U.S. patent application number 11/801859 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to James Herbert Davis, Kevin Joe Fields, Dana Paul Gruenbacher, Gary Curtis Joseph, Thomas James JR. Manske, Piyush Narendra Zaveri.
Application Number | 20070223988 11/801859 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27395315 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070223988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gruenbacher; Dana Paul ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
Semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target
surface
Abstract
A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a
target surface including a first side having a first internal
surface and a first external surface, a second side having a second
internal surface and a second external surface, an internal cavity
between said first and second sides, at least one externally
accessible opening, and a flexible film reservoir containing a
product. At least a portion of the flexible film reservoir of said
flexible film reservoir is disposed between said external surfaces
of said first side and said second side.
Inventors: |
Gruenbacher; Dana Paul;
(Fairfield, OH) ; Davis; James Herbert;
(Middletown, OH) ; Fields; Kevin Joe; (Cincinnati,
OH) ; Manske; Thomas James JR.; (Mason, OH) ;
Joseph; Gary Curtis; (Cincinnati, OH) ; Zaveri;
Piyush Narendra; (Mason, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION - WEST BLDG.
WINTON HILL BUSINESS CENTER - BOX 412
6250 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
|
Family ID: |
27395315 |
Appl. No.: |
11/801859 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
09969074 |
Oct 2, 2001 |
7255506 |
|
|
11801859 |
May 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
09451536 |
Dec 1, 1999 |
6508602 |
|
|
09969074 |
Oct 2, 2001 |
|
|
|
09415866 |
Oct 8, 1999 |
|
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09451536 |
Dec 1, 1999 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/137 ; 401/1;
401/132; 401/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 34/04 20130101;
A61M 35/006 20130101; A47L 1/15 20130101; A46B 5/04 20130101; A46B
2200/20 20130101; A47L 13/18 20130101; B65D 81/3266 20130101; A61Q
19/10 20130101; A47L 13/19 20130101; A46B 11/0003 20130101; A01N
25/34 20130101; A47L 13/17 20130101; A61M 35/003 20130101; B65D
75/5866 20130101; A61Q 19/00 20130101; A45D 2200/1018 20130101;
B05C 17/002 20130101; A45D 40/00 20130101; A45D 37/00 20130101;
C11D 17/041 20130101; A45D 2200/1045 20130101; A61Q 11/00 20130101;
A61M 2205/36 20130101; A61K 8/0208 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/137 ;
401/001; 401/132; 401/133 |
International
Class: |
B43K 5/14 20060101
B43K005/14; A47L 1/08 20060101 A47L001/08 |
Claims
1. A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a
target surface, said applicator comprising: (a) a first side having
a first internal surface and a first external surface; (b) a second
side having a second internal surface and a second external
surface; (c) an internal cavity between said first and second
sides; (d) at least one opening, such that said internal cavity is
externally accessible; and (e) a flexible film reservoir containing
a product, at least a portion of said flexible film reservoir is
disposed between said external surfaces of said first side and said
second side, the flexible film reservoir comprising a distribution
channel, wherein said flexible film reservoir further comprises a
plurality of compartments each containing a product, said plurality
of compartments being adapted to provide at least one function,
wherein said function is selected from the group consisting of
mixing, multiple dispensing and sequential dispensing.
2. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said flexible
film reservoir is located within said first side.
3. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, further comprising a
substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal
cavity, wherein said flexible film reservoir is outwardly located
from said substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer.
4. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said flexible
film reservoir is rupturable.
5. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 4, wherein said flexible
film reservoir is rendered rupturable by frangible seal.
6. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 5, wherein said flexible
film reservoir is folded proximate to said frangible seal.
7. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 6, wherein said flexible
film reservoir has a first burst force when folded and a second
burst force when unfolded, said first burst force being greater
than said second burst force.
8. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said flexible
film reservoir further comprises at least one exit location.
9. (canceled)
10. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 8, wherein said flexible
film reservoir further comprises a distribution head through which
said product is adapted to be released remote from said
reservoir.
11. (canceled)
12. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 5, wherein said frangible
seal has at least one stress concentrator.
13. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 3, further comprising a
second substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said
internal cavity.
14. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 13, further comprising a
second flexible film reservoir containing a second product.
15. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said flexible
film reservoir is comprised of a material capable of varying seal
strengths.
16. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said first
side is a substantially non absorbent structure.
17. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1 wherein said second
side is a substantially absorbent material.
18. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, further comprising a
friction enhancing element located at least partially within said
internal cavity during use.
19. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said at least
on of said first and second sides is textured.
20. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said flexible
film reservoir is located to avoid inadvertent dispensing.
21. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein said
applicator is used as one of the following group: window cleaning,
bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning, furniture dusting and
polishing, body cleaning, teeth cleaning, car vinyl protectant,
herbicide applicator, skin lotion application, baby clean-up.
22. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, further comprising a
temperature-changing element.
23. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein at least a
portion of one of said first and second sides is differently
extensible.
24. The semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, wherein at least one
of said first and second sides is comprised of one or more
removable layers.
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. A flexible film pouch comprising said distribution channel
further comprises at least one unsealed region that extends beyond
an entrance to distribution channel, said at least one unsealed
region being adapted to prevent crimping of a fluid pathway in said
distribution channel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/969,074, filed Oct. 2, 2001; which is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/451,536, filed Dec. 1, 1999 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,602 granted Jan. 21, 2003); and claims the
benefit of U.S. Application Ser. Nos. 60/209,062, filed Jun. 2,
2000 and 60/217,172 filed Jul. 10, 2000. U.S. application Ser. No.
09/451,536 is a continuation-in-part of 09/415,866 filed Oct. 8,
1999 (now abandoned).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a semi-enclosed applicator
useful for distributing substances onto target surfaces. The
present invention also relates to such an applicator that also
contains a substance for application to the surface of a target
object. More particularly, the present invention relates to such
applicators wherein the substance may be released from the
applicator material and distributed upon the surface of the target
object, then removed from the surface and absorbed by the
applicator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the art of dispensing, articles have been developed which
are coated or impregnated with useful substances intended to be
utilized when the article is contacted with a target surface. While
there are advantages with having the substance present on or near
the surface of such articles, there is often the drawback that the
useful substance is unprotected and is subject to inadvertent
contact before intended use. Inadvertent contact may lead to
contamination of the substance, loss of the substance onto surfaces
other than the desired target surface, and/or contamination of such
other surfaces with the substance. Moreover, the use of such
articles to manually apply a substance to a surface of an object
frequently results in exposure of a user's hands to the substance.
At the very least such a scenario results in a waste of product and
is undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint and, at worst, results
in excessive exposure of the user to potentially harmful, toxic, or
otherwise undesirable substances.
[0004] Other common approaches involve dispensing a substance such
as a cleaner or protectant from a bottle or other closed vessel
onto the target surface, then utilizing a sponge, towel, brush, or
other implement to distribute the product on the surface and, if
desired, absorb any excess product, potentially with another
implement or substrate. Such practices are commonplace with
surfaces such as glass, countertops, and other kitchen and bathroom
surfaces. While such practices are widely accepted, they often
result in inefficient use of product and/or contact with the
substances involved. Moreover, utilizing such an implement
typically only provides one type of material surface for use in
contacting the substance and the target surface. Applying the
substance to the applicator from a vessel at the point of use
likewise often results in inefficient use of product and/or contact
with the substances involved.
[0005] A common approach to cleaning glass or other surfaces, for
example, is to spray cleaning solution onto the surface and then
wipe the surface with a paper towel. Spraying the cleaning solution
usually wastes some of the cleaning solution due to over-spray
landing on areas not intended to be cleaned. This over-spray is
often undesirable since some surfaces can be harmed by this
cleaning solution or at a minimum requires additional surfaces to
be cleaned. The paper towel is used to both spread the cleaning
solution on the surface as well as absorbing any excess. The paper
towel has a difficult time spreading the cleaning solution since it
is typically designed to be highly absorbent. To compensate, a
disposable paper towel can be made partially saturated making it
easier to spread the cleaner. This however typically makes the
towel weaker due to a paper towel's lack of wet strength. Then a
separate dry paper towel can be used to buff the glass dry and to
absorb any excess cleaner. This approach requires more cleaning
solution to be applied and requires more paper towels than desired.
To compensate for this approach some consumers use newspaper
quality paper or low absorbency paper towels. This type of paper
has a lower absorbency level and naturally does a better job of
spreading the cleaning solution instead of absorbing the cleaner
into the paper towel. Also these types of towels have a stiffer and
harder furnish which tend to aid in buffing the glass to a
streak-free shine. However, this approach is less desired because
special paper towels are required and a lot of buffing is required
to get the desired end result.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an applicator
for applying a substance to a target surface that permits greater
control by the user during the application process.
[0007] It would also be desirable to provide such an applicator
that permits the user to apply a substance to a target surface with
reduced messiness and waste of the substance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto
a target surface including a first side having a first internal
surface and a first external surface, a second side having a second
internal surface and a second external surface, an internal cavity
between said first and second sides, at least one externally
accessible opening, and a flexible film reservoir containing a
product. At least a portion of the flexible film reservoir of said
flexible film reservoir is disposed between said external surfaces
of said first side and said second side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] While the specification concludes with claims which
particularly point out and distinctly claim the present invention,
it is believed that the present invention will be better understood
from the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals identify identical elements, reference numerals with the
same final two digits identify corresponding elements, and
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a
semi-enclosed applicator in accordance with the present invention,
in the form of a mitt;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mitt of FIG. 1 taken
along line 2-2;
[0012] FIG. 3 is another embodiment of a semi-enclosed applicator
in accordance with the present invention, also in the form of a
mitt;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of a rupturable
reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a rupturable
reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
rupturable reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
rupturable reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the rupturable reservoir of
FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the rupturable reservoir of
FIG. 8 folded in the vicinity of the rupturable seal;
[0019] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of an applicator similar to
that of FIG. 3 which is folded in the vicinity of the rupturable
seal of the rupturable reservoir;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an applicator similar
to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but illustrating the use of rugosities on
at least one surface;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of one material useful
in forming the rugosities of FIG. 11;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary finger mitt
applicator made in accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the finger mitt
applicator of FIG. 13, taken along line 14-14;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of an applicator
manufacturing process in accordance with the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the process of FIG. 13;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
semi-enclosed applicator in accordance with the present invention,
also in the form of a mitt;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
semi-enclosed applicator in accordance with the present invention,
also in the form of a mitt;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
rupturable reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
rupturable reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 21 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
rupturable reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
semi-enclosed applicator in accordance with the present invention,
in the form of a mitt;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the mitt of FIG. 22
taken along section line 23-23; and
[0033] FIG. 24 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a
rupturable reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a plan view of a mitt with seal line elements to
aid keeping mitt from shifting on hand during use;
[0035] FIG. 26 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 27 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 28 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 29 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 30 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 31 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 32 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 33 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 34 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 35 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 36 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 37 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 38 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 39 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 40 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 41 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 42 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 43 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 44 is a top view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 45 is a side view of a temperature changing element of
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 46 is a plan view of one embodiment of a rupturable two
component heating or cooling reservoir suitable for use in
accordance with the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 47 is an elevational view of the rupturable heating or
cooling reservoir of FIG. 46;
[0057] FIG. 48 is a plan view of one embodiment of a rupturable two
component heating or cooling reservoir with an integral product
dispensing reservoir suitable for use in accordance with the
present invention;
[0058] FIG. 49 is an elevational view of the rupturable heating,
cooling, and dispensing reservoir of FIG. 48;
[0059] FIG. 50 is an elevational view of the rupturable heating,
cooling, and dispensing reservoir of FIG. 48 folded as when
assembled into a mitt;
[0060] FIG. 51 is an elevational view of the rupturable heating or
cooling reservoir of FIG. 46 adjacent to the rupturable reservoir
of FIG. 4;
[0061] FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of a mitt described for
use dusting and polishing furniture;
[0062] FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the mitt in FIG. 54
taken along line 53-53;
[0063] FIG. 54 is a top plan view of mitt described for body
cleansing;
[0064] FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of a lotion
applicator;
[0065] FIG. 56 is a top plan view of an embossing pattern for
texturing films, nonwovens, papers and other materials;
[0066] FIG. 57 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a glove of
the present invention;
[0067] FIG. 58 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a
semi-enclosed heating/cooling applicator in accordance with the
present invention, in the form of a mitt;
[0068] FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the mitt of FIG. 58
taken along line 59-59;
[0069] FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the mitt of FIG. 58
taken along line 59-59;
[0070] FIG. 60 is a top plan view of a mitt with an optional
scrubbing strip attached to front panel;
[0071] FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional of a bathroom cleaning mitt
with barrier layers on both sides of hand; and
[0072] FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional of a flushable wet and dry
mitt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0073] As used herein, the term "hand article" refers to a covering
for the hand or portion of the hand such as a finger or thumb. The
term "disposable" is used herein to describe hand articles that are
not intended to be restored or reused (i.e., they are intended to
be discarded after a single use or a limited number of uses, and
preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in
an environmentally compatible manner). As used herein the term
"glove" refers to a covering for the hand having separate sections
for each finger. As used herein, the term "mitt" refers to a
covering for the hand having an enclosure that leaves some or all
of the fingers partially or wholly unseparated and that may include
space for the thumb in the main enclosure or may provide space for
the thumb in a separate enclosure for the thumb or may not include
a thumb enclosure at all. This term is also applicable to an
apparatus which covers only one or more digits of a user, such as
in the case of a "finger mitt" as described below. While the terms
"glove" and "mitt" have been defined with respect to the human
hand, similar structures could be utilized to cover or enclose
other elements of human anatomy, such as foot coverings, or other
items for which coverings of a particular shape are preferred. As
used herein, the term "absorb" refers to the penetration of one
substance into the mass of another. ASTM standard test method
D2654-89a "Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Textiles" should
be used to determine the percentage of a liquid, such as water,
absorbed and retained. An absorbent fiber for the purposes of the
present invention has a moisture regain according to the ASTM
standard test method D2654-89a of greater than about 5% (e.g., a
cellulose acetate fiber having a moisture regain of about 6.5%). A
non-absorbent fiber for the purposes of the present invention,
however, has a moisture regain of less than about 5% (e.g., a
polyester fiber having a moisture regain of about 4%). As used
herein the term "substantially non-absorbent" is defined as a
material composed of a majority of non-absorbent fibers or webs. As
used herein the term "substantially absorbent" is defined as a
material composed of a majority of absorbent fibers or webs. As
used herein the term "extension force" refers to forces applied by
hand movements to a surface to extend and/or bend that surface
linearly and/or curvilinearly. The term "pouch" or "sachet" is
intended to refer to a reservoir made from flexible film that is
bonded to create one or more enclosed compartments for containing a
substance.
[0074] The term "semi-enclosed applicator" is intended to refer to
an applicator device having at least one externally-accessible
internal cavity for receiving a portion of human anatomy such as a
hand or finger so that the applicator device may be used as an
implement. A glove, mitt or finger mitt would be an example of such
a semi-enclosed applicator in the context of the present
invention.
Applicator Construction and Operation:
[0075] A representative embodiment of a semi-enclosed applicator of
the present invention in the form of a hand article is the
disposable mitt 10 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the
mitt 10 of the present invention in its flat-out state illustrating
the body portion 20, cuff portion 21, central portion 22, distal
portion 23, and reservoir 30. In general terms, the mitt 10 has an
internal cavity that is accessible through an opening in the cuff
portion and that extends inwardly toward the distal end that is
closed.
[0076] FIG. 2 shows the construction details of the mitt 10 more
specifically. The mitt 10 has a front outer surface 31, a front
inner surface 32, a back outer surface 33, and a back inner surface
34. The front and back inner surfaces define a hollow interior 29
into which a hand may be inserted through an opening in the cuff
portion 21. The mitt 10 includes a front panel 24, which defines
the front outer surface 31, and a back panel 26, which defines the
back outer surface 33. The front and back panels are connected
along their periphery to form a seam 36. The seam 36 can be
straight or may be tapered. For example, the seam 36 in may be
inwardly tapered in the area of the cuff region to allow the
applicator to stay on the hand of the user better. In addition to,
or in place of, tapered seams, elastic material may be added in the
cuff region to keep the applicator on the hand of the user.
[0077] A semi-enclosed applicator of the present invention may be
constructed for many different uses. Unlike conventional cleaning
implements, the applicators are ideally suited for cleaning curved
or other surfaces with jagged edges or tough to reach areas. As a
result, the product form provides convenience not only because it
may comprise multiple different surfaces that may perform
complementary tasks such as wetting, cleaning, drying and/or
buffing surfaces, but also because it provides a means of doing the
job on tough to reach areas or surfaces. Such a combination of
benefits is lacking in present day cleaning systems. The mitts can
be stored individually, or placed and stacked in containers, folded
or unfolded. As such, they occupy little space and can be stored in
small areas, which improves convenience for the users. The
combination of easy storage and ability to clean tough to reach
areas such as the interior of car windows, dashboards steering
wheels and mirrors, makes them ideal for use in the car (glove
compartment storage), where conventionally employed glass cleaning
processes are awkward, ineffective and potentially hazardous.
