Textured film devices

ES 2 240 355 T3

DESCRIPTION

Devices with textured film.

Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning and wiping devices and methods for their use and manufacture. More particularly, this invention relates to soft, textured film devices for personal hygiene and procedures for their use.

two. Description of the prior art

Recently, personal wash liquid cleaners have become popular. However, it is difficult to use those liquid cleaning products without a tangible washing implement.

A known cleaning implement includes the sponge, see for example US-A-4,627,129 (cross-linked polyurethane foam sponge). However, such sponges tend to retain moisture and cleaning materials and thus promote the deposit and growth of microbes.

Another known cleaning implement includes polymer mesh tassels, see for example US-A-5,727,278, US-A-5,144,744 and US-A-5,784,747. However, such tassels tend to be quite abrasive and harsh on the skin.

Furthermore another known cleaning implement is a "closed sandwich" structure composed of two layers of substrate adhered to each other to form a plurality of compartments for soap and the like as described in US-A-4,515,703. However, because these devices have a relatively small open area, they are capable of producing only a relatively small amount of foam and also tend to retain moisture.

In US-A-4,990,144 a non-adherent dressing is disclosed comprising a film containing depressions printed out of the plane of the film above the operative area of ​​the dressing and the flat areas of contact between the depressions, in which at least a portion of the depressions contains one or more openings, whose contact area can contact the skin when the dressing is in place and a pharmaceutically acceptable viscous carrier material is contained within the depressions. This patent also refers to the document United Kingdom Patent N ° 109421 and 1599159, which comprise a dressing consisting of an openwork support impregnated in an ointment with medicine such as gauze and to document EP-B-0171268 which describes an absorbent dressing that comprises a bag made of a film containing perforated depressions and containing pieces of foam, the film being constructed in such a way as to prevent any exudate absorbed by the dressing from re-emerging. As stated, all of these documents are dedicated to wound dressings.

US-A-5412830 describes a cleaning device comprising a grouped piece of cloth with diamond-shaped mesh, forming a felt. The felt connects to the softest layer that can be made of a hydrophobic polymer film, which is perforated and microtextured.

It would be desirable to have a cleaning or scrubbing device that is not only gentle on the skin but also does not retain moisture and produces a large amount of lather when used with a typical liquid cleanser.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a cleaning and / or wiping device as defined in the attached claim 1.

A preferred device of the present invention is in the form of a spherical tassel, a mitt, a cloth that has at least 1.3 textured variations / cm², a glove, a plurality of textured film tabs attached to a fastening means, or a pad of textured film adhered to a fastening means.

The devices of this invention are not only gentle on the skin but also capable of creating a large amount of lather when used with a typical liquid cleanser.

Description of the drawings

The invention will be more fully understood and other advantages will be highlighted when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig.1 is a representation of the cleaning device of the present invention with handwheels, with closed ends, which can be formed according to the procedure illustrated in Fig. 2.

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Fig. 2A is a representation of a plurality of the textured film strips grouped one on top of the other.

Fig. 2B is a representation of the layers of strips of Fig 2A being pleated in a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axis to form ruffles.

Fig. 2C is a representation of the pleated layered strips of Fig. 2B being drawn inward, in the center of the ruffles, by means of a cord.

Fig. 3A is a representation of the unfolded textured film sheet.

Fig. 3B is a representation of the sheet of Fig. 3A being pleated in the transverse direction.

Fig. 3C is a representation of the sheet of Fig. 3B being folded on itself in a longitudinal direction for the purpose of forming pleats.

Fig. 3D is a representation of the sheet of Fig. 3C being pulled in through the center of the steering wheels by a cord.

Fig. 4 is a film micrograph of a diamond-shaped mesh used in prior art polymeric tassels, in which the original photoenhancement is 12.5x.

Fig. 5 is a micrograph of a cross section of individual filaments of the tassel of Fig. 4, in which the original photoenhancement is 80x.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional micrograph of the tassel of Fig. 4 located at B, which is where the individual filaments meet to form the mesh, where the original photoenhancement is 80x.

Fig. 7 is a micrograph of the open film suitable for use in the puff of the present invention as viewed from the front, the "soft" side, where the original photoenhancement is 12.5x.

Fig. 8 is a micrograph of the open film suitable for use in the puff of the present invention as viewed from behind, the "rough" side, where the original photo magnification is 12.5x.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional micrograph of the film of Fig. 7, in which the original photoenhancement is 12.5x.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative device of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative device of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another alternative device of the present invention.

Fig. 13A is a representation of an undeployed sheet of the textured film.

