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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the use of a particulate organic polymer in
cleaning preparations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
This invention relates to the cleaning of various articles, particularly
contact lenses, with a formulation containing a particulate hydrophilic
polymer or copolymer or mixture thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,179, E. J. Ellis et al., discloses the use of a silica
gel abrasive in combination with a surface active agent for combined
chemical and mechanical cleaning action for contact lenses.
European Patent Application No. 0 063 472 by Kai Chiang Su et al. discloses
a cleaner for contact lenses which comprises a suspension containing a
particulate organic polymer or polysiloxane of a hydrophobic,
thermoplastic nature. The instant invention differs from Su in so far as
it discloses the use of a particulate organic polymer of a hydrophilic
nature which is softer and more elastic than the hydrophobic polymers
taught by Su. The use of hydrophilic polymer beads in a contact lens
cleaner is superior to the use of hydrophobic polymeric particles partly
because the hydrophilic beads, being softer and spongier, are less likely
to scratch the lens surface or to irritate the eye if left on a lens which
is then placed on the eye.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a composition for
cleaning various articles, including contact lenses, the improvement
comprising the inclusion of a particulate hydrophilic polymer or copolymer
or mixture thereof. General purpose cleaning formulations will typically
include aqueous suspensions of particulate hydrophilic polymer to which
one or more apropriate surfactants are added. Typically, the composition
for cleaning contact lenses will comprise an aqueous suspension having
0.001 to 25 weight percent of a particulate hydrophilic polymer in a
buffered, isotonic solution containing one or more surfactants and
optional preserving and sequestering agents.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
More particularly, this invention relates to a composition comprising a
particulate hydrophilic polymer or copolymer or mixture thereof having
utility as a facial scrub or heavy-duty hand cleaner, automotive
orhoushold cleaner, vinyl or leather cleaner, or contact lens cleaner and
methods for using the composition disclosed herein.
Applicants have discovered that particulate hydrophilic polymers in aqueous
suspension are effective cleaning agents.
Applicants have discovered, in particular, the effectiveness of suspensions
of particulate hydrophilic polymers for removing debris, particularly
proteinaceous deposits, from contact lenses without scratching the lens
surface, thereby altering the parameters of the lens or causing eye
irritation. This invention is applicable to the cleaning of hard, hard
gas-permeable, and soft contact lenses but is particularly efficacious for
soft contact lenses which have a greater affinity for protein deposits.
The hydrophilic polymeric bead surfaces attract debris from the lens. As
debris adheres to the bead surfaces, a new equilibrium is established,
distributing lens debris between the bead surfaces and lens surface. This
transfer of lens debris to the bead surfaces has a cleansing effect on the
contact lens surface.
While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, applicant believes
that the effectiveness of particulate hydrophilic polymers in removing
surface debris may be due to the physical attraction between the
hydrophilic beads and the lens debris. Just as the debris is attracted to
and deposited on the polymeric contact lens, the hydrophilic polyermic
beads also attract deposits of lens debris. The introduction of the
hydrophilic beads is believed to disrupt the equilibrium existng between
the lens debris and the lens upon which it is deposited.
The particulate hydrophilic polymer is prepared by solution polymerization
of selected monomers or comonomers in the presence of conventional
crosslinkers, accelerators, and initiators. The preparation of the
hydrophilic beads is well known, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,957
by Richard Chromecek et al. Suitable hydrophilic polymers include
poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylate), poly(hydroxyalkyl acrylate), N-vinyl
lactam, or a mixture thereof. N-vinyl lactam includes (a) N-vinyl lactams
per se and (b) other heterocyclic N-vinyl monomers. Illustrative of the
N-vinyl lactams that are employed in this invention are:
N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N-(1-methyl vinyl)pyrrolidinone,
N-vinyl-2-piperidone and N-vinyl-2-caprolactam which may be substituted in
the lactam ring by one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or
propyl, e.g., N-vinyl-5-methyl pyrrolidinone, N-vinyl-3,3-dimethyl
pyrrolidinone, N-vinyl-5-ethyl pyrrolidinone and N-vinyl-6-methyl
piperidone. Illustrative of the other heterocyclic N-vinyl monomers used
in preparing the copolymers of this invention are: N-vinyl imidazole,
N-vinylsuccinimide, N-vinyl diglycolylimide, N-vinyl glutarimide,
N-vinyl-3-morpholinone and N-vinyl-5-methyl-3-morpholinone. The lactam may
be an admixture of two or more lactam monomers to give hydrogels having
the particularly desired characteristics. The preferred polymer for these
beads is poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate). These beads are prepared by
heating a solution containing hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methyl
methacrylate, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of
tert-butyl peroctoate.
