HK1135074A - Process for making non-uniform patterns of multiphase compositions - Google Patents

Description

Method for producing non-uniform patterns of multiphase compositions

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a non-uniform pattern in a personal care composition having a plurality of visually distinct phases.

Background

In a more competitive commercial market, it is becoming increasingly difficult for manufacturers to distinguish their products from competitors' products. Thus, manufacturers desire products that are not only aesthetically pleasing to consumers, but also have a unique appearance that is significantly different from other products in the same market.

In the case of compositions having multiple visually distinct phases, various attempts have been made to produce such compositions and to improve the known processes for their production. Methods and apparatus are known that allow a composition having two or more visually distinct phases to be filled into a single container in a spiral configuration. The phases may have disparate chemical and physical properties, and each product may have different functions and uses. Alternatively, the visually distinct phases may be substantially the same composition, differing only in color or texture. Known methods for filling one or more compositions (having two or more visually distinct phases) result in a uniform pattern.

Attempts to fill spiral compositions have involved providing at least two compounds, the compounds being placed in separate tanks, each tank having a pump and a hose connected thereto; rotating a container for receiving a resulting product formed from at least two compositions into a position opposite the support and the funnel-shaped straightening socket. The compound is then pumped through respective hoses into a nozzle assembly having at least two nozzles for filling the container. Subsequently, a predetermined amount of each of the at least two compositions is combined to produce a resulting product (placed in a separate container), wherein the resulting product has at least two compositions formed in a helical configuration.

A disadvantage of each of the above methods is that none of them provide a method for filling a container with a personal care composition having a non-uniform pattern. It is desirable (especially for commercial products) to be able to show as much design freedom as possible by performing an economical and efficient method. Thus, there is a need for a method of filling a container with a personal care composition having a non-uniform pattern.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a multi-phase liquid composition having a non-uniform pattern, said composition comprising at least two visually distinct liquid phases. The method comprises the following steps:

a) placing a plurality of liquid phases in separate vessels equipped with means for transferring said phases from said vessels;

b) transferring a predetermined amount of each of the selected liquid phases from its respective vessel to a combiner;

c) combining the liquid phases together to produce a multi-phase liquid composition having a predetermined ratio of one phase to another phase, wherein the phases of the liquid composition are visually distinct from one another; and

d) transferring the multiphase liquid phase composition through a dispensing means into a separate product container; wherein the individual product containers enter a holding device where the containers are secured to a rotating platform, wherein the rotating platform is used to rotate the containers during transfer of the composition into the containers, wherein the dispensing member has an initial fill rate, the holding device has an initial rotational speed, and wherein the holding device has an initial rotational direction; and

e) altering an element independent of the geometry of the container, the element selected from the group consisting of: the initial rotational direction, the initial rotational speed, the fill rate of the dispensing member, and combinations thereof.

According to one embodiment, during filling, the direction of rotation, speed of rotation, or rate of filling of the container is varied with rate to create a non-uniform pattern. For example, the direction of rotation may be changed once during filling or multiple times during filling to obtain a non-uniform pattern. In some embodiments, the direction of rotation may be swung back and forth to achieve a desired pattern. Further, during filling, the rotational speed may be changed, for example, from 2rpm to 40rpm, or the filling rate may be changed from 100mL/s to 20 mL/s. Alternatively, the fill rate and rotational speed may be varied simultaneously to produce a non-uniform pattern. Generally, the fill rate is greater than 0mL/s during the period from the start of filling to the completion of filling. Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the discontinuation of the filling is not considered as a "change in filling rate". It has been found that changes in the direction of container rotation, rotational speed or filling rate during filling make it possible to create a variety of designs and patterns in the composition.

In one embodiment, the visually distinct phases differ only in color, texture, or a mixture thereof. The difference in color may include an entirely different color (i.e., a red phase and a blue phase) or a difference in hue (i.e., a royal blue phase and a light blue phase). The specific pattern may be selected from a variety of patterns including, but not limited to, striped, marbled, geometric, helical, and combinations thereof. The pattern appears visually non-uniform after changing the fill rate, the rotational speed, or both. For example, as a result of varying the rotational speed, the fill rate, or both, the non-uniform swirl composition may change such that the stripes appear to be close to each other at the bottom of the container and the stripes appear to be dispersed near the top of the container.

Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings, illustrative embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the invention given below, serve to explain the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for preparing visually distinct patterns in a container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2a to 2c show cross-sectional views of a typical mixer inlet section (which can be used to create visually different patterns).

Fig. 3 shows a front view of the apparatus for rotation of the container during filling.

Detailed Description

While there may be many variations in the physical properties of the components of the present invention, i.e., color, rheology, texture, density, etc., variations in color are widely sought. The particular design or pattern (i.e., width, length, etc. of the stripes or marbling) achieved in the combined product can be varied by varying a number of additional factors, including but not limited to the rate of rotation of the container or the rate at which the composition is filled into the rotating container.

As used herein, the term "acceleration" relates to an increase in the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "anhydrous" refers to those compositions or materials that contain less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, even more preferably less than about 3%, and even more preferably 0%, by weight, of water.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term "ambient conditions" as used herein relates to ambient conditions at one (1) atmosphere, 50% relative humidity and 25 ℃.

As used herein, the term "benefit" relates to compositions that provide skin, hair or fabric conditioning, fragrance, anti-dandruff, skin moisturization, skin soothing, skin tanning, skin lightening, anti-acne, anti-wrinkle/anti-atrophy, fabric bleaching, fabric dye transfer inhibition, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition, foam compression, fabric softening, antibiotics, antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, dentinal desensitization, anticaries, antiplaque, breath freshening, dental erosion prevention, gingivitis prevention, periodontal disease prevention, tooth whitening, coloring and flavor.