Reservoir
[0078] The reservoir 30 contains a product that may be dispensed
and/or dispersed from the reservoir 30 to one or more of the outer
surfaces of an applicator, such as outer surface 31, for delivery
to a target surface. The fluid reservoir 30 may be of any suitable
size, configuration, and composition for the intended product to be
dispensed and dispersed. The product may be a liquid, a gel, a
lotion, a cream, a powder or even a solid. A solid such as a wax,
for example, may be heated to provide a flowable product that may
be dispensed and/or dispersed from the reservoir 30. One aspect of
the reservoir 30, which is believed to be important to the overall
functionality of the mitt 10, is the ability of a sealed,
fully-enclosed reservoir to rupture or otherwise dispense the
product contained therein when "activated" by the user and yet
resist premature dispensing during manufacture, packaging, and
shipment. In alternate embodiments, the reservoir may be located at
least partially outside of the applicator 10. For example, chamber
47 of reservoir 30 of FIG. 7 might extend outwardly from an
applicator for improved visual and manual access, as desired. The
ability of the reservoir to survive intact until the point of use
preserves the quality and quantity of the liquid until the time of
use. As will be understood, external accessibility to a reservoir
might also facilitate the provision of crimping devices, folding of
a reservoir or other protection of the reservoir against premature
dispensing, as will be discussed further below. Alternatively, the
reservoir 30 may be a separate article that can be inserted into
the mitt 10 by the user. For example, the reservoir 30 may be
inserted inside of the front panel 24 or the back panel 26 of the
mitt 10 or may be inserted into one or more pockets located between
the front outer surface 31 and the front inner surface 32 that are
designed to receive the reservoir 30. This allows the user to
replace reservoirs 30 as needed and provides for reuse of the mitt
10 if it retains sufficient absorbency, wet strength, etc.
[0079] In one embodiment, the reservoir can be designed to burst or
rupture to release the product contained within the reservoir at a
comparatively low force when desired by the consumer. This may be
accomplished by having a sealed pouch with permanent seals and also
seals that are "frangible", i.e., rupturable. When the pouch is
squeezed, the frangible seal will yield or fail first since it has
a lower peel force to break the seal apart than the permanent
seals.
[0080] In one embodiment, the frangible seal will ideally rupture
with 1-3 lbs of force when applied by the consumer. Adding stress
concentrators in the seal geometry that will localize forces at a
particular location can optimize the location of rupture. These
stress concentrators can be shaped like a V, a notch, a half circle
or a variety of other shapes depending upon the desired burst
level. These stress concentrators will help control the force
required to burst the pouch as well as the location of where the
seal will rupture. Such stress concentrators thereby focus or
concentrate external pressure or mechanical forces imposed on the
reservoir and its contents. For example, pressurizing a pouch
having a V-notch seal such as shown in FIG. 7 will localize forces
first at the apex of the V, causing that region to rupture first.
Such an arrangement can help reduce potential variability in
rupture or dispensing forces and the location where the rupture
occurs. Additionally, other seal angles and geometries of the seal
can also be used to tailor dispensing forces for particular
applications.
[0081] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the reservoir 30 is positioned
in the central portion 22 of the mitt 10. In this location, the
reservoir 30 can be subjected to sufficient force to rupture the
reservoir and dispense the liquid by making a fist with the user's
hand, by applying force with the opposite hand, or by pressing the
palm against the target surface. This location of the reservoir 30
in the applicator is convenient for applications where it is
desired for the product to be dispensed all at once or while
rubbing a surface. It may also be desired to have the reservoir
located in a portion of the applicator that is spaced or remote
from a location where forces are applied during cleaning or
rubbing. In this manner, pressure applied to the mitt during
cleaning or rubbing will not cause premature dispensing or dosing
of the product in the reservoir 30. FIG. 3, for example, depicts an
alternative embodiment of a mitt 10 wherein the reservoir 30 is
positioned closer to the cuff region 21. In this location, the
reservoir 30 is not located in a region of the mitt that would
typically encounter forces in use (the application or pressure
region), and the reservoir 30 would require activation by
specifically applying force to the cuff region. Such an embodiment
may be particularly advantageous where progressive dispensing of
discrete quantities of the product is desired rather than an "all
at once" dispensing upon application of an initial force.
[0082] The use of a reservoir to contain a product allows the
applicator to become wet on the desired side only when wanted by
the person using the applicator. In some cases a person would like
to store a single applicator in a remote site such as a glove box
in a car or in a separate drawer in a bathroom. The hermetically
sealed reservoir(s) in the applicator preferably use sufficient
barrier materials to allow these individual applicators to have
multi-year shelf life even when stored as individual units.
Separately, the reservoirs can be placed on one or both sides of
the applicator or in multiples on the same side. This allows one
side to be kept dry or to have different products on the different
sides. In contrast, pre-moistened wet wipes that have been
individually wrapped are traditionally placed in a foil pouch. This
foil pouch material is expensive and more of it is needed to
enclose the entire wipe to prevent moisture loss (with the
individually enclosed reservoir, foil film is only needed to
enclose the liquid or substance). This approach of putting the
entire pre-moistened applicator (wipe) in a foil pouch also makes
it difficult for the wipe to have a dry surface or from having
surfaces with two different substances since cross-contamination is
likely to occur.
[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates one suitable configuration for a
rupturable reservoir 30 suitable for use with applicators according
to the present invention, such as the applicator of FIG. 1. In the
embodiment of FIG. 4, the reservoir 30 includes a chamber 38, a
frangible seal 40, and at least one dispensing aperture 39. The
embodiment of FIG. 4 may be made by peripherally joining two
similarly-sized and shaped pieces of fluid-impervious material with
substantially permanent seals, forming the dispensing apertures in
one portion of at least one of the pieces of material, introducing
the product through one of the apertures, and then forming a
frangible seal of limited strength to separate the chamber 38 from
the apertures 39. Other forming techniques, such as folding a
single piece of material double upon itself and sealing, or rolling
and sealing a piece of material to form a sleeve, may also be
utilized.
[0084] FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a reservoir 30 that is
functionally similar to that of FIG. 4, but including a plurality
of chambers 38 for containing liquid. Respective chambers 38 may
include product(s) of the same, similar, or diverse compositions,
and may be designed to be ruptured sequentially or simultaneously
depending on how pressure or squeezing is applied by the user. FIG.
6 is a further embodiment having a plurality of chambers 38, but
wherein the chambers are themselves separated from one another by
the rupturable seal 40. In such an embodiment, the chambers would
typically be released concurrently, such as to mix the products
from respective compartments at the time of dispensing.
[0085] The mitts of the present invention may have a burstable
reservoir that has multiple chambers for mixing incompatible
products. This would allow the ability to deliver superior cleaning
performance as an example at an affordable cost. For instance, a
chamber could have a bleach formula suitable for killing mildew,
and germs and the other chamber could contain surfactants and
cleaning solutions suitable for removing dirt and soap scum. The
ideal formulas for these two different tasks are incompatible for a
long period of time (like on a store shelf), but can be mixed right
before use (like in the mitt) or can be dosed sequentially to
deliver superior cleaning performance of nearly any type of
bathroom stain. The same could be done for a variety of other uses
like a disposable finger toothbrush that dispenses baking soda and
peroxide on a "finger" mitt that allows these two products to be
mixed to deliver superior teeth cleaning in a disposable package
for away from home occurrences. The back side of the mitt could
have a post-treatment for whitening the teeth.
[0086] More advanced product distribution functionality may be
designed into the reservoir and/or to the applicator. The bursting
pouch may also have an integral distribution head (such as
illustrated as channel 44 of FIG. 7) that allows the product to be
dispensed and dosed to different portions of the mitt. This
distribution head is ideally an extension of the pouch material
that has been sealed in a way to form channels for the product to
flow to another region. The distribution head may have holes in the
sides for the product to exit or may have several seals that force
the product to change direction minimizing the velocity of the
product exiting and thus eliminating or reducing uncontrolled
spraying of the product out of the mitt. Other arrangements, such
as the inclusion of baffling structure to divert or control the
fluid might be desirable as well, such as where products of low
viscosity are dispensed. FIG. 20 shows one alternative embodiment
of a distribution head 92. In this embodiment, the sides are slit
the entire length 93 and are thus coupled with the large area
allowing product to spread greatly within the head before releasing
onto the mitt. Thus, this distribution head embodiment maximizes
wicking and allows product to slowly weep out. The distribution
head can be modified greatly to match desired product delivered.
FIG. 21, for example, shows several "fingers" 95 protruding from
the dosing head 91 thus allowing product to be delivered directly
to various locations. The number of fingers 95, the angle 96 with
respect to the dosing head 91, and the length of each finger 95 can
be modified independently to achieve the desired delivery pattern.
FIG. 24 shows another example of a distribution head that aids in
delivering a desired dosing effect. Similar to some versions of the
distribution head that slow product release by changing the
direction of the product flow and providing exit locations larger
than the delivery channel, such as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, this
particular embodiment utilizes a seal 85 in the center that acts as
a baffle to prevent product from exiting too quickly or with too
much force and running off the substrate. The end 80 is not sealed
and serves as the exit location. The side seals 87 force the fluid
forward as it is released from the pouch; thus, directing fluid to
the desired location. For example, this reservoir would be useful
in delivering product near the fingertips in a mitt while still
allowing the delivery channel length 89 to be minimized.
Alternatively, one or more of the sides may not be sealed and serve
as an alternate or as an additional exit location for the
fluid.
[0087] FIG. 7 is one example of a more complex reservoir design.
The reservoir 30 of FIG. 7 includes a plurality of outlet ducts 41,
a plurality of distribution apertures 42, and an elongated channel
44 which separates the chamber 47 from the distal end 43 of the
assembly. Fluid flow between the chamber 47 and the channel 44 is
controlled by the frangible or rupturable seal 45, which
illustrates the use of a stress-concentration notch 46. The channel
44 may be of a material and configuration such that it is
"self-sealing" and collapses shut to restrict, if not preclude,
fluid flow except when the chamber is substantially pressurized.
For example, a channel may be formed by making two substantially
parallel seals along facing layers of a pouch, where the space
between these seals becomes a channel for fluid to move from the
reservoir to the distribution aperture(s). The channel will
naturally lay flat (and thereby closed) due to the seals, but will
become almost tubular when the reservoir is pressurized and filled
with fluid traveling through the channel. Upon release of the
pressure, the channel will tend to naturally return to its flat
state, causing a sealing effect to prevent further product
delivery. The dimensions of the channel may be optimized based upon
the viscosity of the product being dispensed from the reservoir.
For example, a reservoir designed for dispensing a powder or a
relatively thick lotion or cream product will preferably have a
wider channel than a reservoir designed for dispensing a relatively
lower viscosity product such as a predominantly water or alcohol
based product. In one embodiment, for example, the channel width is
preferably in the range from about 0.125 inches to about 0.5 inches
wide, more preferably about 0.25 inches, to allow "resealing" of
the channel while not requiring excessive force on the pouch to
pressurize the channel. Resealing of the channel may provide for
dosing or progressive fluid dispensing. The outlet ducts and/or the
apertures may be used as desired, with one or the other being
employed or both in combination. Other approaches to provide dosing
capability (i.e., multiple discrete dispensing cycles) include
providing multiple reservoirs on either or both sides of the
applicator.
[0088] Additional functionality may be added by providing dosing.
FIG. 19, for example, shows one such embodiment with additional
features for controlling dosing. Areas 82 of the lock up seal aid
in the prevention of over-dosing by inhibiting fluid flow through
the dosing channel once activated. Thus, the user feels an increase
in resistance when squeezing or pressing the pouch. Areas 84 are
preferably not sealed and extend beyond the end of the dosing
channel. Once the cell is pressurized, these areas 84 fill and
provide a more rigid three-dimensional structure to the cell and
prevent the channel from folding and clamping shut. Areas 86 of
lock up seal can be added to provide a "target zone" for the
frangible seal. Thus, burst force consistency is improved by
limiting the width 88 of the frangible seal 40 and manufacturing is
made easier by having a larger zone 90 where the frangible seal can
be located. Area 86 also aids in forming a natural fold line for
protecting the frangible seal.
[0089] Dosing may alternatively be accomplished without the use of
a dosing reservoir or distribution channel. For example, a
rupturable reservoir such as shown in FIG. 4 may be combined with a
flow restriction layer. The flow restriction layer may be a
separate layer in the mitt 10 such as the front panel surface 24,
the layer 37, or be an additional layer that is between layer 37
and the reservoir 30. Nonwovens, apertured films, thermoformed
films, and other materials, for example, can be created to have a
target porosity and thus fluid flow rate. Controlling the mean pore
size of openings and the number of openings in the flow restriction
layer can determine how fast a fluid or product will be dispensed
through the front or back panel. The fluid flow rate can be
controlled by incorporating the desired porosity in the front or
back panel materials or can be accomplished by having a separate
layer or layers between the reservoir 30 and the application
surface of the mitt 10. An example of a flow restriction layer is a
100 mesh hydroapertured film made from low density polyethylene.
The apertures in this structure are approximately 100 micron in
diameter and may be suitable for controlling the fluid rate of
creams and lotions, for example. The number and size of the holes
can be adjusted depending upon the viscosity of the fluid being
dispensed and the desired application rate.
[0090] A reservoir 30 having a frangible seal connected to a
distribution channel 44 such as shown in FIG. 7, for example, can
provide fluid communication with one or more distribution apertures
located in a region or application surface of the mitt removed from
the location of the reservoir 30 itself. As shown in FIG. 18, for
example, a reservoir 30 can be located near a cuff region of the
mitt such that the reservoir 30 and the frangible seal 40 are
located below the palm of the wearer's hand and the distribution
channel 44 provides fluid communication to a portion of the mitt
corresponding to the position of a user's fingers in use. In one
embodiment, the distance 76 from the tip of the closed side of the
mitt 10 where the fingers of the wearer's hand are located to the
frangible seal 40 can be in the range from about 6.5 inches to
about 8.5 inches thus allowing the frangible seal to remain clear
of the pressure applied by the palm of the wearer's hand of about
the 97.5 percentile of women (7.5 inches) and of the 97.5
percentile of men (8.2 inches). See, e.g., Dreyfuss, Henry, The
Measure of Man, New York; Whitney Library of Design (1969). This
location, for example, can space the reservoir away from the region
of the mitt that would typically encounter application and
scrubbing forces in use, and may allow for sequential dosing of the
product in the reservoir by requiring activation by specifically
applying force to the cuff region for selectively dispensing the
fluid. In this embodiment, the fluid would travel through the
channel to the distribution head where the fluid is released on the
desired location of the mitt, such as near the fingers in the
preferred embodiment. The channel length 78, e.g., the distance
from frangible seal 40 to the distribution head 43 shown in FIG.
18, is preferably in the range from about 0.5 inches to about 8.5
inches long, more preferably in the range from about 3.5 inches to
about 5 inches long.
[0091] The reservoir preferably uses a laminate film that contains
either metallized PET, aluminum foil, Si0.sub.2 or some other high
barrier material that will provide an adequate moisture and/or
oxygen barrier to allow the product to have a reasonable shelf
life. In one embodiment, for example, the reservoir may have a
shelf life in the range from about 2 years to about 3 years.
Smaller reservoirs with small amounts of a product require even a
higher barrier since the surface area to volume of fluid is
significantly higher resulting in higher levels of moisture loss
due to transport and diffusion.
[0092] The reservoirs can be made rupturable or "frangible" by a
number of different techniques. One preferred technique is to make
a pouch on a vertical or horizontal form/fill/seal machine that has
the ability to make different seals on the pouch at different
temperatures, pressures or seal times. This allows one side of a
pouch to have different sealing conditions that in turn can allow
one side to have a weaker seal strength. A suitable sealant
material for this type of "frangible" seal would be Surlyn.RTM.
made by Dupont or a blend of Polybutylene with Ethylene Vinyl
Acetate or ultra low density ethylene copolymers, polyolefin
plastomers, and/or Polyethylene. Sealant layers made with either of
these resins or blends will result in a sealant layer that will
have significantly different seal strengths depending upon the seal
temperature. The blend provides a "contaminant" to the base polymer
material that allows the resulting seal to be selectively frangible
under certain sealing conditions. For example, at 200 degree F. the
sealant layer will deliver a seal force of 200-400 grams/linear
inch of seal width and at 300 degree F. the seal force will deliver
a seal force closer to 3000 grams/linear inch of seal width. This
variation in seal strength allows a pouch to be "welded" shut in
one portion and easily burstable in a second portion just by
adjusting the seal temperature, the seal time and/or the seal
pressure used when making the pouch seals (e.g., the pouch may be
welded along all or a portion of one, two, three or more sides and
easily burstable along a portion of one, two, three or more sides).
A preferable film structure for this type of frangible reservoir
would be Surlyn sealant/tie layer/metallized PET. Other techniques
for making the consumer activated rupturable reservoirs include
delaminating seals, weak regions in the film structure such as
created by embossing, laser scoring, mechanical scoring or other
known methods of weakening a film structure, and small thermoformed
cells with thin regions that rupture when squeezed (similar to
bubble wrap). Alternatively, a reservoir 30 may have other opening
means such as tear-off strips, pull tabs, release liners and the
like.
