CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a national stage application of PCT/EP2018/085413, filed internationally on Dec. 18, 2018, which claims priority to French Application No. 1762785, filed on Dec. 21, 2017, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

The present invention relates to a process for treating keratin fibers, especially human keratin fibers such as the hair, using i) at least one triarylmethane or sulfonophthalein direct dye of formula (I) or (I′) as defined below, then ii) an alkaline revealer, and then iii) an eraser at acidic pH. A subject of the invention is also a composition comprising at least one triarylmethane direct dye of formula (I) or (I′) as defined below and at least one thickener and/or at least one hydrotropic solvent, and a multi-compartment kit comprising i), ii) and iii) in three separate compartments.

It is known practice to dye keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, with dye compositions containing oxidation dye precursors, which are generally known as oxidation bases, such as ortho- or para-phenylenediamines, ortho- or para-aminophenols and heterocyclic compounds such as diaminopyrazole derivatives. These oxidation bases are colorless or weakly colored compounds which, when combined with oxidizing products, can give rise to colored compounds via a process of oxidative condensation.

It is also known that the shades obtained with these oxidation bases may be varied by combining them with couplers or color modifiers, the latter being chosen especially from aromatic meta-diamines, meta-aminophenols, meta-diphenols and certain heterocyclic compounds such as indole compounds.

The variety of molecules used as oxidation bases and couplers allows a wide range of colors to be obtained.

The “permanent” coloring obtained by means of these oxidation dyes should moreover satisfy a certain number of requirements. Thus, it should have no toxicological drawbacks, it should allow shades to be obtained in the desired intensity, and it should show good resistance to external agents such as light, bad weather, washing, permanent waving treatments, perspiration and rubbing.

The dyes should also allow gray hair to be covered and, finally, they should be as unselective as possible, i.e. they should produce the smallest possible differences in color along the same keratin fiber, which in general is differently sensitized (i.e. damaged) between its end and its root.

It is also known practice to dye keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, with dye compositions containing direct dyes. These dyes are colored and coloring molecules that have affinity for keratin fibers, They are applied to the keratin fibers for a time necessary to obtain the desired coloring, and are then rinsed out.

The conventional dyes that are used are, in particular, dyes of the nitrobenzene, anthraquinone, nitropyridine, azo, cationic azo, xanthene, acridine, azine, triarylmethane type, or natural dyes.

The colorings obtained are temporary or semi-permanent, since the nature of the interactions that bind the direct dyes to the keratin fiber and their desorption from the surface and/or the core of the fiber are responsible for their weak dyeing power and their poor persistence with respect to washing, inclement weather or perspiration. These direct dyes are also generally light-sensitive due to the low resistance of the chromophore to photochemical attack, and lead to fading of the coloring of the hair over time.

It is also sought by users to be able to dye keratin fibers as they wish by making the color of the fibers appear with a revealer (switch on) and then to erase or switch off the color with a color eraser (switch off) and, if need be, to repeat these switch-on-switch-off cycles, with very little loss of color after a switch-on cycle repetition. It is also sought to be able, even after several shampoo washes, to switch on or switch off this color without damaging the keratin fibers.

The use, for the dyeing of keratin fibers, of particular halochromic compounds is known in the prior art. For example, mention may be made of US 2012/0141398, which describes a process for dyeing the hair with a dye of triarylmethane type (Erioglaucine A). However, the prior art processes do not describe successive steps of “switch on-switch off-switch on-switch off” dyeing. In addition, the dyes are not always sufficiently persistent, and/or there is a decrease in the color properties of the color revealed in terms of color build-up, intensity, chromaticity, persistence especially with respect to successive shampoo washing, and/or selectivity of the color between the root and the end. Furthermore, in pH ranges close to neutrality, these dyes are not always switchable for “switch off-switch on” or “switch on-switch off” changes. Another problem encountered is that of rapid and sharp revealing or erasure of the color without any residual color remaining after the “switch off” color erasure step. Finally, there is a problem of diffusion when it is desired to perform artistic dyeing by revealing only part of the color or erasing only part of the color. The coloring result or the erasure result is not always satisfactory, especially when a stencil is used, due to the diffusion of the erasure or revealing on the keratin fibers (running). In addition, a coloring system that can change color “switch on”-“switch off” with a “switch on” that is in natural colors known as fundamental colors, such as chestnuts, browns or even blacks, is sought.

FR1441822 discloses a process for preparing doll hair consisting of preparing a dyeing material containing a coloured indicator sensitive to pH and able to change colour in response to a pH change and applying this material to the doll hair. The doll hair is made of synthetic fibers such as cellulose acetate.

Thus, the aim of the invention is to provide keratin fiber colorings with intense colors, and a good color build-up which can switch as a function of the pH ideally close to neutrality, even after several cycles, with a rapid and sharp effect of the “switch off-switch on” color change, with structured effects (geometrical, graphic, etc. effect), without any color transfer from one lock to another (e.g. possibility on a braid comprising three dyes of different colors of there being no color diffusion from one lock to another even after several pH revealing cycles), and which can allow revealing or erasure of the color without running, and avoid denaturing of the keratin fibers. Another aim is to be able to obtain coloring in fundamental colors that can be erased or change color sharply, visibly and rapidly.

This aim is achieved with the present invention, one subject of which is a process for treating keratin fibers, especially human keratin fibers such as the hair, involving:i) a step of applying a composition (A) comprising one or more triarylmethane or sulfonophthalein compounds of formula (I) or (I′), and also mineral or organic base salts thereof, optical, geometrical and tautomeric isomers thereof, and also solvates thereof such as hydrates:

in which formulae (I) and (I′):R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine, or a group chosen from (C1-C6)alkyl and (C1-C6)alkoxy;R′ represent a hydrogen atom or (C1-C6)alkyl or a benzyl group;R″ represents a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-C6)alkoxy group;R′″ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine, or a group chosen from hydroxyl, (C1-C4)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy and carboxyl;X represents a heteroatom such as 0, S and NR′, preferably 0; andM represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal or ammonium;and then:when composition (A) comprises one or more compounds of formula (I), the application of composition (A) is followed ii) by a revealing (“switch on”) step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (B) at basic pH; followed iii) by a step of switching off or erasing the color (“switch off”) which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (C) at acidic pH; andwhen composition (A) comprises one or more compounds of formula (I′), the application of composition (A) is followed iii) by a step of switching off the color which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (C) at acidic pH, followed ii) by a revealing step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (B) at basic pH;it being understood that steps ii) and iii) may be repeated several times.

Another subject of the invention is a composition (A1) comprising a) one or more triarylmethane or sulfonophthalein compounds of formulae (I) and/or (I′) as defined previously and optionally b) one or more thickeners, in particular polymeric thickeners, and/or one or more hydrotropic solvents, in particular aromatic hydrotropic solvents.

Another subject of the invention is a multi-compartment kit which comprises, i) in a first compartment: the triarylmethane or sulfonophthalein compounds of formula (I) or (I′) as defined previously, ii) in a second compartment: a composition (B) at basic pH; and iii) in a third compartment: a composition (C) at acidic pH.

i) The Dyes (I) or (I′)

The keratin fiber treatment process of the invention involves in the first step a step of applying a composition (A) comprising one or more compounds of formula (I) or (I′) as defined previously, or a step of applying (A1) as defined previously.

Preferably, the triarylmethane or sulfonophthalein compounds of formula (I) or (I′) are dyes which have a color change zone at a pH inclusively between 4.5 and 8.

In the context of the present invention, the term “alkyl radical” means a linear or branched, saturated hydrocarbon-based radical comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably comprising between 1 and 4 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or tert-butyl.