As used herein, mixing and blending interchangeably refer to combining and then further achieving relatively high uniformity. However, in some embodiments, blending does not impart complete homogeneity to the final product.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "cleaning composition" includes granular or powdered all-purpose or "heavy-duty" detergents, especially laundry detergents; liquid, gel or paste-like multifunctional detergents, especially of the so-called heavy-duty liquid type; liquid fine fabric detergents; hand dishwashing detergents; light duty dishwashing detergents, especially those of the high sudsing type; machine dishwashing detergents, including the various tablet, granular, liquid and rinse-assisted types used in domestic and public places; liquid cleaners, deodorants and disinfectants, including antibacterial hand-wash types; laundry bar soap; a bar soap; air and fabric deodorizers; mouthwash; toothpaste; a denture cleanser; car or carpet detergents, bathroom cleaners; a shampoo; a hair care liquid; cleansing milk; a skin cleansing agent; a shower gel; a bathing agent; a personal cleansing composition; foaming shower gel; a metal cleaner; and cleaning adjuvants such as fabric enhancers, bleach aids, and "stain-stick" or pretreatment types.

As used herein, "combining" refers to adding substances together with or without substantial mixing to achieve homogeneity.

The term "container" or "package" includes any suitable container for a personal care composition that exhibits a viscosity of from about 1,500 centipoise (cP) to about 1,000,000cP, including, but not limited to, bottles, tottles, hoses, jars, non-spray pumps, and combinations thereof.

As used herein, "deceleration" refers to a decrease in the rate of change of speed with respect to time. The deceleration may affect or change the pattern of the final product. For example, if there is a fast deceleration, the resulting fill pattern may have sharp transitions. Conversely, a slower deceleration may result in a smoother transition in the resulting fill pattern.

As used herein, "dentifrice" or "dentifrice composition" refers to paste, powder, tooth gel and/or liquid formulations used to clean oral surfaces. A dentifrice is an oral composition that is not intentionally swallowed for purposes of systemic administration as a therapeutic agent, but is retained in the oral cavity for a sufficient time to contact substantially all of the tooth surfaces and/or mucosal tissue for purposes of oral activity. In addition, a dentifrice may refer to a product that may be intentionally swallowed, but not swallowed for purposes of systemic administration as a therapeutic agent.

As used herein, the term "during filling" refers to any time after the composition begins to be dispensed into the container and before the composition fills the container to its maximum capacity.

As used herein, the term "flow rate" relates to the rate at which a composition is dispensed from a dispenser or nozzle, typically measured in mL/s.

As used herein, the term "liquid" relates to liquid, semi-liquid, cream, lotion or gel compositions, i.e. flowable compositions.

As used herein, the term "marbleized" refers to a striped pattern having a veined and/or mottled appearance similar to marble.

As used herein, the term "multiphase" means that the phases of the present invention occupy separate but completely separate physical spaces in the container or package in which they are stored, but are in direct contact with each other (i.e., they are not separated by a barrier and are not emulsified or mixed to any significant degree). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the "multi-phase" cleaning composition comprises at least two visually distinct phases which are present in the container in a visually distinct pattern. The pattern is produced by the methods described herein from a combination of "multiphase" compositions. The "pattern" or "patterned" includes, but is not limited to, the following examples: stripe, line, broken stripe, checkered, mottled, veined, clustered, mixed, geometric, spotted, ribbon, spiral, swirl, aligned, mottled, textured, grooved, embossed, corrugated, sinusoidal, spiral, convoluted, curved, circular, striated, linear, contoured, anisotropic, laced, woven or woven, mat textured, mottled, and checkered. The pattern is preferably selected from the group consisting of: striation, geometry, streakiness, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, the pattern can be relatively uniform across the dimensions of the container. However, the pattern may be spatially non-uniform, undulating, or non-uniform. In one aspect, the pattern does not extend to the entire volume of the container.

As used herein, "oral care" refers to products intended to treat diseases or conditions of the oral cavity, including caries, plaque, halitosis, dental erosion, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Oral conditions are more described in WO 02/02096a2 published on month 1 and 10 of P & G2002.

As used herein, the term "personal care composition" relates to compositions intended for topical application to the skin or hair. The compositions of the present invention are rinse-off formulations in which the product is applied topically to the skin or hair, followed by rinsing it from the skin or hair with water within minutes, or otherwise rubbed off with a substrate, such that a portion of the composition is deposited. The composition may also be used as a shaving aid. The multi-phase personal care composition of the present invention can generally be extruded or dispensed from a package. The Multi-phase Personal Care Compositions typically exhibit a viscosity of from about 1,500 centipoise (cP) to about 1,000,000cP as measured by the viscosity method described in commonly owned patent by Wei et al entitled Multi-phase Personal Care Compositions filed on 7.5.2004, published as U.S. patent publication No. 2004/0223991a1 on 11.11.2004. The multi-phase personal care compositions of the present invention may be in the form of liquid, semi-liquid, cream, lotion or gel compositions intended for topical application to the skin. Examples of personal care compositions of the present invention can include, but are not limited to, shampoos, conditioning shampoos, body washes, moisturizing body washes, shower gels, skin cleansers, cleansing milks, hair and body washes, pet shampoos, shaving preparations, and cleansing compositions for use with a disposable cleansing cloth.

As used herein, the term "phase" refers to those homologous, physically distinct and physically separable portions of matter in a physico-chemical system of different origin. A phase may be a substance that is considered an intermediate and/or a finished product. In one aspect, the phases herein are compositions having different colors. In one aspect, the phases comprise the same chemical composition but have different colorants and/or rheology modifiers. The phases may be of various colors and/or include particles, glitter or pearlescence in at least one of the phases to give the appearance different from the appearance of the other phases. The ratio of the first phase to the second phase is preferably from about 90: 10 to about 10: 90, more preferably from about 80: 20 to about 20: 80, even more preferably from about 70: 30 to about 30: 70, even more preferably still from about 60: 40 to about 40: 60, even more preferably still about 50: 50.

As used herein, the term "rotation rate" relates to the rate at which the container is rotated about an axis, typically measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Generally, as depicted in fig. 3, the container rotates due to the rotation of the platform.

