Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-04-17
Dodson, Shelley A. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C128S126100, C252S062200, C252S576000, C424S443000, C428S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217889
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to disposable, personal care articles suitable for cleansing and/or therapeutically treating the skin, hair and any other sites in need of such treatment. These articles comprise a water insoluble substrate comprising a creped nonwoven layer wherein said layer has a Crepe Ratio of from about 4.5 to about 45; and either a cleansing component disposed adjacent to the water insoluble substrate, wherein the cleansing component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a lathering surfactant or a therapeutic benefit component which comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a therapeutic benefit agent. Consumers use the articles by wetting them with water and rubbing them on the area to be cleansed and/or therapeutically treated (e.g., conditioned).
The invention also encompasses methods for cleansing and/or conditioning the skin and hair using the articles of the present invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Personal care products, particularly cleansing and conditioning products, have traditionally been marketed in a variety of forms such as bar soaps, creams, lotions, and gels. Typically, these products have attempted to satisfy a number of criteria to be acceptable to consumers. These criteria include cleansing effectiveness, skin feel, mildness to skin, hair, and ocular mucosae, and lather volume. Ideal personal cleansers should gently cleanse the skin or hair, cause little or no irritation, and should not leave the skin or hair with a heavy buildup or overly dry when used frequently.
It is also highly desirable to deliver such cleansing and conditioning benefits from a disposable product. Disposable products are convenient because they obviate the need to carry or store cumbersome bottles, bars, jars, tubes, and other forms of clutter including cleansing products and other products capable of providing therapeutic or aesthetic benefits. Disposable products are also a more sanitary alternative to the use of a sponge, washcloth, or other cleansing implement intended for extensive reuse, because such implements can develop bacterial growth, unpleasant odors, and other undesirable characteristics related to repeated use.
The articles of the present invention surprisingly provide effective cleansing and/or therapeutic benefits to the skin and hair in a convenient, inexpensive, and sanitary manner. The present invention provides the convenience of not needing to carry, store, or use a separate implement (such as a washcloth or sponge), a cleanser and/or a therapeutic benefit product. These articles are convenient to use because they are in the form of either a single, disposable personal care article or multiple disposable articles useful for cleansing as well as application of a therapeutic or aesthetic benefit agent. Moreover, these articles are suitable for use within or in conjunction with another personal care implement that is designed for more extensive use. In this instance, the articles of the present invention are disposed within or attached to a separate personal care implement that is not readily disposable, e.g., a bath towel or washcloth. In addition, the disposable articles of the present invention may be removeably attached to a handle or grip suitable for moving the article over the surface to be cleansed and/or therapeutically treated (e.g., conditioned).
Although in preferred embodiments the articles of the present invention are suitable for personal care applications, they may also be useful in a variety of other industries such as the automotive care, marine vehicle care, household care, animal care, etc. where surfaces or areas are in need of cleansing and/or application of a benefit agent, e.g., wax, conditioner, UV protectant, etc.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the articles are suitable for personal care applications and are useful for cleansing and/or conditioning the skin, hair, and similar surfaces in need of such treatment. Consumers use these articles by wetting them with water and rubbing on the area to be treated. The article comprises a water insoluble substrate comprising a creped nonwoven layer wherein said layer has a Crepe Ratio of from about 4.5 to about 45; and a either a cleansing component containing a lathering surfactant or a therapeutic benefit component or both. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the creped nonwoven layer of the substrate having these defined properties enhances lathering which in turn increases cleansing and exfoliation, and optimizes delivery and deposition of a therapeutic or aesthetic benefit agent which might be contained within the article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a substantially dry, disposable personal care article suitable for cleansing, said article comprising:
a) a water insoluble substrate comprising a creped nonwoven layer wherein said layer has a Crepe Ratio of from about 4.5 to about 45; and
b) a cleansing component disposed adjacent to said creped nonwoven layer, wherein said component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a lathering surfactant.
The present invention further relates to a substantially dry, disposable personal care article suitable for conditioning wherein the article comprises:
a) a water insoluble substrate comprising comprising a creped nonwoven layer wherein said layer has a Crepe Ratio of from about 4.5 to about 45; and
b) a therapeutic benefit component, disposed adjacent to said water insoluble substrate, wherein said component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a therapeutic benefit .
In another embodiment, the present invention further relates to a substantially dry, disposable personal care article suitable for cleansing and conditioning wherein the article comprises:
a) a water insoluble substrate comprising a creped nonwoven layer wherein said layer has a Crepe Ratio of from about 4.5 to about 45:
b) a cleansing component disposed adjacent to said water insoluble substrate, wherein said component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a lathering surfactant; and
c) a therapeutic benefit component, disposed adjacent to said water insoluble substrate, wherein said component comprises from about 10% to about 1000%, by weight of the water insoluble substrate, of a therapeutic benefit agent.
The present invention also relates to a method of cleansing and/or conditioning the skin and hair which comprises the steps of: a) wetting such articles with water and b) contacting the skin or hair with the wetted articles.
All percentages and ratios used herein, unless otherwise indicated, are by weight and all measurements made are at 25° C., unless otherwise designated. The invention hereof can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, the essential as well as optional ingredients and components described therein.
In the description of the invention various embodiments and/or individual features are disclosed. As will be apparent for the skilled practitioner all combinations of such embodiments and features are possible and can result in preferred executions of the invention.
All documents referred to herein, including patents, patent applications, and printed publications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety in this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As used herein, “disposable” is used in its ordinary sense to mean an article that is disposed or discarded after a limited number of usage events, preferably less than 25, more preferably less than about 10, and most preferably less than about 2 entire usage events.
As used herein, “substantially dry” means that the articles of the present invention exhibit a Moisture Retention of less than about 0.95 gms, preferably less than about 0.75 gms, even more preferably, less than about 0.5 gms, even more preferably less than about 0.25 gms, even still
Lorenzi Marc Paul
Smith, III Edward Dewey
Dodson Shelley A.
Hilton Michael E.
Kendall Dara M.
The Proctor & Gamble Company
Tsuneki Fumiko
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