An alkoxy radical is a radical alk-O— with the alkyl radical being as defined previously.

A carboxyl radical represents a carboxylic acid group —O(O)—OH.

As examples of compounds of formula (I) or (I′), mention may be made of the following compounds:



and also the alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts thereof.

In particular, the compound(s) of formula (I) or (I′) represent a compound of formula (Ia), (I′a), (Ib) and (I′b), (Ic), (I′c), (Ie) or (I′e).



In particular, the compound(s) of formula (I) or (I′) represent a compound of formula (1), (1′), (2), (2′), (3), (3′), (5) or (5′).

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the compounds of formulae (I) and (I′) as defined previously preferentially represent from 0.001% to 10% by weight and preferably from 0.005% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A).

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, composition (A1) comprises one or more compounds of formulae (I) and/or (I′) as defined previously in an amount of between 0.001% to 10% by weight, preferably between 0.005% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A1).

In general, the organic or mineral base addition salts of the compounds of formula (I) in which the sulfonate ring is closed and the dyes corresponding to the compounds of formula (I′) in which the sulfonate ring is open, which may be used in the context of the invention, are especially chosen from the base addition salts chosen from the alkaline agents as defined below, in particular chosen from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia and alkanolamines.

Optional Dyes:

Compositions (A) and (A1) as defined previously may also comprise one or more direct dyes other than the compounds of formulae (I) and/or (I′) as defined previously, which may be chosen especially from nitrobenzene dyes, azo direct dyes, methine direct dyes and natural dyes. These direct dyes may be of nonionic, anionic or cationic nature. These dyes may be halochromic.

Preferably, the process of the invention uses one or more halochromic additional dyes other than the triarylmethanes of formula (I) or (I′) as defined previously, preferably of formula (II) or (II′) as defined below.

Preferably, compositions (A) and (A1) as defined previously also comprise one or more halochromic additional dyes other than the triarylmethanes of formula (I) or (I′) as defined previously. More preferentially, the halochromic additional dye(s) other than triarylmethanes are chosen from the fluorescein compounds of formulae (II) and (II′), and also the mineral or organic base salt(s) thereof, the optical, geometrical and tautomeric isomer(s) thereof, and also the solvate(s) thereof such as hydrates:



in which formulae (II) and (II′):R″ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine, or a group chosen from i) (C1-C6)alkyl which is optionally substituted, in particular with one or more halogen atoms such as bromine, ii) optionally substituted (C1-C6)alkoxy, iii) Ra—C(X)—, iv) Ra—C(X)—X—, v) Ra—X—C(X)—, and vi) iso(thio)cyanate with Rarepresenting a hydrogen atom, a heterocyclic group such as N-succinimide or a (C1-C4)alkyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms such as bromine or iodine, or with one or more carboxyl groups; preferably, R″ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine;R′″ represents i) a hydrogen atom, ii) a halogen atom such as chlorine, bromine or iodine or iii) a group chosen from (C1-C6)alkyl which is optionally substituted, especially with one or more groups from among: a) hydroxyl, b) (di)(C1-C4)(alkyl)amino, c) (di)carboxy(C1-C4)alkylamino, and iv) (C1-C6)alkoxy; preferably a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom such as chlorine, bromine or iodine;X represents a heteroatom such as O, S or NR′ with R′ representing a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl group, preferably O; andM represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, an ammonium group or a (C1-C6)alkyl(thio)carbonyl group, in particular (C1-C4)alkylcarbonyl such as acyl; andM′ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal or an ammonium group, preferably hydrogen or an alkali metal such as sodium.

Preferably, the fluorescein compounds of formula (II) or (II′) are dyes which have a color change zone at a pH inclusively between 4.5 and 8.

As examples of compounds of formula (II) or (II′), mention may be made of the following compounds:

X is as defined previously, preferably represents an oxygen atom; andM is as defined previously, preferably an alkali metal or a hydrogen atom, preferentially an alkali metal such as sodium;

X is as defined previously, preferably represents an oxygen atom;M is as defined previously, preferably an alkali metal or a hydrogen atom, preferentially an alkali metal such as sodium; andM′ is as defined previously, in particular represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as sodium;

X is as defined previously, preferably represents an oxygen atom; andM is as defined previously, preferably an alkali metal such as sodium or a hydrogen atom, preferentially an alkali metal such as sodium;

X is as defined previously, preferably represents an oxygen atom;M is as defined previously, preferably an alkali metal such as sodium or a hydrogen atom, preferentially an alkali metal such as sodium; andM′ is as defined previously, in particular represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as sodium;


andM is as defined previously, preferably a (C1-C4)alkylcarbonyl group such as acyl;

M is as defined previously, preferably a (C1-C4)alkylcarbonyl group such as acyl; andM′ is as defined previously, in particular represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as sodium;


andM′ is as defined previously, in particular represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as sodium, preferably hydrogen;

X is as defined previously, preferably represents an oxygen atom;p represents an integer between 1 and 5 inclusive; preferably, p is equal to 1; in particular, Rbis in position 3 or 4 of the phenyl group; andM is as defined previously, preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as sodium, preferably hydrogen;

X is as defined previously, preferably represents an oxygen atom;p represents an integer between 1 and 5 inclusive; preferably, p is equal to 1; in particular, Rbis in position 3 or 4 of the phenyl group;M is as defined previously, preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as sodium, preferably hydrogen; andM′ is as defined previously, in particular represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as sodium, preferably hydrogen;

X is as defined previously, preferably represents an oxygen atom; andM is as defined previously, preferably an alkali metal or a hydrogen atom, preferentially an alkali metal such as sodium;



As examples of compounds of formula (II) or (II′), mention may be made of the compounds of formulae (IIa) to (II′f), and also the alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts thereof. In particular, the compound(s) of formula (II) or (II′) represent a compound of formula (IIa), (II′a), (IIc), (II′c), (IId), (II′d), (IIe) or (IIe′).

As examples of compounds of formula (II) or (II′), mention may be made of the following compounds:



According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, composition (A) or (A1) comprises one or more additional dyes, preferably chosen from those of formulae (II) and/or (II′) as defined previously in an amount of between 0.001% to 10% by weight, preferably between 0.005% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A1).

Compositions (A) or (A1) may also comprise one or more oxidation dyes chosen from the oxidation bases and couplers conventionally used in oxidation dyeing.

Preferably, the oxidation dyes in composition (A) or (A1) particularly represent from 0.001% to 20% and preferably from 0.01% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A) or (A1).

ii) The Revealing Step

The process according to the invention involves, after the step of applying composition (A) or (A1) as defined previously, a revealing step using a revelation or revealing composition (B).

The revealing composition (B) is at basic pH, i.e. it is an aqueous composition with a pH of greater than 7, preferably between 7.5 and 12.5, particularly between 8.5 and 12, more particularly between 9 and 11.5.

The revealing composition (B) contains one or more alkaline agents, which may be any agent for increasing the pH of the composition in which it is present. The alkaline agent(s) are chosen from Bronsted-Lowry bases and Lewis bases. They may be mineral or organic.

In particular, the alkaline agent(s) are chosen from:a) aqueous ammonia,b) alkanolamines, in particular mono-, di- or tri-(C1-C6)alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD) and 2-amino-1,3-propanediol, and also derivatives thereof,c) oxyethylenated and/or oxypropylenated (C1-C6)alkylenediamines,d) mineral or organic hydroxides,e) basic amino acids such as arginine, lysine, ornithine, citrulline and histidine,f) alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal silicates or metasilicates such as sodium metasilicates,g) carbonates and bicarbonates, particularly of a primary amine, secondary amine or tertiary amine, or of an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, or of ammonium, andh) the compounds of formula (III) below:

in which formula (III) W represents a divalent C1-C6alkylene radical optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group or a C1-C6alkyl radical, Rx, Ry, Rzand Rt, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6hydroxyalkyl or C1-C6aminoalkyl group.