As used herein, the term "striped" means that the phases present in the composition occupy separate but distinct physical spaces in the package in which they are stored, but are in direct contact with each other. In a preferred embodiment, the personal care composition comprises a cleansing phase and a benefit phase, said phases being present in the container as distinct layers or "stripes". The stripes are more uniform and even across the entire portion of the package. Alternatively, the layers may be non-uniform, i.e. undulating, or may be 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 and/or glitter or pearlescence, provided that the selected concentrations form visually distinct bands or regions. The striped pattern need not extend throughout the space of the package. The stripes may have dimensions of at least about 0.1mm wide and 10mm long, preferably at least about 1mm wide and at least 20mm long, when measured from outside the package.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "stable" refers to compositions that can retain a visually distinct phase in physical contact under ambient conditions for a period of at least about 180 days.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the phrase "substantially free of" means that the composition comprises less than about 5%, preferably less than about 3%, more preferably less than about 1%, and most preferably less than about 0.1% of the recited ingredient. As used herein, the term "free" means that the composition contains 0% of the ingredient, i.e., the ingredient is not added to the composition, however, these ingredients may incidentally form as a by-product or reaction product of other components of the composition.

As used herein, the phrase "surfactant component" refers to all anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, and cationic surfactants in one phase. When calculated based on the surfactant component, water and electrolyte are excluded from the calculations involving the surfactant component, since the surfactant is typically diluted and neutralized at the time of production.

As used herein, "tottle" refers to a bottle placed in the neck or mouth from which its contents are filled and dispensed, and which is also the port at which a consumer places or rests (e.g., bottle base) the bottle 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. Suitable tottles are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Serial No. 11/067443 entitled Multi-phase Personal Care Compositions, Process for Making and Providing, and Article of commerce, "filed on McCall et al, 25.2.2005.

As used herein, "visually distinct" or "visually distinct" describes compositions in a package or as dispensed that exhibit visually distinct phases. These different phases are distinct phases or partially mixed, and the multi-phase liquid composition remains visible to the naked eye. That is, one region of the multi-phase liquid composition has one average composition that is different from another region having a different average composition, wherein the region is visible to the unaided eye. In one aspect, the phases may be of various colors and/or include particles, glitter or pearlescence in at least one phase to give the appearance different from the appearance of the other phases. This would not prevent different regions from containing two similar phases, where one phase may contain pigments, dyes, particles, and various optional ingredients, and thus is one region of a different average composition. A phase generally occupies a space or spaces having dimensions greater than the colloidal or sub-colloidal components it contains. The phases may also be constituted or reconstituted, aggregated or separated into bulk phases by, for example, centrifugation, filtration, etc. to observe their properties.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a heterogeneous liquid composition of a non-uniform pattern, said composition comprising at least two visually distinct liquid phases. The method comprises the following steps:

a) placing a plurality of liquid phases in separate vessels equipped with means for transferring said phases from said vessels;

b) transferring a predetermined amount of each of the selected liquid phases from its respective vessel to a combiner;

c) combining the liquid phases together to produce a multi-phase liquid composition having a predetermined ratio of one phase to another phase, wherein the phases of the liquid composition are visually distinct from one another; and

d) transferring the multiphase liquid phase composition through a dispensing means into a separate product container; wherein the individual product containers enter a container holding device where the containers are secured to a rotating platform, wherein the container holding device rotates the containers during transfer of the composition into the containers, wherein the dispensing means begins dispensing the liquid phase at an initial fill rate, the holding device has an initial rotational speed, and wherein the holding device has an initial rotational direction; and

e) selecting a change to an element, the change selected from the group consisting of: changing the initial direction of rotation to a second direction of rotation, changing the initial rotational speed to a second rotational speed, changing the initial filling rate of the dispensing member to a second filling rate, and a mixture of the changes, the changes being independent of the geometry of the container and made during step d.

Various devices for filling multiphase compositions are known. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus used to prepare the various visually distinct phases of the compositions of the present invention and to fill the package in the state to be sold. This figure depicts a single filling station. On an industrial scale, the plant line is repeated to as many filling stations as desired for simultaneously filling a plurality of containers. The supply lines 1 and 2 communicate with supply vessels of the respective phases, not shown here. The supply lines 1 and 2 may be in the form of hard or flexible pipes (e.g. stainless steel pipes or hoses) for conveying the phases from the other respective supply containers. Such supply containers are typically stainless steel and are fitted with valves on their bases, wherein the flow can be shut off to allow replacement of such containers without stopping the line equipment. The supply line may be equipped with an in-line pump connected to the supply vessel to pressurize the supply line to ensure a consistent or steady flow of its connected supply vessel. Fig. 1 shows a situation in which the supply line 1 is hard-mounted to an in-line pump, not shown, while the supply line 2 is not pressurized and the respective visually distinct phases are loaded from the supply container into the funnel shown thereon. Supply lines 1 and 2 lead to valves 5 which regulate the flow of each phase to its respective pump (in this schematic, pumps 3 and 4). In fig. 1, the pump is shown as a reciprocating piston pump body. The valve 5 is a rotary valve. When the pump piston is on its return or downstroke, the valve opens, allowing the phases to flow from their supply containers into the pump body. There is a separate valve for each pump and all valves act in concert (since they are connected in some manner with one drive mechanism driving all valves). Alternatively, a separate drive mechanism may be used to achieve a similar effect. Simultaneously with the flow into the cylinder, the valve 5 closes the outlet of the pump body to prevent the phase from flowing directly into the supply lines 3a and 4a leading to the combiner 6. After the forward or upstroke of the pump, valve 5 reverses position, allowing the contents of each cylinder to discharge through supply lines 3a and 4a into the direction of combiner 6, while preventing backflow into container supply lines 1 and 2. Pumps 3 and 4 are used to ensure constant supply of each phase to combiner part 6. Such piston pumps may be omitted if the phases have suitable flow characteristics. When a pump is utilized, it is preferred that the pump work in series with a flow meter to ensure a constant flow rate is produced by the pump. The pump may be regulated using a positive displacement flow meter and/or a mass flow meter (not shown herein) to ensure a constant flow rate. This can also be achieved using a metering type pump to deliver the desired volume or mass of each phase.

