U.S. patent application number 12/315337 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for substrates and devices for applying a lip care formulation.
Invention is credited to Michael S. Brunner.
Application Number | 20090101163 12/315337 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34376128 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090101163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brunner; Michael S. |
April 23, 2009 |
Substrates and devices for applying a lip care formulation
Abstract
A disposable device that includes a fabric substrate on which a
lip care formulation is included is provided.
Inventors: |
Brunner; Michael S.;
(Roswell, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;Catherine E. Wolf
401 NORTH LAKE STREET
NEENAH
WI
54956
US
|
Family ID: |
34376128 |
Appl. No.: |
12/315337 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10671388 |
Sep 25, 2003 |
|
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12315337 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/320 ;
15/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/0087 20130101;
A45D 40/24 20130101; A45D 2200/1036 20130101; A46B 5/04 20130101;
A45D 2200/1018 20130101; A46B 2200/1046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/320 ;
15/118 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/18 20060101
A45D040/18; A45D 40/26 20060101 A45D040/26 |
Claims
1. A device comprising a hollow member having an open end for the
insertion of a finger, the hollow member having a first section
attached to a second section, said first section having a nonwoven
material, said first section being connected to said second section
in a manner that forms a seam, a lip care formulation disposed on a
first portion of an exterior surface of the device to form a lip
care treatment zone and a second portion of the exterior surface
comprising a texturized surface to form an oral care treatment zone
configured to clean the teeth and gums of a user, wherein the lip
care treatment zone is separate from the oral care treatment
zone.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the exterior
surface that includes the lip care formulation comprises a
texturized surface.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the oral care treatment zone
includes an oral care chemical additive
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the exterior
surface that includes the lip care formulation is closer to the
open end than the second portion that forms the oral care treatment
zone.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the lip care formulation
comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting
of allantoin, avobenzone, camphor, dimethicone, homosalate,
menthol, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, padimate
O, petrolatum, phenol.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the lip care formulation
comprises dimethicone, oxybenzone and padimate O.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the lip care formulation
comprises dimethicone or petrolatum and at least one sun screening
agent.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lip care formulation
comprises a sun screening agent and a skin protecting agent.
9. A device comprising a hollow member having an open end for the
insertion of a finger, the hollow member having a first section
attached to a second section, said first section having a nonwoven
material, said first section being connected to said second section
in a manner that forms a seam, a lip care formulation disposed on a
first portion of an exterior surface of the device to form a lip
care treatment zone and a second portion of the exterior surface
comprising a texturized surface form an oral care treatment zone
configured to clean the teeth and gums of a user, wherein the lip
care treatment zone is separate from the oral care treatment zone
and the oral care treatment zone includes an oral care chemical
additive.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first portion of the
exterior surface that includes the lip care formulation comprises a
texturized surface.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the first portion of the
exterior surface that includes the lip care formulation is closer
to the open end than the second portion that forms the oral care
treatment zone.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein the oral care chemical additive
comprises a breath freshening agent, a flavoring agent or a dental
agent.
13. The device of claim 9, wherein the lip care formulation
comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting
of allantoin, avobenzone, camphor, dimethicone, homosalate,
menthol, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, padimate
O, petrolatum, phenol.
14. The device of claim 9, wherein the lip care formulation
comprises dimethicone, oxybenzone and padimate O.
15. The device of claim 9, wherein the lip care formulation
comprises dimethicone or petrolatum and at least one sun screening
agent.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/671,388 filed on Sep. 25, 2003. The entirety of application Ser.
No. 10/671,388 is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to substrates and devices for
applying a lip care formulation.
BACKGROUND
[0003] People use lip care formulations for one or more of a
variety of reasons, for example: to treat and condition dry lips,
to moisturize lips, to treat cold sores and herpes sores, to
prevent drying and cracking and to maintain overall lip health.
Typically, lip care formulations are provided in a stick or in tube
and the consumer contacts the composition each time risking
contamination from previous use by the consumer or by another
previous consumer. Thus, the consumer could come into contact with
infectious microorganisms from a previous use. Accordingly, there
is a need for a device for applying a lip care formulation that
reduces the risk of contamination.
[0004] In addition, new oral cleaning devices have recently been
developed as that are designed to fit onto the finger of a user so
that the user can then insert the device covered finger into the
user's mouth, an infant's mouth or an animal's mouth to clean the
teeth of the user, an infant, a child, an elderly or incapacitated
person or even pet. Exemplary oral cleaning devices are described
and illustrated in U.S. Patent Application Publication no.
2002/0170133 A1. Advantageously, these devices can be used during
the day as an alternative to toothbrushes. The dental wipes fit
onto a human finger so that the teeth or gums of a person or animal
can be cleaned by simply contacting the wipe therewith. In
addition, the dental wipe is particularly well suited for use by
small children learning how to clean their teeth. However, frequent
use of such oral care devices could remove moisture from lips
potentially drying the lips and reducing the barrier properties of
the lips to elements such as dry air, heat cold, and germs.
Accordingly, there is a need for a dental wipe that can be used to
clean teeth or other mouth surface and that also provides a lip
care formulation to provide additional benefits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Single-use devices for providing and applying a lip care
formulation are described. In one embodiment, the device is a
hollow member having an open end for insertion of a finger that
includes an exterior surface and a lip care formulation disposed on
at least a portion of the exterior surface. The device may further
include a texturized surface configured to clean the teeth and
gums. The portion of the surface of the device that includes the
lip care formulation can be separate from the texturized surface or
a portion of the texturized surface. Alternatively, the portion of
the surface that includes the lip care formulation can be a portion
of the texturized surface. In one embodiment, the portion of the
surface that includes the lip care formulation is closer to the
open end of the device than the texturized surface. The device may
include an optional breath freshening agent, flavoring agent or
dental agent. The breath freshening agent, the flavoring agent or a
dental agent such as a fluoride can be included on a portion of the
surface of the device that is separate from the portion of the
surface of the device that includes the lip care formulation. The
lip care formulation may include one or more of the following
compounds: allantoin, avobenzone, camphor, dimethicone, homosalate,
menthol, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, padimate
O, petrolatum, and phenol. For example, the lip care formulation
may include at least one sun screening agent, at least one sun
screening agent or at least one a skin protecting agent or a
combination thereof. In one embodiment, the lip care formulation
comprises an analgesic and a skin protecting agent. The device
analgesic may include camphor, menthol and phenol. The device skin
protecting agent may include allantoin, dimethicone and petrolatum.
And, the sun screening agent may include aminobenzoic acid,
anthranilate avobenzone, dioxybenzone, homosalate, lisadimate,
menthyl anthranilate, meridamate, octinoxate, octisalate,
octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone,
padimate O, phenylbenzimidazole, roxadimate, sulisobenzone,
titanium dioxide, trolamine salicylate or zinc oxide.
[0006] In another embodiment, the present invention is a disposable
substrate for applying a lip treatment composition that is or
includes a nonwoven material having a surface upon which is
disposed a lip care formulation. Devices of the present invention
may be packaged to provide a packaged disposable product for
applying a lip treatment composition that includes a disposable
nonwoven substrate upon which is disposed a lip care
formulation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention will be more fully understood and further
advantages will become apparent when reference is made to various
embodiments described in the following description and the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wipe according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a dental wipe on a
finger according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a two-sided dental wipe
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bottom section of a
two-sided dental wipe according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the two-sided dental wipe of
FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference now will be made to the embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each
example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not as
a limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations
can be made in this invention without departing from the scope or
spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or
described as part of one embodiment can be used on another
embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention cover such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the
present invention are disclosed in or are obvious from the
following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a
description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as
limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which
broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.
[0014] In general, the present invention is directed to a
disposable device for applying a lip care formulation. The lip care
formulation can be any compound, composition or formulation that
includes a compound that is or can be used to protect, repair,
moisturize or otherwise provide relief to damaged or undamaged
skin, particularly lips. The device can be a substrate, for example
a small piece of fabric such as a disposable nonwoven fabric upon
which a lip care formulation has been applied or a more complicated
device. In certain embodiments, the device is as a disposable wipe
that includes a portion to which a lip care formulation has been
applied. One example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 illustrates a disposable nonwoven substrate 2, one surface 4
of which is coated with a lip care formulation 6. All or a portion
of the surface 4 can be coated with the lip care formulation 6. The
lip care formulation 6 or the surface 4 can be colored so that a
consumer will have a visual indication as to which side of the
substrate 2 is provided with a transferable lip care formulation 6.
The wipes can be individually packaged.
[0015] In other embodiments the present invention includes dental
wipes that further provide a lip care formulation. Various
exemplary and suggested dental wipes and related devices for
cleaning teeth are described in International Patent Publication
No. WO 01/76521 and U.S. Patent Application Publication no.