Examples of such compounds of formula (III) that may be mentioned include 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,3-diamino-2-propanol, spermine and spermidine.

The mineral or organic hydroxides are preferably chosen from hydroxides of an alkali metal, hydroxides of an alkaline-earth metal, for instance sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, hydroxides of a transition metal, such as hydroxides of metals from Groups III, IV, V and VI of the Periodic Table of the Elements, hydroxides of lanthanides or actinides, quaternary ammonium hydroxides and guanidinium hydroxide.

The hydroxide may be formed in situ, for instance guanidine hydroxide, by reacting calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate.

The preferred alkaline agents are chosen from ammonia, carbonates or bicarbonates such as ammonium or sodium carbonate, ammonium or sodium bicarbonate, basic amino acids such as arginine, alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine (MEA), 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD) and 2-amino-1,3-propanediol, preferably alkanolamines such as MEA.

The alkaline agent(s) as defined previously may represent, for example, from 0.1% to 20% by weight, and preferably from 1% to 15% by weight, relative to the total weight of composition (B).

iii) The Switching-Off Step

The process of the invention involves a switching-off step using an acidic composition (C).

Composition (C) is at acidic pH, i.e. it is an aqueous composition with a pH of less than 7, preferably less than 6 and ranging down to 0.5 inclusive, particularly at a pH inclusively between 1 and 5, preferably between 1.3 and 3.

In particular, the switching-off composition (C) comprises one or more organic or mineral acids preferably chosen from i) hydrochloric acid HCl, ii) hydrobromic acid HBr, iii) sulfuric acid H2SO4, iv) phosphoric or orthophosphoric acid H3PO4, v) (C1-C6)alkylsulfonic acids: Alk-S(O)2OH, such as methanesulfonic acid and ethanesulfonic acid; vi) arylsulfonic acids: Ar—S(O)2OH such as benzenesulfonic acid and toluenesulfonic acid; vii) carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, lactic acid or succinic acid; viii) sulfonic acids; ix) (C1-C6)alkoxysulfinic acids: Alk-O—S(O)OH such as methoxysulfinic acid and ethoxysulfinic acid; x) aryloxysulfinic acids such as tolueneoxysulfinic acid and phenoxysulfinic acid; xi) triflic acid CF3SO3H and xii) tetrafluoroboric acid HBF4. The term “carboxylic acid” means a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid —C(O)—OH group, preferably of formula (I) as defined previously, preferably comprising between 1 and 4 carboxylic acid groups, such as 1 or 2; chosen from: i) (C1-C6)alkyl-[C(O)—OH]nand ii) het-[C(O)—OH]n, with n an integer between 1 and 4 inclusive, preferably between 1 and 2, het representing a heterocylic group, such as pyrrolidone, it being possible for the alkyl or het group to be optionally substituted with one or more groups chosen from OH, and (di)(C1-C4)(alkyl)amino.

More preferentially, the acids used in the switching-off composition (C) of the invention are chosen from orthophosphoric acid, and carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid or lactic acid, more particularly chosen from orthophosphoric acid and carboxylic acid.

The Supports for the Compositions

Compositions (A), (A1), (B) and (C) of the invention are in a cosmetic medium, i.e. a medium that is suitable for dyeing keratin fibers, especially human keratin fibers such as the hair, also known as a dyeing support, which generally comprises water or at least one organic solvent or a mixture of water and of at least one organic solvent.

iv) The Hydrotropic Liquid Organic Compounds

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the compositions (A), (A1), (B) or (C) comprises one or more liquid organic compounds with a Hansen solubility parameter δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2. More particularly, composition (A) or (A1) comprising the compound(s) of formula (I) and/or (I′) also comprises one or more liquid organic compounds with a Hansen solubility parameter δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2. In the context of the present invention, such a liquid organic compound is also known as a hydrotropic compound.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “hydrotropic compound” means a compound that is capable of increasing the solubility of hydrophobic compounds in aqueous phases.

Said liquid compounds more preferentially have a Hansen solubility parameter δH of between 5 and 15.8 MPa1/2, even more preferentially between 8 and 15.8 MPa1/2and better still between 8 and 15 MPa1/2.

These compounds are liquid at a temperature of 25° C. and at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg; i.e. 1.013×105Pa).

Compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter value δH as defined previously are, for example, described in the reference publicationHansen solubility parameters: A User's Handbookby Charles M. Hansen, CRC Press, 2000, pages 167 to 185, or in the publicationHandbook of Solubility Parameters and Other Cohesion Parameters, CRC Press, pages 95 to 121 and pages 177 to 185.

This value of the solubility parameter δH is related to the formation of hydrogen bonds. It may be recalled that there are three major types of interaction in organic compounds: non-polar interactions, permanent dipole-dipole interactions and interactions of hydrogen bonding type, the latter forming the subject of the parameter defining the hydrotropic compound present in the composition used in accordance with the invention.

In particular, the bookHandbook of Solubility Parameters and Other Cohesion Parameters, CRC Press, pages 95 to 121 and pages 177 to 185, gives the equation δH=(Σ−zUh/V)½

in which zUh (in J·mol−1) describes the contributions of the functional group considered in the solubility parameters associated with the hydrogen bonds (values in Table 14, page 183), this parameter zUh also being described in the bookThe relation between surface tension and solubility parameter in liquids, Bagda, E, Farbe Lack, 84, 212, 1978; and V is the volume of the molecule.

It should be noted that the value of the solubility parameter δH is usually given for a temperature of 25° C. and at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg, i.e. 1.013×105Pa).

In particular, the liquid organic compounds with a Hansen solubility parameter value δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2are nonionic compounds.

Preferably, said liquid organic compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter value δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2are chosen from alcohol ethers, aliphatic esters, aliphatic ethers, aromatic ethers, alkanols bearing aryl substituents, lactones and sulfones, and mixtures thereof.

Said liquid organic compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter value δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2may be chosen from:alcohol ethers, in particular C1-C4ethers of C5-C30alcohols, which are preferably saturated, linear or branched, optionally interrupted with one or more non-adjacent ether functions;aliphatic esters of C1-C4carboxylic acids and of C3-C10monoalcohols or polyhydroxylated alcohols, interrupted with one or more non-adjacent ether functions;aromatic ethers, in particular of C6-C10, of a C1-C6alkyl optionally bearing a hydroxyl group;(C6-C10)aryl(C1-C6)alkyl ethers of a C1-C6alkyl optionally bearing a hydroxyl group;alkanols bearing an aryl substituent, preferably for which the aryl part is C6-C10, advantageously C6, and the alkyl part of the alkanol is C1-C4, this alkyl part possibly ending or being interrupted with a heteroatom, advantageously oxygen or a hydroxyl group, preferably such as benzyl alcohol;lactones preferably of formula (iii), and also mixtures thereof, with:

in which formula (iii) R′ represents a hydrogen, a linear or branched C1-C8alkyl or a linear or branched C1-C4hydroxyalkyl and n has the value 1, 2 or 3, and preferably R′ represents a hydrogen, a linear or branched C1-C6alkyl or a linear or branched C1-C2hydroxyalkyl;sulfones, especially cyclic sulfones, in particular sulfolanes, preferably substituted with one or more (C1-C4)alkyl groups such as 3-methyl sulfolane.