Before the phases enter the mixer 7, the feed lines 3a and 4a are arranged in the combiner part 6 in the manner shown in the cross-section of fig. 2. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the lines of phase feed from lines 3a and 4a (when they are ready to enter mixer 7). Figure 2a shows the lines fed from 3a and 4a with a separate feed line 21 in feed line 22, so that the phase from 21 is injected into the centre of the feed from line 22 before entering the mixer 7. Figure 2c is an alternative rotation to figure 2a in which the feeds are arranged side by side in a common line in the combiner part 6. Fig. 2b similarly shows a situation in which four feeds are combined together in one line from the combiner part 6 when going to the mixer 7.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the step of transferring the liquid phase from the combiner to a mixer and mixing the liquid phase. After moving through the combiner part 6, the aligned phases are introduced into the mixing part 7. The mixer portion 7 includes mixing elements that include a series of obstacles to divert the incoming visually distinct phases in a way that helps form the final encapsulated pattern of the composition, inducing turbulence and promoting mixing of the phases together. In most cases, a static mixer is utilized in the mixing section. Static mixers are well known in the art and are typically in the form of a series of repeating or random interlocking plates and/or fins. A static mixer suitable for use in the method is Chemineer SSC.75-4R-S (KMA 4 element)³/₄") (from Chemineer Inc.P.O.Box 1123, Dayton, OH 45401) and Koch SMX 4 element stirrer (3/4" nominal) (from Koch-Glitsch LP Mass Transfer Sales and Engineering, 9525Kenwood Road, Suite 16-246, Cincinnati, OH 45242).

After the mixed phases pass through the mixer portion 7, the phases are directed to a delivery nozzle 8. A delivery nozzle 8 is used to deliver the combined phases into the bottle. As previously mentioned, in the normal manufacturing process, multiple containers are filled simultaneously. Fig. 3 shows a possible table on such a device. The container 31 is held in a disc or bottle holder 32. The rotary table 33 rotates the container 31 at a set speed by the drive mechanism 34. The drive mechanism 34 for the platform 33 is a speed change mechanism.

In one embodiment, during filling, the platform 33 rotates, which is capable of rotating the container 31 in one initial direction. The direction of rotation may vary from the starting position by any angle within 360 deg., and return to the initial starting position. For example, the rotation may be performed 45 ° in one direction and reversed back to the starting position of the rotation. However, a return to the starting position is not necessary. For example, the bottle may be rotated 90 ° in one direction and rotated back 180 ° in the opposite direction.

The platform 33 may change direction one or more times before the container 31 is filled, resulting in a modification of the aesthetic pattern or design of a plurality of visually distinct compositions. The pattern or design created in the personal care composition is a function of the time and amount that the direction of rotation of the container 31 is changed during the filling process. The change in the rotational direction of the platform 33 and container 31 may be controlled by manually moving the platform or may be effected using a servo controller.

In one embodiment, during filling, platform 33 rotates, which may initially rotate container 31 at a substantially constant speed. Before the container 31 is filled, the platform 33 accelerates or decelerates, resulting in a modification of the aesthetic pattern or design of a plurality of visually distinct phase compositions. The pattern and design produced in the personal care composition is a function of the time and amount of change in the rotational speed of the container 31 during filling. The initial rotational speed of the vessel 31 is typically about 0 revolutions per minute to about 800 revolutions per minute (rpm). In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of changing the initial rotational speed to a second rotational speed. The second rotational speed differs from the initial rotational speed by at least 20%. The rotational speed is preferably changed by at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 40%, and most preferably by about 50% of the initial rotational speed. When the initial rotation speed is 0 revolutions per minute, starting rotation at any speed during filling is considered a change in rotation speed. In addition, the rotational speed may be continuously varied during filling to produce a continuously varying pattern or design in the composition. The change of the initial rotation speed may include acceleration or deceleration, which occurs when changing from the initial rotation speed to the second rotation speed. Acceleration/deceleration may affect or change the pattern of the final product. For example, if there is a fast acceleration/deceleration, the resulting fill pattern may have sharp transitions. Conversely, slower acceleration/deceleration may result in smoother transitions in the resulting fill pattern.

The change in fill rate and/or rotational speed is measured herein as a percentage change. The change in the filling rate and/or rotational speed is based on the initial filling rate and/or rotational speed (i.e. the filling rate and/or rotational speed is determined before the filling rate and/or rotational speed is changed during filling of the container) and the final filling rate and/or rotational speed (i.e. the filling rate and/or rotational speed is determined when the filling rate and/or rotational speed reaches a new constant speed or just before the filling process is completed). The percentage of change is calculated based on the difference between the initial fill rate and/or rotational speed and the final fill rate and/or rotational speed described above.

In another embodiment, the rotational speed is kept relatively constant while the filling rate is varied. The fill rate preferably changes by at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 40%, and most preferably at least about 50% of the initial fill rate. The filling rate may also be continuously varied during filling to produce a continuously varying pattern or design in the composition.

Known filling techniques generally comprise a container that geometrically tends to narrow towards the orifice. When filling through such orifices, in order to prevent overflow and maintain uniformity, the rotation speed or filling rate must be adjusted as the composition fills the orifice. In contrast to this known technique, the present method produces a non-uniform visually distinct pattern by varying the filling rate or rotational speed independent of the container geometry.