2002/0170133 A1 to McDevitt et al. which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties herein. Thus, in one embodiment the
present invention provides a disposable device for applying a lip
care formulation that is a dental wipe. A dental wipe of the
present invention can be used to apply a lip care formulation as
well as to clean teeth.
[0016] The present invention will now be described with reference
to this particular embodiment. Substrates, devices and dental wipes
made in accordance to the present invention are generally
constructed from disposable materials, such as nonwoven webs made
from synthetic and/or pulp fibers. In one embodiment, a dental wipe
of the present invention typically includes a texturized surface
adapted to scrub or clean the teeth and/or gums of a user and a
portion of the dental wipe, for example a portion of the texturized
surface, is provided with a lip care formulation. The dental wipe
can also include an elastic component for providing the wipe with
form-fitting properties. By forming a dental wipe with an elastic
component, the resulting wipe can snugly fit onto a person's finger
so that the wipe can more effectively remain on the finger
throughout the cleaning process. Moreover, a dental wipe of the
present invention can remain "breathable" to aid in a person's
comfort during use, while also remaining capable of substantially
inhibiting the transfer of liquids from the outer surface of the
wipe to the person's finger. The transfer of liquids can be
controlled using a liquid-impervious material and/or by using a
highly liquid absorbent material.
[0017] A dental wipe of the present invention can generally be
formed in a variety of ways as described in detail in U.S. Patent
Application Publication no. 2002/0170133 A1 to McDevift et al. For
instance, in one embodiment, the dental wipe can be formed as a
unitary structure from a particular base web material, such as an
elastomeric nonwoven base web material. Moreover, in another
embodiment of the present invention, the dental wipe can be formed
from two or more sections of base web material. Each section can be
identical or different, depending on the desired characteristics of
the dental wipe. For example, in one embodiment, the dental wipe is
formed from two sections, wherein one section is formed from a
texturized nonwoven material and the other section is formed from
an elastomeric nonwoven material.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, various embodiments of dental wipes
made in accordance with the present invention are depicted. In
general, a dental wipe of the present invention can be used to
clean the oral cavity of a user by inserting the wipe onto a finger
and maneuvering it within the oral cavity and then can be used to
apply a lip care formulation that is provided on one or more
surfaces of the wipe to the user's lips by contacting the portion
including the formulation to the user's lips. In particular, as
shown in FIG. 2, a dental wipe 10 can be placed over a finger 11
for cleaning, then inserted into a mouth for cleaning teeth and/or
gum surfaces, withdrawn and then a portion of the wipe can be
contacted to one or both lips to transfer a lip care formulation to
one or both lips. For example, the wipe portion that includes a lip
care formulation can be contacted to one lip to transfer and apply
lip care formulation to that lip and then the user can contact one
lip to the other lip to transfer and apply lip care formulation to
both lips. In certain embodiments, the wipe can be simply a piece
of disposable fabric upon which a lip care formulation is included
or can be formed as a unitary structure from a single piece of
fabric as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 of U.S. Patent Application
Publication no. 2002/0170133 A1 to McDevitt et al. upon which a
transferable lip care formulation has been included.
[0019] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention
in which the device is a dental wipe 10 that is made from a first
section 20 and a second section 30. Generally, one section of the
dental wipe 10 can be bonded or attached to the other section in a
finger-shaped pattern by any manner known in the art, such as by
adhesive, thermal, or mechanical bonding, so that the connection of
the sections can form a pocket for the insertion of a finger, as
shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, for example,
the first section 20 is attached in a finger-shaped pattern to the
second section 30 at their respective outer edges via the seams 40
to form a dental wipe 10 having a pocket 12. Once each section is
bonded or attached at the seams 40, the materials forming each of
the sections 20 and 30 can then be cut adjacent to the seams such
that the finger-shaped dental wipe 10 is formed. A lip care
formulation can be applied to an exterior portion of the wipe 22
before or after the wipe is formed. In FIG. 3, a lip care
formulation is provided on an exterior portion of the wipe 22 that
is an upper surface of the wipe that is proximate the open end of
the illustrated dental wipe.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the first section 20 can also, in
some embodiments, have a length greater than the second section 30
such that the first section 20 includes a portion (or pull-on tab)
26 that extends beyond the edge of the second section 30. By
extending beyond the second section 30, the portion 26 can be used
as a pull-on tab to facilitate placement of the dental wipe 10 over
a finger. In particular, a user can conveniently grab the portion
26 to place the dental wipe 10 over a finger. Besides the first
section 20, a pull-on tab 26 can be positioned on any suitable
portion of the dental wipe. For instance, the pull-on tab 26 can be
located on the second section also. Further, in another embodiment,
the pull-on tab 26 can also be provided in the middle portion of
the dental wipe 10 such that a user can pull the pull-on tab 26 in
a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of a
flattened dental wipe as shown in phantom in FIG. 5. As a result,
the pull-on tab 26 can facilitate the insertion of a finger into
the wipe 10 by "spreading out" the sleeve in an upwardly direction
as a finger is inserted therein. The first section 20 includes a
central region 22a that is intermediate the closed end and the open
end of the wipe and a basal region 22b that hat is proximate the
closed end of the wipe, The second section 30 includes a central
portion 32 and a contacting region 33. The lip care formulation can
be included on any exterior portion or section of the wipe 10 that
is amenable for applying and transferring the formulation. For
example, suggested locations for applying or otherwise including a
lip care formulation include, but are not limited to, a central
region 22a of the upper surface that is in intermediate the closed
end and the open end of the wipe, a basal region 22b of the upper
surface that is proximate the closed end of the wipe, and a central
portion 32 of the lower surface of the wipe. A lip care formulation
can be applied to any one of these areas, a combination of these
areas or on any other portion of the device that is amenable for
applying and transferring a lip care formulation to lips. The lip
care formulation may include an optional colorant or a die to
provide a visual indication of a portion of the wipe that includes
the lip care formulation to a consumer. Alternatively, the portion
of the wipe that is used to clean teeth and/or gums can be colored
differently.
[0021] Moreover, although not specifically shown, a dental wipe of
the present invention can include bristles or loops on the first
section 20 and/or the second section 30. For example, bristles such
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,694 to Bori or U.S. Pat. No.
5,287,584 to Skinner, which are incorporated herein by reference,
can be utilized with a dental wipe of the present invention. The
lip care formulation may be provided on the portion that includes
bristles, on a portion that does not include bristles or a portion
that overlaps a portion including bristles and an adjacent portion
of the device that does not include bristles. Further, a dental
wipe 10 can also be provided with a tapered shape to enhance the
ability of the wipe to fit onto a finger. In addition, a dental
wipe 10 can have two open as described and illustrated in greater
detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication no. 2002/0170133 A1
to McDevitt et al. so that a finger can be inserted completely
therethrough.
Lip Care Formulation
[0022] As previously stated the lip care formulation can be any
compound or any composition or formulation that includes a compound
that is or can be used to protect, repair, moisturize or otherwise
provide relief to damaged or undamaged skin, particularly lips. Lip
care formulations may include one or more of the following active
ingredients: an analgesic to provide pain relief, a moisturizing
agent to maintain or improve skin dryness, a skin protecting agent
to protect the skin from the environment, and a sun screening agent
to protect the skin from the sun. Analgesics are known and include
any compound, composition or formulation that includes a compound
that eliminates or reduces pain. Suggested analgesic compounds for
lip care formulations include, but are not limited to, salicylic
acid, alum salicylic acid, camphor, menthol, phenol and their
derivatives and so forth. Commercially available analgesic
formulations include, but are not limited to, BLISTEX.RTM. Lip
Ointment and BLISTEX.RTM. Lip MEDEX.RTM. both of which are
available from Blistex Inc, of Oakbrook, Ill.; CARMEX.RTM.
For-Cold-Sores which is available from Carma Laboratories, Inc. of
Franklin, Wis. The lip care formulation may be or may include any
of these commercially available formulations or may include any of
the active ingredients contained therein or any other compound that
can be used to can be used to protect, repair, moisturize or
otherwise provide relief to damaged or undamaged lips. moisturizing
agents include, but are not limited to, N-acetyl ethanolamine, aloe
vera gel, arginine PCA, chitosan PCA, copper PCA, corn glycerides,
dimethyl imidazolidinone, fructose, glucamine, glucose, glucose
glutamate, glucuronic acid, glutamic acid, glycereth-7,
glycereth-12, glycereth-20, glycereth-26, glycerin, honey,
hydrogenated honey, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, hydrolyzed
corn starch, lactamide MEA, lactic acid, lactose lysine PCA,
mannitol, methyl gluceth-10, methyl gluceth-20, PCA, PEG-2
lactamide, PEG-10 propylene glycol, polyamino acids,
polysaccharides, polyamino sugar condensate, potassium PCA,
propylene glycol, propylene glycol citrate, saccharide hydrolysate,
saccharide isomerate, sodium aspartate, sodium lactate, sodium PCA,
sorbitol, TEA-lactate, TEA-PCA, urea, xylitol, panthenol,
petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, lanolin alcohol, tocopherol,
esters of tocopherol, alkyl polydimethylsiloxanes, vegetable oils,
hydrogenated vegetable oils, fatty acid esters, beeswax and so
forth. Suggested moisturizing agents include glycerin and
petrolatum and mixtures thereof. Suggested skin protecting agents
include, but are not limited to, allantoin, dimethicone petrolatum
and so forth. The lip care formulation may include one or more
sunscreen agents. Sun screening agents protect skin from harmful
effects of the sun, for example ultraviolet radiation. Sun
screening agents are known. Desirably, the sun screening should be
safe for human use and approved for human use. Suggested sun
screening agents include, but are not limited to, aminobenzoic
acid, anthranilate avobenzone, dioxybenzone, homosalate,
lisadimate, menthyl anthranilate, meridamate, octinoxate,
octisalate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate,
oxybenzone, padimate O, phenylbenzimidazole, roxadimate,
sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, trolamine salicylate, zinc oxide
and so forth.