Fig. 13B is a representation of the sheet of Fig. 13A being pleated in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Fig. 13C is a representation of the sheet of Fig. 13B having a cord wound around the pleats as formed in Fig. 13B to form ruffles.

Fig. 13D is a representation of the blade of Fig. 13C being brought internally towards the center of the steering wheels by means of a cord.

Fig. 14 is a representation of the tassel having ruffles open at the ends, which can be formed according to the procedures illustrated in Fig. 13.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

It is known that one skilled in the art can use the present invention to its fullest extent, based on the description mentioned herein. The following specific embodiments are to be construed in a merely illustrative manner and are not limiting of the remainder of the development in any way.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Furthermore, all publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference.

As used herein, the term "texture variations" will mean holes or raised marks in the film.

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The term "nonwoven web" will mean a web of material that is formed without the aid of a textile weaving or weft process and the term "fabric" will refer to all woven fiber webs, woven or unwoven. As used herein, the term "width" will mean the diameter when referring to generally circular holes or openings or the greatest distance through a given shape when referring to non-circular holes or openings.

With reference to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a device of the present invention, for cleaning or wiping, generally designated 10. In general, the cleaning device 10 includes a body 12 of flexible, grouped, textured film, an optional user grasping means 14, a fixation means 28 (not shown), to permanently and effectively hold the adhered film to the desired bundled arrangement. As used herein, "permanently and effectively" means a period of time that lasts at least as long as the device film is suitable for cleaning purposes. We call "bundling" a folding, creasing or some other known technique to put the films together in the desired way. By the term "textured film" is meant any film with raised markings, perforations or openings or the like, the openings being preferred.

Examples of suitable textured films include but are not limited to those comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, metallocene polyethylene, and blends and copolymers thereof. Examples of suitable perforated films that are on the market include those available from Tredegar Film Products, Inc., under the trade name, "VisPore®," from Polymer Group, Inc., under the trade name, "Reticulon.^®", Or Guial Inc., under the trade name," Veole ", with the preferred film being" VisPore^®”.

The pores and bumps of the textured films can be created on the film by known processes, see for example United States Patent No. 3,054,148; 4,741,877; 3,929,135 and 3,394,211 or by post-treatment drilling step, see United States Patent Nos. 3,929,135 and 3,394,211 (a jet of hot air creates a pressure differential across a covered perforated surface with a preformed film). Generally speaking, the resulting textured film has a "rough" side, containing the raised bumps as shown in the open film micrograph in Fig. 8, and an opposite "smooth" side as shown in the micrograph of the Open film in Fig. 7. By "soft" side, the side from which the raised bumps originate is designated. The bumps on such open films are generally cone-shaped. In the uses of the devices of the present invention where exfoliation is important, it is preferable to have the protrusions facing outwards, for the external part.

As shown in Fig. 9, the cross-sectional view of the open films suitable for use in the devices of the present invention illustrates that the textured films are three-dimensional.

In contrast, both Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 illustrate that the mesh used in the prior art has essentially a two-dimensional cross-sectional shape. Fig. 5 illustrates that the diamond mesh weave used in prior art polymeric tassels comprises individual filaments having a round or kidney shaped cross section. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6, The areas of the diamond-shaped mesh weave where the filament strands meet have a dumbbell-shaped cross-sectional shape. As a result of using a three-dimensional textured film in the devices of the present invention, the devices are significantly lighter than prior art woven tassels of similar size and shape.

Although variations in the type of textures, depth and width of the textured film, may vary, for example depending on the type of active material to be used with the device, the desired speed at which the active material, for example soap, is released to the surface of the device, the ease of the desired rinsing, the desired end use of the device, the desired size of the bubbles, and the desired foam volume, generally textured film contains from about 1.6 textured variations per cm² up to about 248 textured variations per cm², preferably from around 3 textured variations per cm² up to about 30 textured variations per cm², and more preferably from around 5 textured variations per cm² up to about 15 textured variations per cm². Preferably, for use of the devices on sites such as the face, where smoothness is important, the film contains from about 80 textured variations per cm² up to about 200 textured variations per cm². Preferably, for the use of the devices in places such as the arms, where the volume of the foam is important, the film contains about 5 variations of texture per cm² up to about 15 textured variations per cm². In alternative embodiments of the device of the present invention, for example a cloth, glove or mitt, it is preferred to have textured variations from about 1.3, preferably 1.4 and most preferably from about 1 , 5 textured variations up to about 15 textured variations per cm².