Furthermore, known methods of filling containers generally include filling the container with a liquid product by positioning a dispensing member at or near an orifice of the container. In the method of the invention, the dispensing means may be arranged as follows: the dispensing member is disposed at the bottom of the container. More particularly, the dispensing member may be positioned below half the volume of the container. Placing the dispensing member in this position has the advantage of avoiding the "piling up" effect exhibited by filling techniques that use dispensing members at or near the orifice of the container. Stacking can be generally described as layering or folding of the liquid stream upon itself as the container is filled. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to fill a container with a plurality of liquid phase compositions from the bottom of the container.

The transfer of a predetermined amount of each selected liquid phase from its respective vessel into the combiner is achieved using a servo controller. // add information// armed

The container 31 is any suitable container for the product. Preferably, the container 31 is a transparent bottle in which the pattern of the finished composition is visible to the consumer. The container preferably comprises a closure and a dispensing orifice. Suitable materials for transparent bottles include, but are not limited to, PET or PP.

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.

In one embodiment, the method is used to produce cleaning, personal care, dentifrice compositions having a non-uniform spiral striped pattern. In some embodiments, one phase may provide one function, such as a cleansing phase, while a second phase may provide an additional function, such as a beneficial function. In some embodiments, different phases may provide the same function but visually differ from each other. Compositions have been formulated that allow for the possession of both a cleansing phase and a benefit phase, which may include multiple phase types while remaining stable over a long period of time. In addition, one or more phases may include a stable colorant. When personal care compositions are packaged in containers that allow the contents to be seen, a non-uniform visual pattern may be observed.

Suitable surfactants are described in Detergents and Emulsifiers of McCutcheon, published by Allwred Publishing Corporation (North American edition (1986)); and Functional Materials of McCutcheon (north american edition (1992)); and U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al, 12/30/1975. Surfactants suitable for use herein include any known or otherwise effective cleansing surfactant suitable for application to hair, skin, teeth and fabrics, and which are also compatible with the other essential ingredients in the cleansing phase of the composition. These cleansing surfactants include anionic, nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants, or combinations thereof. The cleansing phase is preferably structured and/or discrete.

Preferred linear anionic surfactants include ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, lauryl sarcosinate, cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium cocoyl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, and combinations thereof. Branched Anionic Surfactants and monomethyl Branched Anionic Surfactants suitable for use in the present invention are described in commonly owned patent application No. 60/680,149 entitled "Structured Multi-phase Personal cleansing compositions Comprising Branched Anionic Surfactants" filed on 12.5.2005 by Smith et al and published in a commonly owned patent application at 12.2006. Branched anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the following surfactants: sodium trideceth sulfate, C_12-13Sodium alkyl sulfate, and C_12-13Alkanolpolyether sulfates and C_12-13Sodium n-alkanol polyether sulphate.

In one embodiment, the composition may comprise at least one amphoteric surfactant. Amphoteric surfactants suitable for use herein include those broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Examples of compounds falling within this definition are sodium 3-dodecylaminopropionate, sodium 3-dodecylaminopropane sulfonate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, N-alkyltaurines (such as those prepared by reacting dodecylamine with sodium isethionate, as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,072), N-higher alkyl aspartates (such as those prepared according to the process set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,091), and the products described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,528,378. In one aspect, the multi-phase personal care composition may comprise an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of: sodium N-lauramidoethyl-N-hydroxyethyl acetate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, disodium lauroamphoacetate, disodium cocoamphoacetate, and mixtures thereof. In addition, amphoacetates and diamphoacetates may also be used.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include those that are broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Zwitterionic surfactants suitable for use in the multi-phase personal care compositions include betaines, including cocamidopropyl betaine.

The alkanolamides, if present, have the general structure:

wherein R is C₈-C₂₄Or in some embodiments preferably C₈-C₂₂Or in other embodiments C₈-C₁₈Saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched aliphatic radical, R₁And R₂Are identical or different C₂-C₄A linear or branched aliphatic group, x ═ 0 to 10; y is 1 to 10, and wherein the sum of x and y is less than or equal to 10. The amount of alkanolamides in the compositions is generally from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, and in some embodiments, by weight of the cleansing phasePreferably about 2% to about 5%. Some preferred alkanolamides include cocamide MEA (cocomonoethanolamide) and cocamide MIPA (cocomonoisopropanolamide).

In certain aspects, the compositions of the present invention are preferably free of alkyl amines and alkanolamides to ensure that the compositions are mild to the skin, hair, teeth and fabrics.

The composition preferably comprises at least one non-ionic emulsifier. The nonionic emulsifier preferably has an HLB of from about 1.5 to 13.0, preferably from about 3.4 to 13.0, more preferably from 3.4 to about 9.5, more preferably from 3.4 to about 8.0. The composition preferably comprises a nonionic emulsifier at a concentration ranging from about 0.1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.25% to about 8%, even more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, even more preferably from about 1.0% to about 3%, and even more preferably from about 1.5% to about 2.5%, by weight of the personal care composition.

The balance between the hydrophilic and lipophilic moieties in the surfactant molecule is used as a method of fractionation (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, HLB). The HLB values of commonly used surfactants are readily available in the literature (e.g., HLB indices in McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents (MC Publishing co., 2004)). For example, it is known in the art that Cocamide Monoethanolamine (CMEA) has an HLB value of 16.8. Another way to obtain HLB values is by computational estimation. The HLB system was originally invented by Griffin (j.soc. cosmetic chem., 1, 311, 1949). Griffin defines the HLB value of a surfactant as the mole percentage of hydrophilic groups divided by 5, where a completely hydrophilic molecule (without non-polar groups) has an HLB value of 20. Other examples of how to calculate the HLB value are described in Interfacial Phenomena of Davies (second edition, Academic Press, London, 1963) and j.phys.chem.76 of Lin, 2019 to 2013, 1972.

Non-limiting examples of preferred nonionic emulsifiers useful herein are those selected from the group consisting of: glyceryl monohydroxystearate, isostearyl polyoxyethylene ether-2, tridecyl polyoxyethylene ether-3, hydroxystearic acid, propylene glycol stearate, PEG-2 stearate, sorbitan monostearate, glyceryl laurate, lauryl polyoxyethylene ether-2, cocamide monoethanolamine, lauramide monoethanolamine, and mixtures thereof.

