Impregnated matrix and method for making same

• US 6,616,641 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa Division Of Conopco, Inc.
• Inventors: Sheridan, Christopher H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, LINH T
• Application Number:
  US09/998,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20020058453A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 604/290, 424/402, 442/413, 442/97, 442/84, 442/91, 442/121
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0212 Face masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/027 Fibers; Fibrils
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249962 Void-containing component has a continuous matrix of fibers only [e.g., porous paper, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/20 Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2098 At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2205 Natural oil or wax containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2262 Coating or impregnation is oil repellent but not oil or stain release
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2311 Coating or impregnation is a lubricant or a surface friction reducing agent other than specified as improving the "hand" of the fabric or increasing the softness thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2484 Coating or impregnation is water absorbency-increasing or hydrophilicity-increasing or hydrophilicity-imparting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2508 Coating or impregnation absorbs chemical material other than water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2525 Coating or impregnation functions biologically [e.g., insect repellent, antiseptic, insecticide, bactericide, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/674 Nonwoven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet

Abstract

A substantially flexible, dry matrix, which contains not more than about 3% moisture at room temperature, is impregnated with a water free treatment mixture containing a lipid and a surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, the mixture includes a glycol, a surfactant and a lipid emollient, lubricant, medicament or skin protectant. Methods of manufacturing and using the impregnated matrices are also taught.

Claims

1. A method of treating a skin surface comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining a dry matrix sheet comprising

i. a plurality of fibers; and

ii. a film on at least part of said fibers, said film comprising

a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of lipid emollient, lubricant, protectant and medicament; and

b) a surfactant;

the matrix sheet being dry to the touch and comprising a plurality of layers one of which comprises synthetic fibers and one of which comprises cellulosic tissue;

b) prior to using said matrix sheet on said skin, adding water to said matrix sheet; and

c) rubbing said skin surface with said water treated matrix.

2. Method according to claim 1 wherein said surfactant is present in an amount ranging from about 4% to about 50% by weight of said film.

3. Method according to claim 1 wherein said surfactant comprises a glycol.

4. Method according to claim 3 wherein said glycol is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, hexylene glycol and polyethylene glycol.

5. Method according to claim 1 wherein said emollient is selected from the group consisting of stearyl ether, caproic and lanolin.

6. Method according to claim 1 wherein said protectant is a member selected from the group consisting of dimethyl polysiloxane, cyclomethicone and lanolin.

7. Method according to claim 1 wherein said lubricant is a member selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, petroleum and wax.

8. Method according to claim 1 wherein said medicament is a member selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide, aloe, titanium dioxide, miconazole, bacitracin, neomycin polymyxin, Vitamins A, D and E, salicylic acid, retinoic acid, resorcinol, benadryl, sulfadiazine, sulfaguanidine, citronellol and hydrocortisone.

9. Method according to claim 1 wherein said dry matrix sheets are in the form of folded or folded tab-connected sheets in a dispensing container.

10. Method according to claim 1 wherein said dry matrix sheets are in the form of individual wipes.

12. Method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of fibers have regions with a hydrophobic character and regions with a hydrophilic character.

13. Method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of fibers is a mixture of cellulosic and synthetic fibers.

14. Method according to claim 1 wherein about 3% water is present in the dry matrix sheet.

15. Method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of layers comprises at least one spun type synthetic fiber sheet.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein the film has been deposited onto the dry matrix sheet by application through a pattern roll.

17. Method according claim 1 wherein the film has been deposited onto the plurality of fibers by a printing mechanism.

11. A method of treating a skin surface comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining a dry matrix sheet comprising

i. a plurality of fibers; and

ii. a film on at least part of said fibers, said film comprising an essentially water free mixture of

a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of lipid emollient, lubricant, protectant and medicament; and

b) a surfactant;

the matrix sheet being dry to the touch and comprising a plurality of layers one of which comprises synthetic fibers and one of which comprises cellulosic tissue;

b) prior to using said matrix sheet on said skin, adding water to said matrix sheet; and

c) rubbing said skin surface with said water treated matrix.

18. Method according to claim 11 wherein the plurality of fibers have regions with a hydrophobic character and regions with a hydrophilic character.

19. Method according to claim 11 wherein the plurality of fibers is a mixture of cellulosic and synthetic fibers.

20. Method according to claim 11 wherein the cellulosic tissue is rayon.

21. Method according to claim 11 wherein the plurality of layers comprises at least one spun type synthetic fiber sheet.

22. Method according to claim 11 wherein the film has been deposited onto the dry matrix sheet by application through a pattern roll.

23. Method according claim 11 wherein the film has been deposited onto the plurality of fibers by a printing mechanism.

25. Method according to claim 11 wherein about 3% water is present in the dry matrix sheet.

26. Method according to claim 11 wherein the cellulosic tissue is rayon.

27. Method according to claim 11 wherein the cellulosic tissue is rayon.

24. A method of treating a skin surface comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining a dry matrix sheet comprising

i. a plurality of fibers; and

ii. a film on at least part of said fibers, said film comprising

a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of lipid emollient, lubricant, protectant and medicament, and

b) a surfactant;

the matrix sheet comprising a plurality of layers one of which comprises synthetic fibers and one of which comprises a cellulosic tissue selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon and cellulosic pulp,

b) prior to using said matrix sheet on said skin, adding water to said matrix sheet, and

c) rubbing said skin surface with said water treated matrix.