Front Panel
[0093] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
the front panel 24 preferably comprises a porous, such as a fibrous
nonwoven, material through which the product within the reservoir
30 can be dispensed. Another applicable material would include an
open cell polyethylene or polyurethane foam, such as available from
Sentinel Products Corporation of Hyannis, Mass. In embodiments in
which the product is a liquid, the material utilized for the front
panel 24 is preferably substantially non-absorbent and/or
preferably substantially hydrophobic when utilized with water-based
liquids, in order to provide for residence time of the liquid upon
the target surface. Non-absorbent fibers in a nonwoven, for
example, do not absorb water and thus do not swell when exposed to
an aqueous based product. Exemplary fibers that may be used in a
nonwoven include polyolefin, such as polyethylene and
polypropylene, and polyester fibers. An acceptable nonwoven can be
made, for example, by known methods such as spunlace, spunbond,
meltblown, carded, air-laid, hydroentangled, and the like.
Alternatively to a porous nonwoven, an apertured film or web can
also be used as a porous non-absorbent material for the front panel
24. Suitable materials for use as a front panel 24 can also provide
sufficient strength and texture characteristics so as to provide a
scrubbing action upon the target surface and to maintain web
integrity when exposed to the product. In embodiments such as where
the product within the reservoir 30 is a liquid or where the front
panel is exposed to a liquid during use, the front panel 24
preferably comprises a material that has a good wet strength,
durability for scrubbing, low product retention characteristics,
and that will not scratch or damage the target surface. A
thermoplastic-based non-woven substrate such as a polypropylene,
polyethylene, or polyester based non-woven substrate, for example,
can effectively meet these criteria while also not absorbing water
based product formulas. One such material sufficient in durability
and strength to provide a cleaning surface, for example, is a
spunbond polypropylene nonwoven such as from BBA Nonwovens of
Simpsonville, S.C. Other structures such as hydroentangled
materials comprising cellulose, rayon, polyester, and any
combination thereof may also be used. One such set of materials are
made by Dexter Corporation of Windsor Locks, Conn. and sold under
the trade name Hydraspun.RTM.. One skilled in the art will
understand that a wide range of materials can be used as long as
the material of interest provides the required durability to
complete the particular task.
[0094] In one embodiment, the fiber diameter may be less than about
100 microns, alternatively less than about 50 microns and in yet
another embodiment may be in the range from about 10 microns to
about 35 microns. A higher number of smaller diameter fibers can
aid in holding onto dirt via mechanical entanglement and can also
yield a softer substrate. The basis weight of the front panel 24
may preferably be in the range from about 10 gsm to about 100 gsm,
more preferably in the range from about 15 gsm to about 55 gsm, and
even more preferably in the range from about 25 gsm to about 45
gsm. In some embodiments, the fibers can also hydrophobic,
oleophillic, and positively charged that aid in holding onto dirt,
oils and other contaminants that are desired to be removed from the
surface. An oleophillic material that oils naturally attach
themselves to is preferred. Preferably, the fibers also maintain
their positive charge even when wet. One approach to achieve this
positive charge is to coat the fibers with a treatment of a
cationic polymer such as polyacrylamide (PAM), polyethylenimine
(PEI), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE).
A PAE resin, produced by Hercules under the tradename Kymene.RTM.
is one such material. For example, in a glass cleaning and/or
general multiple purpose surface cleaning embodiment, polypropylene
or polyethylene non-wovens have been found to be good materials for
applying a cleaning formula to glass, shiny surfaces and other
surfaces.
[0095] Further, in one embodiment, the front panel can include
fibers or porous materials that may provide additional strength and
scrubbing capability. Fibers such as polyester (PET) fibers, for
example, can be utilized. Alternatively, or in addition to such
fibers, a strip of material for scrubbing can be formed directly on
the front or back panels or may be added onto the front or back
panels. One suitable material for additional scrubbing that may be
used is a chemically bonded PET nonwoven with a binder that has a
mild level of abrasiveness. The level of abrasiveness may be
modified by changing the binder composition and amount as well as
the fiber type and diameter. An exemplary material may include a 30
gsm chemically-bonded air-laid PET nonwoven having a formaldehyde
based binder made by Steams Technical Textiles of Cincinnati, Ohio.
FIG. 60, for example, shows a strip 602 bonded to the front panel
24 near the top 604 of a mitt 606. In this example, the front panel
24 may be a 30 gsm polyethylene spunbonded nonwoven that may not
have the desirable durability for a particular scrubbing
application. The strip 602 may provide additional durability of the
mitt and may be used for scrubbing such as removing difficult soils
from a target surface such as dried bugs and other difficult soils
on a car windshield.
[0096] A nonwoven typically does not swell with the product and
releases the product when rubbing with minimal retention compared
to a disposable paper based towel. Further, a thermoplastic
nonwoven has good wet strength and adequate scrubbing capability
yet will not scratch many target surfaces. The nonwoven also has a
low coefficient of friction that allows the substrate to glide very
easily across a target surface with minimal effort and allows good
ease of spreading the product onto the target surface.
[0097] In view of the fact that polypropylene non-woven materials,
and many other suitable materials for front panel 24, are highly
porous and rapidly penetrated by liquid products, the mitts of the
present invention designed for use with liquid and other low
viscosity products may optionally include an absorbent layer, such
as tissue paper layer 37, between the reservoir 30 and the front
panel 24. The absorbent material can absorb and wick the product,
distribute the product beyond the dimensions of the reservoir and
supply the product to a larger surface area of the outer layer,
e.g., front panel 24. Depending upon the viscosity of the product
and the desired surface area to supply the liquid, absorbent layers
with different capacities and wicking rates can be used to control
product distribution. The basis weight of the absorbent layer may,
for example, be less than about 60 gsm, preferably may be less than
about 40 gsm, and more preferably may be in the range from about 10
gsm to about 30 gsm. One suitable material is a single ply of a
disposable kitchen paper towel such as Bounty.RTM., a product of
the Procter & Gamble Company. If slower fluid transport is
desired, higher capacity materials such as two ply Bounty.RTM. can
be used. If faster fluid transport is desired, less absorbent
materials such as Cellu Tissue 7020, a product of the Cellu Tissue
Corporation of East Hartford, Conn. can be used as well as creped
or other corrugated materials that aid in fluid transport. Those
skilled in the art will understand that the absorbent material can
be chosen from a wide range of absorbent materials so as to best
meet the required capacity and wicking rate for a given
embodiment.
[0098] Another method to control liquid flow is to use a second
absorbent layer, such as second layer of tissue 17, between the
reservoir 30 and the internal fluid impervious barrier layer 25 as
shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Having layers 37 and 17 on both the front
and back sides of the distribution portion of the reservoir 30 will
help prevent fluid from running along the front sheet or the
internal fluid impervious layer 25. If the absorbent layer is only
on one side of the reservoir 30, the fluid may run along the
internal fluid impervious barrier layer 25 away from the desired
distribution portion of the mitt before the fluid comes into
contact with the tissue paper layer 37. The tissue paper layers 17
and 37 may cover the entire surface of the mitt or may cover a
portion of the surface of the mitt from the outlet of the reservoir
to a region where it is desired to transport the fluid. For
example, a two to six inch strip of tissue may comprise the second
tissue paper layer 17 located between the fluid-impervious barrier
layer 25 and the reservoir 30 and located from the top of the mitt
to a region slightly below the reservoir outlet. The second tissue
layer 17 will help prevent fluid from running along the
fluid-impervious barrier layer 25 and will direct the fluid to the
top of the mitt closer to the fingers.
[0099] Yet another method that can be employed to control liquid
distribution onto the outer layer 24 is the patterning of adhesives
into an array of lines, spirals, spots, or any other open pattern
network of filaments to combine outer layer 24 to tissue paper
layer 37, to combine tissue paper layer 37 to fluid impervious
barrier layer 25, to combine tissue paper layer 37 to second tissue
paper layer 17, and/or to connect second tissue paper layer 17 to
fluid impervious barrier layer 25. In an embodiment in which the
applicator contains vertical corrugations, described later, that
the adhesive can be applied in an array of horizontal lines. These
horizontal lines can be applied using slot coating hot melt
equipment as well as spray hot melt applicators with the air turned
off. While not wanting to be bound by theory, it is believed that
the presence of horizontal adhesive beads channels the liquid in
the horizontal direction while the vertical corrugations channel
the liquid vertically. Thus, the combination of these channeling
mechanisms allows liquid to be distributed at the same time in both
the horizontal and vertical directions. Depending upon the desired
liquid distribution for a given embodiment, the spacing of the
adhesive lines can be changed. In a preferred embodiment, these
adhesive lines are spaced from about 1 mm to about 10 mm apart,
more preferably from about 2 mm to about 5 mm apart. The adhesive
type and basis weight is dependent on the two materials being
combined, compatibility with the liquid of interest, and the
processing method. The adhesive basis weight will preferably be
less than about 12 gsm, more preferably from about 0.1 gsm to about
8 gsm. The adhesive type can be any of the type of water-based,
solvent-based, hot melt, pressure sensitive, or others known in the
art. For the preferred embodiment, a pressure sensitive adhesive
made by Ato Findlay of Wauwatosa, Wis., product H2031, provides
adhesion for combining layer 24 to tissue layer 37, tissue layer 37
to layer 25 and/or tissue layer 17 to layer 25. Other methods of
patterning adhesives include gravure printing the adhesive into
channels that direct the fluid flow. One such example is adhesive
printed in the form of a star pattern originating at the tip of the
fluid reservoir to direct fluid in a radial pattern onto the front
panel 24 or in a partial radial pattern to direct fluid only in one
direction. In combination or in place of adhesives, the attachment
means to combine layers 24, 37, and 25 may comprise pressure bonds,
ultrasonic bonds, mechanical bonds, or any other suitable
attachment means or combinations of these attachment means as are
known in the art. In the same way adhesives can be applied to
direct the fluid wicking, these bonding methods can create channels
in the desired direction for fluid flow. While not wanting to be
bound by theory, it is believed these channels are created when
materials are heated in discrete areas effectively creating a seal
that liquid cannot pass through and thus must flow around.
[0100] In order to protect the hand of the user from contact with
the product during the dispensing and/or dispersing operation, the
mitts of the present invention can include a barrier layer 25, the
interior of which defines the front inner surface 32 that faces the
wearer's hand during use. The barrier layer 25 is preferably
impervious to the product contained in the reservoir 30. Suitable
barrier materials include polymer films, such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, EVA, and polymer blends or coextrusions, which may
be rendered extensible by methods described below. Materials that
are embossed, whether or not rendered extensible, provide improved
tactile properties and greater control over the applicator in terms
of contact and coefficient of friction with the hand. Preferably,
the material and the surface alteration are made such that the
coefficient of friction between the inner surface 32 and a wearer's
hand is greater than the coefficient of friction between the outer
surface 33 and the target surface. This reduces the likelihood that
the mitt 10 may slip or rotate inadvertently in use. The barrier
layer can also be combined with another "softness enhancing"
material that provides additional comfort, softness and tactile
feel to the user's hand on the front inner surface 32. Such
materials can include, but are not limited to, fibrous (natural,
synthetic or combinations thereof) and/or foamed materials.
[0101] Applicators such as mitts may be designed to deliver
products to one or both surfaces, or be utilized independently with
products applied via other sources to accomplish dispersion of the
substance and, if desired, removal of the product from the surface
by absorption. Applicators, however, may be similarly designed to
direct products toward the opposite surfaces of the mitt after
eversion, for example, if the mitt is used for one function, then
turned inside out and then activated again to deliver fresh product
from the former internal surface.
[0102] As fluid is released, it is often desirable for the user to
be able to identify when the preferred amount of fluid has been
released onto the front panel 24. This can be accomplished by
incorporating a marking on the substrates to identify the surface
area that would be covered by the preferred amount of dispensed
product. This marking could be in the form of an ink mark, embossed
pattern, or any means of visual identification on any or all layers
of the substrates. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, for example,
the marking 71 can be a circle centered around the distribution
head 43 of the cell 30 such that when the preferred amount of
product is dispensed, for example about 1-3 ml in some embodiments
such as a window cleaning mitt, the diameter of the circle's
perimeter corresponds to the surface area covered as the product
wicks. The shape and size of the marking 71 could be varied based
on the size and shape assumed by the preferred amount of solution
when dispensed within the particular embodiment of the mitt. For
example, the use of different glue patterns that promoted faster
wicking of the product in a particular direction could require that
the shape be a larger elliptical pattern.
[0103] In some embodiments, the pouch is able to rupture at a
relatively low force, such as in the range from about 1 pound to
about 3 pounds, when the consumer is ready to use the mitt, but the
pouch is able to survive relatively higher forces, such as in the
range from about 10 pounds to about 40 pounds, when the mitt is in
distribution to the store or handled in the box on the store shelf.
This can be accomplished by folding the pouch on the frangible seal
or between the frangible seal and the reservoir such that there is
a mechanical advantage that occurs preventing the pouch from
bursting and generally protects the pouch from undesired rupture
and premature fluid dispensing. In some embodiments, for example,
this technique has been shown to effectively raise the bursting
force to a level in the range from about 30 pounds to about 40
pounds. This can be accomplished by folding the mitt into a compact
unit, which also aids in packaging and shelf display. The mitt may
be tri-folded such that the frangible seal is protected and the
distribution head is also folded to provide an extra level of
protection on the seal.
[0104] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the reservoir of FIG. 7 and
FIG. 9 illustrates the use of folding techniques to protect a
frangible seal from premature rupture. FIG. 9 illustrates a
reservoir 30 consistent with that of FIGS. 7 and 8 which has been
folded at location 48 adjacent the rupturable seal 45. Folding the
reservoir in effect crimps, or pinches off, the fluid pathway and
is capable of withstanding significantly more internal pressure
without leakage than would normally be desired for the frangible or
rupturable seal relied upon for dispensing functionality.
[0105] FIG. 10 illustrates the tri-folding of an applicator 10 to
isolate the fluid-containing reservoir 30. As shown in FIG. 10, the
additional fold in the vicinity of the distal end of the reservoir
30 may serve to provide additional security against premature
dispensing by isolating the fluid outlets from the remainder of the
reservoir. Bi-fold, tri-fold, z-fold, or any suitable folding
mechanism may be utilized to provide not only a more compact
applicator, such as when a plurality of applicators are folded,
stacked, and then placed within a carton, sleeve, or outer wrapper,
but also provide desirable functionality in terms of providing
enhanced resistance to premature activation via a higher dispensing
threshold prior to the point of use.
[0106] Another means of reducing pre-mature bursting is the use of
a secondary crimping device that "clamps" the frangible seal and
prevents pre-mature bursting until the crimping device is removed.
This crimping device could be a low cost injection molded part such
as a flexible clip or paper clip-like structure. The crimping
device should have enough biasing force to keep the pouch in a
generally flat condition adjacent the frangible seal or any region
where protection from bursting is needed. A third approach is to
have a pouch that is only partially filled but when folded on the
reservoir has the right fill volume that allows the pouch to be
burst when squeezing. When flat, the pouch can be squeezed and not
burst since the fluid can flow to other portions of the pouch
before the two sides of the pouch touch each other and bottom-out
when squeezing.
Back Panel
[0107] The back panel 26 may aid in keeping the mitt 10 on the hand
or finger(s) of the user. The back panel 26 may further serve to
enclose the hand or finger(s) of the user, and may even serve
additional functions such as removing a product applied to a
surface via the front panel 24. The back panel 26 may be
constructed of materials such as one or more films, nonwovens,
scrims, papers and/or the like.
[0108] After the product has been dispensed and dispersed onto the
target surface, for example, it is sometimes desirable to absorb
and remove excess product, contaminates and/or particles from the
target surface while minimizing filming, streaking and/or
residuals. Accordingly, the back panel 26 of the mitt 10 can be
made from a material that is substantially absorbent for the
product of interest. For example, the back panel 26 may be
constructed of absorbent fibers that swell when exposed to the
product of interest (e.g., liquids such as water, oils, etc.).
Examples of absorbent fibers include man-made fibers derived from
cellulose (e.g., rayon, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate)
and natural cellulose fibers (e.g., from trees). Other examples of
absorbent materials include particles and fibers made from
superabsorbent polymers (e.g., crosslinked copolymers of acrylic
acid) that can be incorporated into the back panel 26.
