Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing cells which comprises a determination unit to perform a determination as to whether a receptacle (i.e. a well) contains exactly one sample cell. This is because a medical study may require each cell in a colony of cultivated sample cells to each be derived from a common sample cell. The apparatus also comprises a dispenser to dispense one or more feeder cells into the receptacle based on the determination (i.e. when it is determined that the receptacle contains exactly one sample cell). The feeder cells which the apparatus is arranged to dispense are one or more feeder cells which are adapted to be responsive to a trigger condition being met to trigger death of that feeder cell. When the trigger condition is met, such as by controlling an environment of the receptacle, cell death of the feeder cells in the receptacle is triggered which results in only sample cells remaining alive.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that includes a receptacle for receiving a sample. A sample dispenser dispenses the sample into the receptacle and an image capture device captures an image of the sample in the receptacle. The image is processed to determine whether the receptacle contains zero cells, exactly one cell, or more than one cell. In response to the determination that the receptacle contains zero cells, the sample dispenser dispenses a further sample into the receptacle. A matrix dispenser dispenses a matrix into the receptacle. However, the matrix is only added to the receptacle after the image of the sample in the receptacle has been captured and after the processing circuitry has processed the image and determined that the receptacle contains exactly one cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a packaged composition for the oxidative coloration of hair which is formulated in two parts, the composition comprising: (i) an aqueous hair colorant part comprising one or more oxidative dye precursors, and less than 1% oleic acid by weight based on total weight of part (i); (ii) an aqueous colour developer part comprising one or more oxidising agents, at least 5% stearic acid by weight based on total weight of part (ii); and less than 1% oleic acid by weight based on total weight of part (ii); in which parts (i) and (ii) are adapted to be mixed together before application to the hair. The compositions provide an improved level of hair damage protection during the colouring process without compromising on colour delivery.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessing the potential color protecting effect in vivo of a test formulation such as rinse-off hair treatment formulation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample of the test formulation to be assessed; providing a model substrate in the form of a hair switch which has been artificially colored; applying the test formulation to the hair switch; subsequently rinsing the test formulation from the hair switch; collecting the rinse liquor and analysing it for the presence of eluted color; characterized in that the artificial color used to color the hair switch is a permanent hair colorant with a shade level 1 or 2 according to the International Color Chart (I.C.C.). The method provides improved sensitivity and differentiation, and enables the tester to compare different technologies in terms of effectiveness.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessing the potential color protecting effect in vivo of a test formulation such as rinse-off hair treatment formulation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample of the test formulation to be assessed; providing a model substrate in the form of a hair switch which has been artificially colored; applying the test formulation to the hair switch; subsequently rinsing the test formulation from the hair switch; collecting the rinse liquor and analysing it for the presence of eluted color; characterized in that the artificial color used to color the hair switch is a permanent hair colorant with a shade level 1 or 2 according to the International Color Chart (I.C.C.). The method provides improved sensitivity and differentiation, and enables the tester to compare different technologies in terms of effectiveness.

Abstract: The invention provides a packaged composition for the oxidative coloration of hair which is formulated in two parts, the composition comprising: (i) an aqueous hair colorant part comprising one or more oxidative dye precursors, and less than 1% oleic acid by weight based on total weight of part (i); (ii) an aqueous colour developer part comprising one or more oxidising agents, at least 5% stearic acid by weight based on total weight of part (ii); and less than 1% oleic acid by weight based on total weight of part (ii); in which parts (i) and (ii) are adapted to be mixed together before application to the hair. The compositions provide an improved level of hair damage protection during the colouring process without compromising on colour delivery.

Abstract: A method for assessing the state of hair by releasably engaging a first end of hair fibers with a holder which so that an opposite, second end of said hair fibers hangs free and applying sufficient force to the second end of the hair fibers such that the hair fibers at the first end are pulled from the holder.

Abstract: Use of a conditioning composition comprising from 0.4 to 8% wt. fatty alcohol having from 8-22 carbons, from 0.1 to 2% wt. cationic surfactant component, water, and wherein the composition has a Draw Mass of from 1 to 250 g for styling the hair.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessing the potential colour protecting effect in vivo of a test formulation such as rinse-off hair treatment formulation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample of the test formulation to be assessed; providing a model substrate in the form of a hair switch which has been artificially coloured; applying the test formulation to the hair switch; subsequently rinsing the test formulation from the hair switch; collecting the rinse liquor and analysing it for the presence of eluted colour; characterised in that the artificial colour used to colour the hair switch is a permanent hair colorant with a shade level 1 or 2 according to the International Colour Chart (I.C.C.). The method provides improved sensitivity and differentiation, and enables the tester to compare different technologies in terms of effectiveness.

Abstract: A method for assessing the state of hair by releasably engaging a first end of hair fibres with a holder which so that an opposite, second end of said hair fibres hangs free and applying sufficient force to the second end of the hair fibres such that the hair fibres at the first end are pulled fromthe holder.

Abstract: Hair conditioner comprising silicone and a conditioning gel phase, said phase obtainable by heating a fatty alcohol and an oil until they are molten, separately heating a cationic surfactant in water until it is dissolved/suspended, then adding the molten fatty alcohol and oil mix to the cationic surfactant before adding any remaining ingredients.

Abstract: Hair conditioner comprising silicone and a conditioning gel phase, said phase obtainable by heating a fatty alcohol and an oil until they are molten, separately heating a cationic surfactant in water until it is dissolved/suspended, then adding the molten fatty alcohol and oil mix to the cationic surfactant before adding any remaining ingredients.