User-activatible substance delivery system

• US 6,863,960 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Alwattari, Ali Abdelaziz, Kaminiski, Anneke Margaret, Strube, John Brian, Curro, John Joseph, Benson, Douglas Herrin, Mansfield, Michele Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Juska, Cheryl A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON, JENNA LEIGH
• Application Number:
  US09/886,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 428/195.1, 428/192, 428 68- 76, 428/195, 428/196, 428/198, 428/320.2, 428/321.1, 428/166, 428/172, 239/34, 239/53, 239 55- 57, 442/392, 442/394, 442/393, 424/449, 424/443, 424/402, 604/289, 604/290
• US Class Current: 428/198
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 1/15 Cloths, sponges, pads, or the like, e.g. containing cleaning agents
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/17 containing cleaning agents A47L13/19 takes precedence ; chemical compositions C11D17/049
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/512 characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53 characterised by the absorbing medium A61F13/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/537 characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer A61F13/538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/8405 Additives, e.g. for odour, disinfectant or pH control
• 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: B08B 1/143 Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/20 with tools carried by a rotating drum or similar support B26F1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/24 Perforating by needles or pins
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/0045 Perforating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 55/023 using multilayered plates or sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 55/18 by squeezing between surfaces, e.g. rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/007 Forming single grooves or ribs, e.g. tear lines, weak spots by moulding B29C37/0057; folding lines B29C53/06; in metal articles B21D17/00; by cutting B26D3/08
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/04 using rollers or endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/06 using friction, e.g. spin welding non-plastics elements to plastic elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 : using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7437 : the tool being a perforating tool perforating as mechanical pre-treatment B29C66/02242
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 : Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/21 : said joint lines being formed by a single dot or dash or by several dots or dashes, i.e. spot joining or spot welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/232 : said joint lines being multiple and parallel, i.e. the joint being formed by several parallel joint lines
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/234 : said joint lines being in the form of tessellations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/436 : Joining sheets for making articles comprising cushioning or padding materials, the weld being performed through the cushioning material, e.g. car seats joining through openings B29C66/304
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/45 : Joining of substantially the whole surface of the articles methods or apparatus for laminating B32B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4722 : Fixing strips to surfaces other than edge faces fixing strips to edge faces B29C63/0026
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/723 : being multi-layered B29C66/7292, B29C66/72941 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7294 : Non woven mats, e.g. felt
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81433 : being toothed, i.e. comprising several teeth or pins comprising a single tooth B29C66/81429, or being patterned
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83413 : cooperating rollers, cylinders or drums
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83511 : jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders or drums
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/08 : Copolymers of ethylene B29K2023/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 : PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/14 : Copolymers of polypropylene B29K2023/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 : Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0854 : in the form of a non-woven mat
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0068 : Permeability to liquids; Adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/00 : Layered products
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/4878 : Diapers, napkins
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/737 : Articles provided with holes, e.g. grids, sieves nets B29L2028/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7374 : Slotted
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/04 : comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/08; next to a water-setting substance layer B32B13/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/061; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/042
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2037/0092 : in which absence of adhesives is explicitly presented as an advantage
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2038/0028 : Stretching, elongating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2038/047 : Perforating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2305/20 : in the form of a non-woven mat
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/202 : Conductive
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/204 : Di-electric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/51 : Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 : as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• 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: B32B 37/12 : characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/144 : using layers with different mechanical or chemical conditions or properties, e.g. layers with different thermal shrinkage, layers under tension during bonding constructional features for tensioning B32B38/1825
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0004 : Cutting, tearing or severing, e.g. bursting; Cutter details cutting in general B26D; laminating combined with punching or perforating B32B38/04; removing all or part of the layers B32B38/10; cutting in combination with laying up and registration B32B38/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0012 : Mechanical treatment, e.g. roughening, deforming, stretching
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/04 : Punching, slitting or perforating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 : Non-woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/04 : characterised by a layer being specifically extensible by reason of its structure or arrangement , e.g. by reason of the chemical nature of the fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 : another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/04 : Interconnection of layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 : using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/30 : Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/58 : Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture B65D75/36, B65D85/1027 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/049 : Cleaning or scouring pads; Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0838 : Parallel wires, sandwiched between two insulating layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24562 : Interlaminar spaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 : Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 : Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 : Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2481 : including layer of mechanically interengaged strands, strand-portions or strand-like strips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24826 : Spot bonds connect components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249994 : Composite having a component wherein a constituent is liquid or is contained within preformed walls [e.g., impregnant-filled, previously void containing component, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249995 : Constituent is in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/60 : Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/651 : Plural fabric layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/671 : Multiple nonwoven fabric layers composed of the same polymeric strand or fiber material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/673 : Including particulate material other than fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/674 : Nonwoven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet

Abstract

A user-activatible substance delivery system of the present invention comprises a first web and a second web, the first and second webs having a periphery and being enclosed about their respective peripheries and defining a void space therein. A substance for delivery upon user activation is disposed in the void space. At least one of the first or second webs has at least one bond site. The bond site(s) define(s) a melt weakened region such that upon application of a force having a vector component parallel to the transverse axis, the bond site(s) fracture(s) to form a corresponding aperture in the respective web. The apertures provide a fluid communication path to facilitate delivery of the substance from the void space.

Claims

1. A user-activatible substance delivery system:

(a) a first web and a second web, said first web joined to said second web in a face to face relationship at least one discrete bond site and said first and second webs having a periphery and being joined about their respective peripheries and defining a void space therein;

(b) a substance disposed in said void space, wherein said substance comprises a fluid;

(c) said bond site having a longitudinal axis oriented in a first direction and a transverse axis oriented in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction; and

(d) said bond site defining a melt weakened region having an aspect ratio of at least about 3, such that upon application of a sufficient force having a vector component parallel to said transverse axis, said bond site fractures to form a corresponding aperture to facilitate exposure of said substance.

2. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 1, wherein said first or second web comprises a nonwoven.

3. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 1, wherein said first or second web comprises a polymeric film.

4. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 1, wherein said first and second webs are identical.

5. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 1, wherein said fluid substance comprises a relatively viscous fluid.

6. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 1, wherein said bond site has a width of less than about 0.020 inches.

7. A user-activatible substance delivery system:

(a) a first web, a second web, and a third web, said first second and third webs having a periphery and being joined about their respective peripheries and defining two void spaces therein;

(b) a substance disposed in each of said void spaces;

(c) at least one of said first, second, or third webs having a least one bond site, said bond site having a longitudinal axis oriented in a first direction arid a transverse axis oriented in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction; and

(d) said at least one bond site defining a melt weakened region having an aspect ratio of at least about 3, such that upon application of a force having a vector component parallel to said second direction, said at least one bond site fractures to form a corresponding aperture to facilitate exposure of said substance.

8. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second webs comprise at lease one bond site.

9. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 7, wherein said substance comprises a fluid.

10. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 9, wherein said fluid substance comprises a liquid.

11. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 9, wherein said fluid substance comprises a relatively viscous material.

12. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 7, wherein said substance comprises a powdered material.

13. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 7, wherein said bond site has a width of less than about 0.020 inches.

14. A user-activatible substance delivery system comprising:

(a) a first web;

(b) a second web joined to said first web in a face to face relationship at a plurality of discrete bond sites, at least a first portion of said bond sites each having a longitudinal axis oriented in a first direction and a transverse axis oriented in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction.

(c) said first and second webs defining an interior region and an exterior region; and

(d) a fluid or powdered substance being disposed between said first and second webs, said substance capable of being exposed to said exterior via a plurality of apertures formed by the fracture of said bond sites upon sufficient application of a force having a vector component parallel to said second direction.

15. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 14, wherein said first or second web comprises a film/nonwoven laminate material.

16. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 14, wherein said fluid substance comprises a liquid.

17. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 14, wherein said fluid substance comprises a relatively viscous fluid.

18. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 14, wherein said substance comprises a cleansing powder.

19. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 14, wherein bond site has a width of less than about 0.020 inches.

20. The user-activatible substance delivery system of claim 14, wherein said bond site has an aspect ratio of greater than about 3.