[0023] The lip care formulation may further include one or more of
the following optional ingredients: botanical extracts,
moisturizing agents, skin protecting agents, sun screen agents,
dyes, colorants and so forth. Suggested botanical extracts include,
but are not limited to, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, aloe
extract, avocado oil, calendula officinalis flower extract,
camphor, castor oil, chamomile extract, chamomilla recutita
(matricaria) flower extract, green tea extract, daucus carota
sativa (carrot root), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil,
persea gratissima (avocado) oil, jojoba esters, jojoba oil,
krameria triandra root extract, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil,
sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, simmondsia chinensis (ojoba)
seed oil, and so forth.
[0024] The lip care formulation may include one or more other
optional ingredients such as solidifiers and binders. Suggested
optional ingredients include, but are not limited to, waxes,
ammonium hydroxide, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, arachidyl alcohol,
beeswax, behenoyl stearic acid, behenyl alcohol, benzoic acid,
benzyl alcohol, brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer,
butylparaben, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) fruit, calcium
disodium EDTA, calcium hydroxide, candelilla wax, caprylic/capric
triglyceride, carvone, cetyl alcohol, cetyl dimethicone, cetyl
palmitate, cholesteryl/behenyl/octyidodecyl lauroyl glutamate,
cocoa butter, cocoyl hydrolyzed soy protein, cyclomethicone,
diethylhexyl adipate, diethylhexyl naphthalate, diisopropyl
adipate, diisostearate, dimethicone, dioctyl adipate, ethylhexyl
palmitate, ethylhexyl stearate, ethylparaben, euphorbia cerifera
(candelilia) wax, glycerin, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl state,
glycine, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated coco-glycerides,
hydrogenated polyisobutane, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated
vegetable oil, hydroxylated milk glycerides, hydroxystearic acid,
iron oxide, isobutylparaben, isohexadecane, isopropyl lanolate,
isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate,
isostearoyl hydrolyzed silk, isostearyl alcohol, lanolin, lanolin
oil, lauric acid, lecithin, menthol, menthoxypropanediol,
meradimate, methylparaben, mica, microcrystalline wax, mineral oil,
myristic acid, myristyl myristate, octyl palmitate, octyl stearate,
octyldodecyl neopentanoate, oleic acid, oryzanol, ozokerite,
palmitic acid, panthenol, panthenyl ethyl ether, pantothenic acid
polypeptide, paraffin, pentaerythrityl tetraoctanoate, petrolatum,
phenol, phenoxyethanol, phenyl trimethicone, polybutene,
polyethylene, polyhydroxystearic acid, potassium hydroxide,
propylparaben, purified water, PVP/eicosene copolymer, red, retinyl
palmitate, retinyl palmitate polypeptide, saccharin, SD alcohol
360, shea butter, silica, sodium borate, sodium hydroxide, sodium
lactate, sodium saccharin, sorbic acid, squalane, stearyl alcohol,
sucralose, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed
bufter, titanium dioxide, tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl acetate
(Vitamin E), tocopheryl linoleate, tridecyl neopentanoate,
triisononanoin, zea mays (corn) oil, blue 1 lake, D&C red no.
6, barium lake, yellow 10, PPG-5-ceteth-20, 30 lake and so
forth.
[0025] The lip care formulation can be printed onto the substrate
or device in any manner suitable for applying the particular
formulation. In addition the lip care formulation may be applied to
the entire exterior of the device or wipe, a portion of the device
or wipe or in a pattern, for example stripes or dots. The lip care
formulation can be applied to a substrate, for example the exterior
surface of first section 20 or a portion thereof, at any add-on
level which provides the desired transfer benefit. For example, the
total add-on level of the lotion formulation may be from about 0.05
to about 100 mg/cm.sup.2. The add-on amount will depend upon the
desired effect of the lip care formulation on the product
attributes and the specific lip care formulation. The lip care
formulation may be applied to a nonwoven substrate in any of many
well known manners. Suggested methods to uniformly apply the lip
care formulation to the surface of a nonwoven fabric include
spraying and slot coating. These application methods allow control
of the formulation distribution and transfer rate. Other
application methods, such as rotogravure or flexographic printing,
can be used. For example, a lip care formulation may be applied to
a nonwoven fabric by (a) heating the lip care formulation to a
temperature above the melting point of the formulation, causing the
formulation to melt, (b) applying the melted formulation to the
fabric surface or a portion of the surface, for example exterior
portion of the wipe 22; and (c) resolidifying the deposits of the
melted formulation. Desirably, resolidification of the deposits
occurs almost instantaneously, without the need for external
cooling means such as chill rolls. This can occur if the
formulation is heated to a temperature only slightly above or at
the melting point of the formulation. However, external means such
as chill rolls, either before or after the application of melt, can
be used if desired to accelerate resolidification. Increased
viscosity of the formulation at the process temperature and the
instantaneous resolidification tends to impede penetration of the
formulation into the nonwoven fabric and retain it on the exterior
surface of a dental wipe 10 or a device 2, which is advantageous.
For example, the temperature of the melted formulation can
advantageously be less than about 10.degree. C., more desirably
less than about 5.degree. C., and still more desirably less than
about 2.degree. C. above the melting point of the formulation prior
to applying it to the surface of the nonwoven fabric for reduced
migration. As the temperature of the melted formulation approaches
the melting point of the formulation, the viscosity of the melted
formulation generally increases, which further enhances the
tendency of the melted formulation to be retained on the
surface.
[0026] A dental wipe of the present invention may also include one
or more dental agents. The portion of the wipe that includes the
dental agent should be the same portion of the dental wipe that is
intended to be used to clean teeth and or gum surfaces. The portion
of the wipe that is intended for dental cleaning may be the same
surface as the portion that is intended to include the lip care
formulation or may overlap with the portion of the wipe that will
be used to apply the lip care formulation. However, it is suggested
the that portion of the dental wipe that will include the lip care
formulation differs from the portion of the dental wipe that will
be used to clean teeth so that lip care formulation will be
available on the surface of the dental wipe after the dental wipe
has been used to clean teeth. Suggested dental agents include, but
are not limited to, desensitizing agents, fluorides, whitening
agents and so forth. Suggested desensitizing agents include, but
are not limited to potassium nitrate. Suggested fluorides include,
but are not limited to, sodium fluoride, sodium
monofluorophosphate, stannous fluoride and WN fluoride ion.
Suggested whitening agents include, but are not limited to,
carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide and various
other peroxides. The dental wipe may further include one or more
breath freshening agents. Breath freshening agents are known and
include, but are not limited to, peppermint oil, spearmint oil,
cinnamon bark oil and so forth. Flavoring agents are also known and
include, but are not limited to, various flavor, flavors,
fragrances, fruit extracts, and so forth. Suggested flavoring
agents include various essential oils, such as peppermint oil,
spearmint oil, cinnamon oils, orange oil and so forth.
[0027] In general, devices of the present invention, such as
depicted in FIGS. 2-5, can be formed from variety of materials. For
instance, as stated above, in one embodiment, the dental wipe can
be formed as a unitary structure from a base web. In another
embodiment, the dental wipe can be formed from two sections made
from the same or different base webs. It should be understood,
however, that, as used herein, a base web of the present invention
is meant to include one or more layers of fibrous materials.
Generally, a base web of the present invention can contain any
material used in the art for making wipes. For most applications,
dental wipes made in accordance with the present invention are
constructed from nonwoven webs containing an elastic component
referred to herein as an "elastic nonwoven". An elastic nonwoven is
a nonwoven material having nonelastic and elastic components or
having purely elastic components.
