Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Topical sun or radiation screening – or tanning preparations
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-05
2004-04-20
Dodson, Shelley A. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Topical sun or radiation screening, or tanning preparations
C424S400000, C424S401000, C424S484000, C424S449000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06723306
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This document claims priority to French application number 0107309 filed Jun. 5, 2001, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to artificial tanning agents, and particularly to an article for applying artificial tanning agents, and a method for making such an article.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Discussion of Background
Artificial tanning creams can be packaged in pots or tubes and applied to the body or the face using the fingers. However, it is difficult to uniformly apply the cream with this approach, and there is a risk of non-uniform coloring the skin. In addition, the fingers used for spreading the cream can also be marked or discolored. In addition, in order to preserve the tanning agent, the cream contains preservatives that can lead to irritation of the skin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,360 discloses a towelette impregnated with an artificial tanning agent. Such a towelette makes it easier to apply the desired quantity of the agent on the skin, but the user nevertheless runs the risk of discoloring the fingers that come into contact with the towelette. In addition, in order to ensure that the agent is properly conserved, the towelette must be packaged in a bag that is leaktight and opaque, and thus relatively expensive. Since the towelette is not dry, preservatives are also likely to be used.
International patent application No. WO 01/08658 discloses a cleaning cloth that is impregnated with a surfactant. The cloth includes two layers, e.g., constituted by non-woven fabrics. The cloth can also contain an artificial tanning agent placed on one of the layers and then covered by the other layer. One of the layers can be impregnated with the artificial tanning agent, in particular by spraying. However, difficulties can be encountered with the agent impregnating one of the layers throughout its thickness. In addition, the manufacture of such pieces of cloth can be relatively complex.
European patent application No. EP 0 998 903 (which has a pending U.S. counterpart Ser. No. 09/418,825 and which is incorporated herein by reference) discloses a patch comprising both a matrix capable of containing an artificial tanning agent and a permeable support. The artificial tanning agent forms a solution when the matrix is brought into contact with a suitable liquid. The matrix is covered on one face by a removable protective film. Applying an artificial tanning agent by means of a patch stuck to the skin is not always satisfactory, since there is always a risk of the skin being colored in non-uniform manner as a result of the length of time the patch remains stationary on the skin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There exists a need for a device or article that allows an artificial tanning agent to be easily applied to the skin, while allowing the agent to be conserved properly, and also reducing the risk of the user discoloring the fingers. There is also a need to be able to obtain non-uniform coloring of the treated surface, should that be desired, e.g., in order to decorate it with a design or motif.
The invention provides a novel applicator device and method in which an adhesive matrix is disposed between at least two layers that are permanently bonded to the matrix, with at least one of the layers being permeable to a liquid. The matrix contains at least one artificial tanning agent suitable for acting on the skin when the matrix is put into contact with a liquid, which can be, for example, water or a liquid that includes water and alcohol.
As used herein, two or more structural elements that are “permanently bonded” to each other cannot be readily or easily separated from one another through the use of a completely manually-applied pulling force. For example, a release layer in contact with an adhesive on a bandage would not be “permanently bonded” to the remainder of the bandage.
The term “artificial tanning agent” is used in the present invention to encompass compounds which serve themselves to color the skin, i.e. self-tanning or sunless tanning agents such as dihydroxyacetone (DHA) or erytrulose, for example, as well as agents which require exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, i.e., tanning accelerators such as melanin precursors, for example. The artificial tanning agent can optionally be tinted.
The invention enables the artificial tanning agent to be conserved properly without using preservatives since it may be stored in a substantially anhydrous medium within the matrix. Manufacture of the device can also be relatively simple since it is the matrix containing the artificial tanning agent which provides the fastening or adhesion between the layers.
In addition, the article can be made in such a manner as to be non-adhesive or non-stick with respect to the surface to which the tanning agent is to be applied, so as to be easily moved in contact with the skin during application, thus making it possible to obtain color that is uniform. Alternately, where desired, the article can be made to have a certain outline or profile, and the permeable layer facing the skin can be made in such a manner as to allow the matrix, once the device has been impregnated with the liquid, to burst or break-up and pass through the permeable layer. The matrix then causes the outside face of the layer to become permeable to the adhesive, thus enabling it to be held stationary on the skin for a length of time that is sufficient to mark the skin with a desired design or motif by changing the color of the skin. In a variant, or where appropriate, selected portions of the permeable layer can also be made to be impermeable to the artificial tanning agent e.g., by covering the permeable layer with an impermeable web that is perforated in certain locations, or by selectively printing, such as by silkscreen printing, on the permeable layer using a substance that impedes or prevents the artificial tanning agent from diffusing towards the skin. Alternatively selected portions of the layer can be treated in a manner that accelerates (e.g., by a mechanical and/or chemical treatment that increases the porosity or permeability of the substrate) such diffusion so that the tanning agent is better delivered to the areas where a design is desired. The motif made on the skin may be constituted, for example, by a representation of the moon, a star, or any other shape or design.
In one embodiment, the matrix contains one or more compounds soluble in the liquid used in sufficient quantity such that the matrix at least partially loses its cohesion on making contact with the liquid. This arrangement can facilitate delivery of the artificial tanning agent through the permeable layer facing the skin.
In another aspect of an embodiment, the matrix contains a filler of one or more compounds capable of swelling on coming into contact with the liquid in sufficient quantity for the matrix to lose its cohesion on coming into contact with the liquid. As with the above embodiment, this arrangement can facilitate delivery of the artificial tanning agent.
The matrix may also contain one or more moisture absorbing compounds. Where a moisture-absorbing compound is included, the moisture-absorbing compound is preferably 0.2% to 60%, and more preferably 0.5% to 40% by weight of the matrix. By way of example, this compound may be selected from the following list: polyacrylates; silica; cotton fibers; starches; alginates; calcium carbonates; magnesium carbonates; viscose; cellulose; and lyophilisates.
The matrix may also contain a filler of one or more substantially inert compounds, such as a polyamide powder or microbeads, for example, in order to encourage bursting or breaking-up of the matrix on coming into contact with the liquid.
In accordance with the invention, when a liquid (e.g., water or a water and alcohol solution) is applied to the article, it wets the matrix and allows the tanning agent to be delivered to the skin through one or more of the layers that are permeable to the tanning agent. The tanning agent can be delivere
Dodson Shelley A.
L'Oreal
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