U.S. patent application number 10/563021 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for wettable and disintegrable cosmetic article.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Michel Fontaine, Pascale Mareri.
Application Number | 20070028939 10/563021 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33566477 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070028939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mareri; Pascale ; et
al. |
February 8, 2007 |
Wettable and disintegrable cosmetic article
Abstract
Single-use cosmetic article comprising at least one fibrous
support extending substantially in at least one plane, and made of
at least one material chosen such that: i) when the support is
placed in contact with water at a first temperature T0, it at least
partially shrinks and becomes elastic in at least one direction of
the said plane, and such that ii) when the support is placed in
contact with water at a second temperature T1, higher than the
first temperature T0, it dissolves so as to become at least
partially disintegrated.
Inventors: |
Mareri; Pascale; (Paris,
FR) ; Fontaine; Michel; (Paris, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
C. IRVIN MCCLELLAND;OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
14, rue Royale
Paris
FR
75008
|
Family ID: |
33566477 |
Appl. No.: |
10/563021 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 11, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/07190 |
371 Date: |
May 16, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60487254 |
Jul 16, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1018 20130101;
A61Q 19/00 20130101; A61K 2800/31 20130101; A61K 8/8129 20130101;
A61K 8/0208 20130101; A47K 2010/3266 20130101; A61K 8/11 20130101;
A45D 2200/1036 20130101; D04H 1/4309 20130101; A61Q 1/14 20130101;
D04H 13/02 20130101; A45D 40/00 20130101; A45D 2200/1063
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/221 |
International
Class: |
A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 3, 2003 |
FR |
0308102 |
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A cosmetic article comprising at least one fibrous support, the
support being at least partially impregnated with an anhydrous or
encapsulated cosmetic product, extending in at least one plane, and
being made of at least one material such that: i) when the support
is placed in contact with water at a first temperature (T0), it at
least partially shrinks and becomes elastic in at least one
direction of said plane, and ii) when the support is placed in
contact with water at a second temperature (T1), higher than the
first temperature (T0), it dissolves so as to become at least
partially disintegrated.
16. The article according to claim 15, wherein the support
comprises water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol fibers.
17. The article according to claim 15, wherein the cosmetic product
is a makeup-removing product.
18. The article according to claim 15, wherein when the article is
in contact with water at the first temperature (T0), the support
shrinks by at least 45% in one direction of said plane.
19. The article according to claim 15, wherein when the article is
in contact with water at the first temperature (T0), the support
shrinks by at least 60% in one direction of said plane.
20. The article according to claim 15, wherein the first
temperature (T0) is less than or equal to 40.degree. C.
21. The article according to claim 15, wherein the second
temperature (T1) is greater than or equal to 20.degree. C.
22. The article according to claim 15, wherein the fibrous support
is a nonwoven and comprises a main axis of elongation of the
fibers.
23. The article according to claim 22, wherein when the article is
placed in contact with water at a first temperature (T0), its
elongation at break in the direction of the main axis of elongation
of the fibers is at least five times its elongation at break when
the article is dry.
24. The article according to claim 22, wherein when the article is
placed in contact with water at a first temperature (T0), its
elongation at break in the direction of the main axis of elongation
of the fibers is at least ten times its elongation at break when
the article is dry.
25. The article according to claim 23, wherein when the article is
placed in contact with water at a first temperature (T0), its
elongation at break perpendicular to the main axis of elongation of
the fibers is smaller than its elongation at break when the article
is dry.
26. The article according claim 15, wherein the wetting of the
article results in irreversible changes.
27. The article according to claim 15, wherein, in the wetted state
at the first temperature (T0), the surface state of the article is
coarser than in the dry state.
28. The article according to claim 15, wherein the article is
configured in the form of a wipe, a pad, an applicator tip or a
glove.
29. A process of cosmetic treatment using the article according to
claim 15, comprising: i) impregnating the article with water at a
first temperature (T0); ii) placing at least one cosmetic product
on all or part of the article impregnated with water; iii) placing
at least one face of the article impregnated with the cosmetic
product in contact with skin or hair; and iv) placing the article
in contact with water at a second temperature (T1) so as to
dissolve the support and at least partially disintegrate the
article.