The size of the textured variations, measured as the average width of the textured variations along the "smooth" side of the textured film, ranges in size from about 0.04 cm to about 0.6 cm, and preferably from about 0.1 cm to about 0.4 cm, and more preferably from about 0.2 cm to about 0.35 cm. In embodiments where it is desirable to slowly drain the soap from the device, it is preferred to use textured variations that have a relatively small average width, ie, less than about 0.1 cm.

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The depth of the textured variations in relief, as measured from the "smooth" side of the open film toward the bottom of the relief, can range from greater than 0 cm to about 0.4 cm, and preferably between about 0.005 cm to about 0.3 cm. In embodiments where rinsability is important, it is preferred to use an open film or an embossed film having a relief depth greater than about 0.05 cm.

The textured variations can be of any shape that can be perforated or embossed on the film. Although the shape of the textured variation will generally depend on, for example, aesthetics, the type of active material to be used with the device, the desired rate at which the active material, eg soap, is released to the surface. of the device, the desired ease of rinsing, the desired purpose of the device, the desired bubble size, and the desired volume of the foam, the shape of the textured variation, as it appears on the "soft" side of the film, it is typically in the shape of circles, honeycomb, hearts, pears, squares, hexagons, triangles, pentagons, radials, rectangles, or combinations thereof, with general circular and hexagonal shapes being more preferred.

Although the post-textured basis weight of the film may vary depending, for example, on the intended purpose of use of the device and the desired aesthetic appearance and appearance of the device, generally the textured film has a basis weight of about 10 g / m² up to around 80 g / m², and preferably from around 20 g / m² up to around 50 g / m².

Open films suitable for use in the devices of the present invention have an open area of ​​no more than about 45% and preferably more than about 15% and no more than about 35%, based on the total area ( film and empty space together) of the open film. As used here, "open area" is a measure of empty space or the fraction of the area. "Area fraction", as used herein, can be calculated as the sum of the areas of the protrusion exit openings on the "rough" side of the open film divided by the total area examined. Generally, the open area property of a film is expressed in terms of "% open area", which equals 100 x area fraction.

One type of textured film suitable for use in the devices of the present invention further possesses general mechanical properties, as shown below in Table A.

(Table goes to next page)

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TABLE A

Mechanical Properties - Perforated Films

<td>Type of material</td><td>Strength to stretch until 20 % from elongation* N / m (Lb / in)</td><td>Strength to stretch until 50 % from elongation* N / m (Lb / in)</td><td>Direction from stretching</td><td>Endurance to Traction* N / cm (Lb / in)</td><td>Elasticity*</td>

<td>Movie perforated adequate for use on the Present invention</td><td>35-263 (0.2 to 1.1) and preferably 35-175 (0.2 to 1.0)</td><td>88-350 (0.5 to 2.0) and preferably 88-263 (0.5 to 1.5)</td><td>Machine</td><td> &gt;263 (&gt;1.5)</td><td>About 60% of about 100%, and preference from about 80% to less than about 100%</td>

* Using ASTM D-882 # Measured by% recovery from 50% elongation using an Instron testing machine

We have unexpectedly found that three-dimensional devices made of textured films having the aforementioned characteristics were not only very soft and gentle on the skin, but were capable of producing large amounts of pleasant lather. Furthermore, when the resulting devices were rubbed against the desired surface or squeezed during use with soap or other cleaning products, the soap or cleaning products spread well through the structure of the devices 10.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory, we believe that the structure of the textured film used in the device of the present invention contributes to a smoother feel compared to prior art diamond-shaped interlocking filament mesh devices. . More specifically, the devices of the present invention comprise perforated films that are relatively flat and smooth, while known interwoven mesh devices comprise fibrous and rough mesh materials.

In general, the spherical device 10 of the present invention can be made by bonding the textured film in any desired manner so as to produce the desired textured film conglomerate, followed by securing the arrangement of the resulting conglomerate arrangement. As shown in Fig. 3C, one method of forming spherical device 10 is by folding or pleating at least one sheet 24 of a suitable flexible textured film onto itself to achieve a multiplicity of ruffles 26 tied together in a bundle to define body 12 The body 12 is then preferably secured around the center, which in Fig. 3D is shown by the cord 28.

In the preferred embodiment, the body may be formed by "C-bending" the textured film prior to bonding. In this embodiment, it is possible to control whether the textured variations go out or not to the outside, in order to form a device especially suitable for exfoliation, or to have an inside relief, and thus form a device with a smooth, appropriate surface, for example, for gentle cleaning.