Mention may be made, as particularly advantageous examples of lactones, of γ-butyrolactone.

Mention may also be made of certain liquid alkanols, for instance 1-pentanol.

Even more preferentially, said liquid organic compound(s) according to the invention are chosen from dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (the INCI name of which is PPG-2 Butyl Ether), tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether and monoethyl ether, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, 2-phenyl-1-propanol, benzyl alcohol, benzyloxyethanol and phenoxyethanol, and mixtures of these compounds.

In particular, the liquid organic compound with a Hansen solubility parameter δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2is preferably chosen from i) alcohol ethers, ii) aliphatic esters, iii) aromatic ethers, iv) alkanols bearing aryl substituents, preferably for which the aryl part is C6-C10, advantageously C6, and the alkyl part of the alkanol is C1-C4, this alkyl part possibly being terminated or interrupted with a heteroatom, advantageously oxygen, or a hydroxyl group, preferably such as benzyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol, v) 5- to 7-membered cyclic sulfones optionally substituted with one or more (C1-C4)alkyl groups such as 3-methyl sulfolane, and mixtures thereof.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the liquid organic compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter value δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2are chosen from aromatic alcohols, and mixtures thereof; even more preferentially chosen from alkanols bearing aryl substituents and even more preferentially benzyl alcohol and/or phenoxyethanol. In particular, benzyl alcohol is present in an amount of between 1% and 10%, such as 5% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A), (A1), (B) or (C), more particularly composition (A) or (A1); and phenoxyethanol is present in an amount of between 0.5% and 3%, such as 1% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A), (A1), (B) or (C), more particularly composition (A) or (A1).

When it is (they are) present, the liquid organic compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter value δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2preferably represent a total content ranging from 0.05% to 35% by weight, preferably from 1% to 20% by weight, better still from 2% to 10% by weight, in particular between 5% and 7%, such as 6% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A), (A1), (B) or (C), more particularly composition (A) or (A1).

v) The Non-Hydrotropic Organic Solvents

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the compositions of the process of the invention comprises one or more additional organic solvents (other than the liquid organic compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter δH of greater than 0 and less than or equal to 16 MPa1/2). More particularly, composition (A) or (A1) comprising the compound(s) of formula (I) or (I′) comprises one or more additional organic solvents (other than the liquid organic compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter δH of greater than 0 and less than or equal to 16 MPa1/2). Additional organic solvents that may particularly be mentioned include C1-C4lower alkanols, such as ethanol and isopropanol; polyols and polyol ethers. Additional organic solvents that may more particularly be mentioned include C2-C4lower alkanols, such as ethanol and isopropanol; polyols and polyol ethers.

At least one of the compositions of the process according to the invention preferably comprises one or more C1-C4lower alkanols, such as ethanol or isopropanol, more preferably one or more C2-C4lower alkanols, such as ethanol or isopropanol.

Particularly, composition (A) or (A1) comprising the compound(s) of formula (I) or (I′) preferably comprises one or more C1-C4lower alkanols, such as ethanol or isopropanol, more preferably one or more C2-C4lower alkanols, such as ethanol or isopropanol

Preferably, at least one of the compositions of the process according to the invention, more preferentially composition (A) or (A1) comprising the compound(s) of formula (I) or (I′) comprises ethanol.

The additional organic solvents (other than the liquid organic compound(s) with a Hansen solubility parameter value δH of greater than 0 and less than 16 MPa1/2) may be present in a total content preferably between 1% and 40% by weight and even more preferentially between 5% and 30% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the composition which contains them, in particular relative to the total weight of composition (A) or (A1).

vi) The Thickeners

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the compositions (A), (A1), (B) or (C) also comprises one or more thickeners, preferably polymeric thickeners. More particularly, composition (A) or (A1) also comprises one or more thickeners preferably chosen from associative or non-associative cationic, nonionic, anionic or zwitterionic organic polymers, of natural or synthetic origin.

Thickening polymers that may be mentioned include non-associative thickening polymers bearing sugar units.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “sugar unit” means a unit derived from a carbohydrate of formula Cn(H2O)n-1or (CH2O)n, which may be optionally modified by substitution and/or by oxidation and/or by dehydration.

The sugar units of the thickening polymers of the invention are preferably derived from the following sugars:glucose;galactose;arabinose;rhamnose;mannose;xylose;fucose;anhydrogalactose;galacturonic acid;glucuronic acid;mannuronic acid;galactose sulfate;anhydrogalactose sulfate andfructose.

Thickening polymers of the invention that may in particular be mentioned include native gums such as:a) tree or shrub exudates, including:gum arabic (branched polymer of galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid);ghatti gum (polymer derived from arabinose, galactose, mannose, xylose and glucuronic acid);karaya gum (polymer derived from galacturonic acid, galactose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid);gum tragacanth (or tragacanth) (polymer of galacturonic acid, galactose, fucose, xylose and arabinose);b) gums derived from algae, including:agar (polymer derived from galactose and anhydrogalactose);alginates (polymers of mannuronic acid and of glucuronic acid);carrageenans and furcellerans (polymers of galactose sulfate and of anhydrogalactose sulfate);c) gums derived from seeds or tubers, including:guar gum (polymer of mannose and galactose);locust bean gum (polymer of mannose and galactose);fenugreek gum (polymer of mannose and galactose);tamarind gum (polymer of galactose, xylose and glucose);konjac gum (polymer of glucose and mannose);d) microbial gums, including:xanthan gum (polymer of glucose, mannose acetate, mannose/pyruvic acid and glucuronic acid);gellan gum (polymer of partially acylated glucose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid);scleroglucan gum (glucose polymer);e) plant extracts, including:cellulose (glucose polymer);starch (glucose polymer) andinulin.

These polymers can be physically or chemically modified. As physical treatment, mention may in particular be made of the temperature.

Chemical treatments that may be mentioned include esterification, etherification, amidation and oxidation reactions. These treatments make it possible to lead to polymers that may in particular be nonionic, anionic or amphoteric.

Preferably, these chemical or physical treatments are applied to guar gums, locust bean gums, starches and celluloses.

The nonionic guar gums that may be used according to the invention may be modified with C1-C6(poly)hydroxyalkyl groups.

Among the C1-C6(poly)hydroxyalkyl groups, mention may be made, by way of example, of hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and hydroxybutyl groups.

These guar gums are well known from the prior art and may be prepared, for example, by reacting corresponding alkene oxides, for instance propylene oxides, with the guar gum so as to obtain a guar gum modified with hydroxypropyl groups.

The degree of hydroxyalkylation preferably varies from 0.4 to 1.2 and corresponds to the number of alkylene oxide molecules consumed by the number of free hydroxyl functional groups present on the guar gum.

Such nonionic guar gums optionally modified with hydroxyalkyl groups are sold, for example, under the trade names Jaguar HP8, Jaguar HP60 and Jaguar HP120 by the company Rhodia Chimie.

The botanical origin of the starch molecules used in the present invention may be cereals or else tubers. Thus, the starches are chosen, for example, from corn starch, rice starch, cassava starch, barley starch, potato starch, wheat starch, sorghum starch and pea starch.

The starches may be chemically or physically modified, in particular by one or more of the following reactions: pregelatinization, oxidation, crosslinking, esterification, etherification, amidation, heat treatments.

Distarch phosphates or compounds rich in distarch phosphate will preferentially be used, for instance the product sold under the references Prejel VA-70-T AGGL (gelatinized hydroxypropyl cassava distarch phosphate), Prejel TK1 (gelatinized cassava distarch phosphate) and Prejel 200 (gelatinized acetyl cassava distarch phosphate) by the company Avebe, or StructureZeafrom National Starch (gelatinized corn distarch phosphate).