30. A process of cosmetic treatment using an article according to
claim 15, comprising: i) impregnating the article with water at a
first temperature (T0); ii) placing at least one face of the
article impregnated with the cosmetic composition in contact with
skin or hair; and iii) placing the article in contact with water at
a second temperature (T1) so as to dissolve the support and at
least partially disintegrate the article.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic or care article.
On account of their consistency and their ease of use, cosmetic
articles of this type are generally known as supports or "wipes".
An advantageous use of this type of article is for it to be wetted
before use and then to be used as a means of cleansing and/or of
applying a care substance to the skin or the hair, although other
uses are also possible. Specifically, this article may also be
employed for household use in dusting or waxing applications.
[0002] Individual cleansing supports have been known for a long
time. These supports are generally classified among the following
two main types: "wet wipes" or "dry wipes". The invention relates
to the field of "dry wipes", preferably for use in wetted form. For
example, the teaching of document U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,543 discloses
a nonwoven fibrous support impregnated with an aqueous solution
comprising a surfactant and a softener. The nonwoven fibrous
support is then dried in the form of a dry wipe. Finally, when it
is desired to use this dry wipe, the user simply moistens the said
dry wipe with water and can then wash his skin or hair and/or
disentangle his hair with the wipe.
[0003] One subject of the invention is a single-use cosmetic
article comprising at least one fibrous support extending
substantially in at least one plane, and made of at least one
material chosen such that: [0004] i) when the support is placed in
contact with water at a first temperature (T0), it at least
partially shrinks and becomes elastic in at least one direction of
the said plane, and such that [0005] ii) when the support is placed
in contact with water at a second temperature (T1), higher than the
first temperature (T0), it dissolves so as to become at least
partially disintegrated.
[0006] To make a nonwoven support according to the invention from
water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol fibres, the process is performed in
three successive steps: formation of the web, consolidation and
then finishing. However, in certain recent technological
developments, these steps tend to overlap partially or even
completely, with the aim of obtaining new properties for the
support.
[0007] Firstly, the web of fibres is derived from balls of chopped
fibres or from filaments. It may be obtained, for example, via one
of the following three methods: via the dry route, via the molten
route or via the wet route. In particular, the dry route may be
performed as follows. A mechanical process converts the entangled
fibres into a "fabric" of parallel fibres. This begins by opening
the balls of fibres, which are then blended and then conveyed to a
carding machine via a conveyor belt. This machine is formed from
one or more rotary drums with thin wires or teeth that comb the
fibres.
[0008] The weight per unit area envisaged for the nonwovens and the
desired orientation of the fibres are important factors. The
parameters of the machine derive therefrom. Thus, the fibres may be
oriented in the length of the web (i.e. in the machine direction,
which also corresponds to a main axis of elongation of the fibres
of the support finally obtained). The mechanical properties are
generally better in the machine direction than in the transverse
direction. However, the machine parameters may be adjusted so as to
reduce this anisotropy. Along with the composition of the web, the
speed of formation may be modified as a function of the desired
properties.
[0009] In the present case, to make a nonwoven according to the
invention, the process begins with short polyvinylalcohol fibres
about 1 cm long. In particular, the fibres used in the invention
are water-soluble fibres of the Kuralon II.RTM. type from the
company Kuraray. In particular, the fibres chosen in this category
are those with a dissolution temperature of greater than 20.degree.
C., for example about 55.degree. C. or 40.degree. C. depending on
the working temperatures that are then desired. The chosen fibres
are, for example, of the type described in document EP-B-0 636
716.
[0010] The web obtained is not solid enough to be used in its
present form. Consolidation is thus necessary in order to hold the
web together. This is a very important step in the production of
nonwovens. Specifically, the final properties differ according to
the chosen method. For example, the web may be consolidated via
chemical bonding, thermal bonding or mechanical bonding. The oldest
technique for consolidating nonwovens is mechanical bonding, for
example by needle-bonding or entanglement with jets of water. This
bonding physically entangles the fibres and the friction of the
fibres against each other reinforces the web.