[0028] The elastic component can form a separate section of the
dental wipe. For example, the dental wipe can be made from two or
more sections of material that includes a first section made from a
non-elastic material and a second section made from an elastic
material. The non-elastic material can be used to clean the teeth,
gums and tongue of the user, while the elastic material can be used
to ensure that the dental wipe fits snugly over the finger of the
user. In one embodiment, the non-elastic material can be texturized
for cleaning the teeth, gums and tongue, while the elastic material
can have a smooth surface for use in polishing the teeth, gums and
tongue of the user. Alternatively, the dental wipe can be made from
a single piece of an elastic nonwoven. The elastic component
contained in the elastic nonwoven can be a film, strands, a
nonwoven web or elastic filaments incorporated into a laminate
structure that is well suited to cleaning or scrubbing one's
teeth.
[0029] Non-elastic materials used in the present invention
typically include nonwoven webs or films. The nonwoven webs, for
instance, can be meltblown webs, spunbond webs, carded webs, and
the like. The webs can be made from various fibers, such as
synthetic or natural fibers. For instance, in one embodiment,
synthetic fibers, such as fibers made from thermoplastic polymers,
can be used to construct the dental wipe of the present invention.
For example, suitable fibers could include melt-spun filaments,
staple fibers, melt-spun multi-component filaments, and the like.
The synthetic fibers or filaments used in making the nonwoven
material of the base web may have any suitable morphology and may
include hollow or solid, straight or crimped, single component,
conjugate or biconstituent fibers or filaments, and blends or
mixtures of such fibers and/or filaments, as are well known in the
art.
[0030] The synthetic fibers used in the present invention may be
formed from a variety of thermoplastic polymers where the term
"thermoplastic polymer" refers to a long chain polymer that
repeatedly softens when exposed to heat and substantially returns
to its original state when cooled to ambient temperature. As used
herein, the term "polymer" generally includes, but is not limited
to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft,
random, and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc., and blends
and modifications thereof. As used herein, the term "blend" means a
mixture of two or more polymers. Furthermore, unless otherwise
specifically limited, the term "polymer" shall include all possible
geometrical configurations of the molecule. These configurations
include, but are not limited to, isotactic, syndiotactic, and
random symmetries.
[0031] Exemplary thermoplastics include, without limitation,
poly(vinyl) chlorides, polyesters, polyamides, polyfluorocarbons,
polyolefins, polyurethanes, polystyrenes, poly(vinyl) alcohols,
caprolactams, and copolymers of the foregoing, and elastomeric
polymers such as elastic polyolefins, copolyether esters, polyamide
polyether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetates (EVA), block
copolymers having the general formula A-B-A' or A-B like
copoly(styrene/ethylene-butylene),
styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene,
styrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-styrene,
(polystyrene/poly(ethylene-butylene)/polystyrene,
poly(styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene), A-B-A-B tetrablock
copolymers and the like.
[0032] Many polyolefins are available for fiber production, for
example polyethylenes such as Dow Chemical's PE XU 61800.41 linear
low density polyethylene ("LLDPE") and 25355 and 12350 high density
polyethylene ("HDPE") are such suitable polymers. Fiber-forming
polypropylenes include Exxon Chemical Company's Escorene7 PD 3445
polypropylene and Montell Chemical Co.'s PF-304 and PF-015. Many
other polyolefins are commercially available and include
polybutylenes and others.
[0033] Examples of polyamides and their methods of synthesis may be
found in "Polymer Resins" by Don E. Floyd (Library of Congress
Catalog No. 66-20811, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 1966).
Particularly commercially useful polyamides are nylon-6, nylon 6,6,
nylon-11 and nylon-12. These polyamides are available from a number
of sources such as Emser Industries of Sumter, S.C. (Grilon7 &
Grilamid7 nylons), Atochem Inc. Polymers Division of Glen Rock,
N.J. (Rilsan7 nylons), Nyltech of Manchester, N.H. (grade 2169,
Nylon 6), and Custom Resins of Henderson, Ky. (Nylene 401-D), among
others.
[0034] As stated above, synthetic fibers added to the base web can
also include staple fibers which can be added to increase the
strength, bulk, softness and smoothness of the base sheet. Staple
fibers can include, for instance, various polyolefin fibers,
polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyvinyl acetate fibers, cotton
fibers, rayon fibers, non-woody plant fibers, and mixtures thereof.
In general, staple fibers are typically longer than pulp fibers.
Staple fibers can increase the strength and softness of the final
product. The fibers used in the base web of the present invention
can also be curled or crimped. The fibers can be curled or crimped,
for instance, by adding a chemical agent to the fibers or
subjecting the fibers to a mechanical process. Curled or crimped
fibers may create more entanglement and void volume within the web
and further increase the amount of fibers oriented in the
z-direction as well as increase web strength properties. As used
herein, the z-direction refers to the direction perpendicular to
the length and width of the base web.
[0035] The synthetic fibers added to the base web can also include
bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers are fibers that can contain
two materials such as but not limited to in a side by side
arrangement, in a matrix-fibril arrangement wherein a core polymer
has a complex cross-sectional shape, or in a core and sheath
arrangement. In a core and sheath fiber, generally the sheath
polymer has a lower melting temperature than the core polymer to
facilitate thermal bonding of the fibers. For instance, the core
polymer, in one embodiment, can be a nylon or a polyester polymer,
while the sheath polymer can be a polyolefin such as polyethylene
or polypropylene. Such commercially available bicomponent fibers
include "CELBOND" fibers marketed by the Hoechst Celanese
Company.
[0036] Besides or in addition to synthetic fibers, pulp fibers can
also be used to construct the dental wipe of the present invention.
The pulp fibers used in forming the base web may be softwood fibers
having an average fiber length of greater than 1 mm, and
particularly from about 2 to 5 mm based on a length-weighted
average. Such fibers can include Northern softwood kraft fibers,
redwood fibers and pine fibers. Secondary fibers obtained from
recycled materials may also be used. In addition, hardwood pulp
fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, can also be utilized in the
present invention.
[0037] Besides the above-mentioned fibers, thermomechanical pulp
fibers can also be added to the base web. Thermomechanical pulp, as
is known to one skilled in the art, refers to pulp that is
typically cooked during the pulping process to a lesser extent than
conventional pulps. Thermomechanical pulp tends to contain stiff
fibers and has higher levels of lignin. Thermomechanical pulp can
be added to the base web of the present invention in order to
create an open pore structure, thus increasing bulk and absorbency
and improving resistance to wet collapse. When present,
thermomechanical pulp can be added to a layer of the base web in an
amount from about 10 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the
fibers contained in the layer. When using thermomechanical pulp, a
wetting agent may be added during formation of the web. The wetting
agent can be added in an amount less than about 1 percent by weight
of the fibers. In general, any suitable wetting agent can be used
in the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the
welting agent can be a sulphonated glycol.
[0038] When pulp fibers are used to form the base web, the web can
be treated with a chemical debonding agent to reduce inner
fiber-to-fiber strength. Suitable debonding agents that may be used
in the present invention when the base web contains pulp fibers
include cationic debonding agents such as fatty dialkyl quaternary
amine salts, mono fatty alkyl tertiary amine salts, primary amine
salts, imidazoline quaternary salts, and unsaturated fatty alkyl
amine salts. Other suitable debonding agents are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,529,665 to Kaun, which is incorporated herein by
reference. In one embodiment, the debonding agent can be an organic
quaternary ammonium chloride. In this embodiment, the debonding
agent can be added to the fiber furnish in an amount from about 0.1
percent to about 1 percent by weight, based on the total weight of
fibers present within the furnish.
[0039] Moreover, in some embodiments of the present invention, the
base web of the present invention can also be hydraulically
entangled (or hydroentangled) to provide further strength.
Hydroentangled webs, which are also known as spunlace webs, refer
to webs that have been subjected to columnar jets of a fluid that
cause the fibers in the web to entangle. Hydroentangling a web
typically increases the strength of the web. Thus, according to the
present invention, in order to increase the strength of a web, the
base web of the present invention can be hydroentangled. For
example, in one embodiment, the base web can comprise HYDROKNIT7, a
nonwoven composite fabric that contains 70 percent by weight pulp
fibers that are hydraulically entangled into a continuous filament
material. HYDROKNIT7 material is commercially available from
Kimberly-Clark Corporation of Neenah, Wis. Hydraulic entangling may
be accomplished utilizing conventional hydraulic entangling
equipment such as may be found in, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
3,485,706 to Evans or U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,202 to Everhart et al.,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0040] As mentioned above, for most applications, nonwoven webs
used to construct the dental wipe will contain synthetic fibers.
For nonwoven webs containing substantial amounts of synthetic
fibers, the webs may be bonded or otherwise consolidated in order
to improve the strength of the web. Various methods may be utilized
in bonding webs of the present invention. Such methods include
through-air bonding and thermal point bonding as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,855,046 to Hansen et al, which is incorporated herein by
reference. In addition, other conventional means of bonding, such
as oven bonding, ultrasonic bonding, hydroentangling, or
combinations of such techniques, may be utilized in certain
instances.