Additionally, or in the alternative, the back panel 26 may be
constructed of nonwovens, apertured films, absorbent or fibrous
absorbent materials, super absorbent polymer fibers or powders, or
laminates and/or combinations thereof. Absorbent nonwovens may be
made by methods such as spunlace, spunbound, meltblown, carded,
air-laid, and hydroentangled. In one embodiment, for example, the
back panel 26 material preferably has sufficient capacity to absorb
four or more times its own weight of a liquid product. For aqueous
liquids, four plies of disposable kitchen paper towel such as
BOUNTY.RTM., a product of The Procter & Gamble Company, has
been found suitable for use. This paper towel material typically
has the capacity to absorb between about eight and about nine times
its own weight in water and will naturally retain the liquid more
so than a thermoplastic non-woven material, for example. The fibers
in the absorbent paper towel material will absorb the liquid and
will swell to some extent as the liquid is absorbed. If higher wet
strength is desired, other structures such as hydroentangled
materials comprising cellulose, rayon and polyester may provide
enhanced strength. One such set of materials are made by Dexter
Corporation of Windsor Locks, Conn. and sold under the trade name
Hydraspung, can also be used. Further, absorbent foams such as
those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,849 issued to DesMarais may
also be suitable for use as the back panel 26. The back panel 26
preferably has sufficient absorbent capacity to absorb the quantity
of liquid dispensed from the reservoir without oversaturation or
substantial loss of web integrity. For example, the absorbent layer
preferably has in the range of about two to about eight times, and
more preferably in the range of about three to about five times,
the absorbent capacity of the volume of the liquid within the
reservoir 30. In one embodiment, if the reservoir 30 contained
about 8 cc's of liquid product and the back panel 26 comprised a
BOUNTY.RTM. paper towel that holds about eight times its weight in
water, then to have two times the absorbent capacity a total of
about 2 grams of the paper towel would be desired. Similarly, about
8 grams of the paper towel material would be required if an
absorbent capacity of about eight times the capacity of the
reservoir 30 cc's. The extra absorbency will further aid in
achieving a streak-free shine because back panel 26 will be able to
remove nearly all of the liquid on the target surface without
leaving a film or streaks of cleaning solution. Further, as known
in the art, certain materials may have a relatively higher
capillary action to remove the liquid from the surface of the back
panel 26 and may thus require less absorbent capacity versus the
reservoir capacity, e.g., about two to about three times the
capacity of the reservoir. In one embodiment, for example, a
structure such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,849 issued
to Desmarais, which is incorporated by reference, can be used as
the back panel 26, or may be used in the back panel 26. Further,
due to evaporation, absorption into the target surface, and other
effects, however, the back panel often is not expected to absorb
the entire quantity of delivered fluid. Additional additives such
as wet strength additives, dry strength additives, cationic
treatments, cationic promoters, softeners and absorbency aids may
be employed if desired.
[0109] As described above, one side of the applicator may be
designed with a majority of non-absorbent fibers (termed
"substantially non-absorbent") and the other side may be designed
with a majority of absorbent fibers (termed "substantially
absorbent"). In the context of the invention, these terms are
relative to one another. Depending upon the specific application,
the product to be spread, the environmental conditions, and the
benefits sought, the amount of product that the substantially
absorbent side absorbs and the amount of a product the
substantially non-absorbent side absorbs will not be constant.
Rather, the substantially absorbent side will have a relatively
higher absorbent capacity than the substantially non-absorbent side
for the particular product. The ratio of the absorbent capacity of
the substantially absorbent side to the absorbent capacity of the
substantially non-absorbent side is greater than one, preferably
greater than two, and more preferably greater than four.
[0110] In some embodiments, the mitt 10 can have multiple layers on
either the front panel 24 or the back panel 26 to provide
additional absorbency and/or cleaning surfaces. Preferably
additional layers can be heat sealed only to the perimeter and
sealed in such a way that the layer is peelable. However, layers
may be attached and removed by other methods such as perforations,
peelable adhesives, and the like. The layers can be slightly offset
at the cuff region (21), or additional material such as tabs may
protrude from the layer, making it easier for the user to remove
one layer at a time. Peelable heat seals may be accomplished by
heat sealing the individual layers at a lower temperature or with
less seal time such that a peelable seal occurs. These layers can
also be made peelable by using a contamination layer or other
methods known in the art. An example of how peelable layers can be
used would be for a heavy-duty cleaning mitt where heavily soiled
surfaces are cleaned. On heavily soiled surfaces, the mitt surfaces
24 and 26 may become soiled to an undesirable level before all the
fluid in the reservoir is used. To overcome this, an extra layer(s)
of a polypropylene non-woven could be used on the front panel 24
allowing the user to peel off a dirty layer as needed to deliver a
fresh new clean wet scrubbing layer. The porous polypropylene
non-woven will allow the cleaning fluid to travel through multiple
layers while the dirt tends to stay only on the outer surface in
contact with the surface being cleaned. This would allow the user
to continue using the mitt over more surfaces if additional
cleaning fluid is still available in the reservoir. Similarly, the
absorbent back panel 26 could have multiple layers of an absorbent
paper towel such as Bounty.RTM. made by Procter & Gamble. The
absorbent backside layers could be coated with a thin coating of a
barrier material such as Polyethylene that prevents fluid from
saturating other layers except for the outer layer that is being
used. When this outer layer becomes too wet or too dirty, the outer
layer can be removed exposing a new clean layer.
[0111] To protect the wearer's hand from contact with liquids
absorbed by the back panel 26, it may be desirable for some
applications to include an optional additional fluid impervious
barrier layer 27, the interior of which defines the back inner
surface 34 that faces the wearer's hand during use. The optional
additional fluid impervious barrier layer 27 may be similar in
construction and materials as the barrier layer 25 described above.
Particularly when a second barrier layer 27 is employed, it may be
desirable for some applications to include an optional secondary
fluid reservoir 35 to deliver a second, possibly of diverse
composition, liquid product to the target surface. One example of
such a scenario would be the use of water or a neutralizing agent
in the secondary reservoir after the liquid in the primary
reservoir has been utilized.
[0112] The front inner surface 32 and the back inner surface 34 may
be optionally provided with friction-enhancing elements or coatings
28 to prevent slippage between the wearer's hand and the back inner
surface. The friction-enhancing elements or coating 28 on the back
inner surface, for example, may reduce the likelihood of the mitt
rolling or rotating of the mitt upon the hand when the frictional
forces between the back panel and the increasingly dry target
surface escalate. Suitable materials that can be used as the
friction-enhancing elements include rubber, thermoplastic
elastomers (e.g., KRATON.RTM. produced by Shell Chemical Company),
polyolefins with ethylene vinyl acetate or alpha-olefin copolymers,
and polyolefin plastomers (e.g., Affinity.RTM. produced by Dow
Chemical of Midland, Mich. and Exact.RTM. polyolefin plastomers
produced by Exxon Chemical of Houston, Tex.). In one embodiment,
for example, a hot melt coating produced by Ato Findlay of
Wauwatosa, Wis. under the designation of product 195-338, can be
slot coated onto the back inner surface 34. The coating can also be
applied in a foamed state such as by the addition of physical
blowing agents such as nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide. In addition
to slot coating, suitable materials can be applied (foamed or
unfoamed) in one or more of an array of lines, spirals, spots
and/or any other patterned network, by spraying, gravure printing,
or by adhesively or otherwise securing separate pre-formed
elements.
[0113] In one embodiment, an inner surface, such as the back inner
surface 34, may have a friction-enhancing element that has a higher
coefficient of friction between its surface and the wearer's hand
than the coefficient of friction between the outer surface, such as
the back outer surface 33, and the target surface. In a glass
cleaning embodiment, for example, the back panel 26 may be an
absorbent paper towel material used to absorb a liquid product and
buff the target surface dry after it is cleaned. The coefficient of
friction between a glass surface with Cinch.RTM. window cleaner, a
product of The Procter & Gamble Company located in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and a paper towel may be in the range from about 0.7 to about
0.9 as measured according to ASTM D1894-90, entitled "Standard Test
Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic
Film and Sheeting." A friction-enhancing element in this embodiment
would preferably be a coating that delivers a higher coefficient of
friction between a wearer's hand and the back inner surface 34 of
the mitt 10 such that the mitt 10 does not slip or rotate on the
hand when buffing the target surface with the back panel 26.
[0114] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25, the mitt 10 can be
bonded or combined with one or more seals to provide a full or
partial pocket for one or more fingers of the user. The line seal
206 may prevent the mitt 10 from rotating on the hand of the user,
and may further provide a means for gripping the mitt when the
fingers are pressed together during use. The line seal 206 may form
a partial pocket 208 for one or more fingers and may, for example,
extend from the outside perimeter 200 at the top 202 of mitt 10
towards the cavity 204. In one embodiment, the line seal may extend
a distance from about 2 inches to about 4 inches from the outside
perimeter 200 of the mitt 10.
[0115] In use, a wearer of the mitt 10 inserts a hand into the
hollow interior through the provided opening at the cuff region 21
wherein the back panel contacts the back of the wearer's hand and
the front panel contacts the wearer's palm. As the construction of
the mitt 10 is more generic than a glove with defined
anatomically-conforming geometry, the mitt may be used for either
hand and/or may be appropriately sized to fit the foot of a wearer
or any other bodily extremity.
[0116] If desired, at the end of its use, the mitt can be everted
by making a fist with the mitt-hand, pulling the structure over the
fist from the cuff region 21 of the mitt 10. Thus the layers are
transposed, and the inner surface of the front panel and the inner
surface of the back panel become the outer surfaces of the now
waste article. More simply stated, the mitt is turned inside out
after its use and then thrown away. That is, the wearer makes a
fist, and with his or her other hand, grasps a point on the cuff
region and carefully pulls the fisted hand toward the open mouth of
the mitt, until the entire end of the mitt is pulled through the
cuff.
[0117] In one embodiment, the mitt 10 may be a differentially
extensible hand article wherein at least a portion of the mitt
extends and/or contracts about a wearer's hand and/or wrist without
the use of traditional elastic such as natural or synthetic rubber.
By the term "differentially extensible" or "differential
extensibility" it is meant herein to describe that quality of
extensibility wherein portions of the glove extend or contract
independently of other portions in response to varying hand sizes
and motions. Preferably, this differential extensibility allows a
range of hand sizes to fit comfortably within the mitt. The mitt 10
may be provided with differential extensibility by utilizing a
structural elastic-like film web such as those described in
commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,518,801, issued to Chappell, et
al. on May 21, 1996, and 5,650,214, issued Jul. 22, 1997 in the
names of Anderson et al., and commonly-assigned, co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/635,220, filed Apr. 17, 1996 in the
names of Davis et al., entitled "Fitted Glove", the disclosures of
each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Alternatively, differential extensibility to fit varying sized
hands comfortably can be accomplished by various elastic-like
materials, composite materials that produce elastic-like
characteristics and/or processes to make a material(s) more
elastic-like. Examples of suitable elastic-like materials include
low density polyolefins such as low density polyethylene, linear
low density polyethylene, ultra low density ethylene copolymers
(copolymerized with alpha-olefins such as butene-1, octene-1,
hexene-1, etc.), Affinity.RTM. polyolefin plastomers produces by
Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich. and Exact.RTM. polyolefin
plastomers produced by Exxon Chemical of Houston, Tex. As used
herein, the term "elastic-like" describes the behavior of web
materials such as web materials which, when subjected to an applied
elongation, extend in the direction of applied elongation. Also,
when the applied elongation is released the web materials return,
to a substantial degree, to their untensioned condition. The term
"web" as used herein refers to a sheet-like material comprising a
single layer of material or a laminate of two or more layers.
[0118] The use of differentially extensible materials and suitable
manufacturing processes, such as those described below, may be
utilized to create a corrugation or pleating of at least one
surface of the applicator, also characterized as a plurality of
"rugosities". FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an
applicator similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but depicting the use
of rugosities on an applicator surface. The applicator 10 of FIG.
11 is structurally similar to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2,
and therefore many of the reference numerals are omitted in the
interest of clarity. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the
fluid-impervious barrier layer 25 is provided with differentially
extensible properties, preferably in accordance with the
aforementioned commonly-assigned U.S. patents to Chappell, et al.,
and Anderson, et al., and therefore provides a plurality of
rugosities 50 to the front outer surface 31 via the pleating or
corrugation of the tissue layer 37 and front panel 24. The size and
frequency of the corrugations and/or pleats can be controlled, in
one embodiment, by the bonding pattern and the amount of stretch
applied. The greater the stretch applied to the barrier layer 25,
the greater the amount of material will be available for the
corrugations and/or the pleats. In addition, the bonding pattern
between a stretched material and the unstretched tissue layer 37
and/or the front panel 24 can be used to control the frequency and
location of the corrugations and/or pleats. Such rugosities would
be, in the embodiment of FIG. 11, parallel pleats or corrugations
that extend in the direction into and out of the page. Without
wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such
corrugations or rugosities enhance the scrubbing and dispersing
performance of the front outer surface and may provide built-in
void space for trapping dust, dirt, and particulate material. The
direction of the corrugations, for example, can be used to control
liquid flow and have proven to be effective in preventing liquid
from running off the mitt in cases of overdosing by the user.
Liquid will naturally follow the direction of the corrugations
preferentially versus spreading across the corrugations. Thus
corrugations that run along the length of the mitt will tend to
move the liquid along the length of the mitt. This also prevents
the liquid from running off the narrower width side when the mitt
is held at an angle. The corrugations can also act as baffles such
that liquid sitting on the surface will not spread across the
baffles but instead will tend to travel in the direction of the
baffles. Consequently the pattern, direction, and frequency of
these corrugations can be controlled and designed to spread the
liquid as desired. The texture of the extensible film also provides
a better aesthetic feel to the hand and provides an elastic fit
desired in a glove or mitt.
[0119] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one suitable material and
structural configuration for a barrier layer 25 in accordance with
FIG. 11, such material being consistent with the materials
disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned commonly-assigned U.S.
patents to Chappell, et al., and Anderson, et al. Such materials
typically provide for extensibility, and (if applicable) elastic
recovery, in a predominant direction illustrated via the use of the
arrow labeled "D" in FIG. 12. When such a directional material is
utilized in the construction of an applicator consistent with FIG.
11, the direction "D" would be oriented perpendicular to the
direction in which it is desired for the rugosities to extend. Said
differently, for the embodiment of FIG. 11 the direction "D" for
the barrier layer 25 is left to right across FIG. 11 while the
rugosities 50 extend in the direction into and out of the page. The
embossed pattern of the film further provides better aesthetics and
hand feel by allowing more air to circulate around a wearer's hand
and thus deliver a cooling effect that is not available with a flat
film.
[0120] The method to obtain rugosities described above results from
an extensible web that is stretched, bonded to an unstretched web
(either the front panel 24 or a laminate of front panel 24 and
tissue layer 37) and allowed to relax to create rugosities. Another
way of making either the first or second side of the applicator
having more surface area without increasing the footprint of the
applicator is to texture or reform the web into pleats, ribs,
corrugations, and the like in any method known in the art. Such
methods include but are not limited to embossing, ring-rolling, and
incremental straining. The web can be a single layer of material or
a lamination of several layers of material. For example, the front
panel 24, such as a polypropylene nonwoven, and the tissue layer
37, such as a 1-ply of Bounty.RTM. paper towel, can be textured and
made extensible in accordance to the approach described in the
aforementioned Chappel patent. These layers can be bonded by, but
not limited to, any of the following bonding methods: thermal
bonding, sonic bonding, adhesive bonding (using any of the number
of adhesives including but not limited to spray adhesives, hot melt
adhesives, latex-based adhesives, water-based adhesives, and the
like), and directly applying nonwoven fibers onto a substrate. In a
preferred embodiment, the materials are adhesively bonded with a
hot melt adhesive. One such adhesive is H2031, a product Ato
Findlay of Wauwatosa, Wis. While not wanting to being bound by
theory, it is believed that the thermoplastic elastomer properties
of the adhesive aid in allowing the materials to deform to the
desired shape and aid in setting the materials into the desired
shape thus allowing thicker pleats and pleats more resistant to
compressive forces.
[0121] To facilitate spreading or dispersal of the substance upon
the target surface, particularly to counteract the tendency of the
substance to remain in a localized distribution pattern given the
localized orientation upon the deformable substance, it is
presently preferred to utilize substances which are tailored so as
to be wettable on the target surface. Other factors which may aid
in dispersion or distribution of the substance upon the target
surface include the use of substances which exhibit a
shear-thinning behavior, as well as mechanical spreading action
provided by the user of the composite sheet material to impart a
lateral mechanical motion after activation but prior to removal of
the deformable material from the target surface. Such lateral
mechanical action may also provide additional interaction with the
substance such as for shear-thinning substances and may provide
additional benefits such as lathering, foam generation,
scrubbing/abrasive action, etc.
[0122] Successful dispersal occurs when a portion of the deposited
or dispensed product subsequently coats a portion of the target
surface where the substance was not originally deposited. Upon
removal of the sheet material from the target surface, at least
some of the substance remains located on the target surface,
preferably in a substantially-uniform fashion.
[0123] The mitts of the present invention may be packaged in any
suitable fashion. However, one method of packaging the mitts
involves tri-folding them in a C-folded configuration, then
stacking a plurality of folded mitts within an outer carton or
wrapper. It is believed that the "cushioning" effect of the
superposed folded portions of the mitts provides additional
protection against premature rupture of the fluid reservoirs.
[0124] The mitts of the present invention may also allow users to
clean without the usual concerns associated with conventional spray
and wipe products. One such concern relates to the potential for
irritation and/or inhalation of volatile chemicals. Most spray or
aerosol cleaners include one or more volatile organic solvents, or
propellants, which can cause irritation to the nose or skin. The
architecture of the product form of the present invention may
reduce or eliminate this problem. Lack of spraying also means
greater efficiency in the use of the product, and avoidance of
product reaching surfaces, such as wood or clear plastic panels,
that are adjacent to or nearby a target surface and may be
sensitive to a particular product composition such as a product
including organic solvents. Lack of spraying may further reduce or
eliminate streaks due to a sprayed product not being properly
buffed. In particular, the mitts can eliminate or reduce
performance and surface safety issues that may result from product
runoff. Users may also benefit from not having to store or carry
multiple products just to undertake a particular cleaning task.
Additionally, judicious selection of substrate raw materials for
the mitts can maximize the cleaning benefit. As such, the user is
prevented or discouraged from using inappropriate combinations of
substrate and cleaning composition for a particular cleaning task.
Finally, by combining the product form and cleaning composition in
one, the user saves time.