The electrolyte may be added to the composition as such, or may be formed in situ by including counter ions in one of the raw materials. The electrolyte preferably comprises an anion consisting of phosphate, chloride, sulfate or citrate and a cation consisting of sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium or mixtures thereof. Some preferred electrolytes are sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium sulfate or ammonium sulfate. The electrolyte is preferably added to the structured surfactant phase of the composition in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 6%, preferably from about 1% to about 5%, more preferably from about 2% to about 4%, more preferably from about 3% to about 4%, by weight of the composition. Non-limiting examples of other suitable cleansing phase materials are disclosed in U.S. patent application 10/961,719.

The composition of visually distinct phases may further comprise at least one benefit phase selected from the group consisting of: a hydrophobic benefit phase, a fatty compound gel network, a hydrophobic gel network in a fatty compound gel network, a fatty compound gel network in a hydrophobic gel network, a silicone or silicone gel, and mixtures thereof. Each benefit phase may act as a delivery vehicle for delivering a conditioning agent or other benefit agent to the hair, or may act as a conditioning agent or other benefit agent itself. Non-limiting examples of suitable benefit phase materials are disclosed in U.S. patent application 10/961,719.

The compositions of the present invention comprise a benefit phase. The beneficial phase in the present invention may be anhydrous and may be substantially free of water. The benefit phase may be substantially free of surfactant, or completely free of surfactant.

The benefit phase typically comprises a hydrophobic benefit material. The benefit phase may comprise from about 1% to about 50%, preferably from about 5% to about 30%, more preferably from about 10% to about 30%, by weight of the multi-phase personal care composition, of a hydrophobic benefit material.

Hydrophobic benefit agents suitable for use in the present invention preferably have a cal/cm of about 5³)^1/2To about 15 (cal/cm)³)^1/2Vaughan solubility parameter (as Vaughan defines in Cosmetics and Toiletries, volume 103). As used herein, the Vaughan Solubility Parameter (VSP) is a parameter used to define the solubility of a hydrophobic substance. The Vaughan solubility parameter is well known in various chemical and formulation fields and typically has a range of 5 to 25. Non-limiting examples of hydrophobic benefit agents having VSP values ranging from about 5 to about 15 include the following: cyclic methicone (Cyclomethicone)5.92, squalene 6.03, petrolatum 7.33, isopropyl palmitate 7.78, isopropyl myristate 8.02, castor oil 8.90, cholesterol 9.55 (as reported in solubilty, Effects in Product, Package, pennetration and Preservation (c.d. vaughan, Cosmetics and Toiletries, vol 103, 10 months 1988)).

The hydrophobic benefit material used in the benefit phase of the composition has preferred rheological properties (as defined by the consistency value (k) and shear index (n)). As used herein, the term "consistency value" or "k" is a measure of the viscosity of a lipid and is used in conjunction with a shear index to define the viscosity of a material whose viscosity is a function of shear. The measurement is carried out at 35 ℃ and has the unit poise (equal to 100 cps). As used herein, the term "shear index" or "n" is a measure of the viscosity of a lipid and is used in conjunction with a consistency value to define the viscosity of a material whose viscosity is a shear function. The measurements were made at 35 ℃ and the units are dimensionless. The consistency value (k) and shear index (n) are more fully described in commonly owned and assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/312615 entitled "Shaving Kit, Article of Commerce and Method of Shaving composition a personal care composition," filed on 12/20/2005. A preferred consistency value range is 1 to 10,000 poise (1/sec)^n-1Preferably 10 to 2000 poise (1/sec)^n-1And more preferably 50 to 1000 poise (1/sec)^n-1. The shear index ranges from 0.1 to 0.8, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5, and more preferably from 0.20 to 0.4. These preferred rheological properties are particularly useful in providing personal cleansing compositions with improved deposition of benefit agents on the skin.

The benefit phase may consist of a hydrophobic benefit material selected from the group consisting of: petrolatum, lanolin, derivatives of lanolin (e.g., lanolin oil, isopropyl lanolate, acetylated lanolin alcohol, lanolin alcohol linoleate, lanolin alcohol ricinoleate), hydrocarbon oils (e.g., mineral oil), natural and synthetic waxes (e.g., microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax, ozokerite, lanolin wax, lanolin alcohol, wool acid, polyethylene, polybutene, polydecene, pentahydrosqualene), volatile or non-volatile organosiloxanes and derivatives thereof (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane, cyclomethicone, alkylsiloxane, methicone, methylphenylpolysiloxane), natural and synthetic triglycerides (e.g., castor oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, maleated soybean oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, walnut oil, peanut oil, olive oil, cottonseed oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, cod liver oil, almond oil, avocado oil, palm oil, sesame oil), and combinations thereof. In one aspect, at least about 50% by weight of the hydrophobic benefit material is selected from the group consisting of: petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin, polyethylene, polybutene, polydecene, polydimethylsiloxane, alkylsiloxanes, cyclomethicone, lanolin oil, lanolin wax. The remaining hydrophobic benefit agent may be selected from: isopropyl palmitate, cetyl ricinoleate, octyl isononanoate, octyl palmitate, isocetyl stearate, hydroxylated glyceryl creamers, and combinations thereof. The benefit phase of the multi-phase personal care composition may be comprised of a combination of petrolatum and mineral oil.

Alternatively, the benefit phase may comprise a different level of benefit agent than the cleansing phase. The benefit phase preferably contains an increased amount of conditioning agents such as silicone conditioning agents, cationic deposition polymers, or forming agents (i.e., polyethylene particles), and the like.

Suitable detergent compositions filled by the process of the present invention may include the base materials listed in table 1 below. For each material, the amounts shown in weight percent are the amounts in the final product.

