CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of US Provisional Application No. 60/589,839, filed July 21, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to improved cleansing compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] U. S. Patent Number 6,635,702 Bl describes Stable Aqueous Surfactant Compositions.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application US 2002/0123438 Al describes Clear Cleansing Detergent Systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed, in part, to novel cleansing compositions and methods for making same. Specifically, in certain embodiments, there are provided cleansing compositions comprising an aqueous acrylate copolymer emulsion; an anionic surfactant; and an amphoteric surfactant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIGURE 1 shows a plot of the concentration of a selected acrylate copolymer and of cocamidopropyl betaine for selected properties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0007] In certain embodiments, this invention comprises a cleansing composition comprising: (a) an aqueous acrylate copolymer emulsion, preferably about 2.6% to about 3% by weight of the total composition (% in active amounts of the composition); (b) an anionic surfactant, preferably about 7.7% to about 10.2% by weight of the total composition; and (c) an amphoteric surfactant, preferably about 1.4% to about 1.7% by weight of the total composition. Optionally, a pearlizing agent, preferably about 0.5% by weight of the total composition, may be present in the composition. A non-limiting example of such an agent is ethylene glycol distearate. Optionally, effective amounts of one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of colorants, fragrances, antibacterials, preservatives, antioxidants, beads (fragrance, exfoliating or moisturizing), mica, glitter, opacifying agents, pearlizing agents, and mixtures thereof may be present in the composition. [0008] hi certain embodiments, the composition has a high clarity, preferably in the range of about 2 to about 25 NTU' s. hi certain embodiments, the composition has a viscosity preferably in the range of about 4,000 to about 10,000 centipoise. hi certain embodiments, the composition has a yield value preferably in the range of about 3 to about 15 Pascals whereby a post added ingredient is suspended with a uniformity of distribution and a stability of a minimum of about 8 months at 49 degrees C. [0009] In certain embodiments, this invention comprises a non-emulsified structured liquid personal cleansing composition providing enhanced performance. Li certain embodiments, the composition comprises: (a) about 8.5 to about 10.00 weight % of 30 % active (for example, in water) or its equivalent in active amounts (preferably 8.95 weight percent from the listed range) of an aqueous acrylate copolymer emulsion (as a non-limiting example, see U.S. Patent 6,635,702, such as a composition wherein the copolymer is derived from: a-1. about 35% to about 65% by weight of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, or combinations thereof, b-1. about 65% to about 35% by weight of ethylacrylate, or methylacrylate, or combinations thereof, and c-1. about 0.03% to about 3% by weight of polyalkenyl ethers of sucrose or polyalcohols; or trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, N-methylolacrylamide, or combinations thereof); (b) about 30 to about 40 weight % of 25.5 % active (for example, in water) of an anionic surfactant (or its equivalent in active amounts). Non-limiting examples include sodium laureth sulfate and sodium pareth sulfate, preferably in an amount of 37.13% from the listed range); (c) about 4.5 to about 5.7 weight % of 30 % active (for example, in water) of an amphoteric surfactant or a betaine or its equivalent in active amounts (including without limitation cocoamidopropyl betaine such as in an amount of about 5.64% of the 30% active material); (d) optionally a pearlizing agent such as, for example, about 2 weight % of 25% active or its equivalent in active amounts (for example, in water and surfactant) of ethylene glycol distearate; (e) optionally, effective amounts of optional ingredients such as colorants, fragrances, antibacterials, preservatives, antioxidants, beads (fragrance, exfoliating or moisturizing), mica, glitter, opacifying agents, pearlizing agents and other such ingredients. Preferably, the composition has high clarity (about 2 to about 25 NTU's), a targeted viscosity (about 4,000 to about 10,000 centipoise) for ease of dispensing from an orifice in the range of about 1A to about 1/8, and a yield value (about 3 to about 15 Pascals) that allows the composition to suspend a variety of post added ingredients with a uniformity of distribution and enhanced stability (for example, about 8 months at 120 degrees F (49 degrees C)). [0010] One particular embodiment comprises shea butter beads in the range of about 100 to about 1200 microns in diameter. Another particular embodiment comprises polyethylene beads in the size range of about 200 to about 1000 microns as an exfolliant (for example in an amount of about 0.01 to about 2 weight %), or larger polyethylene beads (about 250 to about 2000 microns) in smaller amounts (for example, in an amount of about 0.01 to about 1 weight %). [0011] The polymetric rheology modifier provides several properties such as flow, thickening, viscosity, suspending ability and yield value. For our purpose yield value also referred to as yield point is defined as the initial resistance to flow under stress. It can be measured using a constant stress rheometer Brookfield YR-I Yield Rheometer using a #72 spindle at an appropriate rotational speed. A preferred range of the yield point is about 3 to about 15 Pa. [0012] The turbidity (clarity) of the present cleaning composition is determined by using a Hach 2100P Turbidimeter. A preferred range is about 2 to about 25 NTU' s [0013] The viscosity of the present cleansing composition is preferably in the range of about 4,000 to about 10,000 cps as determined using a Brookfield DV -11+ Viscometer using a #5 spindle at an appropriate rotational speed (between 10 - 30 RPM). [0014] In certain embodiments, one of the major advantages of the compositions of the invention is the significant improvement in clarity that is achieved. [0015] Note that the amounts of active ingredient maybe varied on the basis of a recited solution, but the same amounts of actives may be added via different dilutions. [0016] Examples of suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfates, ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl olefin sulfonates, alkyl succinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ethoxy sulfosuccinates, acyl and alkyl glutamates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl isethionates, acyl amides. [0017] Suitable amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to, betaine surfactants. Examples of suitable amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines, alkyl sultaines and alkylamido sultaines; preferably, those having about 8 to about 18 carbons in the alkyl and acyl group. [0018] Suitable acrylate copolymers include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Patent Number 6,635,702 Bl (hereby incorporated herein by reference) as described above and, in more general terms, those selected from the group consisting of: (a) monomers or copolymers of one or more of methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, itaconic acid, esters of any of the foregoing and mixtures of any of the foregoing; (b) a member of group (a) copolymerized with one or more members selected from the group consisting of Steareth-20, Steareth-50, Ceteth-20. [0019] Examples of suitable acrylate copolymers include those sold under the tradenames CARBOPOL® AQUA SF-I fromNoveon (Cleveland, Ohio), SYNTHALEN® W2000 from 3V (Wehawkin, New Jersey), ACULYN® 22, and ACULYN® 33 available from International Specialty Products Corporation (Wayne, New Jersey). [0020] Alkaline neutralizing agents include, with out limitation, inorganic and organic neutralizers selected from the group consisting of alkali hydroxides and alkanolamines, sodium hydroxide and triethanolamine. [0021] While the compositions of the invention may be made with or without a suspending agent such as, without limitation, glycol stearates, glycol distearates such as ethylene glycol distearate, one embodiment is tree of any additional suspending agents. [0022] Compositions according to the invention can be made using conventional mixing techniques known to those skilled in the art for mixing ingredients, such as described, for example, in Example 1. General making procedure: 1. Disperse Acrylates copolymer into room temperature water with propeller agitation. 2. Add an anionic surfactant or its equivalent (for example, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium pareth sulfate) and mix until uniform. 3. Neutralize with sodium hydroxide to pH 6.6 - 6.8 4. Add amphoteric surfactants (for example cocoamidopropyl betaine) 5. Add any pearlizing ingredients 6. Add colors, fragrance and preservatives. 7. If needed add sodium chloride to increase viscosity 8. Add citric acid if needed to adjust pH.

