Dispensing article

• US 6,607,739 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Wallo, Warren
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, SUSAN T
• Application Number:
  US09/503,261
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 424/401, 424/402, 424/404, 510/108, 510/119, 510/130, 510/140
• US Class Current: 424/404
• 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: A45D 37/00 Sachet pads specially adapted for liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 7/03 containing soap or other cleaning ingredients, e.g. impregnated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/17 containing cleaning agents A47L13/19 takes precedence ; chemical compositions C11D17/049
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0208 Tissues; Wipes; Patches
• 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: B32B 3/266 characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/049 Cleaning or scouring pads; Wipes

Abstract

An article including a first exterior layer; a second exterior layer; and a cell layer having at least one cell containing an active material wherein at least one layer is an apertured film and the cell layer is disposed between the two exterior layers. Typically the article is useful for cleaning or treating surfaces including skin, metal, wood, glass, and plastics.

Claims

1. A cleansing article comprising:

a first exterior layer;

a second exterior layer;

and a cell layer having a plurality of cells containing an active material, wherein at least one of the exterior layers is an apertured film and the cell layer is disposed between the first exterior layer and the second exterior layer, and wherein said apertured film is made from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, metallocene polyethylene, blends thereof, and copolymers thereof;

wherein at least one of the exterior layers contains an anti-bacterial agent, and wherein the article is reusable, easily cleaned and dried after use.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer has a vinyl acetate content of, based upon the total weight of the copolymer, from about 9 percent to about 28 percent.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein the aperatured film has an open area of no more than about 45%.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the cell film is from about 0.5 mil to about 3.0 mil.

5. The article of claim 1 wherein the at least one cell contains an active material that is prevented from escaping unless either pressure is applied or is dipped in a liquid which dissolves or disperses out the active material.

6. The article of claim 5 wherein the at least one cell contains an active material that is prevented from escaping unless pressure is applied.

7. The article of claim 1 wherein the active material is selected from the group consisting of moisturizers, bubble bath compositions, cleansers;

toners;

astringents;

conditioners;

sunscreens;

shaving foams;

tanning agents;

anti-acne agents;

anti-aging agents;

anti-irritant agents;

perfumes/fragrances;

moisturizers and mixtures thereof.

8. The article of claim 7 wherein the active material is selected from cleansers, moisturizers, conditioners, and combinations thereof.

9. The article of claim 1 further comprising a core layer.

10. The article of claim 9 wherein the core layer is a material selected from the group consisting of non-wovens, wovens, sponges, open-celled foam selected from the group consisting of a natural source, a synthetic source, extruded plastic scrim, polymeric films, and mixtures thereof.

11. The article of claim 1 further comprising a hanging means.

12. The article of claim 11 wherein the hanging means is selected from the group consisting of straps, handles, knobs, hooks, a character figure, hooks and loops, magnets, plastics, rubbers, synthetic elastics, and combinations thereof.

13. The article of claim 1 further comprising a sensory device located in said article in locations that correspond to said at least one cell.

14. The article of claim 13 wherein the sensory device is a gas enclosed in a film.

15. The article of claim 1, wherein the first exterior layer has a first end and the second exterior layer has a second end, and the first exterior layer and the second exterior layer are removably attached along the first end and second end.

16. The article of claim 15 wherein a second cell layer may be inserted into the article when the active material in the first cell layer is expended.

17. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one cell is comprised of a cell film selected from the group consisting of water insoluble films, water soluble films, oil insoluble films, and combinations thereof.

18. The article of claim 17 wherein the water insoluble film is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidine chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride copolymers, ethylene vinyl alcohol, blends thereof and copolymers thereof.

19. The article of claim 17 wherein the water insoluble film has a moisture vapor permeability of from about 10 g/m²/24 hr/day to about 50 g/m²/24 hr/day.