Other

Unilever Home & Personal Care USA

Henri L Rosano

Tirucherai V Vasudevan

Mark Stephen Naser

Francois Gerard Gandolfo

Kanouni Mouhcine

W,-O-W,emulsions are disclosed in which the W,/O emulsion comprises an internal aqueous phase containing optional benefit agent and an oil phase surrounding it, and, around this is found an external isotropic aqueous phase comprising surfactant system and specific thickeners. Selection of surfactant system and thickener is critical to the multiple emulsion composition not phase separating.

Phase stable multiple emulsion compositions

An oil-in-water microemulsion of increased viscosity is disclosed, which microemulsion comprises an aqueous continuous phase, an oil phase, a primary surfactant having a lipophilic moiety and a hydrophilic moiety, wherein the hydrophilic moiety carries an electrostatic charge and a cosurfactant. The viscosity is increased by adding a secondary surfactant which is characterized by a long chain lipophilic moiety and a charged hydrophilic moiety which is reactive with the charged hydrophilic moiety of the primary surfactant. In forming the microemulsion of increased viscosity, the microemulsion is formed first in the absence of the secondary surfactant, and the secondary surfactant is added thereto.

High viscosity microemulsions

A unique method for the preparation of oil-in-water microemulsions is described. In carrying out this method, microemulsions are prepared in a four-step process: (1) a surfactant is selected which is just barely soluble in the oil phase; (2) the surfactant thus selected is dissolved in the oil to be emulsified in an amount effective to yield a fine emulsion of the emulsified oil in an aqueous phase; and (3) the oil, together with its dissolved surfactant, is added to the water phase and shaken or stirred; and (4) finally, there is provided a second surfactant in the water phase which is somewhat more soluble in water than the first surfactant to produce a substantially clear microemulsion of oil in water.

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Oradell, NJ, United States of America

Henri L Rosano