[0011] In the case of entanglement with jets of water, the fibres
are subjected to the impact of very fine jets of water at high
pressure and become entangled. The pressure of the jets determines
the strength of the nonwoven that it is desired to obtain. The
nonwovens obtained by this method have specific properties; great
softness of feel, a very attractive texture and high strength. In
general, the jets of water are perpendicular to the nonwoven.
[0012] Finally, the finishing of the web, before or after
consolidating the web, may be obtained by adding certain products
chosen from a large number of chemical substances and may thus give
the nonwoven specific properties according to the applications:
hydrophobic, porous, antistatic, absorbent, conductive,
flame-retardant, air-permeable. Different treatments are applied,
for instance coating, printing, flocking, dyeing or combination
with other materials to form more complex supports.
[0013] Finally, the nonwoven web is completed and rolled up. It may
be subjected to new treatments and fashioned in the form of
supports. The final form of the supports is obtained after
treatment in transformers, which split, cut, fold, sew, impregnate
and back the web as desired. For example, for the purpose of a
cosmetic use, the support is at least partially impregnated with a
cosmetic product, preferably an anhydrous product, especially a
makeup-removing product.
[0014] In the invention, the nonwoven supports obtained have a
weight per unit area of about 50 g/m.sup.2.
[0015] The support formed from such a nonwoven is preferably
packaged dry in order subsequently to be able to be used moistened.
When the support is wetted, at a first temperature (T0) for its
future use, the shrinkage of the support on itself is at least 45%
of the lengths and/or widths of the support when it is defined in a
plane. Preferably, the shrinkage is at least 60% in one direction
of the said plane. In particular, the support is wetted at this
stage at a temperature of less than 40.degree. C., which
corresponds to a temperature of dissolution of the support.
[0016] Due to the shrinkage of the support along its length and/or
its width, a reduction in the area formed in the plane by the
support, by a factor of at least 4, is observed in parallel.
[0017] The thickness of the support may optionally be modified by
passing from the first state, which is dry overall, to the second
wet, i.e. moistened, state. In the second state, the thickness may
be found to have increased. In parallel, the coarseness of the
surface of the support is greater in the wet state than in the dry
state. This coarseness of the support gives advantageous mechanical
properties for cleansing the skin.
[0018] The support develops the above physical characteristics when
it is wetted using a solution whose temperature is below the
dissolution temperature of the fibres constituting it. In the above
example, the dissolution temperature of the support is greater than
20.degree. C. and is defined at about 40.degree. C.
[0019] When the support is wetted with a solution at a temperature
above its dissolution temperature, in this instance about
40.degree. C. for the above example, then the support rapidly
dissolves. It may thus be readily disposed of without, however,
creating additional waste.
[0020] In parallel with its shrinkage, the support also becomes
more elastic when it is in a wetted state than when it is in its
initial dry state. This elasticity is reflected by an elongation at
break for the nonwovens according to the invention comprising a
main axis of elongation of the fibres. This elongation at break is
at least fivefold or even tenfold in the direction of the main axis
of elongation of the fibres in the wet state relative to the
elongation at break obtained when the article is dry.
[0021] The support is anisotropic. Specifically, the elongation at
break in a direction orthogonal to the main axis of elongation of
the fibres decreases on passing from the first dry state to the
second wet state, in contrast with the increasing elongation
observed in the direction parallel to the main axis of elongation
of the fibres.
[0022] The supports made according to the invention, once wetted a
first time, so as to change from the first state to the second
state, can no longer regain their size characteristics or their
mechanical properties associated with their first state. The change
from the first state to the second state is irreversible. However,
the support that has been wetted to the point of reaching its
second state becomes stiff if it is not dissolved and is left in
the open air. This stiffened state is reversible, and simple
rewetting of the support allows it to regain the characteristics
observed in the second state, especially its elasticity. The
support can thus, nevertheless, be reusable for application to the
skin or the hair, even after the first wetting, on condition that
the wetting temperature is still less than the dissolution
temperature of the support.
