Patent Application
20050011780
The invention relates to a packaged product applicator or personal care article, such as one in which the applicator or article can receive an appendage (such as a hand or finger) of the user so that the user can apply or use a product with the applicator while contact of the product with the skin of the appendage is avoided.
As disclosed in Published Japanese Utility Model Application Heisei 6-8823 (1994), applicators are known for use in applying a cosmetic powder or a cosmetic liquid, in which the applicator is contained in a storage bag of a resin film. The storage of an applicator in a storage bag can be desirable to prevent propagation of germs or access of contaminants to the applicator. However, conventional arrangements can be particularly problematic for using or applying liquid products, such as liquid cosmetic products, because the cosmetic liquid can undesirably contact the users' hands, fingers or clothes with excess liquid upon removal of the applicator from the bag or package. On the other hand, if the applicator is impregnated with a reduced amount of liquid, unsatisfactory application of the product can result.
It is an object of the invention to provide a packaged applicator which can avoid the problems discussed above. In a preferred form, the invention includes an applicator which can be utilized to apply liquid or dry products. Preferably, the applicator includes a cavity that receives an appendage of the user so that the user can hold the applicator by inserting the appendage into the cavity. The product to be applied can be disposed within the package in the region between the applicator and the remainder of the package and/or the product can be impregnated in the exterior of the applicator so that the applicator can be sufficiently dosed or impregnated with the product. The invention is particularly advantageous in applying liquid products, because substantial quantities of the liquid can be associated with the packaged applicator, but because the liquid is maintained isolated from the cavity of the applicator, the product is also isolated from the appendage (e.g., a finger or hand) which is utilized for applying the product. Accordingly, even if the applicator is saturated with the product or if excess product is present in the package, the product can be isolated from the users appendage. Although the invention is particularly preferable where the packaged article or applicator is configured to receive an appendage of the user the invention can also be utilized for other applicators such as pad or wipe applicators.
In a particularly preferred form, a seam which closes the package also closes the cavity of the applicator, such that upon opening of the package, an opening into the cavity of the applicator or article is also formed. As a result, the interior of the cavity of the applicator is isolated from the product disposed in the package. Further, once the package is opened, the user can insert a finger or hand into the cavity of the applicator to use the applicator. In a further optional aspect, the applicator can be fastened to one or more side walls of the package such that after opening of the package, the applicator remains partially attached to one or more side walls of the package. With this feature, after the package is opened, separation of the side walls of the package from one another expands the opening of the applicator cavity to allow the user to more easily insert an appendage into the applicator. Preferably, this fastening or attachment is easily breakable such that after the user's appendage is inserted into the applicator, the fastening of the applicator to the package can be broken and the user can readily remove the applicator from the package. Even where the applicator does not receive the user's appendage (e.g., with a pad or wipe applicator), the coupling of the applicator to the package assists in readily locating the applicator upon opening of the package.
The applicator of the invention can be utilized for applying a wide variety of products. For example, the applicator can be utilized to apply various personal care products such as various cosmetics, including a foundation or other make-up, a skin or hair conditioner, other hair products such as a hair dye, highlight or hair perming product, a fragrance, perfume, or cologne, a skin tanning product such as a sunless tanning product or a sunscreen product, a make-up remover, anti-wrinkle products, vitamins, anti-acne products, a fragrance, an antiseptic, antibacterial, medicinal, therapeutic or first-aid products, a whitening or bleaching agent for the skin, a surfactant or other cleansing product, nail care products such as nail polish or nail polish remover, etc. It is to be understood, however, that the packaged article of the present invention can have a number of additional uses. For example, the article can be utilized as a household cleaning article, for example, for polishing, cleaning, or dusting various household surfaces. The article could also be utilized in automotive care, such as in cleansing, polishing, and/or applying a protectant product to exterior and interior car surfaces, or for other transportation applications, such as for cleansing/maintaining various surfaces of rail, airline or marine vessels. The article can also be utilized for apparel, such as for cleaning/polishing shoes or for garment cleaning.