[0041] In one embodiment, thermal point bonding is used which bonds
the fibers together according to a pattern. In general, the bonding
areas for thermal point bonding, whether pattern unbonded or
pattern bonded fabrics, can be in the range of 50 percent total
bond area or less. More specifically, the bond areas of the present
inventive webs can be in the range of about 40 percent total bond
area or less. Even more specifically, the bond areas can be in the
range of about 30 percent total bond area or less and may be in the
range of about 15 percent total bond area or less. Typically, a
bond area of at least about 10 percent can be acceptable for
creating the base webs of the present invention, although other
total bond areas will fall within the scope of the invention,
depending on the particular characteristics desired in the final
product. Stated generally, the lower limit on the percent bond area
suitable for forming the nonwoven material of the present invention
is the point at which fiber pull-out reduces the surface integrity
and durability of the material. The percent bond areas will be
affected by a number of factors, including the type(s) of polymeric
materials used in forming the fibers or filaments of the nonwoven
web, whether the nonwoven web is a single- or multi-layer fibrous
structure, and the like. Bond areas ranging from about 15 percent
to about 50 percent, and more particularly from about 15 percent to
about 40 percent, have been found suitable.
[0042] Base webs constructed for use in the dental wipe of the
present invention desirably include a texturized surface where the
dental wipe is to contact a user's teeth and gums. The texturized
surface can facilitate removal of residue and film from the teeth
and gums. The texturized surface can be positioned on the dental
wipe only where the dental wipe is to contact the teeth and gums or
can completely cover the exterior surface of the dental wipe. In
this regard, referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the present
invention includes a second section 30 that is made from a base web
comprising a nonwoven texturized material. In particular, when the
dental wipe 10 is placed onto a finger, as shown in FIG. 2, the
second section 30 can be used in order to clean and/or massage the
teeth or gums of the desired subject.
[0043] The manner in which a texturized surface is formed on a
nonwoven web for use in the present invention can vary depending
upon the particular application and the desired result. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the second section 30 is made from a
nonwoven web that has been thermally point unbonded to form a
plurality of tufts 31. As used herein, a substrate that has been
"thermally point unbonded" refers to a substrate that includes
raised unbonded areas or lightly bonded areas that are surrounded
by bonded regions. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the tufts 31
are the unbonded or lightly bonded areas that form raised
projections off the surface of the nonwoven web to provide the
necessary texture. Processes for producing thermally point unbonded
substrates are known. One process for producing is described in
U.S. Patent Application Publication no. 2002/0170133 A1 to McDevitt
et al. The total bond area surrounding the tufts 31 can also vary
depending upon the particular application. For most embodiments,
the bond area surrounding the tufts can be from about 15 percent to
about 40 percent of the surface area of the material, and
particularly from about 20 percent to about 40 percent of the
surface area of the material.
[0044] Besides point unbonded materials, there are many other
methods for creating texturized surfaces on base webs and many
other texturized materials can be utilized. Examples of known
nonwoven, texturized materials, include rush transfer materials,
flocked materials, wireform nonwovens, and the like. Moreover,
through-air bonded fibers, such as through-air bonded bicomponent
spunbond, can be incorporated into the base web to provide texture
to the wipe.
[0045] Texturized webs having projections from about 0.1 mm to
about 25 mm, such as pinform meltblown or wireform meltblown, can
also be utilized in the base web of the present invention. Still
another example of suitable materials for a texturized base web
includes texturized coform materials. In general, "coform" means a
process in which at least one meltblown in die is arranged near a
chute through which other materials are added to the web while it
forms. Such other materials can include, for example, pulp,
superabsorbent particles, or cellulose or staple fibers. Coform
processes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,464 to Lau and U.S.
Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson et al., which are incorporated by
reference. Webs produced by the coform process are generally
referred to as coform materials.
[0046] In one embodiment, the texturized material can be a loop
material. As used herein, a loop material refers to a material that
has a surface that is at least partially covered by looped
bristles. It is believed that looped bristles provide various
advantages in relation to conventional bristles. For example, the
inherent stiffness in a looped structure allows the use of finer
yarns and a corresponding increase in surface area for a given
stiffness. The lack of a sharp end on a looped bristle may reduce
abrasion, which refers to the damage that can occur to soft tissue
in the mouth.
[0047] The looped bristles that can be used in the present
invention can vary depending upon the particular application. For
instance, the stiffness of the looped bristles can be varied by
varying different factors, including the height of the loop, the
inherent properties of the looped material, the fiber diameter, the
fiber type, and any post-formation treatments (e.g. chemical
coatings) that may be performed on the looped material.
[0048] In general, the height of the looped bristles should be
short enough so that the loops are unlikely to get snagged on teeth
or dental work, but still sufficiently long to be effective in
cleaning the interproximal areas of the teeth. For most
applications, the loops should be less than about 20 mm,
particularly from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, and more particularly
from about 1.5 mm to about 3.5 mm. The height of the looped
bristles on a loop material can be homogenous or heterogeneous. The
looped bristles can be contained on the looped material according
to a particular pattern or can be randomly arranged on the loop
material. For example, in one embodiment, the looped bristles can
be arranged in rows and columns on the loop material. The looped
bristles can be arranged vertically or at any suitable angle to the
surface of the material. Further, the looped bristles can be
sparsely spaced apart or can be densely packed together.
[0049] The loop material can be made in a number of different ways.
For example, the loop can be a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. In
one embodiment, the loop material is made by needle punching loops
into a substrate. In other embodiments, the loop material can be
formed through a hydroentangling process or can be molded, such as
through an injection molding process. Of course, any other suitable
technique known in the art for producing looped bristles can also
be used. The looped bristles can be made from various natural or
synthetic materials. For instance, the bristles can be made from
polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polylactic acid, or
various other polymers. The looped bristles can also be made from
natural fibers, including cotton or wool. The looped bristles can
be made from monofilament yarns, multi-filament yarns, or spun
yarns. Further, the yarns can be shaped filaments, such as a
multi-lobal shaped filament. As used herein "shaped" filaments or
fibers refer to filaments or fibers not having a circular cross
sectional shape. For example, a pentalobal filament can be used. In
accordance with the present invention, the looped bristles can be
flavored or unflavored. Further, the looped bristles can be
treated, such as with a fluoride compound or other additive
described herein, or untreated.
[0050] Further, the looped bristles can be made from the same
material as the base material on which the bristles are contained
or can be made from a different material. For example, as described
above, the bristles can be needle punched into a woven or non-woven
backing layer. The loop material can also be made from a single
layer of material or can be a laminate. For example, a base layer
containing the looped bristles can be laminated to various other
layers. For example, the base layer can be laminated to a woven
layer, a knitted layer, a non-woven layer, an expandable layer such
as spandex, a stretch bonded layer, or a neck bonded layer, or can
be attached to various non-woven webs including spunbonded webs or
spunbond-meltblown-spunbond laminate.
[0051] As described above, besides containing various non-elastic
materials and, if desired, a texturized surface, the dental wipe of
the present invention can also contain an elastomeric component. By
containing such an elastomeric component, the dental wipe of the
present invention can better fit around a human finger. In this
regard, referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the present
invention is depicted that includes a dental wipe made from a base
web having at least one elastomeric component. In particular, the
dental wipe 10 can be formed into a unitary structure from a base
web that includes an elastomeric material. In FIG. 3, section 20 of
the dental wipe can include an elastomeric component.
[0052] When present in the dental wipe, the elastomeric component
can take on various forms. For example, the elastomeric component
can be elastic strands or sections uniformly or randomly
distributed throughout the base web. Alternatively, the elastomeric
component can be an elastic film or an elastic nonwoven web. The
elastomeric component can also be a single layer or a multi-layered
material.
[0053] In general, any material known in the art to possess
elastomeric characteristics can be used in the present invention as
an elastomeric component. For example, suitable elastomeric resins
include block copolymers having the general formula A-B-A' or A-B,
where A and A' are each a thermoplastic polymer endblock which
contains a styrenic moiety such as a poly(vinyl arene) and where B
is an elastomeric polymer midblock such as a conjugated diene or a
lower alkene polymer. Block copolymers form the A and A' blocks,
and the present block copolymers are intended to embrace linear,
branched and radial block copolymers. In this regard, the radial
block copolymers may be designated (A-B).sub.m-X, wherein X is a
polyfunctional atom or molecule and in which each
(A-B).sub.m-radiates from X in a way that A is an endblock. In the
radial block copolymer, X may be an organic or inorganic
polyfunctional atom or molecule and m is an integer having the same
value as the functional group originally present in X. It is
usually at least 3, and is frequently 4 or 5, but not limited
thereto. Thus, in the present invention, the expression "block
copolymer," and particularly "A-B-A" and "A-B" block copolymer, is
intended to embrace all block copolymers having such rubbery blocks
and thermoplastic blocks as discussed above, which can be extruded
(e.g., by meltblowing), and without limitation as to the number of
blocks. The elastomeric nonwoven web may be formed from, for
example, elastomeric
(polystyrene/poly(ethylene-butylene)/polystyrene) block copolymers.