[0023] The support according to the invention may be cut to the
shape of a flat support, of rectangular, oval or circular shape,
but it may also be in different forms and cutouts, for example in
the form of a wipe, a glove, a pad or an applicator tip. The
support may be one-ply or multi-ply and may also be combined with
other types of support, for example in combination with a sponge, a
fabric or permeable or impermeable supports.
[0024] The support according to the present invention may have
numerous uses as a function of the ingredients incorporated into
the support. More particularly, the invention relates to cosmetic
articles in which a surfactant or any other cosmetic component
and/or care component is present in solid form, for example in the
form of a powder of a foaming or makeup composition. These articles
may also comprise liquid, for example encapsulated, such that this
liquid can wet the cosmetic article, and thus the surfactant and/or
the other cosmetic components, when the capsules are broken.
[0025] For example, this type of support may be used to apply a
foundation, a skincare product, a haircare product (for example a
shampoo, a conditioning balm, a disentangling bath or a dye), a
self-tanning composition, an antisun composition, a makeup-removing
product, fragrance, an anti-mosquito product, an anti-wrinkle or
anti-acne treatment, or any other cosmetic and/or care product.
[0026] The support may also comprise fatty substances, for example
products that are soluble only in oils, such as makeup
compositions, or softeners, or alternatively compositions
comprising sunscreens that are only soluble in oil; in this case,
the components are encapsulated.
[0027] These supports may be presented in various types of
packaging. For example, they may be compressed, optionally folded
up and stacked on top of each other in a flexible plastic sachet so
as to be easily transportable. This type of flexible plastic sachet
comprises an opening via which the supports may be removed one
after the other. Before the very first use, this opening is sealed
and hermetically closed with a film covering this opening and
comprising at least one adhesive periphery to ensure leaktightness
around this opening. After the first use, the film may optionally
be replaced on the opening or may be permanently discarded.
[0028] If necessary, the opening may be surrounded by additional
flexible tabs extending along the adjacent edges of the opening.
This thus gives an opening with flexible edges that can be
separated during the removal of the supports contained in the
sachet.
[0029] The supports may be folded in different ways. For example,
the supports may be intercalated with each other such that the
extraction of the top support through the opening entrains at least
part of the support lying just underneath to rest outside the
opening, and thus facilitate its subsequent extraction from the
sachet.
[0030] As a variant, each support may be packaged in an individual
sachet, such that the opening of the sachet may be obtained by
tearing the sachet.
[0031] Alternatively, the supports may be conditioned in rigid
plastic boxes and other types of boxes that are compatible with the
structure of the supports and the chemical compositions they
contain.
[0032] When it is desired to use the support as a wipe for
cleansing the face or removing makeup therefrom, the wipe is then
impregnated with a liquid or solid composition, for example in the
form of a powder, comprising a foaming surfactant. Various types of
surfactant may be incorporated, such as anionic, cationic or
amphoteric surfactants. The impregnated liquid or solid composition
may also comprise one or more softeners, vitamins, a fragrance,
neutralizers and other types of active agent, preferably
hydrophilic active agents and preserving agents. To obtain the
foaming effect, water may then be supplied in a large amount when
the wipe is used, and finally for rinsing after use.
[0033] In general terms, a subject of the invention is also a
process of cosmetic treatment using an article as made above, and
consisting in: [0034] i) impregnating the said article with water
at a first temperature (T0); [0035] ii) placing at least one
cosmetic product on all or part of the said article impregnated
with water; [0036] iii) placing at least one face of the article
impregnated with the said cosmetic product in contact with a
surface to be treated, especially the skin or the hair; and [0037]
iv) placing the said article in contact with water at a second
temperature (T1) so as to dissolve the support and at least
partially disintegrate the said article.
[0038] Alternatively, in the case where the support is already
preimpregnated with an essentially anhydrous cosmetic composition,
then the cosmetic treatment process consists in: [0039] i)
impregnating the said article with water at a first temperature
(T0); [0040] ii) placing at least one face of the article
impregnated with the said cosmetic composition in contact with a
surface to be treated, especially the skin; and [0041] iii) placing
the said article in contact with water at a second temperature (T1)
so as to dissolve the support and at least partially disintegrate
the said article.
