Title of Invention

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING BLUE MICROCAPSULES

Abstract 1. A process for production of blue microcapsules by encapsulating a mixture of a lipophilic core material and an oil-soluble dye, wherein the dye used is 1, 4-bis(4-methylphenyl)amino)-9, 10-anthracenedione (D & C green No. 6) or guaiazulene or a mixture of these two dyes
Full Text
ORIGINAL 754/MUMUNP/2003

FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10; rule 13]
"PROCESS FOR PRODUCING BLUE MICROCAPSULES"
SYMRISE GmbH & CO. KG., of Muhlenfeldstrasse 1, D-37603 Holzminden, Germany,
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-
01-09-2006


The invention relates to a process for producing uniformly coloured blue microcapsules using oil-soluble colours. These capsules are preferably used in the cosmetics industry and oral hygiene.
The present invention describes the encapsulation of a mixture of an oil-soluble material and a colour, the resulting capsules being a blue to dark blue colour. The preferred encapsulation method here is coacervation, preferably gelatine and gum
*
arabic being used as coating material. Preferably, the resultant capsules which have a colourless transparent shell and a blue core are incorporated into products in the oral hygiene sector.
Processes for producing microcapsules are known from the literature, as described, for example, in US-A-3,341,466.
GB-A- 1381 444 discloses the teaching that microcapsules having a transparent shell comprising an oil and a colour or a colour suspension can be incorporated into toothpastes and these microcapsules then give a highly speckled or spotted or dotted appearance. In this case the oily material serves principally as solvent or vehicle for the colour.
EP-A- 711 544 describes a toothpaste which uses capsules comprising agar as main constituent of the coating material. The capsules in this case have an average size of 0.3 to 3 mm.
A specific form of encapsulation for oral hygiene products is described in WO 99/59535, the aspects of stability of the capsules in the presence of surface-active substances, and of foam formation being of primary importance there.

The invention relates to a process for producing uniformly coloured blue microcapsules using oil-soluble colours. These capsules are preferably used in the cosmetics industry and oral hygiene.
The present invention describes the encapsulation of a mixture of an oil-soluble material and a colour, the resulting capsules being a blue to dark blue colour. The preferred encapsulation method here is coacervation, preferably gelatine and gum arabic being used as coating material. Preferably, the resultant capsules which have a colourless transparent shell and a blue core are incorporated into products in the oral hygiene sector.
Processes for producing microcapsules are known from the literature, as described, for example, in US-A-3,341,466.
GB-A- 1 381 444 discloses the teaching that microcapsules having a transparent shell comprising an oil and a colour or a colour suspension can be incorporated into toothpastes and these microcapsules then give a highly speckled or spotted or dotted appearance. In this case the oily material serves principally as solvent or vehicle for the colour.
EP-A- 711 544 describes a toothpaste which uses capsules comprising agar as main constituent of the coating material. The capsules in this case have an average size of 0.3 to 3 mm.
A specific form of encapsulation for oral hygiene products is described in WO 99/59535, the aspects of stability of the capsules in the presence of surface-active substances, and of foam formation being of primary importance there.

WO 00/48560 relates to the encapsulation of a mixture of a liquid oil and a copper-chlorophyll extract. Preferably, these green microcapsules are used in oral hygiene products. Typical oils are sunflower seed oil or paraffin oil.
Usually, the abovementioned microcapsules are produced by means of coacervation and the oil core is, if appropriate, coloured. To prepare blue capsules there are, in principle, two possibilities.
If the shell of the capsules is made using a water-soluble colour, decolourizing of the capsules occurs due to what is termed bleeding of the colour, or due to instability of the colour in the preparation or formulation of the formulated product to be used.
If the oil-soluble, that is to say lipophilic core of the capsule is coloured, oil-soluble colours or coloured pigments come into consideration for this type of colouring. When coloured pigments are used, the problem of sedimentation very frequently occurs, that is to say the colour is not homogeneously distributed in the capsule and results in the visual impression that the capsules are only half filled.
Satisfactory colouring of capsules with the colour "blue" using dyes permitted in cosmetics has not succeeded to date, because there are only a few blue, oil-soluble dyes permitted for cosmetics.
Currently, there is no possibility for overcoming the problems described for producing blue capsules in the cosmetics sector, In the list of dyes there is no oil-soluble dye which is directly described as "blue".
It is therefore an object to produce microcapsules having a lipophilic core (core material), blue coloration of the core and transparent shell, with the dye used being an oil-soluble dye permitted in cosmetics.