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In an alternative embodiment, body 12 of device 10 may be formed of a plurality of overlapping textured film sheets folded over to form a multiplicity of flyers 26 as shown in Figures 2A to 2C. . The ends of the loop 26A of the handwheels 26, which are generally arranged on the outside of the body 12, are preferably capable of contacting the skin of the wearer's body, or any desired object or surface, for example surfaces that meet at home, on the boat or in the car. The inner portions 26 B extend between the ends of the loops 26A.

Figure 2A shows the stack of unfolded textured strips, with the sheets arranged adjacent to each other, with one on top of the other. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the textured film strips may be connected as in an accordion-type fold configuration. Fig. 2B shows the plurality of stacked sheets folded on themselves in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strips and resulting in the formation of the multiplicity of ruffles 26 that are folded and grouped together. As shown in Fig. 2C, the grouped stack of textured film strips can be pulled toward the center to form a multiplicity of flyers 26 by means of the security means 28. An alternative procedure for bundling the film is demonstrated in Figs. 13A through 13D, in which the film is initially bundled in a longitudinal direction, then the pleats are secured to form ruffles as shown in Fig. 13D. The handwheels 26 of the secured device can be adjusted to form the device in the desired shape.

In an alternative embodiment, the body 12 of the device 10 may be formed of a plurality of overlapping textured film sheets, and more preferably at least one pair of inner and outer sheets folded over themselves into a multiplicity of flyers 26 (not shown). Although at least one of the sheets must be composed of the textured film, it is preferable to have the inner sheet that is composed of a material capable of giving the body rigidity arranged inside the body 12 and the outer sheet that is of preferably composed of a suitable textured film exposed on the outside of body 12 and substantially covering inner sheet 24A. When it is said "substantially covering", it means that a sufficient portion of the inner sheet 24A is covered with the outer sheet so as to produce the desired end effects, eg, sufficient foam, exfoliation and / or softness. One procedure for "substantially covering" the inner sheet is by wrapping the outer sheet around the inner sheet, for example in a C-fold arrangement.

As described in US Patent 5,727,278, a multilayer device can be made by accommodating a pair of outer and inner sheets that are not folded, with the sheets arranged adjacent to one another with one on top of the other. . The pair of outer and inner sheets can then be grouped, ie by folding and pleating, on themselves in a first direction. The outer and inner pair of sheets can be folded back on itself in a second direction, which extends generally transversely to the first direction and which results in the formation of a multiplicity of ruffles 26 in a gathered fold condition. Then, the pair of outer and inner sheets can be brought towards the center of the multiplicity of steering wheels 26 by means of a safety means 28.

Laminate materials capable of giving body stiffness include a substantially rough mesh, as used in known diamond-shaped mesh tassels, porous foams, cross-linked foams, natural fibers (eg wood or cotton fibers), fibers synthetic or polymeric (eg polyester or polypropylene fibers) that may or may not be textured, combinations thereof and the like. The fibrous sheets can comprise either woven or non-woven fibers. For example, the sheet may comprise a nonwoven hydrophobic fabric (spunbonded or meltblown) web or polyolefin fibers or it may be a web comprised of bonded and carded natural and / or synthetic fibers. The polymeric sheets can comprise any of the previously established polymers for use in the textured film. Preferably, these materials are used as an adjacent inner sheet disposed below the outer textured film sheet, or more preferably they are inserted between two layers of textured film sheets in order to preserve the smooth nature of the device.

In an alternative embodiment, the internal substrate may be of a non-laminated form, such as a three-dimensional body comprising solids, semisolids, foams, films, or ground fibers, and combinations thereof. Any polymer that can be three-dimensionally shaped may be especially suitable for use in this invention, such as those described above for use in textured films. The inner substrate is preferably covered by the outer textured sheet. When it is said "substantially covered" it means that a sufficient amount of the internal substrate is covered by the textured sheet, so as to produce the desired effects, ie, sufficient foam, exfoliation and / or smoothness. The outer textured film can be secured to the inner substrate by means of any of the security procedures that will be established later.

The device 10 can be secured by any of the methods known in the art capable of securing the grouped textured film, eg, the 3D flyers 26, in a desired arrangement. Examples of suitable security procedures include heat sealing with a sealant capable of reaching a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the film; ultrasonic sealing; pressure sealing; tied with a ribbon, cord, thread as seen in US Patent No. 5,727,278, bands and the like; applying hooks and loops such as those registered as "VELCRO", adhesive, elastic, tape such as double-sided adhesive tape, heat shrink film, or any other adjustment device; applying a rope that locks it, see US Patent No. 5,784,747, and the like. Preferably, the security means comprise a tie or otherwise a wrap with a cord, which is elastic or inelastic around the grouped arrangement as well as the application of a

ES 2 240 355 T3 adhesive coated rope on textured film when stretched. In the latter embodiment, the textured film is bunched up after it is released from its stretched state.