The composition of the polymeric beads can be varied by the use of a
modulus modifier. A modulus modifier selected from the group of isobornyl
acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, monomethacrylate, dicyclopentadienyl
acrylate, dicyclopentadienyl methacrylate adamantyl acrylate, adamantyl
methacrylate, isopinocamphyl acrylate, isopinocamphyl methacrylate,
menthyl methacrylate, menthyl acrylate, tertiary-butyl-cyclohexyl
methacrylate, isopropylcyclopentylacrylate,
tertiarypentylcycloheptylmethacrylate, tertiarybutylcyclohexylacrylate,
isohexylcyclopentylacrylate, methylisopentyl cyclooctylacrylate, and
tertiary-butylstyrene may be added to the reaction mixture to improve the
modulus property of the resulting polymer or copolymer. The modifier, when
employed, is generally present in an amount from 90 to 30 parts by weight
per 10 to 70 parts by weight of the above described hydrophilic polymers.
The preferred particulate hydrophilic polymer is of a spherical shape
resembling beads ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 microns in diameter and
having an average particle size of 0.5 micron. The particulate polymer is
suspended in a carrier such as water or isotonic saline solution to which
one or more surfactants, preservatives, stabilizers, buffering agents,
tonicity adjusters, and thickening agents may be added. The amount of
polymeric bead in suspension may range from 0.001 to 25 weight percent,
the preferred concentration being 5%.
Preferred nonionic surfactants for this invention include ethylene
oxide/propylene oxide surfactants, for example, poloxamers and their block
polymers of tetrafunctional initiators such as ethylenediamine, e.g.
poloxamine 1107 (tradename Tetronic 1107) and ethoxylated lauramide
(tradename Amidox C5) in concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 10% with the
preferred concentration being 5%. Additional nonionic surfactants for this
invention may be selected from the polyethylene glycol esters of fatty
acids (e.g., coconut, polysorbate), polyoxyethylene or poloxypropylene
ethers of higher alkanes (C.sub.12 -C.sub.18). Examples of suitable
nonionic surfactants include polysorbate (20) (tradename Tween 20),
polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether (tradename Brij 35), polyoxyethylene
(40) stearate (tradename Myrj 52) and polyoxyethylene (25) propylene
glycol stearate (tradename Atlas G 2612). Other nonionic surfactants
suitable for use in this invention can be readily ascertained, in view of
the foregoing description, from McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers,
North American Edition, McCutcheon Division, MC Publishing Co., Glen Rock,
NJ 07452, U.S.A., 1980.
Antibacterial agents in an amount from 0.00001 to 0.5 weight percent may be
added to inhibit bacterial growth in the composition. Suitable examples of
such agents include thimerosal, sorbic acid, phenylmercuric salts (e.g.,
nitrate, borate, acetate, chloride, or gluconate), 1,5-pentanedial, the
polymers and water-soluble salts of hexamethylene biguanides, and
benzalkonium chloride. Cocamidopropyl betaine (tradename Lexaine C) is an
example of a suitable amphoteric surfactant which functions as a
preservative in this composition. For this invention, the preferred
concentration of Lexaine C is 0.11%.
In addition to the active ingredients previously described, buffers,
optional tonicity agents, sequestering agents, and humectants are included
in contact lens cleaners. Suitable buffers include sodium or potassium
citrate, citric acid, boric acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium borate, and
various mixed phosphate buffers including combinations of Na.sub.2
HPO.sub.4, NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, and KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4. Generally, buffers
may be used in amounts ranging from about 0.05% to 2.5% with the preferred
concentration being 0.1 to 1.5%. Glycerol or propylene glycol in a
preferred concentration of 15% are suitable tonicity agents. Sequestering
agents such as ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) and its disodium
salts may be added in amounts ranging from 0.001 to 2.0%.
The composition is generally used by applying it to a surface, rubbing the
surface with the composition, and rinsing or wiping the cleansed surface.
The method of use of the cleaning preparation for contact lenses comprises
having the wearer of the contact lenses remove the lenses from the eyes.
The cleaning preparation is shaken to insure homogeneity and a small
amount is applied to the lenses. The lenses are then rubbed with the
cleaning preparation and thereafter rinsed with preserved saline solution.
In an alternate cleaning method, the cleaning preparation may be applied
to a pad or sponge which may be used to scrub the surface to be cleaned.
The following examples are illustrative only and should not be construed as
limiting the invention. All parts and percentages referred to herein are
on a weight percent basis.
Preparatory Examples
EXAMPLE I
Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) beads are prepared by dissolving 4 grams of
ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 16 grams of hydroxyethyl methacrylate
in 200 ml of xylene in a 2 liter round-bottom flask equipped with a reflux
condenser. 0.2 ml tert-butyl peroctoate is added and the solution is
stirred and heated to 80.degree. C. +5.degree. C.
After heating from 30 minutes to several hours, sudden polymerization with
considerable exotherm occurs and a solid white polymer precipitates.
Heating without stirring is continued for another 30 minutes. The reaction
mixture is then cooled, diluted with xylene, and filtered. The polymer is
washed with xylene and vacuum-dried. Drying can be hastened by washing the
precipitate with ethyl ether or hexane.
EXAMPLE II
Following the procedures of Example I, copolymeric beads are prepared by
adding 4 grams of methylmethacrylate to the reaction mixture.