Commercial examples of such elastomeric copolymers are, for
example, those known as KRATON materials which are available from
Shell Chemical Company of Houston, Tex. KRATON block copolymers are
available in several different formulations, a number of which are
identified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,663,220; 4,323,534; 4,834,738;
5,093,422 and 5,304,599, which are all hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0054] Polymers composed of an elastomeric A-B-A-B tetrablock
copolymer may also be used in the practice of this invention. Such
polymers are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,613 to Taylor et al.
In such polymers, A is a thermoplastic polymer block and B is an
isoprene monomer unit hydrogenated to substantially a
poly(ethylene-propylene) monomer unit. An example of such a
tetrablock copolymer is a
styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)
or SEPSEP elastomeric block copolymer available from the Shell
Chemical Company of Houston, Tex. under the trade designation
KRATON G-1657.
[0055] When incorporating an elastomeric component, such as
described above, into a base web of the present invention, it is
often desired that the elastomeric material form an elastic
laminate with one or more other layers, such as foams, films,
apertured films, and/or nonwoven webs. The elastic laminate
generally contains layers that can be bonded together so that at
least one of the layers has the characteristics of an elastic
polymer. Examples of elastic laminates include, but are not limited
to, stretch-bonded laminates and neck-bonded laminates.
[0056] The elastic member used in neck bonded materials,
stretch-bonded materials, stretch-bonded laminates, neck-bonded
laminates and in other similar laminates can be made from
materials, such as described above, that are formed into films,
such as a microporous film, fibrous webs, such as a web made from
meltblown fibers, or foams. A film, for example, can be formed by
extruding an elastomeric polymer containing a filler, such as
calcium carbonate, and subsequently stretching it to render it
microporous.
[0057] Fibrous elastic webs can also be formed from an extruded
polymer. For instance, as stated above, in one embodiment the
fibrous web can contain meltblown fibers. The fibers can be
continuous or discontinuous. Meltblown fabrics have been
conventionally made by extruding a thermoplastic polymeric material
through a die to form fibers. As the molten polymer fibers exit the
die, a high pressure fluid, such as heated air or steam, attenuates
the molten polymer filaments to form fine fibers. Surrounding cool
air is induced into the hot air stream to cool and solidify the
fibers. The fibers are then randomly deposited onto a foraminous
surface to form a web. The web has integrity but may be
additionally bonded if desired.
[0058] Besides meltblown webs, however, it should be understood
that other fibrous webs can be used in accordance with the present
invention. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, elastic
spunbond webs can also be formed from spunbond fibers. Spunbond
webs are typically produced by heating a thermoplastic polymeric
resin to at least its softening temperature, then extruding it
through a spinnerette to form continuous fibers, which can be
subsequently fed through a fiber draw unit. From the fiber draw
unit, the fibers are spread onto a foraminous surface where they
are formed into a web and then bonded such as by chemical, thermal
or ultrasonic means.
[0059] In one embodiment, the elastic member can be a necked
stretch bonded laminate. As used herein, a necked stretch bonded
laminate is defined as a laminate made from the combination of a
neck bonded laminate and a stretch bonded laminate. Examples of
necked stretch bonded laminates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,114,781 and 5,116,662 which are both incorporated herein by
reference. Of particular advantage, a necked stretch bonded
laminate is stretchable in the machine direction and in the cross
machine direction. Further, a necked stretch bonded laminate can be
made with a nonwoven facing that is texturized. In particular, the
necked stretch bonded laminate can be made so as to include a
nonwoven facing that gathers and becomes bunched so as to form a
texturized surface. In this manner, the necked stretch bonded
laminate can be used to form the entire dental wipe having stretch
characteristics in two directions and having a texturized surface
for cleaning the teeth and gums of a user.
[0060] Besides including a non-elastic component or an elastic
component, the dental wipe of the present invention can further
include a moisture barrier that is incorporated into or laminated
to the base web of the present invention. Such a barrier can
prevent, or at least minimize, leakage from outside the wipe by
establishing a barrier to the passage of liquid from the wipe to
the finger placed therein. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a layer
of material or film can be provided to form the moisture barrier
50, which can act as a barrier between the outer layer of a wipe 10
and a finger. Moreover, in this embodiment, the moisture barrier 50
can act as an inner lining for the second section 30 only, while
the first section 20 possesses no such inner lining. However, it
should also be understood that the moisture barrier 50 may be a
liner for both the first section 20 and the second section 30. It
should be understood that the moisture barrier 50 can be applied to
the wipe 10 as a layer of the base web, or as an outer lining for
the base web. Moreover, it should also be understood that the
moisture barrier can be inherent within the base web structure such
that it would not constitute a separate lining thereof.
[0061] In one particular application, the moisture barrier layer
can be used to secure the bristles to a base web. For example, in
one embodiment, bristles or looped bristles can be needle punched
into a base web. According to this process, holes may form in the
base web that would allow liquids to pass from the surface of the
dental wipe to the interior of the dental wipe. In this
application, the moisture barrier layer can be applied as an inner
lining to the base web for not only making the base web liquid
impervious, but for also securing the bristles to the surface of
the base web.
[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the moisture
barrier 50 can be made from liquid-impermeable plastic films, such
as polyethylene and polypropylene films. Generally, such plastic
films are impermeable to gases and water vapor, as well as liquids.
While completely liquid-impermeable films can prevent the migration
of liquid from outside the wipe to the finger, the use of such
liquid- and vapor-impermeable barriers can sometimes result in a
relatively uncomfortable level of humidity being maintained in a
wipe 10.
[0063] As such, in some embodiments, breathable, liquid-impermeable
barriers are desired. For instance some suitable breathable,
liquid-impermeable barriers can include barriers such as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,556 to Braun et al., which is incorporated
herein in its entirety by reference. The breathable barrier of
Braun et al. is a multilayered, clothlike barrier comprised of at
least three layers. The first layer is a porous nonwoven web; the
second layer, which is joined to one side of the first layer,
comprises a continuous film of PVOH; and the third layer, which is
joined to either the second layer or the other side of the first
layer not joined with the second layer, comprises another porous
nonwoven web. The second layer continuous film of PVOH is not
microporous, meaning that it is substantially free of voids which
connect the upper and lower surfaces of the film.
[0064] In other cases, various films can be constructed with
micropores therein to provide breathability. The micropores form
what is often referred to as tortuous pathways through the film.
Liquid contacting one side of the film does not have a direct
passage through the film. Instead, a network of microporous
channels in the film prevents water from passing, but allows water
vapor to pass.
[0065] In some instances, the breathable, liquid-impermeable
barriers are made from polymer films that contain any suitable
substance, such as calcium carbonate. The films are made breathable
by stretching the filled films to create the microporous
passageways as the polymer breaks away from the calcium carbonate
during stretching. In some embodiments, the breathable film layers
can be used in thicknesses of from about 0.01 mils to about 5 mils,
and in other embodiments, from about 0.01 mils to about 1.0
mils.
[0066] An example of a breathable, yet fluid penetration-resistant
material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,510 to Junker et al.,
which is incorporated herein by reference. The fabric material
described in Junker et al. contains a breathable outer layer of
paper stock and a layer of breathable, fluid-resistant nonwoven
material. The fabric also includes a thermoplastic film having a
plurality of perforations which allow the film to be breathable
while resisting direct flow of liquid therethrough.
[0067] In addition to the films mentioned above, various other
breathable films can be utilized in the present invention. One type
of film that may be used is a nonporous, continuous film, which,
because of its molecular structure, is capable of forming a
vapor-permeable barrier. Among the various polymeric films which
fall into this type include films made from a sufficient amount of
poly(vinyl alcohol), polyvinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol,
polyurethane, ethylene methyl acrylate, and ethylene methyl acrylic
acid to make them breathable. Although the inventors do not intend
to be held to a particular mechanism of operation, it is believed
that films made from such polymers solubilize water molecules and
allow transportation of those molecules from one surface of the
film to the other. Accordingly, such films may be sufficiently
continuous, i.e., nonporous, to make them liquid-impermeable but
still allow for vapor permeability.
[0068] Still, other breathable, liquid-impermeable barriers that
can be used in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/928,787 entitled "Breathable,
Liquid-Impermeable, Apertured Film/Nonwoven Laminate and Process
for Making the Same", which is incorporated herein in its entirety
by reference. For example, breathable films and/or apertured films
can be utilized in the present invention. Such films can be
included within a laminate structure. In one embodiment, a
breathable, liquid-impermeable, apertured film/nonwoven laminate
material can be formed from a nonwoven layer, an apertured film
layer, and a breathable film layer. The layers may be arranged so
that the apertured film layer or the breathable film layer is
attached to the nonwoven layer.
[0069] For instance, in one embodiment, an apertured film can be
used in the present invention that is made from any thermoplastic
film, including polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of
polypropylene or polyethylene, or calcium carbonate-filled films.