[0125] The mitts of the present invention have multiple possible
methods of use. In one embodiment, the mitts are folded so as to
protect the product reservoir from pressure. Users may conveniently
remove the mitts from a container, unfold the mitt and fit one of
their hands through the mitt aperture. The reservoir pouch can be
actuated to release the product. This can be achieved by any
suitable method such as pressing on the reservoir pouch with one or
more fingers, with the palm of the free hand, or by pressing the
pouch against a solid surface. The amount dosed can be controlled
by instructing the user to press the reservoir pouch so as to
release an amount of fluid consistent with parameters that are
either printed on the instructions for use, or written or
graphically illustrated directly on the front panel 24 side of the
mitt. In a particular embodiment, instructions for use call for
releasing fluid so as to wick an area that is demarcated around the
orifice from which the fluid is drawn. The area to be wicked can be
shown by means of any graphical representation or in words. In a
preferred embodiment, the area to be wicked is shown via a circle
or other geometric figure. The size of the geometric figure can
reflect the optimum composition volume for the task at hand, and
will be a function of the substrate raw material, wicking ability
and basis weight. In most cases, the geometric figure may be a
circle having a diameter from about 1 centimeter to about 15
centimeters, more preferably from about 2 centimeters to about 8
centimeters. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the mitts
can be designed so that liquid preferentially wicks in one
direction versus another direction. In such instances, for example,
the graphical demarcation on the mitt can preferably consist of one
or more non-circular geometric figures.
[0126] In the event that mitts are used without the benefit of the
attached dosing reservoir, the two-sided mitt can be used together
with a conventional spray bottle. While this is not a preferred
mode of use, some of the benefits stemming from the choice of
absorbent and non-absorbent substrates are still retained.
Accordingly, the methods for use will be similar to those described
above, substituting the preferred dosing mechanism from the
reservoir with an equivalent or slightly larger volume e.g., 1.0 to
1.5 times of cleaning composition delivered from the spray
bottle.
[0127] The compositions of the present invention can contain
several adjuvants such as perfume and dye. Use of dye may be
especially advantageous when the mitt panels are made of a light
color because it allows the user to see the product as it is
dispensed and to dispense an appropriate amount of cleaning
composition for a specific cleaning task. Dyes that are colored and
become colorless as result of exposure to air can also be used to
visually help users dose while limiting the potential for staining.
In some cases, no dye is used, particularly if the mitts are
colored. In one embodiment, for example, the tissue paper layer 37
in the front panel 24 can be colored a dark color such as blue and
may not be visible until fluid is dispensed. To aid in seeing the
fluid when it is initially dispersed, the layers can be bonded to
ensure direct contact between the two layers. These layers can be
bonded by but not limited to any of the following bonding methods:
thermal bonding, sonic bonding, adhesive bonding (using any of the
number of adhesives including but not limited to spray adhesives,
hot melt adhesives, latex-based adhesives, water-based adhesives,
and the like), and directly applying nonwoven fibers onto a
substrate. In a particular embodiment, the materials can be
thermally bonded together in a pattern that directs the user in
understanding the amount of fluid to be dispensed.
Heating/Cooling
[0128] The mitt of the present invention may also include a heating
and/or cooling element such as shown in FIGS. 26-45. The
heating/cooling element may include an exothermic or endothermic
system that provides a heating or cooling effect, respectively. The
systems may include heating/cooling by, but not limited to, an
anhydrous reactions, heats of solution, oxidation reactions,
crystallization, corroding alloys, zeolite-liquid systems and/or
heat of neutralization.
[0129] One embodiment of a heating/cooling element may include a
solid-liquid or liquid-liquid heating/cooling system, such as an
anhydrous reaction system, a heat of solution system, a zeolite
system, an electro-chemical system, etc. A solid-liquid
heating/cooling system includes any system in which an exothermic
or endothermic change occurs during the combination or mixing of
two or more components where at least one component is
substantially liquid in nature (e.g., water) and at least one
component is substantially solid in nature (e.g., anhydrous salts).
A liquid-liquid heating/cooling system includes any system in which
an exothermic or endothermic change occurs during the combination
or mixing of two or more components where two or more of the
components of the system are in a substantially liquid form.
[0130] In one embodiment, the heating/cooling element may comprise
a self-enclosed heating/cooling system. The heating/cooling system
may include a substantially moisture impermeable outer layer 246,
which may be at least partially flexible or deformable. For
example, the moisture impermeable outer layer 246 may be a
metallized film, foil laminate film, MYLAR.RTM., a formed metal
sheet or other water or moisture impermeable materials. The
moisture impermeable outer layer 246 may also include a material
having optimal thermal conductive parameters such as a metallized
foil that permits greater thermal diffusivity and/or conductivity.
The heating/cooling system may include at least two components of a
solid-liquid or a liquid-liquid heating system housed within the
moisture impermeable outer layer 246. The heating/cooling system,
for example, may include a rupturable pouch 240 that contain(s) a
first component of the heating/cooling system. The rupturable pouch
may be formed from a metallized film or other material having a low
moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) in order to minimize losses
of the liquid component(s) contained within the pouch or entry of
liquid or moisture into the pouch that may contaminate the solid
component(s) contained within the pouch prior to activation of the
heating/cooling element. The rupturable pouch 240 may include a
frangible seal 242 to allow a user to rupture the seal by squeezing
or otherwise applying pressure to the heating/cooling element and
to release the first component from the rupturable pouch.
Alternatively, the rupturable pouch may include weakened portions
in the pouch material such as scores, perforations and the like,
pull tabs, may include metal shavings or other items that may
puncture the rupturable pouch upon the application of pressure, or
may include any other means of rupturing a pouch known in the art.
The heating/cooling element may also include a second component 244
of the heating/cooling system. The second component 244 may, for
example, be contained loosely within the water impermeable outer
layer 246 or, if a solid component, be contained within one or more
porous, liquid permeable compartments 254 such as shown in FIGS.
28-31, 36, and 37. The liquid permeable compartments 254 may be
formed by a porous material such as a porous cellulosic material
(e.g., wet-laid or air-laid), a porous polymeric film such as a
polyethylene film which has been needle-punched or vacuumed-formed,
a polymeric mesh material such as a woven nylon mesh material such
as Nitex.TM. supplied by Sefar America Inc., Depew, N.Y., etc.
Preferably, the pore size of the porous material is smaller than
the particles of the solid second component(s) 244. The
heating/cooling element may include one or more compartments that
house the solid second component(s) 244 located within the moisture
impermeable outer layer 246. The solid second component(s) 244 may
be packed within the one or more compartments of the
heating/cooling element at a component volume in the range from
about 60% to about 95% of the available compartment space in order
to keep the solid second components in close proximity to each
other. Tightly packing the solid second component(s) in one or more
compartments can prevent the solid second component(s) from
shifting in the heating/cooling element and can also prevent
"saddle-bagging" of a flexible heating/cooling element. Further,
keeping the solid second component(s) in a packed state within one
or more compartments can promote even heating/cooling in the
heating/cooling element via a defined and repeatable amount of
component per unit volume, can reduce the surface area exposure and
thereby reduce the rapid surface convective losses of the
heating/cooling element, and can better meter the rate that the
heat produced or consumed by the exothermic or endothermic system
due to forced conduction through the packed bed. In some
embodiments, the pouch may further distribute any liquid
component(s) across the surface of the solid second component(s)
244 through wicking and/or capillary action. Additionally, or in
the alternative, a liquid distribution layer such as the layer 262
may be provided in proximity to the solid second component(s) 244
of the solid-liquid system to distribute any liquid component(s)
across the surface of the solid second component(s) 244 through
wicking and/or capillary action such as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29.
This may be especially useful in embodiments where the solid second
component(s) are contained in a porous sheet that will not readily
wick the aqueous solution across its surface or in embodiments
where the solid second components are contained loosely within the
water impermeable outer layer 246. The liquid distribution layer,
for example, may include a cellulosic material such as paper towel
layers such as Bounty.RTM. sold by the Procter & Gamble Company
of Cincinnati, Ohio, capillary channel fibers, hydrophilic woven
and non-woven materials, apertured formed film or any other
distribution materials known in the art. Further, absorbent,
wicking or capillary action materials such as cellulosic materials,
superabsorbent polymers and/or other hydroscopic materials may be
interspersed within the particles of the solid second component(s)
in order to allow for a more even dispersion of the liquid
component(s) throughout the solid second component(s) allowing for
a more and full usage of the component(s). This may be especially
useful in embodiments where the solid second component(s) are mixed
with additives such as encapsulated phase change materials such as
Thermasorb Series.RTM. available from Frisby Technologies,
Winston-Salem, N.C. or polyethylene powders that are somewhat
hydrophobic. Further, the addition of cellulosic materials may be
beneficial in embodiments where another additive such as guar or
xanthan gum is added to one or more of the component(s) to help
tailor the temperature profile but may also affect the rate at
which the reaction occurs due to a viscosity change in an aqueous
solution liquid component. Further, the addition of cellulosic
materials may also be beneficial where reactive materials such as
magnesium sulfate or calcium chloride, in a packed form, may form a
thin crystal sheet across the areas where the water first comes in
contact with them. This may impede the progress of a liquid
component to areas of the packed bed that are below the crystal
surface.
[0131] Another embodiment of a heating/cooling element includes a
solid-liquid and/or liquid-liquid heating/cooling system such as
shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 32-35 and 38-41 in which multiple components
of the system can be housed in adjacent chambers separated by a
rupturable barrier 242 such as a frangible seal or other rupturable
barrier such as described above. The heating/cooling element, for
example, may include a water impermeable outer layer 246 formed
into a pouch having two or more chambers that separately house at
least a first component and a second component of the system prior
to activation. Upon compression of one or more chambers of the
heating/cooling element, the rupturable barrier 242 may burst and
allow the first and second component(s) to come into contact with
each other.
[0132] In one embodiment such as shown in FIG. 46, the heating
element may include a pouch 302 having a permanent or strong seal
304 extending about at least a portion of the periphery of the
pouch 302 (e.g., the pouch may include two or more pieces of film
sealed around four sides, may include a film folded over itself and
sealed around three sides, etc.). The pouch may include multiple
chambers 308 and 310 that are separated by one or more frangible
seals 306. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, for example,
the pouch may include a first chamber 268 and a second chamber 266
separated by a frangible seal 242. The first chamber 268 may
contain a first component and the second chamber 266 may contain a
second component. The first and second components may include a
solid component (e.g., anhydrous salt, electro-chemical alloys) and
a liquid component (e.g., water), a liquid component and a solid
component or a liquid component and a second liquid component.
Applying pressure to one or more of the chambers such as squeezing,
pressing, kneading, etc. may rupture the frangible seal 242 and mix
the components of the first and second chambers together to release
or absorb energy from the environment.
[0133] FIGS. 28, 29, 32, and 33, for example, show further
embodiments of a heating/cooling element including a first
component 264 housed in a first chamber 266 and a second component
244 housed in a second chamber 268 separated by a frangible seal
242. In these embodiments, a frangible seal 242 separates the first
chamber 266 from the second chamber 268. The frangible seal 242 may
extend a portion of the width W of the heating/cooling element such
as shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 32 and 33 or may extend the entire width
of the heating/cooling element between the first and the second
chambers 266 and 268 such as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41. In one
embodiment, the frangible seal may be designed narrowly such as
shown in FIGS. 28, 32, and 34 to minimize the backflow of the first
component 264 into the first chamber 266 after activation.
Alternatively, or in addition, the heating/cooling element may also
include a channel 258 such as shown in FIG. 32 that further
restricts the backflow of the liquid component 264 into the first
chamber 266 after activation. As shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 36 and 37,
the heating/cooling element may also include a solid component
housed in multiple compartments 252 and may be held in place by
porous pouch 254. Alternatively, a solid component may be contained
loosely within a chamber (e.g., the second component 244 shown in
FIGS. 32-35 and 40-41 may be a solid component contained loosely
within the second chamber 268. The heating/cooling element may
further comprise one or more attachment tabs 256 for attaching the
heating/cooling element to structure of the applicator, such as the
mitt 10.
[0134] FIGS. 32 and 33 show yet another embodiment of a
heating/cooling element that may be used in a solid-liquid or a
liquid-liquid heating/cooling system. In this embodiment, a first
liquid component can be housed in a first chamber 266 and a second
liquid component or a solid component can be housed in a second
chamber 268. The frangible seal 242 may extend across all or a
portion of the width W of the heating cooling element, and channel
258 may extend into the second chamber 268 in order to prevent a
backflow of the components into the first chamber 266 after
activation.
[0135] FIGS. 34 and 35 shows a temperature-changing element with at
least two channels 258 that may be used for a substantially one-way
flow of fluid components into the chamber 268. This allows for
delivery of the fluid component to multiple locations within the
chamber 268, which may be especially useful in larger packages or
packages that may have varying orientations during activation such
that wicking the liquid component(s) may become increasingly
difficult.
[0136] FIGS. 36 and 37 show a temperature-changing element in which
a container 240 can be located above the reactant containing
compartments 252. The figure also shows multiple exit channels 258
for the container 240. The compartments 252, for example, may be
made of discrete packets in which one side is a porous material 254
and the other is a fluid impermeable film such as polyethylene. In
the specific embodiment, the porous material 245 may be attached to
the exterior package. This configuration disassociates the fluid
bag from the heat generator and allows for the centralization of
the fluid bag.
[0137] FIGS. 38 and 39 show an alternative embodiment of a
temperature-changing element where the exit channel 258 is located
within the seal area 248 to allow for the full use of the heating
chamber. This may be beneficial for filling operations, for
example, where channels extending into the chamber 268 may be an
obstruction.
[0138] An exothermic solid-liquid heating system can include solid
components such as calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium
sulfate, calcium chloride, cerous chloride, cesium hydroxide,
sodium carbonate, ferric chloride, copper sulfate, magnesium
sulfate, magnesium perchlorate, aluminum bromide, calcium aluminum
hydride, aluminum chloride, sulfur trioxide (alpha form), zeolites
(e.g., Cabsorb.RTM. 500 Series natural zeolite based on the mineral
chabazite), mixtures thereof and other solid components of
solid-liquid exothermic systems known in the art and combinations
there of. An endothermic solid-liquid cooling system can include
solid components such as sodium sulfate*10H.sub.2O, sodium
bicarbonate, potassium perchlorate, potassium sulfate, potassium
chloride, potassium chromate, urea, vanillin, calcium nitrate,
ammonium nitrate, ammonium dichromate, ammonium chloride and other
solid components of endothermic systems known in the art. These
solid components may be in an anhydrous form and may be used such
as in a powder, granular or prilled condition. These compounds are
generally hydroscopic and dissolve in or react with a liquid
component, such as water, and give off or absorb heat.
[0139] Further exothermic solid-liquid systems can include an
electrochemical reaction including solid components such as iron,
magnesium, aluminum, or combinations thereof that react in the
presence of salt and water. In these embodiments, the liquid
component may include a salt-water solution or may include water if
salt is included with the solid component(s) 244.
[0140] Yet another solid-liquid or liquid-liquid exothermic system
includes systems that use of heat of neutralization to give off
heat using acid and base components such as citric acid having a pH
of about 3 or 4 and calcium hydroxide having a pH of 12 in
approximately a 2 to 1 ratio, respectively.
[0141] In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, of a
heating element may include a solid-gas heating system. A heating
element may utilize the heat generated by supplying suitable
amounts of water, salt, vermiculite, activated carbon and/or air to
oxidize iron powder. For example, the heating element may include a
porous bag 270, such as a fabric, an apertured film, etc., may
allow oxygen-containing atmospheric gas to permeate into chamber
that contains the solid component 272. The solid component 272, for
example, may be filled with a uniform mixture of inorganic porous
materials, iron powder, inorganic salts and water. The porous bag
may further include a wetting agent and be capable of generating
heat when exposed to the atmospheric air. This heating element may
be formed by filling a mixture consisting of expanded inorganic
porous materials such as vermiculite, iron powder, inorganic salts
such as ammonium chloride and water containing a wetting agent into
a porous fabric bag having air-permeability and sealing the bag. An
example of solid-gas components is described in detail in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,096,067 entitled "Disposable Thermal Body Pad" issued to The
Procter and Gamble Company on Aug. 1, 2000, which is incorporated
by reference.
[0142] FIGS. 42 and 43, for example, show a heating element
including the solid component 272 of the solid/gas system. Thermal
packs may further comprise a plurality of heat cells 272 spaced
apart which provide controlled and sustained temperature and which
reach their operating temperature range quickly. The heat cells can
be embedded between the first 270 and the second 274 sides and
fixedly attached within each thermal pack. The laminate structure
may provide for oxygen permeability to each of the plurality of
heat cells. Oxygen permeable layers such as known in the art, for
example, may be located on the first side 270 of the laminate
structure. The plurality of heat cells may have an oxygen
activated, heat generating chemistry containing a mixture of
powdered iron, powdered activated charcoal, vermiculite, water and
salt. The second side of the structure may have an oxygen
impermeable layer 274. The first side may further include an oxygen
impermeable release layer 276 that can be removed to activate the
heating system.
[0143] In another embodiment, FIGS. 44 and 45, of a heating element
may include use of aqueous salt solution(s) supercooled so that the
heat packs can be carried in the supercooled condition and
activated with internal release of heat when desired. Sodium
acetate, sodium thiosulfate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate are
examples of suitable salts.