According to the invention, amphoteric starches may also be used, these amphoteric starches comprising one or more anionic groups and one or more cationic groups. The anionic and cationic groups may be bonded to the same reactive site of the starch molecule or to different reactive sites; they are preferably bonded to the same reactive site. The anionic groups may be of carboxylic, phosphate or sulfate type, preferably carboxylic. The cationic groups may be of primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary amine type.

The starch molecules may be derived from any plant source of starch, in particular such as corn, potato, oat, rice, tapioca, sorghum, barley or wheat. It is also possible to use the hydrolyzates of the starches mentioned above. The starch is preferably derived from potato.

The non-associative thickening polymers of the invention may be cellulose-based polymers not including a C10-C30fatty chain in their structure.

According to the invention, the term “cellulose-based” polymer means any polysaccharide compound having in its structure sequences of glucose residues linked together via β-1,4 bonds; in addition to unsubstituted celluloses, the cellulose derivatives may be anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic.

Thus, the cellulose-based polymers of the invention may be chosen from unsubstituted celluloses, including those in a microcrystalline form, and cellulose ethers.

Among these cellulose-based polymers, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters and cellulose ester ethers are distinguished.

Among the cellulose esters are mineral esters of cellulose (cellulose nitrates, sulfates, phosphates, etc.), organic cellulose esters (cellulose monoacetates, triacetates, amidopropionates, acetatebutyrates, acetatepropionates and acetatetrimellitates, etc.), and mixed organic/mineral esters of cellulose, such as cellulose acetatebutyrate sulfates and cellulose acetatepropionate sulfates. Among the cellulose ester ethers, mention may be made of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalates and ethylcellulose sulfates.

Among the nonionic cellulose ethers without a C10-C30fatty chain, i.e. which are “non-associative”, mention may be made of (C1-C4)alkylcelluloses, such as methylcelluloses and ethylcelluloses (for example, Ethocel standard 100 Premium from Dow Chemical); (poly)hydroxy(C1-C4)alkylcelluloses, such as hydroxymethylcelluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses (for example, Natrosol 250 HHR provided by Aqualon) and hydroxypropylcelluloses (for example, Klucel EF from Aqualon); mixed (poly)hydroxy(C1-C4)alkyl-(C1-C4)alkylcelluloses, such as hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses (for example, Methocel E4M from Dow Chemical), hydroxyethylmethylcelluloses, hydroxyethylethylcelluloses (for example, Bermocoll E 481 FQ from Akzo Nobel) and hydroxybutylmethylcelluloses.

Among the anionic cellulose ethers without a fatty chain, mention may be made of (poly)carboxy(C1-C4)alkylcelluloses and salts thereof. By way of example, mention may be made of carboxymethylcelluloses, carboxymethylmethylcelluloses (for example Blanose 7M from the company Aqualon) and carboxymethylhydroxyethylcelluloses, and the sodium salts thereof.

Among the cationic cellulose ethers without a fatty chain, mention may be made of cationic cellulose derivatives such as cellulose copolymers or cellulose derivatives grafted with a water-soluble quaternary ammonium monomer, and described in particular in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,576, such as (poly)hydroxy(C1-C4)alkyl celluloses, for instance hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl- or hydroxypropylcelluloses grafted in particular with a methacryloylethyltrimethylammonium, methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium or dimethyldiallylammonium salt. The commercial products corresponding to this definition are more particularly the products sold under the names Celquat® L 200 and Celquat® H 100 by the company National Starch.

Among the non-associative thickening polymers not bearing sugar units that may be used, mention may be made of crosslinked acrylic acid or methacrylic acid homopolymers or copolymers, crosslinked 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid homopolymers and crosslinked acrylamide copolymers thereof, ammonium acrylate homopolymers, or copolymers of ammonium acrylate and of acrylamide, alone or as mixtures thereof.

A first family of non-associative thickening polymers that is suitable for use is represented by crosslinked acrylic acid homopolymers.

Among the homopolymers of this type, mention may be made of those crosslinked with an allyl alcohol ether of the sugar series, for instance, the products sold under the names Carbopol 980, 981, 954, 2984 and 5984 by the company Noveon or the products sold under the names Synthalen M and Synthalen K by the company 3 VSA.

The non-associative thickening polymers may also be crosslinked (meth)acrylic acid copolymers, such as the polymer sold under the name Aqua SF1 by the company Noveon.

The non-associative thickening polymers may be chosen from crosslinked 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid homopolymers and the crosslinked acrylamide copolymers thereof.

Among the partially or totally neutralized crosslinked copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and of acrylamide, mention may be made in particular of the product described in Example 1 of document EP 503 853, and reference may be made to said document as regards these polymers.

The composition may similarly comprise, as non-associative thickening polymers, ammonium acrylate homopolymers or copolymers of ammonium acrylate and of acrylamide.

Among the examples of ammonium acrylate homopolymers that may be mentioned is the product sold under the name Microsap PAS 5193 by the company Hoechst. Among the copolymers of ammonium acrylate and of acrylamide that may be mentioned is the product sold under the name Bozepol C Nouveau or the product PAS 5193 sold by the company Hoechst. Reference may be made especially to FR 2 416 723, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,798,053 and 2,923,692 as regards the description and preparation of such compounds.

Among the aqueous-phase thickening polymers, mention may also be made of the non-cellulose-based associative polymers that are well known to those skilled in the art and in particular of nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric nature.

It is recalled that “associative polymers” are polymers that are capable, in an aqueous medium, of reversibly associating with each other or with other molecules.

Their chemical structure more particularly comprises at least one hydrophilic region and at least one hydrophobic region.

The term “hydrophobic group” means a radical or polymer with a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon-based chain, comprising at least 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, in particular from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and more preferentially from 18 to 30 carbon atoms.

Preferentially, the hydrocarbon-based group is derived from a monofunctional compound. By way of example, the hydrophobic group may be derived from a fatty alcohol such as stearyl alcohol, dodecyl alcohol or decyl alcohol. It may also denote a hydrocarbon-based polymer, for instance polybutadiene.

Among the associative polymers of anionic type that may be mentioned are:(a) those including at least one hydrophilic unit and at least one fatty-chain allyl ether unit, more particularly those of which the hydrophilic unit is constituted by an ethylenic unsaturated anionic monomer, more particularly still a vinylcarboxylic acid and most particularly an acrylic acid or a methacrylic acid or mixtures thereof.

Among these anionic associative polymers, those that are particularly preferred according to the invention are polymers formed from 20% to 60% by weight of acrylic acid and/or of methacrylic acid, from 5% to 60% by weight of lower alkyl (meth)acrylates, from 2% to 50% by weight of fatty-chain allyl ether, and from 0 to 1% by weight of a crosslinking agent which is a well-known copolymerizable unsaturated polyethylenic monomer, for instance diallyl phthalate, allyl (meth)acrylate, divinylbenzene, (poly)ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or methylenebisacrylamide.

Among the latter polymers, those most particularly preferred are crosslinked terpolymers of methacrylic acid, of ethyl acrylate and of polyethylene glycol (10 EO) stearyl alcohol ether (Steareth-10), in particular those sold by the company Ciba under the names Salcare SC 80® and Salcare SC 90®, which are aqueous 30% emulsions of a crosslinked terpolymer of methacrylic acid, of ethyl acrylate and of steareth-10 allyl ether (40/50/10);(b) those including i) at least one hydrophilic unit of unsaturated olefinic carboxylic acid type, and ii) at least one hydrophobic unit of the (C10-C30) alkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid type.