The particular aperturing techniques utilized to obtain the
apertured film layer may be varied. The film may be formed as an
apertured film or may be formed as a continuous, non-apertured film
and then subjected to a mechanical aperturing process.
[0070] Moisture barrier layers, as described above, can be used
alone or incorporated into a laminate when used to construct the
dental wipe of the present invention. When incorporated into a
laminate, the laminate can include various nonwoven webs in
combination with the moisture barrier layer. For instance, moisture
barrier laminates can be formed from many processes such as for
example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, coforming
processes, spunbonding/meltblowing/spunbonding processes (SMS),
spunbonding/meltblowing processes (SM), and bonded carded web
processes. For instance, in one embodiment, the nonwoven layer of a
laminate moisture barrier of the present invention is a
spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) and/or spunbond/meltblown (SM)
material. An SMS material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,203
to Brock et al. which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference. Other SMS products and processes are described for
example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,688 to Timmons et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,169,706 to Collier et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,029 to Brock et
al., all of which are also incorporated herein in their entireties
by reference. Generally, an SMS material will contain a meltblown
web sandwiched between two exterior spunbond webs. Such SMS
laminates are available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation under marks
such as Spunguard7 and Evolution7. The spunbonded layers on the SMS
laminates provide durability and the internal meltblown barrier
layer provides porosity and additional clothlike feel. Similar to
an SMS laminate, an SM laminate is essentially a spunbond layer
laminated to a meltblown layer.
[0071] In forming a dental wipe of the present invention with a
moisture barrier, the barrier can be bonded together with the other
layers of the wipe in a number of various ways. Thermal bonding,
adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, extrusion coating, and the
like, are merely examples of various bonding techniques that may be
utilized in the present process to attach the moisture barrier to
the fibrous layers of the dental wipe.
[0072] In some embodiments, any of the above layers and/or
materials can also be dyed or colored so as to form a base web or
moisture barrier having a particular color. For example, in one
embodiment, the moisture barrier can be provided with a colored
background. For instance, white tufts, colored tufts, and/or a
white titanium oxide background could be utilized.
[0073] In order to provide better dental care to the teeth being
cleaned, a variety of chemical additives can be applied to the
dental wipe of the present invention. For example, in one
embodiment, cationic polymers can be coated onto the dental wipe.
Cationic polymers can help clean teeth and/or gums because they
typically have a strong attraction for negatively charged bacteria
and deleterious acidic by-products that accumulate in plaque. One
example of a cationic polymer that is suitable for use in the
present invention is chitosan (poly-N-acetylglucosamine, a
derivative of chitin) or chitosan salts. Chitosan and its salts are
natural biopolymers that can have both hemostatic and
bacteriostatic properties. As a result, chitosan can help reduce
bleeding, reduce plaque, and reduce gingivitis.
[0074] In addition to chitosan and chitosan salts, any other
cationic polymer known in the art can generally be applied to a
dental wipe of the present invention. For example, in one
embodiment, cationic starches are used in the present invention.
One such suitable cationic starch is, for example, COBOND, which
can be obtained from National Starch. In another embodiment,
cationic materials that are oligomeric compounds can be used. In
some embodiments, combinations of cationic materials can be
utilized.
[0075] In addition to the chemical additives mentioned above, a
variety of other additives can be applied to a dental wipe of the
present invention. For instance, other well known dental agents can
be utilized. Examples of such dental agents include, but are not
limited to alginates, soluble calcium salts, phosphates, fluorides,
such as sodium fluoride (NaF) or stannous fluoride (SnF2), and the
like. Moreover, mint oils and mint oil mixtures can be applied to
the dental wipe of the present invention. For instance, in one
embodiment, peppermint oil can be applied to the dental wipe.
Moreover, in another embodiment, a mint oil/ethanol mixture can be
applied. Components of mint oil (e.g., menthol, carvone) can also
be used. Additionally, various whitening agents can be applied to
the dental wipe. Examples of whitening agents include silica,
peroxides and in situ sources of peroxide, such as carbamide
peroxide.
[0076] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the dental wipe can also
comprise an anti-ulcer component. In particular, one embodiment of
the present invention can comprise a component designed to act as
an anti-H. pylori agent. In general, any additive known in the art
to be an anti-ulcer or anti-H. pylori agent can be used in the
present invention. In one embodiment, for example, bismuth salts
can be utilized. One particularly effective bismuth salt, bismuth
subcitrate, is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,002
to Athanikar, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference thereto. Another example of a suitable bismuth salt is
PEPTO-BISMOL sold by The Procter & Gamble Company, containing
bismuth subsalicylate. In addition to bismuth salts, other examples
of suitable anti-ulcer additives include, but are not limited to,
tetracycline, erythromycin, clarithromycin, omeprazole,
metronidazole, or other antibiotics. Furthermore, any additive
useful for treating peptic ulcers, such as H2-blockers, sucralfate,
and the like, can be used as well.
[0077] Besides the above additives, other additives can also be
applied to the dental wipe. Such materials can include, but are not
limited to, flavoring agents, preservatives, anti-microbial agents,
polishing agents, hemostatic agents, anti-plaque agents,
anti-caries agents, antibiotics, antioxidants, desensitizers,
lubricants, remineralization agents, tartar control agents,
surfactants, etc. Examples of suitable flavoring agents include
various sugars, breath freshening agents, menthol, carvone, anise
oil, anethole, methyl salicylate, thymol and artificial sweeteners
as well as natural flavorants, such as cinnamon, vanilla and
citrus. Moreover, in one embodiment, xylitol, which provides a
cooling effect upon dissolution in the mouth and is
anti-cariogenic, can be used as the flavoring agent. As stated,
preservatives, such as methyl benzoate or methyl paraben, can also
be applied to a dental wipe of the present invention.
[0078] Suggested polishing agents include but are not limited to,
silica and sodium bicarbonate. Suggested anti-microbial agents or
anti-bacterial agents include, but are not limited to, triclosan,
thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, chlorhexidine,
hexetidine, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Suggested
anti-caries agents include, but are not limited to, triclosan,
xylitol, and fluoride. Suggested anti-plaque agents include, but
are not limited to, triclosan, menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, methyl
salicylate and cetylpyridinium chloride.
[0079] In addition, a variety of other additives and combinations
thereof can be applied to a dental wipe of the present invention.
For instance, examples of various materials that can be utilized as
additives in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,902,509 to Tundermann et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,825 to
Copelan et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.
Although various specific additives have been specifically
mentioned above, it should be understood that any additive can
generally be applied to the dental wipe of the present invention.
The additives can be applied to the dental wipe as is or they can
be encapsulated in order to preserve the additives and/or to
provide the additive with time release properties.
[0080] In general, the chemical additives described above can be
applied to a dental wipe of the present invention according to a
number of ways known in the art. For example, the additives can be
applied to the wipe using a saturant system, such as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,381 to Cleveland et al., which is incorporated
herein by reference. Moreover, the additives can also be applied by
various other methods, such as print, blade, roll, spray,
spray-drying, foam, clean treating applications, etc., which are
well known in the art. The additives can further be applied as a
mixture of molten solids or co-extruded onto the wipe.
Additionally, in another embodiment, the chemical additives can be
impregnated into the material during manufacturing as is well known
in the art. It should be understood that when coated onto a wipe as
described above, the additives can be applied to the base web
before or after the base web is stamped or bonded to form the
dental wipe of the present invention. Furthermore, it should also
be understood that, if desired, various additives, solutions, and
chemicals can be applied by the consumer to the wipe just before
use.
[0081] In another embodiment, the additive is encapsulated and then
applied to the dental wipe. Encapsulation is a process by which a
material or mixture of materials is coated with or entrapped within
another material or mixture of materials. The technique is commonly
used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The material that
is coated or entrapped is normally a liquid, although it can also
be a solid or gas, and is referred to herein as the core material.
The material that forms the coating is referred to as the carrier
material. A variety of encapsulation techniques are well-known in
the art and can be used in the current invention, including spray
drying, spray chilling and cooling, coacervation, fluidized bed
coating, liposome entrapment, rotational suspension separation, and
extrusion.
[0082] Spray drying is commonly used for encapsulating food and
flavors. To prepare a material for spray drying, the carrier
material is dissolved in an aqueous solution. The core ingredient
is added to this solution and mixed thoroughly. A typical load of
carrier to core material is 4:1, although much higher or lower
loads can be used. The mixture is homogenized, and then fed into a
spray dryer where it is atomized and released into a stream of hot
air. The water is evaporated, leaving a dried particle comprising
the core material trapped within the carrier matrix.
[0083] Suitable carrier materials include but are not limited to
gums, gum Arabic, modified starches, gelatin, cellulose
derivatives, and maltodextrins. Suitable core materials include but
are not limited to flavors, natural oils, additives, sweeteners,
stabilizers besides the other various additives mentioned
above.