[0144] FIGS. 44 and 45, for example, show a heating element
comprising of the supercooled salt 282 in a pouch 286 with
activator 280. To activate crystallization of solution 282 one can
use the scraping of two metal pieces, the addition of additional
crystals that comprise the solution, or any other activation method
known in the art. As shown in FIG. 44, the activator 280 may be
located in a corner of the pouch with restraining seals 284 holding
it in an easily identifiable location. The solution 282, for
example, may be 1:1 ratio by weight of sodium acetate and water
mixed at an elevated temperature and cooled to ambient temperature
in a super saturated state prior to activation.
[0145] A mitt 10 of the present invention may include one or more
heating/cooling elements such as the ones described above or other
heating/cooling elements known in the art. For example, a
liquid-liquid heating element is disclosed in International
Published Application No. WO 99/41554 entitled "Liquid Heat Pack"
filed on behalf of Sabin et al. and published on Aug. 19, 1999,
which is incorporated by reference. The heating/cooling element may
be used to heat a substrate of the mitt such as the front panel 24
and/or the back panel 26, or may be used to heat a product in a
reservoir 30 and/or on or in another portion of the mitt 10 such as
on or in the front panel 24 and/or the back panel 26. Thus, a
heating/cooling element may be located adjacent to a reservoir 30,
a distribution channel 44 of a reservoir 30, or a dispensing
location of a reservoir 30. A heating/cooling element may also be
located adjacent to one or more substrates of the mitt 10, for
example between the front outer surface 31 and the front inner
surface 32, between the back outer surface 33 and the back inner
surface 34, or adjacent to one or more of the front outer surface
31, the front inner surface 32, the back outer surface 33 and the
back inner surface 34.
[0146] In order to heat or cool a product within a reservoir 30,
the heating/cooling element such as the heating/cooling pouch 302
may be located in intimate contact with the reservoir 30 such as
shown in FIG. 51 to allow for efficient conductive heat transfer.
This may be accomplished by the reservoir 30 and the
heating/cooling pouch 302 in contact adjacent to each other when
the mitt is combined, or the reservoir 30 and the heating/cooling
pouch 302 may be adhered together with an adhesive or other bonding
method known in the art. If it is desirable to activate both the
reservoir 30 and the heating/cooling pouch 302 simultaneously, the
reservoir 30 may be located directly over the portion of the
heating/cooling pouch 302, such as one or more of the compartments
308 and 310 that contains a liquid component of the heating/cooling
system. If it is desirable to activate the reservoir 30 and the
heating/cooling pouch 302 sequentially or at different intervals,
such as to heat/cool the product in the reservoir or to heat/cool a
substrate of the mitt 10 before or after the product is dispensed
from the reservoir 30, the fluid-containing reservoir can be
located away from the activation portion of the heating/cooling
pouch. For example, the compartment 266 of the heating/cooling
element shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 may be offset laterally from the
reservoir 30 such that the compartment 264 is offset from the
reservoir 30 but the compartment 268 directly underlies the
reservoir 30. In this embodiment, the heating/cooling element may
be activated by pressing on the compartment 266 to rupture the
frangible seal 242 and to expel the liquid first component 264 from
the compartment 266 into the compartment 268 that contains a second
component 244 of the heating/cooling system. The liquid first
component 264 may react or combine into solution with the second
component 244 in an exothermic or endothermic event. Then, when the
product in the reservoir 30 has been heated/cooled, the reservoir
30 may be pressed to dispense the product.
[0147] In some embodiments, it may also be desirable that the
product exit from the reservoir 30 onto the heating/cooling pouch
302. For example if the mass of the product released is small, the
temperature of the product may change in temperature quickly as it
is applied to a cooler surface. If the product is released onto the
heating/cooling pouch 302, however, the heating/cooling pouch may
be pressed against the target surface as the product is applied.
Thus, the actual contact of the heating pouch 302 to the surface
may provide an additional conductive heating/cooling effect.
[0148] The reservoir 30 and the heating/cooling pouch 302 may also
be combined into a single pouch 326 as shown with a plan view in
FIG. 48. The product reservoir portion 318 would have an exit
location 316, which may include a frangible seal or other
rupturable barrier 314 or other dispensing element known in the art
such as a pull tab, a perforated tear strip, a tab that may be cut
off, etc. The heating/cooling pouch 302 may also have a
distribution channel region to control the product dispensing rate
and direction such as shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 20 and 21. The outer
perimeter of the pouch and the seal between the product reservoir
portion 318 and one of the heat generating components 320 can be
permanent seals 312. The exothermic or endothermic component
portions of the pouch are shown as compartments 320 and 322 and are
separated by a frangible seal or other rupturable barrier 324. To
place the compartments of the pouch in position similar to those
previously mentioned, the pouch can be folded between the product
reservoir portion 318 of the pouch and the adjacent exothermic or
endothermic component compartment 320 of the pouch 326 such as
shown in FIG. 50. Thus, for simultaneous activation of the
heating/cooling element and release of a product, compartment 320
can be filled with a liquid first component and compartment 322 can
be filled with a liquid or solid second component. For sequentially
activating the heating/cooling element and releasing the product
from the product reservoir portion, compartment 320 can be filled
with a solid or liquid second component and compartment 322 can be
filled with a liquid first component. Sequentially activating the
heating/cooling element and releasing the product from the
reservoir portion can also be accomplished with the same
orientation as previously mentioned for simultaneous activation,
but where the seal strengths of the frangible seal 324 located
between the compartments 320 and 322 and the frangible seal 314 of
the product reservoir portion 318 are different. In this
embodiment, one seal can activate at a lower squeeze force than the
other, and the user would merely squeeze less to burst one of the
frangible seals and then squeeze harder to burst the other. The
heating/cooling pouch 302, and the product reservoir pouch 308 and
combination product/heating cell are preferably made of the similar
materials and manufacturing methods as the reservoir 30.
[0149] Alternatively, a heating/cooling element such as the pouch
302 may be located internally in the reservoir 30 to allow for a
combination of conductive and convective heat transfer such as
described and illustrated in Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.
______ entitled "Product Dispenser Having Internal Temperature
Changing Element" filed by Gary C. Joseph and Piyush N. Zaveri on
Oct. 9, 2000 (P&G Case No. TOMI), which is incorporated by
reference.
[0150] The mitt 10 and/or the heating/cooling element may further
include one or more insulation layers. The insulation layer(s) may
provide for more efficient conductive heat transfer by insulating
sides and/or portions of the heating/cooling element to reduce heat
transfer in areas where it is not desired. The insulation layers
may also protect the consumer and/or materials of the mitt 10 from
damage caused by hot and/or cold temperatures.
Manufacturing Process:
[0151] A manufacturing process suitable for manufacturing
applicators in accordance with the present invention is
schematically illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 15, the process 100 begins with the feeding
of a first web 102 from a supply roll 104. The first web 102
corresponds to the front panel 24 of FIG. 2. A glue applicator 106
applies a thin layer of adhesive 107 to the upper surface of the
first web 102 in a suitable pattern for substantially uniform
coverage, such as a spiral pattern as shown more clearly in FIG.
16. The adhesive is used to establish a bond between the first web
102 and the second web 108, which is fed from a supply roll 111, to
form a composite web. The second web 108 corresponds to the tissue
layer 37 shown in FIG. 2. Webs 102 and 108 may also be embossed
with a pattern such as shown in FIG. 56 to further bond the layers
together as well as to provide a unique appearance and an
additional scrubbing surface area. Alternative embossing patterns
can be used to change the softness, scrubbing ability and porosity
of these two layers.
[0153] Once the first and second webs are secured to form a
composite web, at least one reservoir 114 (corresponding to the
reservoir 30 of FIG. 2) is placed in an appropriate location in
relation to the web dimensions so as to be located within the
dimensions of the finished applicator. Any suitable apparatus 116,
such as a "pick and place" apparatus, may be utilized to place the
reservoirs 114 upon the traveling composite web. Beads of adhesive
113 from an adhesive applicator 112 may be utilized to secure the
reservoirs 114 in place.
[0154] Next, the third web 118 corresponding to the barrier layer
25 of FIG. 2 is applied, first being fed from a supply roll 121
through a pair of opposing rolls 119 that may perform an
"elasticizing" operation to selectively strain the web to impart
elastic-like properties, as described above. The web 118 is then
applied to the composite web over the reservoirs 114, and is held
in a tensioned condition via the use of any suitable apparatus 122,
such as a "vacuum conveyor". The web is preferably stretched by at
least 30%, and preferably at least 50%, to obtain the desired level
of rugosities or stretched from about 0% to about 5% for no
rugosities. The composite web then passes through a sealing/bonding
apparatus 123, such as a pair of compression rolls (with cavities
as necessary to avoid prematurely rupturing the reservoir 114),
which bonds the composite web together with the barrier layer in a
stretched or unstretched condition. As best seen in FIG. 16, the
cross-direction tension on the composite web is then released and
the contraction of the third web causes the first and second webs
to corrugate or pleat to form the plurality of rugosities 125,
corresponding to the rugosities 50 of FIG. 11. In embodiments in
which no rugosities are formed, the tension in the web may be
nearly the same for all the layers such that the finished web may
lay flat with little or no curl.
[0155] Finally, the fourth web 127 corresponding to the back panel
26 of FIG. 2 is unwound from supply roll 133, optionally coated
with a friction-enhancing substance from applicator 128, and then
applied to the composite web. As mentioned earlier,
friction-enhancing elements can be added in various forms such as
panels, strips and beads, in addition to coatings. Consequently,
such elements could alternatively be added to one or more of the
webs joined to define the internal cavity as described, such as by
adhesive, spray coating, heat sealing or other lamination
techniques as known in the industry. A suitable apparatus 132, such
as a continuous rotary heat sealing apparatus, an ultrasonics
sealer, high pressure compression sealer, etc., may be used to join
the fourth web to the remainder of the composite web by forming a
peripheral seal around the edge of what will become the finished
applicator, such as a mitt, in the desired outline shape. A rotary
die cutting apparatus 134 then severs the finished applicator from
the excess material of the rest of the web to form finished
applicator or mitt 136. Finished applicators may then be folded, if
desired, via the use of folding boards or other suitable apparatus
(not shown) and packaged as desired.
[0156] Processing conditions for the above process may be
determined in accordance with procedures known in the art for
establishing suitable operating conditions such as seal
temperatures, nip pressures, line speeds, and the like.
EXAMPLE 1
[0157] An applicator made in accordance with the present invention
may include a glass cleaning mitt, such as described in detail in
copending U.S. application Ser. No. ______ entitled "Semi-Enclosed
Applicator for Distributing a Substance onto a Target Surface" and
filed by Gruenbacher et al on Oct. 9, 2000 (P&G Case 8116M),
which is incorporated by reference. The glass cleaning mitt can
provide a flexible structure for distributing glass cleaning
substance onto a target glass surface. Such an applicator might
include a first fluid-containing reservoir having a predetermined
amount (e.g., in the range from about 5 cc's to about 20 cc's) of a
liquid cleaning product such the CINCH.RTM. brand product as
available from The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio.
The mitt itself may include a front panel layer comprising a
polypropylene spunbonded nonwoven material to provide a substrate
for spreading the cleaning substance and scrubbing the surface with
the cleaning solution. For example, a spunbonded non-woven may be
provided having a basis weight in the range from about 10 gsm to
about 100 gsm, more preferably from about 15 gsm to about 55 gsm,
and most preferably from about 25 gsm to about 45 gsm in order to
provide sufficient durability and strength to provide a resilient
glass cleaning product. A spunbonded nonwoven is commercially
available from BBA Nonwoven of Simpsonville, S.C., under the
Celestra name. This material is preferably substantially free of
surfactants or other treatments that might leave residual material
on the surface being cleaned.
[0158] A reservoir 30 may have a frangible seal connected to a
distribution channel that provides fluid communication with one or
more distribution apertures located in a region or application
surface of the mitt corresponding to the position of a user's
fingers in use. The reservoir 30 and distribution channel 44 shown
in FIG. 19, for example, show one possible arrangement for a glass
cleaning mitt. The reservoir itself can be located on the mitt near
a cuff region such that the frangible seal 40 is located below the
palm of the wearer's hand as shown in FIG. 18 such as described
above.
[0159] The reservoir and/or the distribution channel can be located
between a layer of absorbent material such as tissue layer 37, and
a barrier layer, such as the barrier film layer 25. The absorbent
layer may wick and assist in spreading the product throughout the
surface of the mitt during application, while the barrier layer
keeps the product from contacting the user. The tissue layer 37 may
have a basis weight in the range from about 10 gsm to about 30 gsm.
For example the basis weight of the tissue layer 37 may be about 20
gsm. In one embodiment, the tissue layer may be a single ply of
CelluTissue 7020, a product of the Ceull Tissue Corporation of East
Hartford, CTabout 20 gsm. In another embodiment, the tissue layer
37 may include a single ply of Bounty I tissue available from the
Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. An additional
absorbent layer such as tissue layer 17, which may be similar in
material and construction to the tissue layer 37, may also be
located between the barrier film layer 25 and the reservoir 30
and/or the distribution channel 44 to help direct the product
towards a particular portion of the mitt, such as toward the
portion of the mitt that corresponds to the fingertips of a wearer
during use. A pressure sensitive adhesive such as one made by Ato
Findlay of Wauwatosa, Wis. under the designation of product H2031,
may provide adhesion for combining layer 24 to tissue layer 37,
layer 37 to layer 25 and/or tissue layer 17 to layer 25. The
adhesive may be applied as lines with spacing of about 3 mm to
about 4 mm apart, for example, with a basis weight of about 5 gsm.
The back panel 26 of the mitt may comprise a substantially
absorbent material such as a multiple-ply layer, e.g., four plies,
of Bounty.RTM. paper towel product discussed earlier. The
multiple-ply layer of substantially absorbent material may be used
to provide a distinct surface for removing and absorbing residual
glass cleaning product and dirt left on the glass after cleaning
with the nonwoven side of the mitt. Further, friction-enhancing
elements, such as the strips of friction-enhancing elements 182
shown in FIG. 22 or other friction-enhancing elements described
above, may be located on the inner surface of the front panel or
the back panel of the mitt. In one embodiment, the
friction-enhancing elements 182 can comprise non-slip coatings of a
material such as a hotmelt made by Ato Findlay of Wauwatosa, Wis.
under the product designation 195-338. The strips shown in FIG. 22,
for example, are positioned in the top half of the mitt to provide
contact with the fingers and/or the palm of the wearer's hand and
to prevent the mitt from slipping on the wearer's hand during use.
The basis weight of the friction enhancing element(s) may
preferably be in the range from about 40 gsm to about 180 gsm, and
more preferably in the range from about 90 gsm to about 130
gsm.
[0160] In another example, the glass cleaning composition of the
invention may leave an opaque, translucent, white or other colored
film or cream when applied to the surface. Such a film can be
obtained via any method known in the art. For example, it is known
that many water-insoluble silicones are milky in water. A
composition consisting of such silicones and oxygenated glycol
ether solvents will leave a milky film on the treated surface. Upon
evaporation, the solid residue and can easily be buffed off using
either external surface of the mitt. Other substantially water
chemistries such as long chain surfactants, emulsifiers or other
polymers can also be employed. Use of longer chain surfactants such
as sodium hexadecyl sulfate are advantageous in that they can
provide lubricity characteristics to the treated surface. As a
result, users applying the product will not only derive the
satisfaction of easily removing a milky residue and leaving
surfaces streak-free, they will also experience the tactile benefit
associated with a pushing the mitt across a smooth surface.
[0161] Cleaning product formulations having low solids compositions
can provide improved filming and streaking performance over
identical compositions that use conventional paper towel
technology. While not wishing to be limited by theory, it is
believed that the use of a non-absorbent substrate layer for
spreading cleaning fluid across the glass provides a benefit in
that it ensures even distribution of product over the surface
covered. Conventional glass cleaning processes employ absorbent
paper towel for both the distribution of wet product, and the
buffing step. As a result, cleaning composition is simultaneously
spread and absorbed even though the user just wishes to spread
product. Since the absorbent capacity of the traditional implement
is limited, some parts of the glass are exposed to higher active
levels than others. This inequity in product distribution can lead
to streaks following the buffing step. Traditional glass spray
users would have to use two separate substrates, in addition to the
cleaner, just to get the same level of performance excellence
achieved by the mitts. Optionally, other ingredients such as
polymers for antifog or water sheeting benefits can optionally be
used with the mitts of the present invention provided that filming
and streaking performance is not excessively compromised.
[0162] The mitts can be used for cleaning glass surfaces including
but not limited to, inside and outside windows, mirrors, television
screens, tables, and car windows. They can also advantageously be
used to clean other surfaces such as vinyl, Formica.RTM., enamel,
porcelain, wood, aluminum, steel, chrome, and the like.
Applications include cleaning or refreshing countertops, indoor or
outdoor furniture, upholstery, painted walls, wallpaper and
floors.