(C10-C30) Alkyl esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids that are useful in the invention comprise, for example, lauryl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, isodecyl acrylate and dodecyl acrylate, and the corresponding methacrylates, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, isodecyl methacrylate and dodecyl methacrylate.

Anionic polymers of this type are described and prepared, for example, according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,915,921 and 4,509,949.

Among anionic associative polymers of this type, use will more particularly be made of those constituted of 95% to 60% by weight of acrylic acid (hydrophilic unit), 4% to 40% by weight of C10-C30alkyl acrylate (hydrophobic unit) and 0% to 6% by weight of crosslinking polymerizable monomer, or else of those constituted of 98% to 96% by weight of acrylic acid (hydrophilic unit), 1% to 4% by weight of C10-C30alkyl acrylate (hydrophobic unit) and 0.1% to 0.6% by weight of crosslinking polymerizable monomer such as those described above.

Among said above polymers, those most particularly preferred according to the present invention are the products sold by the company Goodrich under the trade names Pemulen TR1®, Pemulen TR2® and Carbopol 1382®, and even more preferentially Pemulen TR1®, and the product sold by the company SEPPIC under the name Coatex SX®.

Mention may also be made of the acrylic acid/lauryl methacrylate/vinylpyrrolidone terpolymer sold under the name Acrylidone LM by the company ISP.(c) maleic anhydride/C30-C38α-olefin/alkyl maleate terpolymers, such as the product (maleic anhydride/C30-C38α-olefin/isopropyl maleate copolymers) sold under the name Performa V 1608® by the company Newphase Technologies.(d) acrylic terpolymers comprising:i) about 20% to 70% by weight of an α,β-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid [A],ii) about 20% to 80% by weight of an α,β-monoethylenically unsaturated non-surfactant monomer other than [A],iii) about 0.5% to 60% by weight of a nonionic monourethane which is the product of reaction of a monohydric surfactant with a monoethylenically unsaturated monoisocyanate,

such as those described in patent application EP-A-0 173 109 and more particularly the terpolymer described in Example 3, namely a methacrylic acid/methyl acrylate/behenyl alcohol d imethyl-meta-isopropenylbenzylisocyanate ethoxylated (40 EO) terpolymer, as an aqueous 25% dispersion.(e) copolymers including among their monomers an α,β-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and an ester of an α,β-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and of an oxyalkylenated fatty alcohol.

Preferably, these compounds also comprise as monomer an ester of an α,β-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and of a C1-C4alcohol.

An example of a compound of this type that may be mentioned is Aculyn 22® sold by the company Röhm & Haas, which is a methacrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/oxyalkylenated stearyl methacrylate terpolymer;(f) amphiphilic polymers including at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer bearing a sulfonic group, in free or partially or totally neutralized form and comprising at least one hydrophobic part. These polymers may be crosslinked or non-crosslinked. They are preferably crosslinked.

The ethylenically unsaturated monomers bearing a sulfonic group are in particular chosen from vinylsulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, (meth)acrylamido(C1-C22)alkylsulfonic acids, N—(C1-C22)alkyl(meth)acrylamido(C1-C22)alkylsulfonic acids such as undecylacrylamidomethanesulfonic acid, and also partially or totally neutralized forms thereof.

(Meth)acrylamido(C1-C22)alkylsulfonic acids, for instance acrylamidomethanesulfonic acid, acrylamidoethanesulfonic acid, acrylamidopropanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, methacrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-n-butanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2,4,4-trimethylpentanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylamidododecylsulfonic acid or 2-acrylamido-2,6-dimethyl-3-heptanesulfonic acid, and also partially or totally neutralized forms thereof, will more preferentially be used.

2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and also partially or totally neutralized forms thereof, will more particularly be used.

The polymers of this family may be chosen especially from random amphiphilic AMPS polymers modified by reaction with a C6-C22n-monoalkylamine or di-n-alkylamine, and such as those described in patent application WO 00/31154 (forming an integral part of the content of the description). These polymers may also contain other ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomers chosen, for example, from (meth)acrylic acids, β-substituted alkyl derivatives thereof or esters thereof obtained with monoalcohols or mono- or polyalkylene glycols, (meth)acrylamides, vinylpyrrolidone, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid and maleic acid, or mixtures of these compounds.

The preferred polymers of this family are chosen from amphiphilic copolymers of AMPS and of at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer.

These same copolymers may also contain one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers not including a fatty chain, such as (meth)acrylic acids, β-substituted alkyl derivatives thereof or esters thereof obtained with monoalcohols or mono- or polyalkylene glycols, (meth)acrylamides, vinylpyrrolidone, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid and maleic acid, or mixtures of these compounds.

These copolymers are described especially in patent application EP-A-0 750 899, U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,578 and in the following publications from Yotaro Morishima:Self-assembling amphiphilic polyelectrolytes and their nanostructures, Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, Vol. 18, No. 40, (2000), 323-336;Micelle formation of random copolymers of sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate and a nonionic surfactant macromonomer in water as studied by fluorescence and dynamic light scattering—Macromolecules, Vol. 33, No. 10 (2000), 3694-3704;Solution properties of micelle networks formed by nonionic moieties covalently bound to a polyelectrolyte: salt effects on rheological behavior—Langmuir, ol. 16, No. 12, (2000) 5324-5332;Stimuli responsive amphiphilic copolymers of sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate and associative macromonomers—Polym. Preprint, Div. Polym. Chem.,40(2), (1999), 220-221.

Among these polymers, mention may be made of:crosslinked or non-crosslinked, neutralized or non-neutralized copolymers, including from 15% to 60% by weight of AMPS units and from 40% to 85% by weight of (C8-C16)alkyl(meth)acrylamide or (C8-C16)alkyl(meth)acrylate units relative to the polymer, such as those described in patent application EP-A750 899;terpolymers including from 10 mol % to 90 mol % of acrylamide units, from 0.1 mol % to 10 mol % of AMPS units and from 5 mol % to 80 mol % of n-(C6-C18)alkylacrylamide units, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,578.

Mention may also be made of copolymers of totally neutralized AMPS and of dodecyl methacrylate, and also crosslinked and non-crosslinked copolymers of AMPS and of n-dodecylmethacrylamide, such as those described in the Morishima articles mentioned above.

Among the cationic associative polymers, mention may be made of:(I) cationic associative polyurethanes;(II) the compound sold by the company Noveon under the name Aqua CC and which corresponds to the INCI name Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer.

Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer is the product of polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising:a di(C1-C4alkyl)amino(C1-C6alkyl) methacrylate,one or more C1-C30alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid,a polyethoxylated C10-C30alkyl methacrylate (20-25 mol of ethylene oxide units),a 30/5 polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol allyl ether,a hydroxy(C2-C6alkyl) methacrylate, andan ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.(III) quaternized (poly)hydroxyethylcelluloses modified with groups including at least one fatty chain, such as alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl groups including at least 8 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof. The alkyl radicals borne by the above quaternized celluloses or hydroxyethylcelluloses preferably include from 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The aryl radicals preferably denote phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl or anthryl groups. Examples of quaternized alkylhydroxyethylcelluloses containing C8-C30fatty chains that may be indicated include the products Quatrisoft LM 200®, Quatrisoft LM-X 529-18-A®, Quatrisoft LM-X 529-18-B® (C12alkyl) and Quatrisoft LM-X 529-8® (C18alkyl) sold by the company Aqualon, and the products Crodacel QM®, Crodacel QL® (C12alkyl) and Crodacel QS® (C18alkyl) sold by the company Croda and the product Softcat SL 100® sold by the company Aqualon.(IV) cationic polyvinyllactam polymers.

