Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Wearing apparel – fabric – or cloth
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-04-10
Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Wearing apparel, fabric, or cloth
C424S401000, C424S484000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06214362
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to cosmetic pads useful for cleansing the skin of the oil that causes an unsightly glistening appearance and promotes skin inflammation and blemishes, and specifically to cosmetic pads that are small, easy to hold and manipulate with the hand, and can be rubbed over the skin to remove oil without removing makeup. The cosmetic pads of the invention are also versatile and mutli-use as they can be further used to efficiently apply or smooth new-makeup, as well as, to remove sunscreen residues when no longer needed on the skin.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Prior Art—Cosmetic Pads
The field of cosmetic pads is old and extensive. There exist many cosmetic pads commercially available for applying and/or removing makeup and for cleaning and/or wiping the skin. Makeup pads are commonly used to apply and remove makeup because bacteria and oil on the fingers may affect the skin health and/or the finish of the makeup foundation Makeup applicators and removal pads sold today are made of flexible porous materials. Some are made of natural cellulose fibers such as soft quilted cotton, hemp, or other natural plant fibers. These natural fiber cosmetic pads, such as the Cotton Rounds distributed by Albertson's Inc. Boise Id. 83726, are commonly found in grocery or drug stores. Other pads are made of synthetic polymer materials, e.g., low density polyethylene, latex, or similar sponge materials, such as Albertson's latex-free makeup Sponges, or the Beauty Rounds™ manufactured by Karlen Mfg., St Charles, Mich. 48655. Although effective for applying and removing makeup, these pads cannot remove oil without removing applied makeup. Therefore, if one attempts to clean the skin with these pads after application of makeup, the makeup will be removed by these pads. Further, although these pads are relatively effective at removing skin moisture and hydrophilic substances they are relatively ineffective at removing oil from the skin. When wiped or rubbed over the skin these relatively hydrophilic (i.e., moderate to high energy) materials will quickly absorb surface water and other polar compounds (e.g., makeup). The pre-absorption of high surface tension substances, like water, can also “lock-up” the pad to the subsequent absorption of low surface tension (hereafter low tension) substances (e.g., oils). The end result is that these pads will (a) dehydrate the skin by absorbing water moisture, (b) remove makeup, (c) not remove significant levels of oil, (d) will chafe or abrade the skin with repeated rubbing, and (e) waste relatively large amounts of makeup due to absorption into the pad when used to apply new-makeup. Further, those made of natural fibers tend to lose fibers onto the skin, which is unsightly in itself, and causes makeup to appear clumpy or otherwise coarse in texture.
Other available pads are fibrous pads or tissues saturated with astringents (Stridex®, Blistex Inc. Oak Brook, Ill. 60523) or skin cleaners (Ponds Cleaning & Make-Up Removal Towelette; Chesebrough-Ponds USA Co, Greenwich Conn. 06830). These pads are designed to remove oil and/or dirt or makeup from the skin and tighten the skin pores. These pads also remove large amounts of moisture and makeup with the oil they remove. Although the Stridex® pads have fairly coarse fibers, and tend not to lose fibers as readily as the softer tissues, they tend to be much more abrasive to the skin.
Consequently, although cosmetic pads of the prior art have been useful for removing and applying new-makeup, they have not been useful for both applying new-makeup and easily and quickly rubbing low tension substances, e.g., sebum skin oils, from the skin without removing makeup and necessitating its reapplication.
Prior Art—Skin Oil Absorbing Tissues and Sheets
Oil absorbing tissues and sheets have been proposed to remove skin oil from the skin and to indicate absorption of oil. Yasuo Sugiyama and Osamu Hiraoka (U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,939; issued on Feb. 17, 1987) teach an oil absorbing tissue, having an antibacterial compound, for preparing the skin prior to the addition of new makeup. The oil absorbing tissue, originally proposed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 56-8606, is described in the above Sugiyama et al. patent as teaching a cosmetic tissue comprised of a mixture of transparent synthetic resin fibers with nontransparent oil absorbing plant fibers. Portions of the tissue become transparent when oil is absorbed from the skin. Similar, all-natural oil absorbing “Face Blotting Tissues” (5.7 cm×8.3 cm (2¼″×3¼″)) made of rice paper are manufactured for, and sold by Bath & Body Works, New Albany, Ohio 43054. The directions for use indicate to “ . . . press one of our all-natural tissues gently against your face for a few seconds.” When gently blotted onto the skin they will not smudge makeup. Although potentially more effective than conventional cosmetic pads at removing oil from the skin (and indicating the removal of oil), they have many disadvantages. First, these tissues comprise fibers that can absorb water moisture, absorb makeup, and abrade makeup from the skin. Further, the fibrous cellulose materials used have a relatively high friction coefficient with the skin, may abrade the skin with rubbing, and lose fibers affecting the appearance of the skin and subsequently applied makeup. Additionally, these tissues are relatively hard (Shore A hardness of 82) and stiff, and form abrasive creases and folds if rubbed over the skin, and are not useful for applying new-makeup.
Other oil absorbing sheets have been made of porous polymer materials. Johnson and Johnson Consumer Products Company (Division of Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Skillman, N.J. 08558-9418) has marketed Clean and Clear® Clear Touch Oil™ Absorbing Sheets. These sheets are individual (5.4 cm×8.4 cm (2⅛″ by 3{fraction (5/16)}″)), polymer sheets having physical and mechanical properties, and thickness dimensions similar to the hydrophobic polypropylene (PP) films taught in the oil monitoring and collection systems of Miller (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,532,937 and 5,119,828, described in detail below). Differences include that the pore size of the sheets appear approximately 10× larger than the PP films described by Miller, they are colored blue, and are formed or machined with very small surface dimples or pits similar in shape to the dimples used in absorbent sheets, such as paper towels (likely to provide for more rapid oil absorption). The sheets are taught as rapidly soaking up oil and removing shine without smudging makeup or leaving behind powders or fibers. The directions for use are to: “Blot sheet gently on face to remove excess oil and shine”. The absorption of oil is indicated by the material becoming more transparent to light and visually appearing a darker shade of blue. The hardness of the sheet, Shore A hardness of 85, and low conformability preclude them from being rubbed over the skin and they cannot be used to smoothly apply new-makeup. If rubbed over the skin they will form abrasive creases.
In sum, although the oil absorbing tissues and sheets of the prior art are effective for absorbing oil and not smudging makeup when blotted onto the skin, their use is very limited in that they cannot be rubbed over the skin and cannot be used to apply new-makeup. The relatively hard (i.e., Shore A Hardness greater than 81), stiff, and non-conforming mechanical properties of the materials utilized increase the pressure required for thoroughly removing oil from the skin, promote the formation of stiff creases, kinks, or folds, which feel rough against skin and will scrape makeup if rubbed over the skin. Further, the presence of a coarse fibrous structure or presence of surface dimples creates a textured surface that can scrape makeup if rubbed. Furthermore, because these sheets must be very thin, necessary to maintain some degree of flexibility in these relatively hard materials, they are difficult to hold, apply, and manip
Di Nola-Baron Liliana
Page Thurman K.
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