Two oil-soluble dyes have now been found using which a blue coloration of the lipophilic core of the capsules is possible, the finished microcapsule having the required colour stability and displaying neither sedimentation nor bleeding of the colour.
The invention therefore relates to a process for producing blue microcapsules by encapsulating a mixture of a lipophilic core material and an oil-soluble dye, characterized in that the dye used is D&C Green No. 6 or guaiazulene or a mixture of these two dyes.
Firstly, guaiazulene (7-isopropyl-l,4-dimethylazulene) is proven, secondly D&C Green No. 6 (l,4-bis(4-methylphenyl)amino)-9,10-anthracenedione; 1,4-p-toluidino-anthraquinone; C.I. 63565). The latter is particularly surprising, since this is listed as a green oil-soluble dye in the dye lists. Both substances are commercially available dyes.
The dyes, depending on the intensity and depth of blue coloration desired, are added to the core material at 0.02% to 2%, preferably at 0.05% to 1.5%, particularly preferably 0.1% to 1% and very particularly preferably at 0.1% to 0.5%. The percentages are by weight and are based on the amount of core material used.
Encapsulation materials which are typically used which may be mentioned by way of example are:
cyclodextrins, gum arabic, gelatin, casein, albumin, fibrinogen, xanthan gum, soluble peptides, sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidones and other natural or synthetic polymeric materials.
Preferably, the encapsulation materials are additionally crosslinked. The crosslinking
can be inherent to the encapsulation material or can be induced by adding
crosslinkers, for example glutaraldehyde.

Encapsulation can be performed by methods known per se and described in the literature. Preference in the inventive process is given to coacervation.
In the inventive process, preferably mixtures of gum arabic and gelatin are used, particularly preferably here a mixture ratio of 50%:50% by percent by weight. Final crosslinking with a crosslinker, preferably glutardialdehyde, is advantageous in order to achieve the desired hardness of the capsules.
The production process can be carried out as follows, for example:
The mostly liquid core material is mixed with the dye. This mixture is then introduced into an aqueous solution of the shell material, preferably comprising gelatin, at 40-60°. Then, if appropriate, a further shell material can be added, preferably gum arabic. The aqueous solution, can, if required, be admixed with a stabilizer or preservative, preference is given to potassium sorbate. This emulsion is adjusted to a pH in the range 3.8 to 4.8, preferably a pH from 4.0 to 4.5. The coacervates formed in this case, that is to say the coloured liquid core material is enclosed by a film of shell material and water, with the microcapsules forming. After cooling, usually to temperatures below 15°C, a crosslinker, preferably glutardialdehyde, can be added to harden the shell.
The processing sequence can be modified in such a manner that the coloured core material is added to an aqueous solution of gelatin and gum arabic and the pH is adjusted last.
If fish gelatin is used in the coacervation, the processing temperatures are lower, customarily 30 to 45°C.
After the production process, the capsules are present in the form of a slurry which can be further used as such. Depending on need and use, further treatments may follow. Thickeners, preferably carboxymethyl cellulose, preservatives and stabilizers,

for example potassium sorbate and citrates, can be added to the slurry. Also, the slurry, as required, can be subjected to a drying, after which the microcapsules are present in free-flowing form.
The microcapsules have a transparent or translucent capsule shell and contain a blue liquid or a blue low-melting core material. Thus the inventively produced capsules are highly visible in the formulated product to be used, for example an oral hygiene product.
By means of careful matching of the production process conditions, properties, for example, hardness, size, wall thickness, colour depth or stability of the capsules, can be critically influenced.
If the inventive blue capsules are incorporated into toothpastes, for example, the hardness of the capsules can be set by the inventive process in such a manner that the capsules are neither too hard to survive the cleaning operation, nor too soft to be destroyed during the production process of the oral hygiene product. Rather, in such a case, it is the aim that the capsules are gradually destroyed over the entire period of the cleaning operation and thus controlled release of the lipophilic material present in the capsules can take place.
Typically, the particle size of the blue capsules produced by the inventive process is in the range from 0.3 to 2.5 mm, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 1.8 mm and particularly preferably in the range from 0,8 to 1.2 mm. The particle size can be measured using customary methods, for example by sieving or microscopy.
The oil-soluble core material which is to be encapsulated according to the invention
can consist of a single substance or a mixture. Some suitable core materials which
may be mentioned by way of example are listed below.

In addition to various edible oils, paraffin oils and silicone oils, the customary ingredients in the cosmetics and oral hygiene sectors can be used.
In particular, materials may be mentioned which have therapeutic, sensory, protective, personal-care or cosmetic effects.
Proteins, keratin, collagen, casein, lecithin, sorbitol, antioxidants, phenol derivatives, antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory substances, caries-inhibiting substances, vitamins, enzymes, plant extracts, preservatives, pH-regulators, sweeteners, starch, flavourings and perfumes.
Particularly suitable as core material, for the purposes of the invention, is the use of essential oils and extracts, tinctures and balsams, for example aniseed oil, basil oil, camphor oil, citronella oil, Eucalyptus citriodora oil, Eucalyptus oil, camomile oil, mint oil, lime oil, mandarin oil, clove oil, orange oil, peppermint oil, sage oil, thyme oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon bark oil and fractions thereof, and constituents isolated therefrom.
In addition, suitable substances as core material are those having a cooling refreshing effect in the oral, throat or nasal cavity. Those which may be mentioned by way of example here are menthol, menthone, carboxamides, methone acetals, menthol carbonates, menthol succinates, 1,8-cineol (Eucalyptol), carvone, alpha-terpineol, thymol, methyl salicylate, 2'-hydroxypropiophenone. The optically active compounds can be used in enantiomerically pure form or as any mixture of the two enantiomers.
Applications of the inventive capsules in cosmetics and oral hygiene which may be mentioned are: creams, gels, foams, dispersions, chewing gums, pastilles and sweets.
Particular preference is given to the field of use of dental care products, in particular
that of toothpastes, tooth creams, tooth gels.