EXAMPLE III
Following the procedures of Example II, copolymeric beads are prepared by
substituting N-vinyl pyrrolidinone for methylmethacrylate of Example II.
The Invention
EXAMPLE IV
An aqueous facial cleaning composition is prepared having the following
formulation:
______________________________________
Wt. %
______________________________________
Beeswax USP (white)
13.0
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
2.0
Stearyl Alcohol 0.34
Propylparaben 0.10
Petrolatum White
26.85
Methylparaben 0.10
Quaternium-15* 0.10
Perfume qs
Distilled Water qs
1 liter
Polymeric Beads of
10% suspension in above
Example I solution
______________________________________
*Quaternium-15, listed in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Directory, The
Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, Washington, D.C., (2nd
Edition), is chloroallyl metheneamine chloride
The above formulation is prepared by heating 750 ml distilled water and
adding the beeswax, sorbitan sesquioleate, stearyl alcohol, propylparaben,
petrolatum white, methyl paraben, Quaternium-15, and perfume. The pH is
adjusted to 7.0-7.4 by the addition of 1N HCl and sufficient distilled
water to make one liter is then added.
The suspension of polymeric beads in the above solution is prepared by
adding 100 grams of the solution to 10 grams of the beads and mixing at
high speed, such as homogenization. The suspension is covered and allowed
to stand overnight at room temperature. This suspension is effective as a
facial scrub.
EXAMPLE V
An aqueous hand wash is prepared having the following formulation:
______________________________________
Wt. %
______________________________________
Sodium Laureth-7 Sulfate
15.0
Cocamido Betaine 8.0
Lauric acid diethanolamide
3.0
Beeswax 2.0
Poystyrene Latex 0.75
Sodium Chloride 1.50
Polyethylene Glycol
0.75
6000 Distearate
Color qs
Perfume qs
Distilled Water qs
1 liter
Polymeric beads of
8% suspension in above
Example II solution
______________________________________
The above formulation is prepared by the method described in Example III.
EXAMPLE VI
An aqueous contact lens cleaning composition is prepared having the
following formulation:
______________________________________
Wt. %
______________________________________
Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4
5.0
Na.sub.2 EDTA 5.5
Sorbic Acid 1.1
Glycerol 15.0
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
1.1
Polyvinyl Alcohol 10.0
Poloxamine 1107* 100.0
Ethoxylated alkylolamides**
100.0
Distilled Water qs
1 liter
Copolymeric beads of
5% suspension in above
Example III solution
______________________________________
*Flake grade, molecular weight 14,500, 70% (wt.) poly(oxyethylene)
**Amidox C5, Stepan Chemical Co.
The solution is prepared by heating 750 ml distilled water and adding the
disodium hypophosphate, disodium EDTA, sorbic acid, glycerol, cocamido
betaine, and polyvinyl alcohol. Once the polyvinyl alcohol is completely
dissolved, heat is no longer applied to the solution. While the solution
is still warm, poloxamine 1107 and Amidox C5 are added. The pH is adjusted
to 7.0 by the addition of 1N HCl and the volume adjusted to one liter
with distilled water.
A suspension of polymeric beads is prepared by adding 95 grams of the
solution to 5 grams of the beads and mixing at high speed. The suspension
is covered and allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. This
suspension is effective for removing protein deposits from contact lenses.
EXAMPLE VII
An aqueous contact lens cleaning composition is prepared having the
following formulation:
______________________________________
Wt. %
______________________________________
Poloxamine 1107 1.00
Gelatin 0.10
Hydropropylmethycellulose
0.59
Amidox C-5 1.50
Cocamidopropyl Betaine 0.25
Disodium Edetate 0.11
Sodium Borate 0.15
Boric Acid 0.80
Sodium Chloride 0.30
Polyhexamethylene 1.1 ppm
Polymeric Beads of 5.0
Example I
______________________________________
The above formulation is prepared by the method described in Example IV.
Protein and other deposits are removed from contact lenses by placing a
small quantity of the composition on the lens, rubbing it between the
fingers, and rinsing with saline. Inspection of the lens after this
procedure demonstrates effective removal of lens debris.
EXAMPLE VIII
An aqueous contact lens cleaning composition is prepared having the
following formulation:
______________________________________
Wt. %
______________________________________
Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4
5.00
Na.sub.2 EDTA 5.50
Sodium Chloride
6.75
Sorbic Acid 1.10
Lexaine C 1.10
Polyvinyl Alcohol
10.00
Tetronic 1107 100.00
Amidox C5 100.00
Distilled Water qs
1 liter
Polymeric Beads of
10% suspension in above
Example II solution
______________________________________
The above formulation is prepared by the method described in Example II.
Protein and other deposits are removed from contact lenses by placing a
small quantity of the composition on the lens, rubbing it between the
fingers, and rinsing with saline. Inspection of the lens after this
procedure demonstrates effective removal of lens debris.
The foregoing examples and methods have been described in the foregoing
specification for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Many
other modifications and ramifications will naturally suggest themselves to
those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. These are intended to
be comprehended as within the scope of this invention.
* * * * *
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Description |
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