EXAMPLE 2
[0163] An applicator made in accordance with the present invention
may include a personal care mitt. For example, these mitts may be
used for the purpose of, but not limited to, beautifying (i.e.,
improving the visual appearance and/or feel), cleaning,
moisturizing, conditioning, or otherwise treating the skin, hair,
or nails. Product applications include, but are not limited to,
face and body cleansers, toners, lotions, moisturizers, ointments,
cosmetics/make-ups, medicaments, and related topically applied
treatments.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 58, for example, a two-finger mitt 558 for
applying a heated moisturizer to the face may be made in accordance
with the present invention. In this embodiment, the mitt 558 may
include a heat producing pouch 302 and a product dispensing pouch
30 that may be similar to that shown in FIG. 4. As shown in the
cross-section FIG. 59, the top panel 564 may be constructed of a
hydroentangled nonwoven having a basis weight of about 60 gsm that
may include approximately 75% polyester and approximately 25%
rayon. This structure may slow product release once the pouches
have been ruptured by limiting product escape, and it may also
provide an exfoliation benefit to the skin as outer surface 570
rubs across the face during application. As demonstrated in FIG.
48, the features of the product pouch 30 and heat pouch 302 may be
combined into a single pouch 326 featuring separated compartments.
The pouch may be folded between the product compartment 318 and
reactant compartment 320 such that compartment 318 rests on
compartment 320 when assembled into the mitt such as shown in FIG.
50. The pouch may be oriented in the mitt such that compartment 322
is closer to the finger tips than the compartment 320. In one
particular embodiment, the compartment 320 may contain about 1 gram
of H.sub.2O and the compartment 322 may contain about 1 gram of
MgSO.sub.4. A frangible seal 324 may be sealed under conditions
such that it would rupture with less force than the frangible seal
314. Thus, when squeezed by the user, the product would not be
released from the compartment 318 until the heat-producing
reactants are allowed to mix. Because of the pouch arrangement and
orientation, the product from the pouch 318 may be expelled onto
compartment 322. Thus, because the heating area, the location of
product expelled, and location of the user's fingers, the heat cell
may heat the product and the user's skin as it is pressed and
rubbed against the face. The barrier layer 566 may be a 5 mm thick
open-cell polyurethane foam to prevent product from reaching the
fingers and to also insulate the fingers from uncomfortable levels
of heat. Furthermore, the barrier layer may prevent the tactile
properties of the product released from compartment 318 from being
noticed by the user. Finally, the backsheet 568 may be constructed
of 20 GSM carded polyethylene nonwoven. The cross machine direction
of the nonwoven, for example, may be oriented such that it is
perpendicular to the length of the users fingers when placed on the
hand. This may allow the mitt to accept a variety of finger sizes
since the strength in the cross-machine direction is less than that
of the machine direction of the nonwoven; thus, the backsheet can
be stretched to accommodate the user's fingers. To use the
applicator, the user may press the applicator on pouch 318 to
release the product and simultaneously activate the heating pouch.
The user may then apply the product to the face by rubbing the mitt
against the skin.
[0165] In preferred embodiments, compositions of the present
invention may be suitable for application to the skin, hair, or
nails of humans or animals, which means that the composition and
its components are suitable for use in contact with skin, hair, and
nails without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability,
allergic response, and the like within the scope of sound medical
judgment. Such products are comprised of a single or plurality of
ingredient components, and may include a topically active component
or combination of active components. These components may include,
but are not limited to, conventional ingredients such as alcohols,
colorants/pigments, emollients, emulsifiers, oils, polymers, waxes,
and the like depending on the product type, and can be routinely
chosen by one skilled in the art for a given product type. The CTFA
Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition (1992) describes a
wide variety of non-limiting cosmetic and pharmaceutical
ingredients commonly used in the skin care industry, which are
suitable for use in the composition of the present invention.
Examples of these ingredient classes include: abrasives,
absorbents, aesthetic components such as fragrances, pigments,
colorings/colorants, essential oils, skin sensates, astringents,
etc. (e.g., clove oil, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, eugenol,
methyl lactate witch hazel distillate), anti-acne agents,
anti-caking agents, anti-foaming agents, anti-fungal agents,
anti-inflammatory agents, anti-microbial agents (e.g., iodopropyl
butylcarbamate), anti-oxidants, anti-wrinkle agents, binders,
biological additives, buffering agents, bulking agents, chelating
agents, chemical additives, colorings/colorants, cosmetic
astringents, cosmetic biocides, denaturants, desquamation actives,
drug astringents, external analgesics, film formers or materials,
e.g., polymers, for aiding the film-forming properties or
substantivity of the composition (e.g., copolymer of eicosene and
vinyl pyrrolidone), opacifying agents, pH adjusters, reducing
agents, sequestrants, skin bleaching and lightening agents (e.g.,
hydroquinone, kojic acid, ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl
phosphate, ascorbyl glucosamine), skin coloring or tanning agents,
skin-conditioning agents (e.g., humectants, including miscellaneous
and occlusive), skin-soothing and/or healing agents (e.g.,
panthenol and derivatives (e.g., ethyl panthenol), aloe vera,
pantothenic acid and its derivatives, allantoin, bisabolol, and
dipotassium glycyrrhizinate), skin-treating agents, sunscreens,
thickeners, and vitamins and derivatives thereof.
[0166] In any embodiment of the present invention, however, the
actives useful herein can be categorized by the benefit they
provide or by their postulated mode of action. However, it is to be
understood that the actives useful herein can in some instances
provide more than one benefit or operate via more than one mode of
action. Therefore, classifications herein are made for the sake of
convenience and are not intended to limit the active to that
particular application or applications listed.
Preferred Properties of Product
a) Viscosity
[0167] Products suitable for use in the present invention may cover
a broad range of viscosities, so long as the product either readily
flows or can otherwise be dispensed or discharged from the
reservoir by a squeezing action or external pressure applied on the
reservoir by the user. In particular, they may range from low
viscosity liquids (e.g., water) to high viscosity liquids,
emulsions, mousses, gels, or pastes, on the order of several
thousand to several hundred thousand centipoise. While not wanting
to be limiting, products with a shear-thinning or thixotropic
behavior are particularly well-suited to the present invention,
benefiting from the shear stresses produced on the product by the
application of external pressure to the reservoir and/or the act of
rubbing dispensed product from the applicator onto a target
surface.
b) Melt Point, Solidification Point, or Glass Transition
Temperature
[0168] Compositions or components characterized by melt point or
softening point temperatures less than about 200.degree. F. but
greater than the temperature of the target application surface may
be especially well-suited to benefit from the heating embodiment of
the present invention. For example, semi-solid or solid fat or wax
components of an animal, plant, mineral, or petroleum nature that
are rigid or hard at body temperature can be transformed to a more
soft or fluid state by the heating embodiment, thus further
extending the range of usable product types. Semi-solid or solid
products that would normally be either unusable or applied unevenly
or with great difficulty at a given temperature can, with the
present invention, be made usable and applied with greater ease and
uniformity. Similarly, compositions or components characterized by
solidification point or freezing point temperatures greater than
about 30.degree. F. but less than the temperature of the target
application surface may be especially well-suited to benefit from
the cooling embodiment of the present invention. For example,
liquid or semi-liquid components that are very fluid or low in
viscosity at ambient temperature can be transformed to a firmer,
more structured or thickened state by the cooling embodiment. This
may enable a more controlled, uniform or otherwise desirable
application of product to the target surface, or provide a means
for certain products to be formulated with little or no
conventional structuring or thickening agents. Polymers
characterized by glass transition temperatures in the previously
stated ranges would also benefit from the aforementioned heating
and cooling embodiments.
Applicator Surface Temperature
[0169] For some applications, surface temperature of the applicator
need only be limited by the operating capabilities of the chemical
reactant composition and/or service limits of the surrounding
applicator materials. However, for applications where skin contact
is directly involved, it is preferable to design the chemical
reactant composition and surrounding applicator materials and
construction such that the skin-contacting surface temperature does
not exceed a threshold of pain or discomfort. For heating, the
preferred range is between body temperature and approximately
120.degree. F., for a period less than or equal to 20 minutes, and
more preferably for a period between 1 and 5 minutes. The skin,
pores, and underlying circulation of blood is thereby stimulated
during application, providing a soothing or comforting sensation,
and further aiding the application and absorption of product into
the skin. For cooling, colder temperatures are known to cause pores
to restrict. Such pore restriction is commonly used at the end of a
beauty care regiment.
Avoidance of Product & Temperature Exposure to Fingers/Hand
[0170] The present invention is particularly useful in preventing
the exposure of product and/or significant temperature change
(produced by the chemical reactant pouch) to the fingers or hands
of the user. The ability to prevent product exposure to the fingers
or hands during use is particularly advantageous in mitigating
undesirable tactile or skin feel properties or absorption of
product onto non-target skin. With regard to tactile/feel
properties, there are many product compositions or ingredient
components, especially many active ingredients, having undesirable
tactile properties, such as greasiness, tackiness or stickiness, or
slipperiness. Representative examples include, but are not limited
to, petrolatum or petroleum jelly (greasy), castor oil or sunscreen
(e.g., octocrylene) (oily/greasy), tocopheryl acetate or gums
(sticky/tacky), and non-volatile organo-substituted polysiloxanes
(e.g., nonvolatile dimethicone fluid) (slippery). By using the
present invention, such compositions or ingredients may be applied
and used on the body or face without undesirable feel or residue
imposed on the fingers or hand. With regard to absorption of
product onto non-target skin, the present invention can prevent
undesirable color, odor, or other activity from occurring on the
fingers or hands. This other activity, for example, could be from
skin lightening/bleaching or tanning actives remaining on the
fingers or hands. However, it should be understood that suitable
compositions or components of the present invention are not
required to be of the aforementioned characteristics.
Multi-Functional Sides
[0171] The applicator of the present invention can be constructed
to provide more than one functional side for use. For example,
multiple steps or benefits of a skin treatment process can be
accomplished with a single applicator of the present invention. One
side may be used to perform a function that is independent,
sequential, or complimentary to a second side. The mitt may even be
everted to provide a total of four functional sides. Such functions
include, but are not limited to, cleansing, scrubbing, exfoliation
of dead skin cells, absorbing or picking up substances from the
target surface, or depositing substances to the target surface.
Depending on the application, these functions can be accomplished
by proper selection of substrate material types and properties, or
additional texture imposed by patterns or embossing on the
substrate. The substrates may be synthetic and/or natural, woven
and/or non-woven, and have absorption properties ranging from
hydrophobic to hydrophilic.
Product Integrity
[0172] The product reservoir of the present invention is
particularly well suited to protecting and maintaining the
integrity of the preferred compositions or components. This product
integrity may take the form of protection from microbiological
insults, oxidation, evaporation, or moisture. Protection from
oxidation is especially valuable in sustaining the efficacy of many
active ingredients (e.g., Vitamin A).
Massaging Feature
[0173] Additional skin stimulation or surface abrasion may be
provided from the applicator with the inclusion of a massaging
structure or feature positioned behind the outer substrate without
impeding the dispensing feature of the present invention. For
example, this may take the form of a rigid pleated, corrugated, or
ribbed structure, rigid raised or recessed surface protrusions,
void spaces or perforations within an otherwise solid flat
structure, rotating or rolling balls/cylinders/rods, and
three-dimensional patterns embossed, engraved, or otherwise formed
in a solid material. Examples of suitable rigid or solid materials
include, but are not limited to, plastics, metal, ceramics, and
composites. Material may be selected based on such factors as
hardness or chemical resistance suitable for the desired use.
EXAMPLE 3
[0174] Another example of an applicator made in accordance with the
present invention is a rubber, vinyl, and plastic protectant mitt
provided as a flexible structure for distributing cleaning,
protecting, and shining formulations onto a target surface. Such an
applicator may include a first fluid-containing reservoir having a
predetermined amount, such as in the range from about 12 cc's to
about 25 cc's of a protectant product. A protectant product is
defined for the purposes of this application as a formulation that
prevents drying, cracking, fading and/or discoloration caused by at
least one or a combination of UV radiation, high temperature,
ozone, dust and dirt. An exemplary protectant product that may be
used in the present invention is an Armor-All.RTM. Protectant as
available from The Armor All Products Corp., Oakland, Calif. The
front panel 24 may be comprised of a synthetic woven, synthetic
knit, nonwoven, apertured film, macroscopically expanded
three-dimensional formed film, absorbent or fibrous absorbent
material, foam, or laminates and/or combinations thereof. The
nonwovens may be made by, but not limited to, one of the following
methods: spunlace, spunbond, meltblow, carded, air-laid, and
hydroentangled. One such material sufficient in durability and
strength to provide a cleaning surface is a spunbond polypropylene
nonwoven such as from BBA Nonwoven of Simpsonville, S.C. Other
structures such as hydroentangled materials comprising cellulose,
rayon and polyester may also be used. One such set of materials are
made by Dexter Corporation of Windsor Locks, Conn. and sold under
the trade name Hydraspun.RTM.. One skilled in the art will
understand that a wide range of materials can be used as long as
the material of interest provides the required durability to
complete the cleaning task.
[0175] A reservoir and distribution channel may also be provided
for the reservoir 30 such as described above. In such a protectant
mitt, the reservoir can be located between a layer of tissue 37 or
other absorbent material and a second layer of tissue 17 or other
absorbent or located between a layer of tissue 37 or other
absorbent material and a barrier layer 25, where the absorbent
wicking layer(s) would assist in spreading the fluid throughout the
front panel 24 while the barrier layer keeps the fluid from
contacting the user. The barrier layer can be textured by any means
known in the art, including but not limited to, embossing,
ring-rolling, and incremental staining, and may also be rendered
extensible. The barrier layer can be combined with another
"softness enhancing" material that provides additional comfort,
softness and tactile feel to the user's hand on the front inner
surface 32. Such materials can include, but are not limited to,
fibrous (natural, synthetic, or combination thereof) or foamed
materials.
[0176] On the back side of the mitt, a substantially absorbent
material such as the Bounty.RTM. discussed earlier might preferably
be utilized to provide a distinct surface for removing and
absorbing residual product and dirt left on the plastic, vinyl, or
rubber after cleaning with the front panel 24 of the mitt. The
mitts can have a barrier film 27 on the back inner surface 34. As
described above for barrier layer 25, this material can also be
textured by any method known in the art and/or rendered
extensible.
[0177] The mitts can be used for cleaning rubber, plastic, and
vinyl surfaces including but not limited to, vinyl and other
plastic car interior surfaces (i.e. dashboards, door panels, trim,
consoles, plastic seats, etc.), and vinyl and other plastic car
exterior surfaces (i.e. bumpers, trim, vinyl tops, moldings, etc.),
rubber automobile tires, as well as, other vinyl and plastic
surfaces such as indoor and outdoor furniture, luggage, and the
like. As in the glass surface cleaning example described above, the
mitts are ideally suited for cleaning curved or other surfaces with
jagged edges or tough to reach areas and can be stored
individually, or placed and stacked in containers, folded or
unfolded. The combination of easy storage and ability to clean
tough to reach areas such as car dashboards, consoles, and trim,
makes them ideal for use in the car (glove compartment storage),
where conventionally applied protectants are awkward, ineffective
and potentially hazardous.
EXAMPLE 4
[0178] A baby cleaning mitt, for example, may include a first
reservoir situated to wet an outer surface of the mitt and a second
reservoir situated to wet a substrate that is initially on the
inside of the mitt. In this example, the outside of the mitt may be
wetted with a cleaning solution to clean the baby. One side of the
mitt can be kept dry allowing the baby's skin to be patted dry. The
mitt can then be everted and, in one embodiment, sealed shut with a
layer of pressure sensitive adhesive that can be applied to the
outer cuff region of the mitt such when the mitt is everted the
cuff can be pressed shut and held tightly closed by the adhesive.
Closing the everted mitt may reduce odors and may also reduce the
chance of loose bowel movement falling out of the mitt. The everted
mitt now also exposes two new surfaces where one or both surfaces
can have a reservoir for applying an additional substance to the
baby's skin, such as a lotion that moisturizes and prevents diaper
rash. In this case, the everted and sealed shut mitt has become a
two-sided wipe with the ability to apply additional substances if
needed. The reservoirs for the inside surfaces can be located in a
region that prevents pre-mature bursting or can have a higher burst
force level so that they don't burst when the person is initially
performing the cleaning task.
EXAMPLE 5
[0179] Another example might be a mitt suitable for Pet Care
applications. For example, the mitt could include a front panel
having an odor absorbing nonwoven structure such as an activated
carbon cloth to absorb pet odors and a back panel including a
different nonwoven with a bursting pouch containing a conditioner
or possibly an odor neutralizing liquid such as FEBREZE.RTM., a
product marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company. Suitable odor
neutralizing liquids useful herein are described in the following
U.S. Patents, which are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,783,544; 5,714,137; 5,593,670; 5,939,060; and 5,942,217. The
mitt may allow the pet owner to rub around the pet's face without
worrying about the need to control a spray or stream of liquid
product. Another pet care mitt application may include a pet hair
removal mitt in which the mitt includes bristles on the front panel
and/or the back panel. These bristles can be created by injection
molding or thermoforming a separate part that is bonded to the
front panel or the back panel, or forming the bristles directly
onto the front panel and/or the back panel using techniques such as
those used to make mechanical fasteners such as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,058,247 filed by Thomas, which is incorporated by
reference. The reservoir may include a liquid or lotion product
that wets the panel surface and is dispersed onto the pet or other
target surface being cleaned making it easier to remove the hair
with the bristles from a shedding pet or from a surface such as
carpet, upholstery and furniture.
