylic Polymer aqueous solution SF-1 (30%) (Noveon)	2	2 1
Keltrol CGT (Xanthan Gum, from Kelco)		3
			Polyquaternary ammonium salt 10, (UCARE Polymer JR-3)0M, available from Amerchol)		0.25 0.25
Polymethacrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride (Polycare 133 available from Rhodia)	0.13
			Polydimethylsiloxane (Viscasil330M, available from General Electric)	2
Kathon CG(Rhom & Haas)	0.0005	0.0005 0.0005 0.0005
			Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium (Dissolvine NA-2S, Akzo Nobel)	0.1274	0.1274 0.1274 0.1274
Sodium chloride (Morton)	0.7	0.5 0.5 0.5

Citric acid sodium salt dihydrate	0.4	0.4 0.4 0.4
			Citric acid (Hoffman-Laroche)	0.15	0.15 0.15 0.15
Perfume	0.6	0.6 0.6 0.6
			Water (W)	Proper amount of	Proper amount of the right amount
Phase 2	Example 1	Examples example 234
			Lauryl polyoxyethylene ether-3 ammonium sulfate	10
Ammonium dodecyl sulfate	6
			Sodium lauryl Ether-3 sulfate		12 12 12
Sodium lauryl sulfate		2 2 2
			Cocoamidopropyl betaine		2 2 2
Coconut monoethanolamide (CMEA, Mona Industries)	0.8	2 2 2
			Cetyl alcohol	0.6	0 0 0
Ethylene Glycol Distearate (EGDS)	1.5
			Acrylic Polymer aqueous solution SF-1 (30%) (Noveon)	2	2 2
Keltrol CGT (Xanthan Gum, from Kelco)		3
			Polyquaternary ammonium salt 10, (UCARE Polymer JR-30M, available from Amerchol)		0.25 0.25
Polymethacrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride (Polycare 133 available from Rhodia)	0.13
			Polydimethylsiloxane (Viscasil330M, available from General Electric)	2	2
Kathon CG(Rhom & Haas)	0.0005	0.0005 0.0005 0.0005
			Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium (Dissolvine NA-2S, Akzo Nobel)	0.1274	0.1274 0.1274 0.1274

Sodium chloride (Morton)	0.7	0.5 0.5 0.5
			Citric acid sodium salt dihydrate	0.4	0.4 0.4 0.4
Citric acid (Hoffman-Laroche)	0.15	0.15 0.15 0.15
			D&C Red #30 Talc lake	0.02	0.02 0.02 0.02
Perfume	0.6	0.6 0.6 0.6
			Water (W)	Proper amount of	Proper amount of the right amount

Cleansing phase composition:

in a suitable vessel, distilled water is added and stirring is carried out at a suitable rate (100ppm to 200ppm) using a suitably sized stirring blade. If necessary, an anionic polymer (aqueous acrylic polymer solution SF-1), a cationic polymer (polyquaternium-10, Polycare 133) were added and stirred briefly, and the polymer was slowly wetted and dispersed. While stirring was continued, a citric acid solution (50%) was added dropwise to the mixing vessel to reduce the pH until the solution became clear, if necessary. To this mixture was added surfactants (AS, AES and CAPB). The mixture was heated to 60 ℃ and CMEA, EGDS and cetyl alcohol were added to the mixture while stirring. Mixing until uniform. The solution was cooled to room temperature and polydimethylsiloxane, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, Mackstat DM-C, D & C pigment, and fragrance were added while stirring. Finally, the pH of the product is adjusted to within the preferred specified range of about 5.5 to about 6.5.

All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (9)

1. A process for preparing a stable, physically distinct, multi-liquid phase personal care composition, the process comprising the steps of:

a. placing a plurality of liquid components in separate containers equipped with at least one dispensing means for transferring the composition from the containers, wherein the liquid components are physically distinct from each other;

b. providing an empty product container, wherein the empty product container is a tottle;

c. filling the empty product container with the liquid component to form a container of the personal care composition having a void volume of from 0% to 4%, preferably from 0% to 2%, and more preferably from 0% to 1%, wherein the filling step comprises transferring a predetermined amount of the liquid component into the empty product container through at least one of the dispensing members; and

d. optionally curing the personal care composition, wherein the curing step comprises maintaining the product container in the same direction as it was filled until a desired degree of cure is achieved.

2. A method for providing a stable, physically distinct, multi-liquid phase personal care composition, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a. placing a plurality of liquid components in separate containers equipped with at least one dispensing means for transferring the components from the containers, wherein the liquid components are physically distinct from each other;

b. providing an empty product container, wherein the empty product container is a tottle;

c. filling the empty product container with the liquid component to form a container of the personal care composition having a void volume of from 0% to 4%, preferably from 0% to 2%, and more preferably from 0% to 1%, wherein the filling step comprises transferring a predetermined amount of the liquid component into the empty product container through at least one of the dispensing members;

d. optionally curing the personal care composition, wherein the curing step optionally comprises maintaining the product container in the same direction as it was filled until a desired degree of cure is achieved; and

e. placing the container in a shipping package, wherein the container is placed in the shipping package in the same direction in which it was filled.

3. An article of commerce, wherein the article comprises:

a. a bottle; and

b. a personal care composition contained in the bottle, wherein the personal care composition comprises at least two phases that differ in physical properties, and wherein the personal care composition further has an average low shear rate viscosity of 25 to 2000 pascal-seconds in at least one phase.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein the article has a void volume of from 0% to 4%, preferably from 0% to 2%, and more preferably from 0% to 1%.

5. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the bottle is a tottle.

6. The article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the personal care composition has a patterned appearance, wherein the patterned appearance is preferably selected from the group consisting of striped and marbled.

7. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the personal care composition comprises a cleansing composition comprising a surfactant.

8. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the personal care composition has an average low shear rate viscosity of from 50 to 1500 pascal-seconds in at least one phase, preferably from 75 to 1000 pascal-seconds in at least one phase.

9. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the personal care composition comprises a cleansing composition comprising a surfactant.