In embodiments where the means for securing is a rope, yarn, ribbon, as shown in Fig. 3D, the yarn 28 can be made of any suitable material, such as an interlocking mesh yarn, the same perforated film, nylon or cotton. The cord may be wound around a portion of the circumference of the body 12, preferably located in the central portion, and then extended inward toward the center 100 of the body and secured thereto to thread the cord 28 with a circumference substantially less than the body 12.

By twisting the rope 28, or by applying any other suitable means of securing 18, around the body 12, the inner portions 26B of the steering wheels 26 are grouped towards the center 100 of the body 12. As a result of this effect of grouping, a central portion 30 is formed. A pair of lobes 32 formed at the ends of the loop 26A of the steering wheels 26, which extend radially in all directions, project outwardly from the central portion 30. See US Patent No. 5,784,747. Because each end of the loop 26A is generally the same length, the lobes 32 of the body 12 formed as a result are generally spherical in shape. Due to the general pliability of the material of the textured film that forms the body 12, the spherical shape of the body 12 is subject to deformation during the use of the cleaning device 10, for example in the application of pressure and contact of the device 10 to the surface to be cleaned in a scrubbing or wiping motion. Generally, it will return to the spherical shape of the body 12 without separating after use.

Optionally, device 10 may further comprise holding means 14 to enable the user to hold the device during use. Examples of suitable fastening devices include not exclusively those described in US Patent No. 5,727,278, but also straps, handles, preferably looped straps. In an alternative embodiment, the holding means may be a figure of a character, such as a head of a character, for example a figure of an animal or a cartoon. In an alternative embodiment in which the device comprises a container for an active material, that container may also serve as a holding means.

In embodiments using looped strips as the fastening means, the strip typically comprises interwoven strands of flexible material and preferably has a narrow, flat configuration. Preferably, the inner end 14A of the fastening means is secured to the interior of the body 12 and is thus substantially concealed within. The fastening means 14 may be secured to the body 12 by any known method such as those described above, preferably with the formation of loops and ties. Preferably, the outer end of the strip 14 extends substantially beyond the exterior of the body 12. The strap 14 can be of any desired length, but is preferably of a suitable length to form the loop 16, which is long enough to allow a variety of hand sizes to accommodate it. The material that forms the strip can be elastic or inelastic.

In one embodiment using an elastic band as a security means, it is preferred to leave an excess amount of band unwrapped around body 12 in order to form a looped strip 14 for device 10.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the textured film can be formed on other devices such as: gloves; mittens; Cleaning Cloth; strips of textured film attached to a clamping means, as illustrated in Fig. 10; and a device in which the combination of at least one layer of textured film disposed on top of a secondary substrate is attached to a fastening means as illustrated in Fig. 11. Examples of suitable secondary substrates include textured films as well as any of the aforementioned substrates capable of stiffening the device 10. Examples of fastening means include all those mentioned above. The textured film layer may be above the fastener, as illustrated in Fig. 11 or may extend from the fastener, as illustrated in Fig. 11. 12, or any combination thereof (not shown). Any of the aforementioned security means can be used to ensure that the layer (s) of the textured films, the secondary substrate and the fastening means are together.

In the embodiment of the present invention in which the device is a mitt or a glove, such devices are formed of a front face and a back face in which one of the faces is a textured film. The composition of the front face sheet can be the same or different from that of the rear face sheet. In an embodiment in which the mittens and gloves comprise a total of two folds of film sheets, the folds are either two separate substrates sealed together along the periphery as desired, or they are a substrate that at first it is folded back on itself and then properly sealed. Preferably, the gloves and mittens comprise a front face comprising 2 or more folds of sheets and a rear face comprising 2 or more folds of sheets, with at least one of the outer pleats of textured film.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, each face of the gloves and mittens may comprise at least one pleat of textured film, wherein the textured variation on one side is different from the textured variation on the other side. For example, in the last embodiment, one face may comprise a textured film with the protrusions outward and the other face may comprise the same with the protrusions toward the inner face of the hand, in order to have an implement capable of be used for exfoliation or gentle cleansing.

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Alternatively, the outer layer of the textured film on one side may have smaller textured variations than the textured film on the other side.

In another alternative embodiment gloves or mittens having at least two faces, the textured variations of the two inner layers, for example those that touch the hand, may differ with respect to, for example, the size of the textured variations and / or the orientation of the textured variations, of those of the layers of the two external faces, for example those that do not touch the hand. In this embodiment, it is a preferred attribute that the glove or mitt is reversible.