Although the invention is particularly advantageous for providing a packaged applicator, it could also provide other packaged articles. For example, the article disposed inside of the package could be utilized as a personal care article in which a heat generating substance is associated with the article or is disposed inside of the package between the package and the outer surface of the article. More particularly, compositions which are known to generate heat when exposed to oxygen can be provided such that when the package is opened, the heat generating substance is exposed to air, and heat is generated to warm the article and the appendage disposed within the cavity of the article. The generation of heat can be desirable where the article is a product applicator to warm the product being applied or used with the article. Alternatively, the generation of heat can be desirable by itself to warm the appendage which is inserted into the article. For example, the article can be shaped as a glove or mitt to receive a hand, or as a sock-like article to receive a foot, with the heat generating substance thus warming the hand or foot upon insertion into the cavity the article. With most applications, the article will be removed from the package for use as an applicator after the package is opened. Where the article is a warmer that is not utilized as a product applicator, the article could be utilized without separating the article from the package. Thus, opening of the packaged article can open the cavity of the article so that an appendage can be inserted into the cavity. At the same time, access of air into the region between the article and the package walls provides access of oxygen to the warming substance so that the appendage inserted into the cavity of the article is warmed. With the article maintained fastened to the outer package, the package provides an enclosure about the article and the warming substance to assist in retaining the heat generating substance and, depending upon the packaging, for additional insulation to retain the generated heat. Alternatively, the article itself could have an outer layer which protects inadvertent escape of the warming material (or inadvertent access of moisture or other contaminants to the warming material) and the article can be separated from the outer package for use.
The package containing the applicator or article can have various forms. Preferably the package will allow for long-term storage of the product or substances contained within the package. In a preferred form, the article is a bag or envelope, and is formed of flexible or soft, airtight materials. Such materials can include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyamide, and/or a metallic foil or metallic film (such as an aluminum foil or film or a stainless steel foil or film). Metallic films can be formed by various methods, such as by vapor deposition of the metal. The package can be formed of a single layer or of multiple layers of the same or different materials. By way of example, the package can include an aluminum foil or film sandwiched between layers of PET and/or PE. As noted above, if the package is to be maintained with the article after opening and the article is a warmer, the package also preferably has good insulating properties. As should be readily recognized, various materials and combinations of materials can be utilized for the outer package.
The package could also be transparent so that the article is visible through the package. As a further alternative, selected portions of the package could be transparent, for example, having a transparent window or having one side of the package transparent and the other side non-transparent. Such a transparent package (or transparent portion of the package) could be desirable aesthetically and also to assist the user in using the package, for example, to assist in opening the correct end of the package and to identify the correct location for insertion of the appendage into the article inside of the package. The use of a transparent material can also assist the user in retrieving a product from the package after the article is mounted upon an appendage where the article is being used as an applicator. Where a transparent packaging material is utilized, it can be desirable to include a material which is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, such as a “low E” film.
The article/applicator can have various shapes or configurations, such as a shape suitable for receiving a single finger or two or more fingers, or the article could be shaped to receive the users' entire hand or a foot. The article or applicator is preferably formed of multiple layers, with at least one layer impermeable to the product or substance which is disposed on an outer surface of the article and/or within the package. In addition, where the article is an applicator, the outer surface of the article is preferably formed of a material suitable for retaining the product which is to be applied, with the outer surface of the article also suitable for contact with the skin or other surface to which the product is to be applied. By way of example, the outer surface of the applicator can include various materials such as a woven or a non-woven fabric formed of various natural and/or synthetic materials, a foam-like material (including natural or synthetic sponge-like materials) or various combinations of the foregoing (e.g., with a foam or other absorbent layer provided for retaining the product and with the absorbent layer covered by a nonwoven or other soft layer which is desirable for contacting the skin). Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include cotton, animal fibers such as wool, rayon, polyester, polyamide, polyolefinic, or acrylic materials. In a presently preferred form of a two-layer article, the article includes a non-woven material for the outer layer, with an impermeable layer as the inner layer. The impermeable layer can be provided as a separate film layer which is joined to the outer layer(s), or the impermeable layer could be provided as a coating on an inner surface of the outer layer(s). Although the use of a separate impermeable layer is desired, it is not required for all applications, such as where contact of the product being applied is not offensive to the skin of the appendage being utilized to apply the product (e.g., for a powder or talc-like product) or where the product does not easily penetrate the outer layer(s) of the applicator material. Where an impermeable layer is included, it can additionally be desirable to provide a still further layer inside of the impermeable layer so that the inner surface of the article is more comfortable in contact with the skin. More particularly, impermeable layers (such as a resin film or coating) can be uncomfortable when in contact with the skin of the appendage inserted into the article, and perspiration or other moisture can make the article difficult to remove from the appendage after use. Accordingly, a layer can be selected for the innermost surface of the article which is more desirable for contact with the skin of the appendage inserted into the cavity of the article. This third or innermost layer can include various natural or synthetic fabrics or textile materials. Alternatively, where an impermeable layer is the innermost layer, a powder or talc can be provided inside of the cavity to prevent the skin of the appendage from sticking to the inner surface of the article. The amount of product provided with the article (filled inside of the bag/package and/or impregnated in the article or applicator) according to the invention can vary widely depending upon the product, the type of surface to which the product is applied, as well as the size of the area of the surface to which the product is applied. Where the article is utilized as an applicator, a relatively wide range of amounts of the product can be provided. For example, where it is desirable to ensure that the product does not drip from the article, the amount of product can be selected such that the outer applicator layer(s) of the article is/are not overly saturated. However, if desired, the product could also be provided in an amount which exceeds the saturation level of the applicator so that the user can repeatedly dip the applicator back into the package to replenish the applicator. For certain applications, the amount of product will be quite small, substantially less than the saturation level of the applicator, for example, where the product being applied is a fragrance.
As examples, the percentage of product impregnation may vary from 10 to 1000% and preferably, from 100 to 600%.
Although the invention is particularly desirable for use in applying liquid products, dry products could also be applied such as a powder or cake products, or the product being applied could be a paste-like/semi-solid product. Further, the product could be one which is a liquid or foaming material in use, but which is in dry form (or as a concentrated liquid) prior to use. For example, the product being applied could include a cleansing product such as a foaming surfactant which is present within the package in dry form. Once the user's appendage is inserted into the cavity of the article/applicator and the article is removed, the package can provide a portable reservoir or sink, into which water can be added to activate or dissolve the surfactant (or other product provided in dry or concentrated form). After water is added, the user can dip the article into the package and then proceed to utilize the article to cleanse the face or other surface. Where the article is a multi-layer article, an outer surface layer of the article can be utilized for washing with a surfactant (or for the application of another product), and when use of the product is completed, the article could be turned inside out so that the inner surface layer of the article can be utilized for drying or another finishing/polishing operation. An impermeable layer would also be provided to isolate the inner and outer layers of the article with this type of operation. As a further alternative, the article could have a moist outer surface including water and a surfactant (or other product) so that the article can be used directly upon removal from the package, but also so that additional water could be optionally added, e.g., to enhance foaming of the surfactant or for prolonged cleansing.
As should be readily apparent, the packaged article of the invention provides a wide variety of uses and applications.
According to a further aspect of the invention, an advantageous process/method for manufacturing the packaged article is provided as discussed in further detail herein.
The above and additional objects and advantages of the invention will become readily understood in view of the detailed description herein, particularly when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Although the package 1 is shown as a relatively flat envelope-type package, various configurations are possible, for example, the package could be gusseted or include various V, W or accordion folds so that the package is expandable or can provide a more stable package in use. These types of expandable or more stable configurations could be desirable if, for example, a large quantity of product is to be contained in the package and the applicator is to be repeatedly dipped into the package. Such an expandable-type package could also be desirable where the product is present in dry or concentrated liquid form and is wetted or dissolved after the package is opened and the article/applicator 3 is removed. As discussed earlier, with this arrangement, a dry product 2 is provided in the bag, the bag is inverted (as compared with the position shown in
Although the product 2 is shown in the region of the package surrounding the article 3, it is also to be understood that the product could alternately or additionally be associated with the article, for example, by impregnating the article with the product prior to insertion into the package, or by sandwiching the product between layers of the article. Various combinations of the foregoing are also possible. For example, a dry product could be sandwiched between the layers 7, 8 of the article and another product or water/moisture could be added into the surrounding package.