[0042] The nonwoven support made with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
fibres was tested in "dry" form and in "wet" form, i.e. after a
residence time of one hour in water. The mechanical properties were
tested in the direction parallel and transverse to the main axis of
elongation of the fibres of the support. The results presented are
means performed on groups of five identically tested supports. The
supports tested are rectangles.
[0043] These supports are defined according to two perpendicular
directions of a plane, for example a length and a width. They
moreover have a defined thickness orthogonal to this plane. A
thickness is, for example, between 0.1 and 10 mm. The "dry"
thickness of these supports is preferably less than 1 mm. As a
result, the supports have length and width dimensions that are
markedly greater than this thickness. Even in "wet" form, in which
the supports gain slightly in thickness, they still have a
thickness that is markedly less than their length and width
dimensions.
[0044] Two types of support were considered. The first supports
have a defined length parallel to the main axis of elongation of
the fibres; in this case, they have an initial length of 250 mm and
an initial width of 50 mm. The second supports have a defined
length orthogonal to the main axis of elongation of the fibres; in
this case, they have an initial length of 190 mm and an initial
width of 50 mm. The results obtained are collated in the table
below. TABLE-US-00001 First supports Second supports "Parallel
"Transverse direction (//)" direction (.perp.)" Length Width Length
Width "Dry" 250 mm 50 mm 190 mm 50 mm nonwoven "Wet" 110 mm 20 mm
100 mm 27 mm nonwoven Shrinkage 56% 60% 47% 46%
[0045] The maximum force and the elongation at break of these
various types of nonwoven support were tested, in the dry and then
wet states, respectively, by exerting tensile forces at the ends of
the supports, such that the tensile forces exerted were parallel to
the length of these supports. The results are presented in the
table below. TABLE-US-00002 First supports Second supports
"Parallel "Transverse direction (//)" direction (.perp.)" Maximum
Elongation at Maximum Elongation at force break force break "Dry"
39 N 13% 10.1 N 120% nonwoven "Wet" 42 N 161% 5.5 N 79.7% nonwoven
Change +7% .times.12 -45% -33%
[0046] Wettable and Disintegrable Cosmetic Article
[0047] The present invention relates to a cosmetic or care article.
On account of their consistency and their ease of use, cosmetic
articles of this type are generally known as supports or "wipes".
An advantageous use of this type of article is for it to be wetted
before use and then to be used as a means of cleansing and/or of
applying a care substance to the skin or the hair, although other
uses are also possible. Specifically, this article may also be
employed for household use in dusting or waxing applications.
[0048] Individual cleansing supports have been known for a long
time. These supports are generally classified among the following
two main types: "wet wipes" or "dry wipes". The invention relates
to the field of "dry wipes", preferably for use in wetted form. For
example, the teaching of document U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,543 discloses
a nonwoven fibrous support impregnated with an aqueous solution
comprising a surfactant and a softener. The nonwoven fibrous
support is then dried in the form of a dry wipe. Finally, when it
is desired to use this dry wipe, the user simply moistens the said
dry wipe with water and can then wash his skin or hair and/or
disentangle his hair with the wipe.
[0049] One subject of the invention is a single-use cosmetic
article comprising at least one fibrous support extending
substantially in at least one plane, and made of at least one
material chosen such that: [0050] i) when the support is placed in
contact with water at a first temperature (T0), it at least
partially shrinks and becomes elastic in at least one direction of
the said plane, and such that [0051] ii) when the support is placed
in contact with water at a second temperature (T1), higher than the
first temperature (T0), it dissolves so as to become at least
partially disintegrated.
[0052] To make a nonwoven support according to the invention from
water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol fibres, the process is performed in
three successive steps: formation of the web, consolidation and
then finishing. However, in certain recent technological
developments, these steps tend to overlap partially or even
completely, with the aim of obtaining new properties for the
support.