[0024] The invention will be better understood by reference to the following examples which serve to demonstrate but not limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES [0025] The following Examples are offered as illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limitations thereon. In the Examples and elsewhere in the description of the invention, chemical symbols and terminology have their usual and customary meanings. In the Examples as elsewhere in this application values for n, m, etc. in formulas, molecular weights and degree of ethoxylation or propoxylation are averages. Temperatures are in degrees C unless otherwise indicated. The amounts of the components are in weight percents based on the standard described; if no other standard is described then the total weight of the composition is to be inferred. Various names of chemical components include those listed in the CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc., 7th ed. 1997). GENERAL METHOD [0026] hi some of the following examples the formulations are prepared as follows. The acrylates copolymer are added to water and mixed. Then the anionic surfactant or its equivalent is added to the aqueous polymer composition and mixed. Next a neutralizing agent is added and mixed. Subsequently, the amphoteric surfactant(s) are added and mixed. The remaining ingredients are then added in the order listed with mixing upon the addition of each ingredient. Optionally, an acid such as citric acid is added and mixed.

EXAMPLE l [0027] The general method described above may be used to make a product of the invention with the types and amounts of the following ingredients: Ingredient Weiεht % Deionized water qs. Sodium Laureth Sulfate 37.13 Acrylates Copolymer 8.95 Sodium hydroxide 0.74 Cocoamidopropylbetaine 5.64 DMDM Hydantion 0.4 EDTA 0.211

EXAMPLE 2 [0028] The general method described above may be used to make a product of the invention with the types and amounts of the following ingredients: Ingredient Weight % Deionized water qs. Sodium Laureth Sulfate 37.13 Acrylates Copolymer 8.95 Sodium hydroxide 0.74 Cocoamidopropylbetaine 5.64 DMDM Hydantion 0.4 EDTA 0.211

EXAMPLE 3 FIGURE 1 shows a plot of the concentration of a selected acrylate copolymer and cocamidopropyl betaine for selected properties whereby the white unshaded area bounds the formulations of high clarity (2-25 NTU' s), targeted viscosity (4,000-10,000 cps) for ease of dispensing from an orifice in the range of 1A - 1/8, and a yield value (3- 15) that allows the composition to suspend a variety of post added ingredients with a uniformity of distribution and enhanced stability (for example, 8 months at 120 degrees F (49 degrees C)). It has been noted that there is a small pocket of good viscosity and clarity at a betaine level of 6.5-7.0, but the yield point is not satisfactory.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES [0029] The general method described above for Examples 1 and 2 may be repeated with the use of additional ingredients such as one or more of: 1.5-2.5 (particularly 2) weight % ethylene glycol distearate (at 30% active) or an equivalent amount .01- 2 (particularly 1) weight % of polyethylene beads (size in the range of 200 - 1000 microns) .01-1 (particularly 0.5) weight % of a larger size polyethylene beads (in the range of 250 - 2000 microns).

[0030] All numerical ranges described herein include all combinations and subcombinations of ranges and specific integers encompassed therein. [0031] Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.