Cleansing bar containing discrete elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to cleansing bars including: a) a cleansing composition; and b) a plurality of discrete elements having a length to diameter ratio of from about 50 to 1 to about 100,000 to 1. The cleansing bars according to the invention have good grippability, exfoliating and cleansing properties and are capable of providing a significant amount of lather in a relatively short period of time. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the cleansing bar described above.

1 - 20  (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A method for improving the characteristics of a cleansing bar, said method comprising the step of incorporating discrete elements into said cleansing bar, wherein said discrete elements have a length to diameter ratio of from about 50 to 1 to about 100,000 to 1.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said characteristics are selected from grippability, lather production, cleansing ability, and exfoliating ability.  
     
     
         23 . A method for cleaning a surface comprising the steps of (a) wetting the cleansing bar of claim  1  with water; (b) applying agitation to the wet cleansing bar, wherein the amount of water and agitation are sufficient to create a lather on the cleansing bar, and (c) applying said lathering cleansing bar to the surface to be cleaned.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein said surface is elected from hair, skin, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said surface is a hard surface or a fabric.  
     
     
         26 . A method for preparing a cleansing bar comprising a cleansing composition and discrete elements, the method comprising (a) preparing a mixture of the cleansing composition and the discrete elements; (b) applying agitation to the cleansing composition-discrete element mixture sufficient to evenly distribute the discrete elements among the cleansing composition; and (c) extruding the cleansing composition-discrete element mixture of step (b) into bar form; wherein said discrete elements having a length to diameter ratio of from about 50 to 1 to about 100,000 to 1.  
     
     
         27 . A method for preparing a cleansing bar comprising a cleansing composition and discrete elements, the method comprising (a) heating the cleansing composition to a temperature sufficient to melt the cleansing composition; (b) mixing discrete elements with the melting cleansing composition of step (a); (c) pouring the cleansing composition-discrete element mixture of step (b) into a mold; and (d) allowing the molded mixture to cool; wherein said discrete elements having a length to diameter ratio of from about 50 to 1 to about 100,000 to 1.  
     
     
         28 . A method for preparing a cleansing bar comprising a cleansing composition and discrete elements, the method comprising (a) adding discrete elements to a mold; (b) heating the cleansing composition to a temperature sufficient to melt the cleansing composition; (c) pouring the cleansing composition into said mold containing discrete elements; (d) mixing the cleansing composition-discrete element mixture of step (c); and (d) allowing the molded mixture to cool; wherein said discrete elements having a length to diameter ratio of from about 50 to about 100,000 to 1.