Suitable body wash or personal cleansing compositions filled by the method of the present invention may include materials listed in table 2 below, including but not limited to surfactants, humectants, buffering/pH adjusting agents, stabilizers, thickeners/structuring agents, and the like.

In one aspect, conventional body wash and/or personal cleansing compositions can be prepared according to the methods and by the systems of the present invention. Some examples of Personal cleansing compositions include co-pending U.S. patent publication 2006/0083761A1 entitled "Personal care compositions comprising visual tapes, cationic polymers, and andscurfactants", more fully described at 12.10.2005 and published at 20.4.2006; U.S. patent publication 2004/0223991 entitled "Multi-phase Personal CareCompositions", filed on 7.5.2004 and published on 11.11.2004; U.S. patent publication 2004/0057920A1 entitled "threaded personal cleaning compositions containing a cleaning phase and a separate bed benzene phase" filed on 9/18/2003 and published on 4/2004 by Focht et al; U.S. patent publication 2004/0092415A1 entitled "chained liquid cleaning composition phase and a separate bed phase with improved stability" filed on month 10, 31, 2003 and published on month 5, 13, 2004 by Focht et al; and U.S. patent publication 2004/0219119A1 entitled "visual discrete multiple phase compositions" filed by Weir et al at 30.4.2004 and published at 18.11.2004; and those in U.S. patent sequence 60/680,149 entitled "Structured Multi-phased personal cleansing Compositions Comprising Branched electronic Surfactants" filed on 12.5.2004 by Smith et al.

In another aspect, an oral care product can be produced by the methods disclosed herein. Suitable dentifrice bases include the base materials listed in table 3 below, including but not limited to carriers/solvents, humectants, abrasives, tartar control agents, antimicrobial agents, fluoride sources and anticaries agents, buffers/pH adjusters, stabilizers, thickeners/structuring agents, binders, flavors and sweeteners, and surfactants. The amounts shown in weight percent for each material are the amounts in the final product after addition of the finishing material and/or the mixed material.

Suitable matrix materials for dental adhesives include bioadhesive materials and anhydrous carriers. Examples of bioadhesive materials include, but are not limited to, karaya gum, guar gum, gelatin, algin, sodium alginate, tragacanth, chitosan, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, acrylamide polymers, acrylic acid polymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamines, polyquaternary ammonium compounds, ethylene oxide polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cationic polyacrylamide polymers, AVE/MA/IB, double salts of AVE/MA/IB, and mixtures thereof. An anhydrous carrier is generally any chemical substance in any physical form that contains no water. Examples of anhydrous carriers include, but are not limited to, petrolatum, mineral oil, glycerin, natural oils, synthetic oils, fats, silicones, silicone derivatives, polyvinyl acetate, natural waxes, synthetic waxes, animal waxes, vegetable oil waxes, vegetable oils, and mixtures thereof. An anhydrous carrier for dental adhesive compositions is also described in U.S. patent 5,561,177, published by Khaledi et al at 10.1.1996.

Suitable shampoo compositions filled by the method of the present invention may comprise materials selected from table 4 below.

The materials used in the compositions are described in the above tables, which are listed in terms of their cosmetic and/or therapeutic benefits or their postulated mode of action or function. It will be appreciated, however, that the useful materials may in some cases provide more than one benefit or function, or may be effective through more than one mode of action. Accordingly, the descriptions herein are for convenience and are not intended to limit the ingredients to the specifically identified applications or listed applications.

The compositions herein may also comprise various optional materials. While not necessary for the purposes of the present invention, a non-limiting list of materials, plus the previously disclosed base materials, optional ingredients are suitable for use in the methods disclosed herein to produce compositions (including cleaning compositions), and are desirably incorporated into certain embodiments, for example, to facilitate or enhance cleaning performance, for treatment of a substrate to be cleaned, or to modify the aesthetics of the composition (as is the case with perfumes, colorants, dyes, or the like). The precise nature of these additional components and the amounts incorporated thereof will depend on the physical form of the composition and the nature of the cleaning operation for which it is used. The optional ingredients/materials are typically formulated in less than about 15%, less than about 12%, less than about 10%, less than about 9%, less than about 8%, less than about 7%, less than about 6%, less than about 5%, less than about 4%, less than about 3%, less than about 2%, or less than about 1% of the total cleaning composition.

Suitable optional materials for the cleaning composition may include, but are not limited to, surfactants, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach activators, hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, preformed peracids, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, perfumes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, structurants, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, solvents and/or pigments. The above materials may or may not be used as auxiliary components. Examples and amounts of suitable adjuvants, in addition to those disclosed herein, are also present in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,282, 6,306,812B1, and 6,326,348B 1.

Optional materials, as stated, are not necessary to applicants' composition. Accordingly, certain embodiments of applicants' compositions do not comprise one or more of the following adjunct materials: surfactants, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, chelating agents, bleach activators, dye transfer inhibiting agents, hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, preformed peracids, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, perfumes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, structurants, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, solvents and/or pigments.