[0084] Regardless of the mechanism utilized to apply the chemical
additives to the wipe, the additives can be applied to the wipe via
an aqueous solution, non-aqueous solution, oil, lotion, cream,
suspension, gel, etc. When utilized, an aqueous solution can
contain any of a variety of liquids, such as various solvents
and/or water. Moreover, the solution can often contain more than
one additive. In some embodiments, the additives applied by an
aqueous solution or otherwise constitute approximately less than 80
percent by weight of the dental wipe. In other embodiments, the
additives can be applied in an amount less than about 50 percent of
the weight of the wipe.
[0085] Moreover, in some embodiments, the additives can also be
applied asymmetrically onto the wipe to reduce costs and maximize
performance of the wipe. For instance, in one embodiment, a flat
sheet of the base web is asymmetrically contacted with a particular
coating agent, and thereafter stamped and bonded to form the dental
wipe of the present invention, wherein only the surface used to
clean teeth is coated with the additives. In another embodiment,
the finger wipe is stamped and bonded, and thereafter
asymmetrically coated with a particular coating agent.
[0086] Prior to being shipped and sold, the dental wipe of the
present invention can be placed in various sealed packaging in
order to preserve any additives applied to the dental wipe or
otherwise to maintain the dental wipe in a sterile environment.
Various packaging materials that can be used include ethylene vinyl
alcohol (EVOH) films, film foil laminates, metalized films,
multi-layered plastic films, and the like. The packaging can be
completely impermeable or can be differentially permeable to the
flavorants depending on the application.
[0087] The present invention may be better understood by reference
to the following example.
[0088] As described above, a dental wipe of the present invention
can be made from various components and contain various features.
For instance, the dental wipe can include a non-elastic component,
an elastic component and a moisture barrier. If desired, a
texturized surface can be located on the dental wipe for
facilitating the scrubbing and cleaning of teeth and gums. Further,
the dental wipe can be made from single layer materials or
laminates which, in turn, can be made from various materials and
fibers. One particular embodiment of a dental wipe made in
accordance with the present invention will now be discussed with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0089] In this embodiment, the dental wipe 10 includes the first
section 20 thermally bonded to the second section 30. The second
section 30 is designed for contacting the teeth and gums of the
user, while the first section 20 is made from an elastic laminate
for providing the dental wipe with form fitting properties. More
particularly, the second section 30, in this embodiment, is a three
layered laminate. The laminate includes an interior polypropylene
spunbond layer, a middle moisture barrier layer, and an outer layer
that forms an exterior surface of the dental wipe.
[0090] The polypropylene spunbond layer is made from spunbond
polypropylene filaments and can have a basis weight of from about
0.3 osy to about 1.0 osy, and can particularly have a basis weight
of about 0.5 osy. The moisture layer, on the other hand, can be a
film made from linear low-density polyethylene containing calcium
carbonate filler. The film can be stretched in order to create
pores for making the film breathable while remaining substantially
impermeable to liquids. The moisture barrier layer can have a basis
weight of from about 0.2 osy to about 1.0 osy, and particularly can
have a basis weight of about 0.5 osy. The polypropylene spunbond
layer can be adhesively secured to the moisture barrier layer.
[0091] In an alternative embodiment, the interior polypropylene
spunbond layer can be replaced with a nonwoven web made from
polypropylene/polyethylene bicomponent fibers. The middle moisture
barrier layer, on the other hand, can be a film made from a mixture
of polymers, such as CATALLOY film marketed by the Pliant
Corporation. The exterior layer can be a spunbond or through air
bonded web made from bicomponent polyethylene/polypropylene
filaments in a side-by-side arrangement. The exterior layer can
have a basis weight of from about 1.0 osy to about 5.0 osy, and can
particularly have a basis weight of from about 2.0 osy to about 4.0
osy. Alternatively, the exterior layer itself can be a laminate
structure. For example, a two-banked process can be used in which a
layer of larger diameter fibers is formed on a layer of small
diameter fibers.
[0092] The exterior bicomponent spunbond layer can be laminated to
the other layers using a thermal or ultrasonic point bonding
process, such as a point unbonded pattern process. More
particularly, the layers can be point unbonded to form a texturized
surface. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the point unbonded
pattern can be designed to form circular tufts which protrude from
the surface of the laminate.
[0093] As mentioned above, the first section 20 is an elastic
laminate. For instance, the first section 20 can be a stretch
bonded laminate sheet. The stretch bonded laminate sheet can
include elastic threads made from an elastomeric material
sandwiched between two polypropylene spunbond layers. The elastic
threads can be, for instance, made from a styrene-ethylene
butylene-styrene block copolymer, such as KRATON G2740 available
from the Shell Chemical Company. The stretch bonded laminate can
have a basis weight of from about 1.0 osy to about 5 osy,
particularly from about 1.5 osy to about 3.5 osy, and more
particularly from about 2.0 osy to about 3.0 osy.
[0094] Instead of a stretch bonded laminate sheet, the first
section 20 can also be a neck bonded laminate sheet. The neck
bonded laminate sheet can include a metallocene catalyzed elastic
polyethylene film sandwiched between two polypropylene spunbond
layers. The spunbond layers can have a basis weight of about 0.45
osy prior to being stretched. The polyethylene film, on the other
hand, can have a basis weight from about 0.5 osy to about 1.5 osy.
The first section 20 can be attached to the second section 30 using
various methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first section
20 can be ultrasonically bonded to the second section 30 along the
outer edges in order to form a pocket for the insertion of a
finger.
[0095] Once the first section 20 and the second section 30 are
bonded together, excess material can be cut and removed from the
dental wipe. In general, any suitable cutting method can be used in
order to trim away excess material. For example, the material can
be cut using a high pressure jet of water referred to as a water
knife or can be cut using a conventional mechanical device, such as
a cutter or a pair of shears. In one embodiment, the first section
20 and the second section 30 can be simultaneously bonded together
and cut from the materials from which they are made. For instance,
ultrasonic energy can be used to bond and cut materials in one
step.
[0096] The dimensions of the dental wipe that is formed in
accordance with the present invention will depend upon the
particular application and purpose for which the dental wipe is to
be used. For instance, the dental wipe can be constructed in order
to fit around the finger of an adult or the finger of a child.
Further, the dental wipe can also be constructed to fit around two
fingers. For most single finger dental wipes, the wipe should have
a length of from about 1 inch to about 5 inches and a median
flattened width of from about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches. When
constructed to fit around two fingers, the dental wipe can have a
median width of from about 0.75 inches to about 2.5 inches,
depending on the elasticity of the wipe.
EXAMPLE
[0097] A dental wipe as described above and illustrated in FIGS.
2-4 was coated with a commercially available lip care formulation,
specifically BLISTEX.RTM. Lip Balm as follows. In addition, section
30 of the dental wipe included an optional mint oil for cleaning
and freshening breath. A small amount of lip care formulation was
removed from a tube of BLISTEX.RTM. Lip Balm by contacting and
smearing a finger to the lip care formulation that was extended
from the plastic tube the lip balm was supplied in. Lip care
formulation was then applied to the dental wipe by contacting the
freshly removed lip balm to region 32 illustrated in FIG. 4. The
lip care formulation was smeared with a finger onto the wipe in
region 32 to form a lip care treatment zone on the dental wipe. The
lip care formulation was spread, approximately, in the 2-3
centimeter lower region nearest the open end of the finger-shaped
wipe leaving an upper, tooth and gum cleaning region of about 4
centimeters in length. The width of the wipe was about 3
centimeters.
[0098] The product was used to clean teeth by placing the
finger-shaped wipe over an index finger and then contacting region
33, the oral care treatment zone, to the teeth. Teeth were cleaned
by contacting and rubbing region 33 up-and-down and side-to-side
over teeth and gum surfaces. The wipe was then withdrawn from the
mouth of the user and then region 32, the lip care treatment zone,
was contacted to the lower lip of the user. The wipe was rubbed
against the lower lip, transferring lip care formulation to the
lower lip of the user. The user of the wipe then withdrew the wipe
and contacted the lower and upper lips to transfer and spread the
lip care formulation more evenly over both lips.
[0099] The BLISTEX.RTM. Lip Balm that was applied and transferred
to the dental wipe included the following listed active
ingredients: 2.5 percent by weight oxybenzone and 6.6 percent by
weight padimate O sun screening agents and 2 percent by weight
dimethicone skin protecting agent. The BLISTEX.RTM. Lip Balm also
included the following listed ingredients: beeswax, camphor,
candelilla wax, cetyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, cocoa butter,
D&C red no. 6, barium lake, lanolin, menthol, methylparaben,
mineral oil, ozokerite, paraffic, petrolatum, polybutene,
propylparaben and titanium dioxide.
[0100] It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that
the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments
only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the
present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the
exemplary constructions. The invention is shown by example in the
appended claims.
* * * * *