Article comprising a cell system

• US 6,508,604 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2001
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Rogers, Neil John, Bechmann, Georg Rudolf Theobald, Deflander, Joseph Fernand
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust, Timothy L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prunner, Kathleen J.
• Application Number:
  US09/936,407
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 401/132-135, 222/541.1, 222/541.3, 604/3
• US Class Current: 401/132
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1018 comprising a pad, i.e. a cushion-like mass of soft material, with or without gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1045 with one or more internal reservoirs, e.g. rupturable microcapsules
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/04 Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0208 Tissues; Wipes; Patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 15/00 Anti-perspirants or body deodorants deodorisation of air A61L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/10 Washing or bathing preparations
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3266 separated by a common rupturable seal, a clip or other removable fastening device

Abstract

A cell system has one or multiple burstable enclosures or closed cells which contain an active composition, such as a fluid or solid (including powdered) product, preferably a liquid product, which is released therefrom when the enclosures or closed cells are ruptured. Each enclosure or cell is provided with a flow control which controls the direction and flow of the composition outwardly of the enclosure or cell when the enclosure or cell is ruptured. The flow control is formed by a film covering one side of an enclosure or cell with the film having a cut-out portion forming a flow control window. The composition can be a face cleaning lotion or cream, a disinfectant, a household cleaning composition, a perfume, a polish or a medicament.

Claims

1. A cell system (10) with at least one burstable cell (11) filled with an active composition, the cell system being characterized in that it comprises a means (15) to control the flow and direction of the cell'"'"'s contents, once said at least one cell has been ruptured.

2. A cell system according to claim 1, wherein the cell has a dome and the means (15) for controlling the flow and direction of the cell'"'"'s contents, is positioned outside and all around the cell'"'"'s dome and is provided with a window (17) of a predetermined dimension through which the cell'"'"'s contents is released to the outside.

3. A cell system according to claim 2, wherein the window (17) is made out of a grid material.

4. A cell system according to claim 2, wherein the window (17) is aligned with the top of the cell'"'"'s dome.

5. A cell system according to claim 1, wherein the means (15) for controlling the flow and direction of the cell'"'"'s contents is an extension (24) of the cell which is punched with a cut-out portion (16), the cell and its extension (24) forming a one-piece element, and being separated by a peelable median seal (23).

6. A cell system according to claim 1, wherein the cut-out portion (16) is comprised within the range of 1 to 1500 mm².

7. A cell system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cell (11) has an internal volume which is comprised within the range of 0.01 ml to 5.0 ml.

8. An article comprising a cell system as claimed in claim 7.

9. An article according to claim 8, wherein the cell system is coupled to a support material in the form of a dispersing material and said dispersing material (12) is a fibrous pad.

10. A cell system according to claim 1, wherein 50 to 99% of the cell'"'"'s volume is filled with the composition.

11. A cell system according to claim 10, wherein said cell system is coupled to a dispersing article (12) for controlling the application of said active composition, once said at least one cell has been burst.

12. A cell system according to claim 11, which comprises a backing sheet (19), said cell system and backing sheet being folded in half and the two halves being attached together by a peripheral openable seal (20), so as to create a clamshell-like article.