Such polymers are described, for example, in patent application WO-00/68282.

As cationic poly(vinyllactam) polymers according to the invention, vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide/dodecyldimethylmethacryl-amidopropylammonium tosylate terpolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide/cocoyldimethylmethacryl-amidopropylammonium tosylate terpolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide/lauryldimethylmethacryla-midopropylammonium tosylate or chloride terpolymers are used in particular.

The amphoteric associative polymers are preferably chosen from those including at least one noncyclic cationic unit. Even more particularly, those prepared from or comprising 1 to 20 mol %, preferably 1.5 to 15 mol % and even more particularly 1.5 to 6 mol % of fatty-chain monomer relative to the total number of moles of monomers are preferred.

Amphoteric associative polymers according to the invention are described and prepared, for example, in patent application WO 98/44012.

Among the amphoteric associative polymers according to the invention, the ones that are preferred are acrylic acid/(meth)acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride/stearyl methacrylate terpolymers.

The associative polymers of nonionic type that may be used according to the invention are preferably chosen from:(a) copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of fatty-chain hydrophobic monomers, of which examples that may be mentioned include:the products Antaron V216® or Ganex V216® (vinylpyrrolidone/hexadecene copolymer) sold by the company I.S.P.the products Antaron V220® or Ganex V220® (vinyl pyrrolidone/eicosene copolymer) sold by the company I.S.P.;(b) copolymers of C1-C6alkyl methacrylates or acrylates and of amphiphilic monomers comprising at least one fatty chain, for instance, the oxyethylenated methyl acrylate/stearyl acrylate copolymer sold by the company Goldschmidt under the name Antil 208®.(c) copolymers of hydrophilic methacrylates or acrylates and of hydrophobic monomers including at least one fatty chain, for instance the polyethylene glycol methacrylate/lauryl methacrylate copolymer;(d) polyurethane polyethers including in their chain both hydrophilic blocks usually of polyoxyethylenated nature and hydrophobic blocks, which may be aliphatic sequences alone and/or cycloaliphatic and/or aromatic sequences;(e) polymers with an aminoplast ether backbone containing at least one fatty chain, such as the Pure Thix® compounds sold by the company Sud-Chemie.(f) celluloses or derivatives thereof, modified with groups including at least one fatty chain, such as alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl groups or mixtures thereof wherein the alkyl groups are of C8, and in particular:nonionic alkylhydroxyethylcelluloses such as the products Natrosol Plus Grade 330 CS and Polysurf 67 (C16alkyl) sold by the company Aqualon;nonionic nonoxynylhydroxyethylcelluloses such as the product Amercell HM-1500 sold by the company Amerchol;nonionic alkylcelluloses such as the product Bermocoll EHM 100 sold by the company Berol Nobel;(g) associative guar derivatives, for instance hydroxypropyl guars modified with a fatty chain, such as the product Esaflor HM 22 (modified with a C22alkyl chain) sold by the company Lamberti; the product Miracare XC 95-3 (modified with a C14alkyl chain) and the product RE 205-146 (modified with a C20alkyl chain) sold by Rhodia Chimie.

Preferably, the polyurethane polyethers include at least two hydrocarbon-based lipophilic chains containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, separated by a hydrophilic block, the hydrocarbon-based chains possibly being side chains or chains at the end of the hydrophilic block. In particular, it is possible for one or more pendent chains to be envisaged. In addition, the polymer may include a hydrocarbon-based chain at one end or at both ends of a hydrophilic block.

The polyurethane polyethers may be multiblock, in particular in triblock form. The hydrophobic blocks may be at each end of the chain (for example: triblock copolymer bearing a hydrophilic central block) or distributed both at the ends and in the chain (for example, multiblock copolymer). These same polymers may also be graft polymers or star polymers.

The nonionic fatty-chain polyurethane polyethers may be triblock copolymers, the hydrophilic block of which is a polyoxyethylene chain including from 50 to 1000 oxyethylene groups. The nonionic polyurethane polyethers include a urethane bond between the hydrophilic blocks, hence the origin of the name.

By extension, also included among the nonionic fatty-chain polyurethane polyethers are those in which the hydrophilic blocks are linked to the lipophilic blocks via other chemical bonds.

As examples of nonionic fatty-chain polyurethane polyethers that may be used in the invention, it is also possible to use Rheolate 205® containing a urea function, sold by the company Rheox, or Rheolate® 208, 204 or 212, and also Acrysol RM 184®.

Mention may also be made of the product Elfacos T210® containing a C12-14alkyl chain, and the product Elfacos T212® containing a C18alkyl chain, from Akzo.

The product DW 1206B® from Röhm & Haas containing a C20alkyl chain and a urethane bond, sold at a solids content of 20% in water, may also be used.

Use may also be made of solutions or dispersions of these polymers, especially in water or in aqueous-alcoholic medium. Examples of such polymers that may be mentioned are Rheolate® 255, Rheolate® 278 and Rheolate® 244 sold by the company Rheox. Use may also be made of the products DW 1206F and DW 1206J sold by the company Röhm & Haas.

The polyurethane polyethers that may be used according to the invention are in particular those described in the article by G. Fonnum, J. Bakke and Fk. Hansen—Colloid Polym. Sci.,271, 380-389 (1993).

It is even more particularly preferred to use a polyurethane polyether that may be obtained by polycondensation of at least three compounds comprising (i) at least one polyethylene glycol comprising from 150 to 180 mol of ethylene oxide, (ii) stearyl alcohol or decyl alcohol, and (iii) at least one diisocyanate.

Such polyurethane polyethers are sold in particular by the company Röhm & Haas under the names Aculyn 46® and Aculyn 44® [Aculyn 46® is a polycondensate of polyethylene glycol containing 150 or 180 mol of ethylene oxide, of stearyl alcohol and of methylenebis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate) (SMDI), at 15% by weight in a matrix of maltodextrin (4%) and water (81%); Aculyn 44® is a polycondensate of polyethylene glycol containing 150 or 180 mol of ethylene oxide, of decyl alcohol and of methylenebis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate) (SMDI), at 35% by weight in a mixture of propylene glycol (39%) and water (26%)].

Preferably, the polymers in the cosmetic compositions in accordance with the present invention advantageously have in solution or in dispersion, at 1% active material in water, a viscosity, measured using a Rheomat RM 180 rheometer at 25° C., of greater than 0.1 ps and even more advantageously greater than 0.2 cp, at a shear rate of 200 s−1.

Preferably, the thickener(s) are chosen from polysaccharides, in particular cellulose polymers, and more particularly hydroxy(C1-4)alkylcelluloses such as hydroxyethylcelluloses (HEC), hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses (HPMC), xanthan gums, guar gums and polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVP).

According to a particular mode of the invention, the organic thickening polymer(s) are chosen from cellulose polymers, and more particularly hydroxy(C1-C4)alkylcelluloses such as hydroxyethylcelluloses (HEC) and hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses (HPMC).

When they are present, the organic thickening polymer(s) represent a total content ranging from 0.01% to 10% by weight and preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of composition (A), (A1), (B) or (C) and preferably (A) or (A1).

Compositions (A), (A1), (B) or (C) of the invention may also contain various adjuvants conventionally used in compositions for dyeing the hair, such as anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants or mixtures thereof, anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers or mixtures thereof other than the thickening polymers described previously, antioxidants, penetrants, sequestrants, fragrances, dispersants, cations, film-forming agents, ceramides, preserving agents and opacifiers.