The layers of textured films on mittens and gloves can be secured together by any of the aforementioned securing techniques, with heat sealing of the edges being preferred. The mittens can be of any general shape with at least one end open to fit the hand, with the part corresponding to the thumb as an appendage or alternatively being created through a thumb pocket on the inside of the layers. In an alternative embodiment, at least one side of the mitt or glove is padded by means known in the art in order to reduce slippage between the layers on a multi-layer face and / or to form the thumb pocket.

In an alternative embodiment, an active material such as a cleaning soap bar can be inserted into the open end of the mitt or glove, then optionally that open end can be secured by any of the securing procedures. mentioned above, for example hooks and loops.

In an alternative embodiment, in which the device is a mitten, said devices preferably have at least two-layer sheets and more preferably at least three-layer sheets, with the latter being the three separate substrate layers secured together or at least one sheet of substrate folded back on itself with the additional sheets attached thereto. The mitts are secured around the periphery by means of any of the aforementioned securing techniques, heat sealing being preferred. The mitt can be padded along its face to reduce slippage of your substrate sheets. As previously described the smoothness of each face of the mitt can be controlled by the size of the textured variation and the direction of the bumps.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is directed to the device's combination of a textured film and an active material. The term "active material" as used herein is not intended only to include detergent active materials but also to include any substance capable of being delivered through an article in accordance with the present invention to give a benefit.

Examples of suitable active materials include known cleaning products, for example surfactants and soaps; conditioners; moisturizers; compositions for bubble baths; shaving foams; skin treatment agents such as sunscreens; tanning agents; anti-acne agents; anti-aging, for example wrinkles, fine lines and other manifestations of damage from sun exposure; anti-irritant agents; perfumes or fragrances and the like. The active materials can be in any suitable form such as a powder, gel, a sol, a solid stick, a semi-solid, a liquid, or any combination thereof.

Examples of suitable cleaners and conditioners include those described in United States Patent No. 5,804,539. Cleaners that have low irritative properties such as shampoos available from Johnson &amp; Johnson Consumers Companies, Inc., under the trade name "Jonhson's Baby Shampoo" and cleaners available from Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., under the trade name, are preferred. trade name of "Johnson's Baby Bath".

Examples of suitable sunscreens include butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane, octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone, octocrylene, octyl salicylate, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, ethyl hydroxypropyl aminobenzoate, menthyl anthranilate, aminobenzoic acid, ginobenzine titanium dioxide, diethanoxylataminobenzoic acid, ginoxamine, titanium dioxide, methoxylaminophen , zinc oxide, oxybenzone, padimate or red paraffin and mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable tanning agents include dihydroxyacetone.

Examples of suitable anti-acne agents include, but are not limited to, topical retinoids (tretinoin, isotretinoin, motretinide, adapalene, tazarotene, azelaic acid, retinol); salicylic acid; benzoyl peroxide; resorcinol; antibiotics such as tetracycline and isomers thereof, erythromycin, and anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, naproxen, hetprofen; Botanical extracts such as alnus, arnica, artemisia capillaris, asiasarum root, calendula, chamomile, cnidium, comfrey, fennel, galla rhois, hawthorn, houttuynia, hypericum, jojoba, kiwi, licorice, magnolia, olive, peppermint, philodendron, sage, sasa albo marginata; imidazoles such as ketoconazole and elubiol, and those described in Gollnick, H. et al. 196 (I) Dermatology Sebaceous Glands, Acne and Related Disorders, 119157 (1998), which is incorporated by reference herein, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred anti-acne agents include benzoyl peroxide, retinol, elubiol, antibiotics, and salicylic acid, with retinol and tretinoin being most preferred.

Examples of anti-aging agents, eg. wrinkles, fine lines and other manifestations of damage

ES 2 240 355 T3 produced by exposure to sunlight, include, but are not limited to, inorganic sunscreens such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide; organic sunscreens such as octyl mathyl cinnamates and derivatives thereof; retinoids; vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, and derivatives thereof such as vitamin E acetate, vitamin C palmitate, and the like; antioxidants including beta carotene, alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, ascorbic acid, alpha hydroxybutyric acid, alpha hydroxyisobutyric acid, alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid, atrollactic acid, alpha hydroxyisovaleric acid, ethyl pyruvate, galacturonic acid, glucoheptonic acid, 1,4-glucoheptone lactone, gluconic acid, gluconolactone, glucuronic acid, glucuronolactone, glycolic acid, isopropyl pyruvate, methyl pyruvate, mucic acid, pyruvian acid, sugar acid, 1,4-sugar acid lactone, tartaric acid, and tartronic acid; beta hydroxy acids such as beta hydroxybutyric acid, beta phenyl lactic acid, beta phenyl pyruvic acid; botanical extracts such as green tea, soy, thistle, algae, aloe, angelica, bitter orange, coffee, goldthread, grapefruit, hoellen, honeysuckle, Job's tear, lithosperm, blackberry, peony, peurarura, false saffron, and mixtures thereof .

