Method of Manufacturing Self-Warming Products

Abstract

Microencapsulated delivery vehicles comprising an active agent are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microencapsulated delivery vehicles are heat delivery vehicles capable of generating heat upon activation. The microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles may be introduced into wet wipes such that, upon activation, the wet wipe solution is warmed resulting in a warm sensation on a user's skin. Any number of other active ingredients, such as cooling agents and biocides, can also be incorporated into a microencapsulated delivery vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a cross sectional view of a microencapsulated heat delivery vehicle of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a fluidized bed coating apparatus for use imparting a moisture protective layer to a microencapsulated heat delivery vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the heat generation rate for five size ranges of calcium chloride that were tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the heat generation rate for four size ranges of magnesium chloride that were tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the conductivity of a solution including a microencapsulated delivery vehicle having a moisture protective layer made in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the ability of various samples of microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles including moisture protective layers to generate heat as tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the ability of microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles including various coating levels of moisture protective layers to generate heat as tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the ability of microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles including moisture protective layers to generate heat after being flooded over various intervals of time with a wetting solution as tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIGS. 9-11 are graphs illustrating the rupture force required to rupture various microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles as tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIGS. 12-14 are graphs illustrating the rupture force required to rupture various microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles as tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIGS. 15-17 are graphs illustrating the rupture force required to rupture various microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles as tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

FIGS. 18-24 are graphs illustrating the rupture force required to rupture various microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles as tested in accordance with an experiment described herein.

Claims

1-67. (canceled)

68. A method of manufacturing a personal care product, the method comprising: forming a microencapsulated delivery vehicle comprising a core composition, the core composition comprising a liquid matrix material and a skin benefit agent;applying a fugitive layer to the microencapsulated delivery vehicle such that the fugitive layer surrounds the microencapsulated delivery vehicle to form a stabilized microencapsulated delivery vehicle; andembedding the stabilized microencapsulated delivery vehicle inside of a product.

69. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the skin benefit agent is selected from the group consisting of cleansing agents, exfoliation agents, skin-firming agents, anti-callous agents, anti-acne agents, anti-aging agents, anti-wrinkle agents, wound care agents, enzyme agents, scar repair agents, skin coloration agents, humectant agents, pH adjusting agents, moisturizers, skin conditioners, shaving lubricants, skin lipids, external analgesic agents, anti-allergy agents, anti-irritant agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and combinations thereof.

70. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the skin benefit agent is present in the core composition in an amount of from about 0.1% (by weight core composition) to about 98% (by weight core composition)

71. (canceled)

72. (canceled)

73. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the core composition further comprises an encapsulating activator.

74. The method as set forth in claim 73 comprising introducing the core composition into a liquid solution comprising a crosslinkable compound to form the microencapsulated delivery vehicle and removing the microencapsulated delivery vehicle from the liquid solution prior to applying the fugitive layer to the microencapsulated delivery vehicle.

75-77. (canceled)

78. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the core composition is present in the microencapsulated delivery vehicle in an amount of from about 0.1% (by weight microencapsulated delivery vehicle) to about 99.99% (by weight microencapsulated delivery vehicle).

79. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the liquid matrix material is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, isopropyl myristate, silicones, copolymers such as block copolymers, waxes, butters, exotic oils, dimethicone, plant oils, animal oils, and combinations thereof.

80. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the liquid matrix material is present in the core composition in an amount of from about 1% (by weight core composition) to about 99% (by weight core composition).

81-86. (canceled)

87. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the stabilized microencapsulated delivery vehicle comprises multiple fugitive layers surrounding the microencapsulated heat delivery vehicle.

88. The method as set forth in claim 68 wherein the fugitive layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polymers of dextrose, hydrocolloids, alginate, zein, and combinations thereof.

89. (canceled)

90. (canceled)

91. The method as set forth in claim 68 further comprising applying a moisture protective layer to the microencapsulated delivery vehicle prior to applying the fugitive layer to the microencapsulated delivery vehicle to form a stabilized substantially fluid-impervious microencapsulated delivery vehicle.

92. The method as set forth in claim 91 wherein the moisture protective layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a polyol in combination with isocynate, styrene-acrylate, vinyl toluene-acrylate, styrene-butadiene, vinyl-acrylate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, poly lactic acid, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyldichloride, polyethylene, alkyd polyester, carnauba wax, hydrogenated plant oils, hydrogenated animal oils, fumed silica, silicon waxes, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, metals, metal carbonates, metal sulfates, ceramics, metal phosphates, microcrystalline waxes, and combinations thereof.

93-97. (canceled)

98. The method as set forth in claim 91 wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of wipe products, wraps, bandages, headbands, wristbands, helmet pads, personal care products, cleansers, lotions, emulsions, oils, ointments, salves, and balms.

99. The method as set forth in claim 98 wherein the product is a wipe product selected from the group consisting of wet wipes, hand wipes, face wipes, cosmetic wipes, household wipes, and industrial wipes.

100. The method as set forth in claim 99 wherein the wipe product comprises a fibrous sheet material comprising a nonwoven selected from the group consisting of meltblown material, a coform material, an air-laid material, a bonded-carded web material, a hydroentangled material, a spunbonded material, and combinations thereof.

101. The method as set forth in claim 100 wherein the fibrous sheet material comprises at least a first layer and at least a second layer, and wherein the stabilized substantially fluid-impervious microencapsulated delivery vehicle is embedded in between the first layer and the second layer.

102. (canceled)

103. The method as set forth in claim 100 comprising embedding from about 0.33 grams per square meter to about 500 grams per square meter stabilized substantially fluid-impervious microencapsulated delivery vehicle.

104. The method as set forth in claim 100 wherein the stabilized substantially fluid-impervious microencapsulated delivery vehicle is embedded within a pocket in the fibrous sheet material.

105. The method as set forth in claim 100 further comprising depositing the stabilized substantially fluid-impervious microencapsulated delivery vehicle on an outer surface of the fibrous sheet material of the wipe product.

106. The method as set forth in claim 105 comprising depositing from about 0.33 grams per square meter to about 500 grams per square meter stabilized substantially fluid-impervious microencapsulated delivery vehicle onto the outer surface of the fibrous sheet material.