EXAMPLE 6
[0180] As shown in FIG. 52, a dusting/polishing mitt such as for
use with furniture may be made in accordance with the present
invention. The dusting/polishing mitt may include a dusting side
354 and an applicator side 356 that may apply a product such as a
furniture polish. The dusting side 354 may include a treated or
untreated polyester nonwoven material such as sold by the Procter
& Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio under the SWIFFER.RTM.
name or may be any other known dry or impregnated dusting material.
The applicator side 356 may, for example, comprise a composite of
two layers with a rupturable reservoir contained within the
composite. The applicator side 356 may be sealed to the dusting
side 354 to form a mitt shape with one end left open for creating
an opening 358 into which a hand may be inserted. The applicator
side 356 may, for example, comprise a 58.5 gsm hydroentabled
nonwoven fabric comprised of cellulose, rayon and polyester fibers
made by the Dexter Corporation of Windsor Locks, Connecticut. A
rupturable dosing pouch 360 may be located beneath one or more
layers of the applicator side 356 and may contain, for example,
about 10 cc's of Pledge furniture polish made by S.C. Johnson of
Racine, Wis. Beneath the dosing pouch, a barrier layer 362, such as
a 1 mil LDPE film, may be embossed to provide good hand feel on the
inside of the pouch, while also providing a moisture barrier to
protect the hand. The multiple layers of the applicator side may be
bonded together such as by intermittently using a spiral hot melt
glue applied at a weight of about 4 gsm. The dusting side 354 of
the dusting/polishing mitt may be used to remove loose dust, and
the applicator side 356 may be used to dispense furniture polish to
the target surface as needed. The user could alternate between the
dusting side 354 and the applicator side 356 allowing one mitt to
be used to polish and dust an entire home or room. Alternatively,
the back panel 354 may be a buffing side to remove excess polish
and/or to buff the target surface to a shine. A suitable buffing
side 356 may be cotton, nonwoven and/or cellulose-based structures.
A suitable nonwoven, for example, maybe an absorbent and soft
hydroentangled nonwoven made by Dexter Corporation such as the same
material described above with reference to the applicator side.
Another suitable material may be the Bounty.RTM. material made by
The Procter & Gamble Company described above.
EXAMPLE 7
[0181] Another example of a mitt of the present invention is a
finger applicator mitt that fits on at least a part of one or more
fingers. A finger mitt allows for precise control of the applicator
that may be preferable for getting into tight spots and/or for
better dosing control and dispensing accuracy. A finger mitt of the
present invention may allow for application of facial lotions and
creams, cosmetics, liquid foundation, toothpaste or other
dentifrices, sunscreen, etc. A facial lotion applicator, for
example, may allow a consumer to precisely control the product
application without fear of getting the product in an eye.
[0182] The finger mitt may have a similar construction as the hand
mitts but can be sized to only fit on part of one or more fingers.
FIGS. 13 and 14, for example, show a finger mitt 110 for dispensing
toothpaste on the edge of the finger as needed. A cylindrical
hollow interior 129 into which at least a portion of a user's digit
could be inserted is illustrated, having a front panel 124 with
optional outwardly extending bristles 190 on front outer surface
131 for a toothbrush or scrubbing application. A reservoir 130
similar to that shown and discussed herein with respect to FIGS. 3
and 7 is shown in phantom. The reservoir 130 shown includes a
frangible seal and a distribution channel 144 to dispense a product
to an end of one or more fingers. This same mitt could also be used
to dispense a variety of other lotions, creams, or liquids to a
specific location.
[0183] These smaller mitts would preferably be formed of a
substrate such as front panel 124 for applying the product, a
rupturable reservoir 130, a barrier layer 125 to keep product from
contacting the skin, and a second substrate to create the internal
cavity for the finger. The layers may be sealed at the perimeter
136 to create the opening 129 for inserting one or more fingers.
Optionally, the second substrate can also be designed to absorb a
liquid product as described above. Mitts could also be designed to
go onto the foot, toes, or a reusable molded applicator part that
may be used as an applicator device. The barrier layer and/or the
substrates can also be made at least partially extensible, and can
include a friction enhancing element as described herein to better
fit and stay on the finger. Other alternatives and modifications
will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0184] A suitable soft substrate such as an open or closed cell
polyethylene foam could be used as the applicator substrate or
front panel 124 to provide a very soft and smooth application
surface for applying the product. Bristles (e.g. 190) or abrasive
coatings can also be applied to either substrate to provide
additional scrubbing or cleaning capability. One method of
attaching bristle-like fibers to the substrate includes using a hot
melt screen printing process such as is known in the art, where the
adhesive pattern printed is elongated in a direction generally
perpendicular to the substrate cleaning bristles extending upwardly
from the substrate.
EXAMPLE 8
[0185] A body cleansing mitt 10 may be constructed by having a wet
side and a dry side in a mitt form such as shown in FIG. 53. The
wet side, for example, may include a 60 gsm spun-bond linear low
density polyethylene (LLDPE) nonwoven 370 laminated to a tissue
layer 372, such as a single ply of Bounty I tissue made by The
Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. A dosing pouch
374 containing about 15 cc's of a no-rinse body cleansing solution
similar to those used in baby wipes may be disposed underneath the
tissue layer 372. Underneath the dosing pouch, a barrier film 376,
such as a 1 mil thick polyethylene film, may form the inside layer
of one side of the mitt. The other side of the mitt may be used for
drying the skin after application. The dry side 378 can include a
substantially absorbent layer such as a 60 gsm hydroentangled web
comprised of paper, PET, and Rayon fibers or combinations thereof.
The dry side of the mitt may be sealed at the edges 380 to the wet
side of the mitt in a horseshoe shape leaving an opening 382 for a
hand to be inserted between the two sides. FIG. 54 shows a top plan
view of a mitt 10 with the reservoir of a dosing pouch 374 shown
below the palm of a typical user's hand. The frangible seal may be
located below the palm to prevent the reservoir from being
dispensed inadvertently during use. The product may be dispensed
from the apertures 390 near the fingers of the wearer's hand. The
mitt may be formed by bonding the LDPE nonwoven layer, the
absorbent layer, and barrier film together, such as by using a
spiral glue pattern of a hot melt adhesive such as a Findley H2031
hot melt adhesive at a basis weight of 4 gsm between each layer to
be combined. The adhesive bonding between the layers can be
accomplished without significantly impacting the porosity or fluid
flow of the product through the layer(s). Alternatively, any heat
sealing technique such as ultrasonics, radio frequency, conduction,
hot air convection, ultra high pressure, or the like could be used
to combine these materials.
[0186] The body cleaning mitt may be used by a consumer to clean a
body surface with the wet side and then use the dry side to either
remove any wetness left on the skin or possibly apply a
semi-dry-form of deodorant or perfume. Alternatively a separate
dispensing pouch could be located on the dry side that contains a
lotion or semi-liquid deodorant and/or antiperspirant could be
located between the inside surface of dry side 378 and an optional
additional barrier film bonded to dry side 378.
EXAMPLE 9
[0187] A body lotion mitt may also be constructed to have an
applicator side and a retaining side that serves to keep the mitt
on the hand of the user for ease of application such as shown in
FIG. 55. The applicator side may comprise a nonwoven material, such
as a 60 gsm LLDPE nonwoven 400, as a soft skin contact layer. The
applicator side may further include a flow restriction layer 402 to
limit or control product flow to the skin contact layer. One
possible material that may be used as the flow restriction layer is
a 100 mesh hydropertured 1 mil film manufactured by Tredegar of
Terre Haute, Ind. with a nominal hole size of 100 microns. The
hydroapetured film, for example, can also be embossed to a level in
the range from about 0.01 inches to about 0.08 inches deep with a
pattern such as the checkerboard pattern as shown in FIG. 56.
Embossing the film may provide greater thickness and may prevent
the user from feeling the rupturable pouch and potentially a sharp
edge. Underneath the apertured film, the rupturable pouch 404 may
contain a product such as about 10 cc's of Oil of Olay's Total
Effects Cream.RTM. available from the Procter & Gamble Company
of Cincinnati, Ohio. The pouch may be designed similar to the
design shown in FIG. 2 and may be designed to empty the entire
contents of the pouch between a barrier layer 406 and the flow
restriction layer 402 upon squeezing. The flow restriction layer
406 may be used to control dosage and thus the amount of the
product applied to the skin. The barrier layer 406 may, for
example, comprise a 1 mil LDPE film. Beneath the barrier layer 406,
single or multiple layers of a film 408 may be embossed to provide
a soft cushion-like feel and to make the mitt feel more
substantial. For example, three layers of a 1 mil LDPE film may be
embossed with a pattern such as the pattern shown in FIG. 56. Each
layer may be embossed to a thickness of about 0.04 inches resulting
in a total thickness of about 0.12 inches. Alternatively,
nonwovens, embossed paper, PET batting material, or other materials
could be used to create a soft cushion like feel. An additional
layer of film or nonwoven may be used as the back panel 410 to help
retain the mitt on the fingers or hand. For example, the back panel
410 may be a 1 mil low density polyethylene film. The user may make
a fist once to rupture the pouch and then the flow restriction
layer can control the product release such that the product can be
dispensed slowly to cover the entire body. In one embodiment, a
high coefficient of friction coating, such as a Findley Hot Melt
195-338 or a body adhesive could be applied to the film 154 to
create a non-slip surface for the user to grasp.
EXAMPLE 10
[0188] A weed killing glove may also be made in accordance with the
present invention such as shown in FIG. 57 with individual fingers
and a thumb. The weed killing glove may enable a user to dispense a
herbicide such as ROUND UP.RTM. herbicide made by Monsanto
Corporation onto the surface of a glove. The user may kill weeds by
touching the weeds with the glove surface without the risk of an
overspray killing surrounding grass, flowers, trees, etc. In this
embodiment, for example, a glove may allow for more dexterity than
a mitt and may allow for the dexterity and control required to
touch individual weeds. Alternatively, a finger mitt that fits over
one, two or three fingers may provide the dexterity and control
desired. FIG. 53 shows a cross-section of one embodiment of a mitt
or glove near the cuff region 422. The glove may be include an
applicator side 370 having a protective barrier layer 376 to
prevent the herbicide from contacting the hand. The applicator side
may include a porous material 370, such as a 34 gsm polypropylene
non-woven, bonded to an absorbent distribution layer 372, such as a
21 gsm tissue layer, for controlling the wicking of the fluid to
the finger-tips. Two or more absorbent distribution layers 372 may
be positioned from the palm to the top of one or more fingers to
increase the herbicide distributed to this region such as shown as
the region above line 420 in FIG. 57. Beneath the absorbent
distribution layers, a rupturable dosing pouch 374 may be located
such that the reservoir is located beneath the palm such as shown
in FIG. 57. The dosing pouch 374 may be designed similar to the
dosing pouch shown in FIG. 24 to direct fluid to the fingertips of
the wearer. The next layer can be a barrier layer 376 that may be a
1 mil LDPE film blended with ethylene vinyl acetate to provide good
grip. The film may be embossed to deliver a thicker layer as well
as to provide better hand feel. The embossing may also create a web
that does not drape around the hand and thus keeps the hand cooler.
The barrier layer 376 may be sealed around the perimeter 380 in a
hand pattern to the back layer, which may include a material
similar to the barrier layer 376. An opening 382 may be left
between the film layers to allow the hand to be inserted.
EXAMPLE 11
[0189] A light duty multiple surface mitt may be made using an
anti-bacterial cleaning solution such as 409.RTM. cleaning solution
made by Clorox Corporation of Oakland, Calif. or Windex.RTM.
anti-bacterial solution made by S.C. Johnson of Racine, Wis. in the
reservoir 30. The mitt may, for example, be constructed generally
the same as the glass cleaning mitt described earlier in Example 1,
but with an anti-bacterial cleaning formula instead of the glass
cleaning formula. The mitt nay have a wet side and a dry side
allowing the user to clean bathroom surfaces, sinks, counters,
toilets, tables, kitchen surfaces, etc. The dry side may be used to
wipe the surface dry leaving a streak-free surface with no sticky
residue left behind. An additional layer of polyethylene film can
be optionally located on the inside of the drying side to provide
additional protection for the hand.
EXAMPLE 12
[0190] A heavy duty bathroom shower/tub mitt may include a more
durable wet side for scrubbing with a cleaning side and a rinsing
side to allow the consumer to rinse the surface with water. See,
e.g., FIG. 61. The wet side may comprise an air-laid 40 gsm PET
non-woven 610 made by Steams Technical Textiles (Cincinnati, Ohio)
with a chemical binder to provide scrubbing. The PET fibers may be
open and loose providing good loft and thickness for the substrate
and thus more room for mechanical entrapment of dirt and grime.
Beneath the scrubbing PET layer a tissue material such as a single
ply of Bounty I tissue 612 may be used to wick the fluid across the
mitt surface and to prevent product run-off. Beneath the tissue
layer may be a dosing pouch containing about 15 cc of liquid Comet
Bathroom.RTM. cleaner made by the Procter & Gamble Company of
Cincinnati, Ohio. The next layer may be a 1 mil low density
polyethylene (LDPE) barrier film 616 blended with ethylene vinyl
acetate (EVA) to provide good grip. The film may be embossed to
deliver a thicker layer as well as provide better hand feel. The
embossing also creates a web that does not drape around the hand
and thus keeps the hand cooler. The barrier film 616 may then be
sealed around the perimeter 620 in a horseshoe pattern to the
rinsing back side. The back side may be a 80 gsm hydroentangled
nonwoven 622 comprising of cellulose, rayon and PET fibers. This
structure has good wet strength and is very absorbent providing a
sponge like performance. The 80 gsm nonwoven may be laminated to a
1 mil polyethylene embossed film 624 to provide a moisture barrier
and thus prevent the hand from getting wet when rinsing the
surface. An opening 626 is left between the film layers 616 and 624
to allow the hand to be inserted. In use the user may use the wet
scrubbing side to dose cleaner onto the scrubbing substrate as
needed using the dosing pouch. After all of the target surfaces are
cleaned, the user then wets the absorbent rinsing side with tap
water and proceeds to rinse off the cleaner. This same basic mitt
design could also be applied to an oven cleaning mitt where there
is a scrubbing substrate suitable for oven and stove surfaces, a
formula that dissolves and lifts baked foods, grease, and food
products and an absorbent back side that removes the cleaning
solution and food to leave a clean, streak free surface.
EXAMPLE 13
[0191] A wet/dry mitt may be used for cleaning such as for a baby
clean-up application. The mitt may comprise a 40 gsm hydroentangled
cellulose, rayon, PET non-woven bonded to a 1 mil LDPE embossed
film with a 5 cc rupturable pouch located in-between. The product
inside of the rupturable pouch may be a fluid or lotion such as
used in typical baby wipes. The embossed film may be sealed to a
dry-side in a horseshoe shape as described in previous examples
with an opening left for inserting the hand. The dry side may be
another layer of the 40 gsm hydroentabled non-woven. The wet/dry
mitt may also be used for menses removal and clean-up.
EXAMPLE 14
[0192] A flushable wet and dry mitt or wipe can be made such as
shown in FIG. 62. The front panel 630 can be constructed of a 48
gsm carded non-woven comprising mostly of cellulose with little
binder so that it breaks up in the toilet easily. Underneath the
front panel, a rupturable sachet 632 may be made from Polyhydroxy
Alkanoate (U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,692 assigned to Procter &
Gamble) as the barrier pouch material. This pouch can be made
rupturable by either a weakened region or by printing a contaminant
(ink, polybutylene, etc.) in a seal region such that the pouch
controllably ruptures at a given pressure. This biodegradable
material will break-down in a septic system while maintaining it's
integrity for shipping and handling as well as a reasonable
shelf-life to prevent liquid contained within from evaporating. The
liquid inside the sachet 632 may, for example, be 3 ml of a
cleaning solution consisting of water, ethanol, perfume, and
surfactant. Other biodegradable polymers that provide a sufficient
moisture barrier may also be used as the pouch material. For
example, one biodegradable polymer that could be used as the pouch
material is Bionolle manufactured by Showa Highpolyer Corporation
in Japan. Beneath the rupturable pouch, a 25 micron thick polyvinyl
alcohol film 634 (Groflex TK5034) from Nordenia Corporation
(Gronau, Germany) may be used. The polyvinyl alcohol film (PVA)
acts as a temporary barrier to allow one side to stay wet and the
other side to remain dry for a short period of time. Various grade
of PVA film can be used to deliver different rates as to when the
film would dissolve in water and lose it's temporary liquid barrier
property. For a clean-up product to be used at the toilet, it is
ideally desired for the film to remain a barrier for between 10 and
200 seconds and most preferably between 30 and 60 seconds. Beneath
the PVA film, the back panel 636 can be an absorbent paper based
product to dry the surface being cleaned before being flushed. This
flushable wet and dry wipe or mitt could be used for cleaning up
babies after bowel movement, cleaning of the surfaces of toilets,
feminine hygiene for menses clean-up and general body cleansing. A
mitt could be formed by using an additional layer of PVA 638 and
sealing the perimeter 640 in a horseshoe shape with an opening left
on one side to allow the hand to fit inside 642. Alternatively the
perimeter 640 could be sealed in any shape (rectangle, triangle,
pentagon, etc.) with one side left open for inserting hand.
Alternatively, the front and back panels can be comprised of any
material that is flushable and is durable enough for cleaning
and/or drying the surface desired.
[0193] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. One
skilled in the art will also be able to recognize that the scope of
the invention also encompasses interchanging various features of
the embodiments illustrated and described above. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications that
are within the scope of the invention.
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