Preferred anti-aging agents include retinoids, antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, with retinol and tretinoin being most preferred.

Examples of suitable anti-irritant agents include colloidal oatmeal, oat extract, agents known for their ability to reduce diaper rash symptoms such as dimethicone, white paraffin, zinc oxide, and mixtures thereof and the like.

The textured film device and the active material can be packaged together as in a system or equipment. This kit preferably contains the desired cleaning liquid and / or other active material, in its own container. Alternatively, the active material can be substantially dry and impregnated within the film or deposited on its surface as described in, for example, US Patent No. 5,980,931. In another embodiment, the active material may be located in a receptacle attached, fixedly or removably, to the textured film, the security means, and / or the means to be grasped. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle is attached to the textured film and, for the spherical textured film device 10, is located in the center 30 of the device 10.

In embodiments in which the receptacle is attached to the device, the receptacle may comprise any material capable of enabling the transport of the primary agent from the interior of the receptacle to the outside at the desired time. Preferably, the receptacle has walls comprising either water-soluble materials or water-insoluble materials.

Examples of suitable water soluble materials include, for example, water soluble films such as polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, and those described in Davidson, Robert L., et al., "Water Soluble." Resins ”, Chapters 2-9 (1968). The thickness of the water soluble film can range from about 0.01mm to about 0.08mm, and preferably from about 0.025mm to about 0.05mm. The active material can be delivered from the container with walls comprising water-soluble materials by wetting the device with the amount of water necessary to dissolve the walls.

Alternatively, the receptacle may have walls comprising water-insoluble films including, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidine chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride copolymers, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. The thickness of the water insoluble films can range from about 0.01mm to about 0.08mm, and preferably from about 0.025mm to about 0.05mm. The active material can be delivered therefrom by applying pressure to the receptacle in order to puncture the membrane of the water-insoluble film. Alternatively, the receptacle may be a container comprising water insoluble material, wherein the walls of the container have a general thickness of from about 0.025mm to about 3mm, preferably from about 0.25mm to about 1mm. mm. Said containers can be replaceable or refillable. The active material may be delivered from said containers from at least one capped and / or valved dispensing hole in at least one wall of the container. After removing the cap, the active material can be dispensed from the container. The valve, which can be activated by squeezing the walls of the container or manually bypassing a portion of the valve, can be in the form of a membrane with a narrow opening, ball and spring, duckbill, or any other valve known in the art. of canister dispensers. See, eg. US Patents No. 4,728,006, 4,782,975, 5,632,420, 5,680,969, 5,079,013 and French Patent No. 1,364,891.

The invention illustratively described herein may be carried out in the absence of any component, ingredient, or step that is not specifically described herein. Several examples are set forth below to illustrate the nature of the invention and the manner of carrying it out. However, the invention should not be considered limited to the details set forth herein.

Example 1

Open Area Comparison

Three 3.8 cm by 3.8 cm samples obtained from 20 cm x 30 cm pieces of each of the

ES 2 240 355 T3 materials described in Table B using a Hewlett Packard ScanJet IIC Scanner. These samples were oriented with the bumps towards the scanner glass. The scans were performed at 600 dpi (dots per 2.54 cm) using the Sharp Black and White Photo settings and automatic brightness and contrast control. The images were saved in “.tiff” format to be analyzed with the Image Pro Plus 3.0 program.

For each material in Table B, three images obtained from three samples were imported into Image Pro Plus 3.0 program, and analyzed using the calibration corresponding to the 600 dpi scan. The openings of the bumps of each image were measured, then the area of ​​each opening was calculated by means of the program. All the open areas of each sample were added, and the open area was calculated with the equation:% Open Area = (Sum of areas of openings in the image / Area of ​​the image) x 100. The Open Area for each material is shown in Table B below:

TABLE B

Materials for open area analysis

<td>Type of material</td><td>Open area (%)</td>

<td>Perforated film (thin **)</td><td> 6,1</td>

<td>Perforated film (large elongated shape)</td><td> 13,4</td>

<td>Perforated film (large round shape)</td><td> 14,0</td>

<td>Perforated film (intermediate)</td><td> 4,2</td>

<td>Woven mesh *</td><td> 69,1</td>

* available from San Francisco Soap Company ** The terms "fine", "medium" and "large" refer to the number of textured variations / cm²in the movie in descending order.