[0053] Firstly, the web of fibres is derived from balls of chopped
fibres or from filaments. It may be obtained, for example, via one
of the following three methods: via the dry route, via the molten
route or via the wet route. In particular, the dry route may be
performed as follows. A mechanical process converts the entangled
fibres into a "fabric" of parallel fibres. This begins by opening
the balls of fibres, which are then blended and then conveyed to a
carding machine via a conveyor belt. This machine is formed from
one or more rotary drums with thin wires or teeth that comb the
fibres.
[0054] The weight per unit area envisaged for the nonwovens and the
desired orientation of the fibres are important factors. The
parameters of the machine derive therefrom. Thus, the fibres may be
oriented in the length of the web (i.e. in the machine direction,
which also corresponds to a main axis of elongation of the fibres
of the support finally obtained). The mechanical properties are
generally better in the machine direction than in the transverse
direction. However, the machine parameters may be adjusted so as to
reduce this anisotropy. Along with the composition of the web, the
speed of formation may be modified as a function of the desired
properties.
[0055] In the present case, to make a nonwoven according to the
invention, the process begins with short polyvinylalcohol fibres
about 1 cm long. In particular, the fibres used in the invention
are water-soluble fibres of the Kuralon II.RTM. type from the
company Kuraray. In particular, the fibres chosen in this category
are those with a dissolution temperature of greater than 20.degree.
C., for example about 55.degree. C. or 40.degree. C. depending on
the working temperatures that are then desired. The chosen fibres
are, for example, of the type described in document EP-B-0 636
716.
[0056] The web obtained is not solid enough to be used in its
present form. Consolidation is thus necessary in order to hold the
web together. This is a very important step in the production of
nonwovens. Specifically, the final properties differ according to
the chosen method. For example, the web may be consolidated via
chemical bonding, thermal bonding or mechanical bonding. The oldest
technique for consolidating nonwovens is mechanical bonding, for
example by needle-bonding or entanglement with jets of water. This
bonding physically entangles the fibres and the friction of the
fibres against each other reinforces the web.
[0057] In the case of entanglement with jets of water, the fibres
are subjected to the impact of very fine jets of water at high
pressure and become entangled. The pressure of the jets determines
the strength of the nonwoven that it is desired to obtain. The
nonwovens obtained by this method have specific properties; great
softness of feel, a very attractive texture and high strength. In
general, the jets of water are perpendicular to the nonwoven.
[0058] Finally, the finishing of the web, before or after
consolidating the web, may be obtained by adding certain products
chosen from a large number of chemical substances and may thus give
the nonwoven specific properties according to the applications:
hydrophobic, porous, antistatic, absorbent, conductive,
flame-retardant, air-permeable. Different treatments are applied,
for instance coating, printing, flocking, dyeing or combination
with other materials to form more complex supports.
[0059] Finally, the nonwoven web is completed and rolled up. It may
be subjected to new treatments and fashioned in the form of
supports. The final form of the supports is obtained after
treatment in transformers, which split, cut, fold, sew, impregnate
and back the web as desired. For example, for the purpose of a
cosmetic use, the support is at least partially impregnated with a
cosmetic product, preferably an anhydrous product, especially a
makeup-removing product.
[0060] In the invention, the nonwoven supports obtained have a
weight per unit area of about 50 g/m.sup.2.
[0061] The support formed from such a nonwoven is preferably
packaged dry in order subsequently to be able to be used moistened.
When the support is wetted, at a first temperature (T0) for its
future use, the shrinkage of the support on itself is at least 45%
of the lengths and/or widths of the support when it is defined in a
plane. Preferably, the shrinkage is at least 60% in one direction
of the said plane. In particular, the support is wetted at this
stage at a temperature of less than 40.degree. C., which
corresponds to a temperature of dissolution of the support.
[0062] Due to the shrinkage of the support along its length and/or
its width, a reduction in the area formed in the plane by the
support, by a factor of at least 4, is observed in parallel.
[0063] The thickness of the support may optionally be modified by
passing from the first state, which is dry overall, to the second
wet, i.e. moistened, state. In the second state, the thickness may
be found to have increased. In parallel, the coarseness of the
surface of the support is greater in the wet state than in the dry
state. This coarseness of the support gives advantageous mechanical
properties for cleansing the skin.