The capsules are added, depending on the effect to be achieved, in the use in the oral hygiene sector at 0.05% to 5%, preferably at 0.2% to 3%, and in particular preferably at 0.5% to 1.5%. The percentages are by weight and are based on the finished product formulation or the total formulation.

The examples below illustrate the invention:
Example 1:
A mixture of peppermint oil and 0.1% D&C Green No. 6 was produced. This was added at 50°C to an aqueous gelatin solution. This emulsion was then admixed with an aqueous solution of gum arabic. The pH of the mixture was then set to a pH of 4.5 by aqueous acetic acid solution, with stirring. The mixture was slowly cooled to room temperature and then glutardialdehyde was added. The supernatant solution was decanted off and the microcapsules were washed repeatedly with water. The capsules thus produced had a diameter of 0.6 to 1.5 mm. These microcapsules had a transparent shell and a blue core material.
Example 2:
A mixture of peppermint oil and 0.25% guaiazulene was produced. This was added at 50°C to an aqueous gelatin solution. This emulsion was then admixed with an aqueous solution of gum arabic. The pH of the mixture was set to a pH of 4.5 by aqueous acetic acid solution with stirring. The mixture was slowly cooled to room temperature and then glutardialdehyde was added. The supernatant solution was decanted off and the microcapsules were washed repeatedly with water. The capsules thus produced had a diameter of 0.5 to 1.4 mm. These microcapsules had a transparent shell and a blue core material.

Example 3:
A transparent tooth gel having the following base formulation was produced, into which the blue capsules which were produced by different colouring methods or containing dyes were incorporated.

When capsules coloured with the coloured pigment Sicomet Blue P 74160 (copper phthalocyanin, C.I. 74160; CAS No. 147148) were used, the tooth gel, owing to the half-moon-like coloration of the capsules, had a non-uniform appearance which was not appealing. The finished tooth gel gave the impression of a faulty batch and did not have a rounded effect.

WE CLAIM :
1. A process for production of blue microcapsules by encapsulating a mixture of a lipophilic core material and an oil-soluble dye, wherein the dye used is 1, 4-bis(4-methylphenyl)amino)-9, 10-anthracenedione (D & C green No. 6) or guaiazulene or a mixture of these two dyes.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein encapsulation is performed by means of coascervation.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein encapsulation is performed by means of coasscervation using gelatin and gum arabic.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the encapsulation materials are crosslinked.
5. The process according to claim 4, wherein said crosslinker used is glutardialdehyde.
Dated this 06th day of August, 2003.
[RANJNA MEHTA -DUTT]
OF REMFRY AND SAGAR
ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANTS

Documents:

754-mumnp-2003-cancelled pages(01-09-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-claim(granted)-(01-09-2006).doc

754-mumnp-2003-claim(granted)-(01-09-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-correspondence(08-01-2007).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-correspondence(ipo)-(31-10-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 13(02-05-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 18(16-11-2005).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 1a(06-08-2003).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 2(granted)-(01-09-2006).doc

754-mumnp-2003-form 2(granted)-(01-09-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 3(02-05-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 3(06-08-2003).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 3(19-01-2004).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 5(02-05-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 5(06-08-2003).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form 6(02-05-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-form-pct-ipea-409(06-08-2003).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-petition under rule 137(02-05-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-petition under rule 138(02-05-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-power of authority(02-05-2006).pdf

754-mumnp-2003-power of authority(06-08-2003).pdf


Patent Number 203393
Indian Patent Application Number 754/MUMNP/2003
PG Journal Number 19/2007
Publication Date 11-May-2007
Grant Date 31-Oct-2006
Date of Filing 06-Aug-2003
Name of Patentee SYMRISE GMBH & CO. KG.
Applicant Address MUHLENFELDSTRASE 1, D-37603 HOLZMINDEN, GERMANY.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 RITA LAGES AND OTHERS WALDST. 8, 37619 BODENWERDER, GERMANY.
2 FRANK AICKELE MUHLENWEG 3, 37603 HOLZMINDEN,
3 HUBERT LOGES WESERBLICK 9, 37671 HOXTER,
4 ARNOLD MACHINEY, ELSA BRANDSTROM WEG 17, 37603 HOLZMINDEN,
PCT International Classification Number N/A
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP02/00855
PCT International Filing date 2002-01-28
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 101 06 446.2 2001-02-09 Germany