We observed that the cross-sectional shapes of the perforated films had a film-like appearance. In contrast, the woven mesh had individual filament strands in which the cross-sectional shape ranged from nearly round to kidney-shaped. Cross sections of the woven mesh where the strands were joined together appeared to have "dog bone" or "bell" shapes.

This Example illustrates that the perforated films of the present invention have significantly less open area than those woven meshes used in commonly commercially available cleaning devices. This Example also showed that perforated films were different from woven meshes in their overall structure. Example 2

Manufacture and use of the perforated film device

A 20 cm x 200 cm sheet of the film available from Tredegar Film Products, Inc. under the trade name, "VISPORE®" and having an open area of ​​about 14% was folded back and forth on itself from according to the procedure illustrated in Fig. 13 in order to form a corrugated structure having a height of about 3 cm. After tying the structure in the center with a conventional elastic band, it was a round, almost spherical implement.

After depositing on the framework about 5 grams of shower gel available from Neutrogena Corporation under the trade name, "Rain Bath", the framework was used in a usual manner of shower cleaning. This procedure was followed by three independent consumers.

The structure was found to produce a significant amount of aesthetically pleasing lather and to effectively and gently cleanse the skin without causing irritation. Furthermore, users remarked that the structure was soft and non-irritating to the skin.

This Example showed that the novel structure containing a known shower gel has been able to produce a significant amount of lather without irritating the skin.

ES 2 240 355 T3

Example 3

Foam comparison - tassel with diamond mesh fabric versus perforated film device

Five devices, comprising the film described in Example 2, were produced according to the procedure set forth in Example 2. A second group of five devices were manufactured in a similar manner, but using a similar film that had 4.2% of open area.

These devices were soaked for 15 seconds with tap water at a temperature of 35 ° C, then the water was allowed to drain from them for about 5 to 10 seconds. The structures were then shaken 3 times. Simultaneously and immediately after this, the forearms of the 5 subjects were wetted for about 15 seconds with a water of similar characteristics.

After having applied 2 ml of shower gel available from Johnson &amp; Johnson Ltd. under the trade name, "pH 5.5 Body Wash" on each respective wet forearm, each subject then independently rubbed a device of this example along the forearm. to create a lather for about 30 seconds. Each respective device was then firmly squeezed, and the foam produced therein was collected in a separate graduated cylinder in order to measure the foam volume.

This foaming process was repeated with a commercial diamond-shaped tassel available at The Body Shop. The results of this Example are shown below in Table D.

TABLE D

Volume of soaping foam produced by different tassels

<td>Kind of</td><td>Volume</td><td>Volume</td><td>Volume</td><td>Volume</td><td>Volume</td><td>Volume</td><td>Volume</td>

<td>tassels</td><td>from</td><td>from</td><td>from</td><td>from</td><td>from</td><td>from</td><td>from</td>

<td></td><td>foam</td><td>foam</td><td>foam</td><td>foam</td><td>foam</td><td>foam</td><td>foam</td>

<td></td><td>(ml) of</td><td>(ml) of</td><td>(ml) of</td><td>(ml) of</td><td>(ml) of</td><td>(ml)</td><td>(ml)</td>

<td></td><td>User</td><td>User</td><td>User</td><td>User</td><td>User</td><td>Average</td><td>Deviation</td>

<td></td><td>N °: 1</td><td>N °: 2</td><td>N °: 3</td><td>N °: 4</td><td>N °: 5</td><td>of 5</td><td>Standard</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Users</td><td>of 5</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Users</td>

<td>Movie</td><td> 650</td><td> 650</td><td> 650</td><td> 600</td><td> 600</td><td> 630</td><td> 27</td>

<td>of</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Example 0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Movie</td><td> 450</td><td> 600</td><td> 450</td><td> 450</td><td> 400</td><td> 470</td><td> 42</td>

<td>of</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Example Q</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Tassel</td><td> 450</td><td> 250</td><td> 350</td><td> 450</td><td> 400</td><td> 380</td><td> 83</td>

<td>from</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Bodysuit</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Shop</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td> _</td>

This Example showed that neither foam volume nor foam quality were sacrificed by the mild cleanser offered by the puff of the present invention. Furthermore, this Example showed that more foam is produced with perforated film tassels that have a larger open area relative to those films that have a smaller open area. Furthermore, this Example also showed that perforated film tassels, those with a smaller total open area than diamond mesh tassels, produce significantly more foam relative to diamond shaped mesh tassels.