[0064] The support develops the above physical characteristics when
it is wetted using a solution whose temperature is below the
dissolution temperature of the fibres constituting it. In the above
example, the dissolution temperature of the support is greater than
20.degree. C. and is defined at about 40.degree. C.
[0065] When the support is wetted with a solution at a temperature
above its dissolution temperature, in this instance about
40.degree. C. for the above example, then the support rapidly
dissolves. It may thus be readily disposed of without, however,
creating additional waste.
[0066] In parallel with its shrinkage, the support also becomes
more elastic when it is in a wetted state than when it is in its
initial dry state. This elasticity is reflected by an elongation at
break for the nonwovens according to the invention comprising a
main axis of elongation of the fibres. This elongation at break is
at least fivefold or even tenfold in the direction of the main axis
of elongation of the fibres in the wet state relative to the
elongation at break obtained when the article is dry.
[0067] The support is anisotropic. Specifically, the elongation at
break in a direction orthogonal to the main axis of elongation of
the fibres decreases on passing from the first dry state to the
second wet state, in contrast with the increasing elongation
observed in the direction parallel to the main axis of elongation
of the fibres.
[0068] The supports made according to the invention, once wetted a
first time, so as to change from the first state to the second
state, can no longer regain their size characteristics or their
mechanical properties associated with their first state. The change
from the first state to the second state is irreversible. However,
the support that has been wetted to the point of reaching its
second state becomes stiff if it is not dissolved and is left in
the open air. This stiffened state is reversible, and simple
rewetting of the support allows it to regain the characteristics
observed in the second state, especially its elasticity. The
support can thus, nevertheless, be reusable for application to the
skin or the hair, even after the first wetting, on condition that
the wetting temperature is still less than the dissolution
temperature of the support.
[0069] The support according to the invention may be cut to the
shape of a flat support, of rectangular, oval or circular shape,
but it may also be in different forms and cutouts, for example in
the form of a wipe, a glove, a pad or an applicator tip. The
support may be one-ply or multi-ply and may also be combined with
other types of support, for example in combination with a sponge, a
fabric or permeable or impermeable supports.
[0070] The support according to the present invention may have
numerous uses as a function of the ingredients incorporated into
the support. More particularly, the invention relates to cosmetic
articles in which a surfactant or any other cosmetic component
and/or care component is present in solid form, for example in the
form of a powder of a foaming or makeup composition. These articles
may also comprise liquid, for example encapsulated, such that this
liquid can wet the cosmetic article, and thus the surfactant and/or
the other cosmetic components, when the capsules are broken.
[0071] For example, this type of support may be used to apply a
foundation, a skincare product, a haircare product (for example a
shampoo, a conditioning balm, a disentangling bath or a dye), a
self-tanning composition, an antisun composition, a makeup-removing
product, fragrance, an anti-mosquito product, an anti-wrinkle or
anti-acne treatment, or any other cosmetic and/or care product.
[0072] The support may also comprise fatty substances, for example
products that are soluble only in oils, such as makeup
compositions, or softeners, or alternatively compositions
comprising sunscreens that are only soluble in oil; in this case,
the components are encapsulated.
[0073] These supports may be presented in various types of
packaging. For example, they may be compressed, optionally folded
up and stacked on top of each other in a flexible plastic sachet so
as to be easily transportable. This type of flexible plastic sachet
comprises an opening via which the supports may be removed one
after the other. Before the very first use, this opening is sealed
and hermetically closed with a film covering this opening and
comprising at least one adhesive periphery to ensure leaktightness
around this opening. After the first use, the film may optionally
be replaced on the opening or may be permanently discarded.
[0074] If necessary, the opening may be surrounded by additional
flexible tabs extending along the adjacent edges of the opening.
This thus gives an opening with flexible edges that can be
separated during the removal of the supports contained in the
sachet.
[0075] The supports may be folded in different ways. For example,
the supports may be intercalated with each other such that the
extraction of the top support through the opening entrains at least
part of the support lying just underneath to rest outside the
opening, and thus facilitate its subsequent extraction from the
sachet.