As shown in
In the presently preferred form, the outer surface is a non-woven layer, however, various other fabrics or foam materials could be used as discussed earlier. Also, multiple layers could be provided outside of the layer 8 to form the applicator layers 7, e.g., with a foam or more absorbent layer provided for its ability to retain the product and with the absorbent layer covered by a layer best suited for contacting the skin (or other surface to which the product is to be applied) such as a non-woven or other fabric.
Inside of the outer layer(s) 7, an impermeable layer 8 is preferably provided to prevent the product 2 from passing from the layer(s) 7 into the cavity 6. However, as noted earlier, an impermeable layer need not be provided in all circumstances, for example, where the product being applied does not readily penetrate through the layer(s) 7 and/or is not objectionable for contacting the skin of the appendage which is inserted into the cavity 6. Even where some of the product can penetrate through the article into the cavity 6 (e.g., where contact of the product with the skin of the appendage is not objectionable), the use of a common seam to isolate the cavity 6 from the remainder of the interior of the package is desirable in that the majority of the product 2 will be maintained outside of the cavity 6, and there is thus less waste of the product in terms of the amount that can pass into the cavity of the article. The use of one or more layers which prevent penetration of the product 2 to the cavity 6 is particularly important where contact of the product with the skin is objectionable, such as where the product is a dye, a sunless tanning product, or a harsh cleaning composition. As also noted earlier, where an impermeable layer 8 is provided, the layer can be applied as a separate film of various materials such as synthetic resin materials, or the impermeable layer 8 could be provided as a coating deposited on the inner surface of the layer(s) 7.
As represented in broken line in
In accordance with an optional, but preferred form, the tear-away seam 4 is preferably spaced slightly from the edge (the topmost edge with respect to the orientation of the packaged article in
As a further alternative, in certain instances it could be desirable to maintain the article 3 fixed to the package even after opening of the packaged article. For example, if the article is to be utilized as a warming device, a heat generating substance 2 can be provided within the package in the region of the package outside of the article 3. The tear line and seam are arranged such that upon opening of the package; the heat generating substance would then be exposed to oxygen so that heat is generated. The user can then insert the appendage into the cavity 6 to warm the appendage. The package can be retained about the article in this instance to assist in preventing inadvertent contact with the heat generating substance and/or for additional insulation about the article 3. Heat generating substances, in and of themselves, are known. By way of example, iron-containing substances (or other metals/alloys, particularly in powder form) are known to generate heat upon exposure to air or oxygen as the iron (or other metal) oxidizes. Various forms of such substances can be devised to control the amount of heat produced by controlling or accelerating the speed of the oxidation reaction. In addition to iron or another metal, such substances can include carbon (such as an activated carbon), vermiculite or salt, and water. By way of example, as disclosed in EP 1 229 097 A1 (which is incorporated herein by reference), heat generating substances have been known for many years, and substances such as activated carbon and vermiculite are well known for use in dosing water so that they can maintain/control the heat or temperature provided by the exothermic reaction. Although these substances have been known, such heat generating substance have not previously been utilized in a packaged article according to the invention. Other heat generating materials could be utilized which generate heat when mixed or when water is added such as acidic anhydrides and basic anhydrides (or salts of the foregoing), or a combination of phosphorous pentoxide and calcium oxide which generate heat when mixed together with water. Additional examples of substances that can generate heat when mixed with water include zeolithes and anhydrous polyalcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc. In this case, water can be added to the package after opening, or the water could be present in capsules or microcapsules which are broken (e.g., by applying pressure through the surface of the package) when use is desired. Where a heat generating substance is utilized, preferably additional means are provided so that the substance cannot readily escape from the package. For example, the substance can be retained between layers of the package and/or the article such that upon opening of the package, the heat generating substance is exposed to oxygen (or can be wetted with water, e.g., with encapsulated water) but the heat generating substance cannot flow freely from the package.
According to a still further modified example of the invention, the article could be an applicator that does not have a cavity for receiving an appendage of the user. For example, the article could be a pad or wipe applicator article for applying or using a product disposed in the package and/or impregnated in the article, with the article coupled to the package as discussed in conjunction with the appendage-receiving articles discussed herein. With this arrangement, the applicator can be more readily located and withdrawn from the package upon opening of the package because the applicator is coupled to the package at the seam or closure location of the package. In addition, the appearance of the applicator can be better maintained, because the article can be prevented from becoming “bunched up” in the package.