When they are present, the above adjuvants generally represent an amount for each of them of between 0.01% and 20% by weight relative to the weight of composition (A), (A1), (B) or (C).

The pH of composition (A), (A1), (B) or (C) may be adjusted to the desired value by means of alkaline agents as defined previously in ii) or by using acids as defined previously in iii), or alternatively by means of standard buffer systems.

The compositions according to the invention may be in various forms, such as in the form of liquids, creams or gels, or in any other form that is suitable for dyeing keratin fibers, and especially human hair.

The process of the invention makes it possible especially to obtain colors that change or colouration of which the color disappears and then reappears (switch off-switch on), or appears and disappears (switch on-switch off) within a pH zone that does not impair the keratin fibers and without any substantial loss of color, especially in terms of color intensity or color build-up.

The process of the invention makes it possible especially to obtain changing colors or whose color disappears and then reappears (switch off-switch on), or appears and disappears (switch on-switch off) within a pH zone that does not impair the keratin fibers and without any substantial loss of color, especially in terms of color intensity or color build-up.

Furthermore, the process of the invention makes it possible to obtain keratin fiber colorings with intense colors, and a good color build-up which can switch as a function of the pH, even after several cycles, with a rapid and sharp effect of the “switch off-switch on” color change, with structured effects (geometrical, graphic, etc. effect), without any color transfer from one lock to another (e.g. possibility on a braid comprising three dyes of different colors of there being no color diffusion from one lock to another even after several pH revealing cycles), and which can avoid denaturing of the keratin fibers.

For the purposes of the present invention, the coloring is erased or switched off when the keratin fibers have regained their original color. The coloring is modified when the coloring obtained is different from that obtained during the preceding step. The coloring is reformed when the coloring obtained on the keratin fibers is identical to that which was obtained during a preceding step and which was subsequently modified. The coloring obtained depends on the compound(s) of formula (I) or (I′) that are applied to the keratin fibers. When all of these compounds have their sulfonate ring open like the compounds (I′), the coloring is intense and chromatic. By modifying the pH, it is possible to erase this coloring by going from all of the compounds of formula (I′), the sulfonate ring of which is open, to all of the compounds of formula (I), the sulfonate ring of which is closed, and then to reform it by going from all of the compounds of formula (I), the sulfonate ring of which is closed, to all of the compounds of formula (I′), the sulfonate ring of which is open. It is also possible to vary the ratio between the concentration of compounds of formula (I′), the sulfonate ring of which is open, and the concentration of compounds of formula (I), the sulfonate ring of which is closed. The coloring is then modified in intensity and/or chromaticity depending on whether the keratin fibers are treated with one or more compounds of formula (I), the sulfonate ring of which is closed, or one or more compounds of formula (I′), the sulfonate ring of which is open, and depending on their relative pH sensitivity.

According to a particular embodiment, the process of the invention is performed on light-colored keratin fibers in particular with a tone depth (European scale) of between 8 and 10.

The “tone depth” is the unit known to hairstyling professionals, and published in the book “Science des traitements capillaires [Science of hair treatment]” by Charles Zviak 1988, published by Masson, pages 215 and 278; the tone depths range, according to the European scale, from 1 (black) to 10 (very light blond), one unit corresponding to one tone, the higher the figure, the lighter the shade;

According to another particular embodiment, the process is performed on dark keratin fibers, in particular chestnut-brown fibers with a tone depth (European scale) of less than or equal to 6, preferably less than or equal to 4.

A “dark” keratin fiber is a keratin fiber whose lightness L* measured in the CIE L*a*b* system is less than or equal to 45 and preferably less than or equal to 40, given that L*=0 is equivalent to black and L*=100 is equivalent to white.

On dark keratin fibers treated with the compounds of formula (I) or (I′) and after application of the revealing composition (B), the color appears up to black, with blue-green or more natural coppery chromatic tints which disappear after application of the switching-off composition (C).

According to a particular embodiment of the invention for treating keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, the process is characterized in that the following steps are performed:i) a step of applying a composition (A) or (A1), comprising one or more triarylmethane or sulfonophthalein compounds of formula (I) as defined previously, preferably at the acidic pH for which the compound is weakly colored or even colorless;
thenii) a revealing step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (B) at basic pH;
theniii) a switching-off step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (C) at acidic pH;
it being understood that steps ii) and iii) may be repeated several times.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention for treating keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, the process is characterized in that the following steps are performed:i) a step of applying a composition (A) or (A1) comprising one or more compounds chosen from: (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5),
thenii) a revelation step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (B) at basic pH;
theniii) a switching-off step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (C) at acidic pH;
it being understood that steps ii) and iii) may be repeated several times.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention for treating keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, the process is characterized in that the following steps are performed:i) a step of applying a composition (A) or (A1) comprising one or more compounds chosen from: (1′), (2′), (3′), (4′) and (5′);
thenii) a switching-off step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition (C) at acidic pH;
theniii) a revelation step which consists in applying to said fibers a composition

(B) at basic pH;

it being understood that steps ii) and iii) may be repeated several times.

The application of composition (A) or (A1) of the process according to the invention may optionally be followed by rinsing.

The application of composition (B) of the process of the invention may also optionally be followed by rinsing.

The application of composition (C) of the process of the invention may also optionally be followed by rinsing.

Preferably, the application of composition (A) or (A1) of the process according to the invention is followed by drying, preferably after rinsing.

The application of composition (B) of the process of the invention may also optionally be followed by drying.

The application of composition (C) of the process of the invention may also optionally be followed by drying.

The drying step may be performed either in the air (natural drying) or with any heating device such as a hairdryer or heating lamps or a heating hood, optionally in combination with straightening with a brush (blow drying), takes place before the straightening step using a straightening iron.

Composition (A) or (A1) of the invention may be applied to dry or wet keratin fibers, preferably to dry or wet hair, preferably to dry hair.

The bath ratio of composition (A) or (A1) applied may range from 0.1 to 20, more particularly from 0.2 to 15, preferably between 0.5 and 13, even more preferentially from 1 to 12. The term “bath ratio” means the ratio between the total weight of the applied composition and the total weight of keratin materials to be treated.

The leave-on time of composition (A) or (A1) of the invention is preferably between 3 and 120 minutes, preferably between 5 and 60 minutes and even more preferentially between 10 and 40 minutes, such as 30 minutes.

The application temperature is generally set at between room temperature and 80° C., preferably between 25 and 55° C. and more particularly between 28 and 40° C.

A Device or Kit

Another subject of the invention is a multi-compartment device or kit which comprises, i) in a first compartment: the triarylmethane or sulfonophthalein compounds of formula (I) or (I′) as defined previously and optionally one or more halochromic additional dyes other than the triarylmethanes as defined previously, ii) in a second compartment: a composition (B) at basic pH as defined previously; and iii) in a third compartment: a composition (C) at acidic pH as defined previously.

Preferably, the multi-compartment kit of the invention comprises, i) in a first compartment: a composition (A) or (A1) as defined previously, ii) in a second compartment: a composition (B) at basic pH; and iii) in a third compartment: a composition (C) at acidic pH.

Another subject of the invention is a composition (A1) comprising:one or more compounds of formula (I) or (I′) as defined previously;optionally one or more additional dyes as defined previously;one or more hydrotropic solvents as defined previously and optionally one or more additional solvents other than the hydrotropic solvents as defined previously; and/orone or more thickeners, particularly polymeric thickeners, as defined previously.

The examples that follow serve to illustrate the invention without, however, being limiting in nature.