[0076] As a variant, each support may be packaged in an individual
sachet, such that the opening of the sachet may be obtained by
tearing the sachet.
[0077] Alternatively, the supports may be conditioned in rigid
plastic boxes and other types of boxes that are compatible with the
structure of the supports and the chemical compositions they
contain.
[0078] When it is desired to use the support as a wipe for
cleansing the face or removing makeup therefrom, the wipe is then
impregnated with a liquid or solid composition, for example in the
form of a powder, comprising a foaming surfactant. Various types of
surfactant may be incorporated, such as anionic, cationic or
amphoteric surfactants. The impregnated liquid or solid composition
may also comprise one or more softeners, vitamins, a fragrance,
neutralizers and other types of active agent, preferably
hydrophilic active agents and preserving agents. To obtain the
foaming effect, water may then be supplied in a large amount when
the wipe is used, and finally for rinsing after use.
[0079] In general terms, a subject of the invention is also a
process of cosmetic treatment using an article as made above, and
consisting in: [0080] i) impregnating the said article with water
at a first temperature (T0); [0081] ii) placing at least one
cosmetic product on all or part of the said article impregnated
with water; [0082] iii) placing at least one face of the article
impregnated with the said cosmetic product in contact with a
surface to be treated, especially the skin or the hair; and [0083]
iv) placing the said article in contact with water at a second
temperature (T1) so as to dissolve the support and at least
partially disintegrate the said article.
[0084] Alternatively, in the case where the support is already
preimpregnated with an essentially anhydrous cosmetic composition,
then the cosmetic treatment process consists in: [0085] i)
impregnating the said article with water at a first temperature
(T0); [0086] ii) placing at least one face of the article
impregnated with the said cosmetic composition in contact with a
surface to be treated, especially the skin; and [0087] iii) placing
the said article in contact with water at a second temperature (T1)
so as to dissolve the support and at least partially disintegrate
the said article.
[0088] The nonwoven support made with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
fibres was tested in "dry" form and in "wet" form, i.e. after a
residence time of one hour in water. The mechanical properties were
tested in the direction parallel and transverse to the main axis of
elongation of the fibres of the support. The results presented are
means performed on groups of five identically tested supports. The
supports tested are rectangles.
[0089] These supports are defined according to two perpendicular
directions of a plane, for example a length and a width. They
moreover have a defined thickness orthogonal to this plane. A
thickness is, for example, between 0.1 and 10 mm. The "dry"
thickness of these supports is preferably less than 1 mm. As a
result, the supports have length and width dimensions that are
markedly greater than this thickness. Even in "wet" form, in which
the supports gain slightly in thickness, they still have a
thickness that is markedly less than their length and width
dimensions.
[0090] Two types of support were considered. The first supports
have a defined length parallel to the main axis of elongation of
the fibres; in this case, they have an initial length of 250 mm and
an initial width of 50 mm. The second supports have a defined
length orthogonal to the main axis of elongation of the fibres; in
this case, they have an initial length of 190 mm and an initial
width of 50 mm. The results obtained are collated in the table
below. TABLE-US-00003 First supports Second supports "Parallel
"Transverse direction (//)" direction (.perp.)" Length Width Length
Width "Dry" 250 mm 50 mm 190 mm 50 mm nonwoven "Wet" 110 mm 20 mm
100 mm 27 mm nonwoven Shrinkage 56% 60% 47% 46%
[0091] The maximum force and the elongation at break of these
various types of nonwoven support were tested, in the dry and then
wet states, respectively, by exerting tensile forces at the ends of
the supports, such that the tensile forces exerted were parallel to
the length of these supports. The results are presented in the
table below. TABLE-US-00004 First supports Second supports
"Parallel "Transverse direction (//)" direction (.perp.)" Maximum
Elongation at Maximum Elongation at force break force break "Dry"
39 N 13% 10.1 N 120% nonwoven "Wet" 42 N 161% 5.5 N 79.7% nonwoven
Change +7% .times.12 -45% -33%
* * * * *