The package 1 can be formed of one or multiple layers of resin and/or metallic films or foils. If desired, additional fabric or textile or labeling layers could be provided on the exterior of the package 1 as well. Also, the package 1 can be opaque, or the package can be partially or entirely transparent as discussed earlier. Where the package 1 is partly or entirely transparent, it can be desirable to select a transparent film which provides ultraviolet protection to prevent degradation of the product.
After the webs 7, 8 are associated with one another, they are then folded in the illustrated embodiment as represented at 24. This folding operation in part delimits the cavity 6 inside of the article, and the cavity is completed by forming the remaining seams, for example, by a heated die or other expedients (e.g., stitching, ultrasonic welding, etc.) as represented at 26. As an alternative to folding as illustrated at 24, it is also to be understood that one or more additional layers could be overlaid onto the layer 8. The use of additional layers in lieu of folding can be desirable if, for example, it is desirable to form an article having one side with an outer surface having different properties than the other side. For example, where the article is utilized for applying a product to the skin or for skin care, surfaces of different roughnesses can be provided on different sides of the article so that the user can select a surface roughness most comfortable. Thus, as an alternative to folding of the combined layers 7, 8, additional layers could be overlaid onto the layer 8 with seams then formed around the periphery of the article to define the cavity 6.
After the profile/periphery of the articles is formed, the excess material is removed as illustrated at 28 so that discretely formed articles suitable for receiving an appendage of the user are provided as illustrated at 30.
As indicated at 32, a further supply roll 32 is provided for forming the outer package. As noted earlier, the package can be formed of various single or multiple layer/multiple ply materials including various resins, foils, films and combinations of the foregoing. In the embodiment illustrated, by way of example, the substrate which will form the package is folded upwardly (as represented schematically at 33) such that it is open at the top, and the formed articles can then be inserted into the open top of the folded web as shown. As represented at 34 a seal can then be formed at the bottom (along the fold) to seal both the bottom of the package and also to seal the bottom (with respect to the orientation of
Side seams are then formed as illustrated at 36 to thus form the side seams of the package and also to separate the packages from one another. Thereafter, the product which is to be applied with the article/applicator can be deposited into the package as represented at 38, followed by sealing of the top of the package as represented at 40. In addition, notches or other arrangements for weakening a tear line can be provided as represented at 42. Thereafter, the packaged articles can then be separated from one another and any waste material can be removed by one or more cutting operations as represented at 44. As discussed earlier, various expedients can be provided for easing removal of the bottom seam of the packaged article to thereby open both the package and the cavity of the article. In forming of the side seams or in forming of the bottom seam, or at a separate location, a suitable seal or fastening can optionally be provided so that the article is fastened to the package at a location such that partial fastening of the article to the package remains even after the bottom seam of the package is removed to open the package and the cavity of the article. This can be achieved, for example, when forming the bottom seal by utilizing a seal device that will provide a profile as depicted in
As should be apparent from the foregoing, the present invention provides a packaged applicator or other article with a wide variety of uses. The following examples are not to be construed as limiting as to the scope of the invention, but rather, are intended as further illustrations of examples of the invention.
Using laminated layers of polyethylene film and a non-woven fabric of rayon, a bag shaped applicator as shown in
With the same method as Example No. 1, another applicator containing a polishing liquid as shown in
With the same method as Example No. 1, an applicator was formed in a package with a UV protectant sunscreen lotion, with the configuration as shown in
The package was opened from an I-notch provided at the end part of the sealed bag. The user's hand was inserted into the cavity, and the lotion was applied to the face. The article had good application properties, and prevented the lotion from contacting the user's hand or clothes.
With the applicator as shown in
The package was opened from the I-notch, the user's hand was inserted into the cavity and the article was used for facial care. The article had good application properties, and prevented the lotion from contacting the user's hand or clothes.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-381747 | Dec 2001 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP02/14813 | 12/2/2002 | WO |