Optional materials suitable for use in the manufacture of personal care/cleansing compositions may be materials including, but not limited to, water, anti-dandruff actives (e.g., pyrithione salts, azoles, selenium sulfide, particulate sulfur, keratolytic agents, and mixtures thereof); a thickener; low density microspheres (e.g., Expancel 091WE40d24, Akzo Nobel, and other materials described in commonly owned and assigned U.S. patent publication 2004/0092415a1 published on 5/13/2004); a preservative; an antimicrobial agent; a fragrance; chelating agents (such as those described in U.S. patent 5,487,884 to Bisset et al); a sequestering agent; vitamins (e.g., retinol); vitamin derivatives (e.g., vitamin E acetate, niacinamide, panthenol); a sunscreen agent; desquamation actives (such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,681,852 and 5,652,228 to Bisset); anti-wrinkle/anti-atrophy actives (e.g., N-acetyl derivatives, thiols, hydroxy acids, phenols); antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid derivatives, tocopherols); skin soothing/healing agents (e.g., pantothenic acid derivatives, aloe vera, allantoin); skin lightening agents (e.g., kojic acid, arbutin, ascorbic acid derivatives); skin tanning agents (e.g., dihydroxyacetone); polymeric phase structurants (e.g., naturally derived polymers, synthetic polymers, crosslinked polymers, block copolymers, hydrophilic polymers, nonionic polymers, anionic polymers, hydrophobic polymers, hydrophobically modified polymers, associative polymers, and oligomers); liquid crystal phase inducing structurants (e.g. under the trade nameTrihydroxystearin, R from Rheox, inc.); organic cationic deposition polymers (e.g., available from Amerchol corp. edison, n.j.Polyquaternium 10, USA, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride available as Jaguar C-17 from Rhodia inc, and the N-Hance polymer series commercially available from Aqualon); particles that provide enhanced hair volume benefits (e.g., silicone resins, poly (meth) acrylates, polyethylene, polyesters, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethanes, polyamides (e.g., nylon), epoxy resins, urea resins, acrylic powders, and the like); an opacifying agent; a suspending agent; a propellant; pH adjusters (e.g., triethanolamine); anti-acne drugs; essential oil; a sensate; a pigment; a colorant; a pearlescent agent; interference pigments (such as those disclosed in U.S. patent 6,395,691 to Liang shengtssaur, U.S. patent 6,645,511 to Aronson et al, U.S. patent 6,759,376 to Zhang et al, U.S. patent 6,780,826 to Zhang et al); particles (e.g., talc, kaolin, mica, montmorillonite clay, cellulose powder, polysiloxane, silica, carbonate, titanium dioxide, polyethylene beads); hydrophobically modified non-platelet particles (e.g., hydrophobically modified titanium dioxide and other materials are described in commonly owned patent application published by Taylor et al as publication No. 2006/0182699a at 2006, 8, 17); and mixtures thereof. Other finishing materials may be promoting ingredients, as described in U.S. patent publication 2004/0116539 entitled "Late variant addition process for personal care products," published 6/17 2004.

Optional materials suitable for the dentifrice base may include, but are not limited to, surfactants, humectants, mouthwash compositions, water, flavors, extracts, pH adjusting agents, colorants and pigments, binders, cleaning agents, sweeteners, tartar control agents, anti-sensitivity agents, chelating agents, structurants, processing aids, and/or visually aesthetic substances such as mica, polyethylene particles, wax bead beads, and colored silica particles.

Optional materials suitable for use in the base denture product include one or more components that provide flavor, aroma, and/or sensory benefits, including, but not limited to, natural or artificial sweeteners, menthol, menthyl lactate, wintergreen oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, leaf alcohol, clove bud oil, anethole, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, cinnamon, 1-menthyl acetate, sage, eugenol, parsley oil, oxazolidinone, alpha-ionone, oregano, lemon, orange, methylolanethole, cinnamon, vanillin, thymol, linalool, Cinnamaldehyde Glycerol Acetal (CGA), carboxamides, menthol, menthyl, ketals, diols, toxicologically acceptable plasticizers, colorants, thickeners, preservatives, iodine, triclosan, peroxides, sulfonamides, biguanides, phenolics, biguanides, and the like, Antibiotics, antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, dentinal desensitizing agents, anesthetics, aromatics, benzaldehyde, insulin, steroids, herbs, and other plant derived drugs, baking soda, antineoplastic agents, and the like.

The cleansing phase and the benefit phase can be present in any ratio to each other. The ratio of cleansing phase to benefit phase is preferably at least about 1: 1, more preferably at least about 2: 1, and most preferably at least about 4: 1.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

All documents cited in the detailed description of the invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this document shall govern.

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 (10)

1. A method of filling a container with a liquid composition, the composition comprising at least two visually distinct phases, the method comprising the steps of:

a.) transferring the liquid composition into a container using a dispenser having an initial fill rate;

b.) rotating the container during said step a. at an initial rotational speed and in an initial rotational direction;

c.) altering a characteristic selected from the group consisting of:

-the speed of rotation of the container,

-the filling rate of the dispenser, and

-a direction of rotation of the container;

and combinations of said features, each feature being independent of the geometry of the container; and

d.) completing the transfer of the liquid composition to the container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotational speed of the container is changed more than once during filling.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the filling rate of the dispenser is changed more than once during filling.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotational direction of the container is changed more than once during filling.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the initial rotational speed is from 0 revolutions per minute to 800 revolutions per minute.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second rotational speed differs from the initial rotational speed by at least 20%.

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotational speed may be accelerated or decelerated.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is a clear bottle comprising a closure and a dispensing orifice.

9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the phases are visually distinct with respect to at least one attribute selected from the group consisting of: color, hue, texture, and combinations thereof.

10. A method for preparing a non-uniformly patterned multi-phase liquid composition comprising at least two visually distinct liquid phases, the method comprising the steps of:

a) placing a plurality of liquid phases in separate vessels equipped with means for transferring said phases from said vessels;

b) transferring a predetermined amount of each of the selected liquid phases from its respective vessel to a combiner;

c) combining the liquid phases together to produce a multi-phase liquid composition having a predetermined ratio of one phase to another phase, wherein the phases of the liquid composition are visually distinct from one another; and

d) transferring the multiphase liquid phase composition through a dispensing means into a separate product container; wherein the individual product containers enter a container holding device where the containers are secured to a rotating platform, wherein the container holding device rotates the containers during transfer of the composition into the containers, wherein the dispensing means begins dispensing the liquid phase at an initial fill rate, the holding device has an initial rotational speed, and wherein the holding device has an initial rotational direction; and

e) selecting a change to an element, the change selected from: changing the initial direction of rotation to a second direction of rotation, changing the initial rotational speed to a second rotational speed, changing the initial filling rate of the dispensing member to a second filling rate, and a mixture of the changes, the changes being independent of the geometry of the container and made during step d.