U.S. patent application number 13/124749 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-13 for cosmetic puff.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNI-CHARM CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Takashi Aoto, Hiroko Ikeda, Kenji Ooba, Akira Shibata, Naohito Takeuchi.
Application Number | 20110247648 13/124749 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42106581 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110247648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ikeda; Hiroko ; et
al. |
October 13, 2011 |
COSMETIC PUFF
Abstract
It is an object of the invention to provide an effective
technique for realizing a desired moisture releasing property, in a
cosmetic puff having an air-laid non-woven fabric sheet formed of
pulp fibers. A cosmetic puff 100 according to this invention
includes an inner layer 110 in the form of a sheet and surface
layers 120 in the form of laminated sheets on the both sides of the
inner layer 110. The inner layer 110 is formed by an air-laid
non-woven fabric sheet containing at least pulp fibers and
polyethylene terephthalate fibers.
Inventors: |
Ikeda; Hiroko; (Kagawa-ken,
JP) ; Shibata; Akira; ( Kagawa-ken, JP) ;
Ooba; Kenji; ( Kagawa-ken, JP) ; Aoto; Takashi;
( Kagawa-ken, JP) ; Takeuchi; Naohito;
(Kagawa-ken, JP) |
Assignee: |
UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
Ehime-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
42106581 |
Appl. No.: |
13/124749 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
October 14, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2009/067775 |
371 Date: |
June 16, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/2077 20130101;
A61F 2013/0037 20130101; A45D 37/00 20130101; A61F 13/2002
20130101; A61F 13/2071 20130101; A61F 13/00012 20130101; A61F
13/00025 20130101; A45D 33/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/320 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 17, 2008 |
JP |
2008268963 |
Claims
1. A cosmetic puff comprising an air-laid non-woven fabric sheet,
wherein the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet comprises pulp fibers
and hydrophobic synthetic fibers.
2. The cosmetic puff as defined in claim 1, wherein the air-laid
non-woven fabric sheet includes the hydrophobic synthetic fibers at
the rate of 10 to 50% by weight.
3. The cosmetic puff as defined in claim 1, wherein the pulp fibers
of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet have a fiber weight per unit
length of 0.20 mg/m or more.
4. A cosmetic puff comprising an air-laid non-woven fabric sheet,
wherein the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet contains pulp fibers
with a fiber weight per unit length of 0.20 mg/m or more.
5. The cosmetic puff as defined in claim 1, wherein the air-laid
non-woven fabric sheet includes surface layers, at least one of the
surface layers being formed of rayon fibers.
6. The cosmetic puff as defined in claim 4, wherein the air-laid
non-woven fabric sheet includes surface layers, at least one of the
surface layers being formed of rayon fibers.
7. The cosmetic puff as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of
the surface layers of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet includes
moisturizer application regions to which a moisturizer is applied
and moisturizer non-application regions which are regions other
than the moisturizer application regions, and wherein said surface
layer has an area in which the moisturizer application regions and
the moisturizer non-application regions are alternately arranged at
least in one of the directions of the width and the length of the
air-laid non-woven fabric sheet.
8. The cosmetic puff as defined in claim 4, wherein at least one of
the surface layers of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet includes
moisturizer application regions to which a moisturizer is applied
and moisturizer non-application regions which are regions other
than the moisturizer application regions, and wherein said surface
layer has an area in which the moisturizer application regions and
the moisturizer non-application regions are alternately arranged at
least in one of the directions of the width and the length of the
air-laid non-woven fabric sheet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technique for providing a
cosmetic puff.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Japanese non-examined laid-open Patent Publication No.
2007-195614 discloses a cosmetic puff for use in applying skin
lotion by patting. The known cosmetic puff includes an air-laid
non-woven fabric sheet. In designing such cosmetic puff it is
required to provide a cosmetic puff having enhanced usability to
release an appropriate amount of lotion according to the force with
which a user pats the skin with the cosmetic puff impregnated with
skin lotion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an
effective technique for releasing an appropriate amount of skin
lotion according to user's patting force with respect to a cosmetic
puff having an air-laid non-woven fabric sheet formed of pulp
fibers.
[0006] The above-described problem can be solved by the features of
the claimed invention.
[0007] The representative cosmetic puff according to this invention
includes an air-laid non-woven fabric sheet manufactured by an
air-laid technique. The representative cosmetic puff is preferably
applied to the structure of a cosmetic puff which is used, as it is
or with cosmetic liquid, powder, gel or cream contained in or on
it, to pat the user's face when wearing makeup. The representative
cosmetic puff particularly includes pulp fibers and hydrophobic
synthetic fibers. The "hydrophobic synthetic fibers" here may
include various kinds of hydrophobic synthetic fibers, and
typically, one or more of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers,
polypropylene (PP) fibers, nylon fibers or the like can be used as
hydrophobic synthetic fibers. With such a structure, by provision
of the hydrophobic synthetic fibers, the cosmetic puff can provide
a desired moisture releasing property, so that an appropriate
amount of skin lotion can be released according to user's patting
force.
[0008] Further, in a further embodiment of the cosmetic puff
according to this invention, preferably, the air-laid non-woven
fabric sheet contains the hydrophobic synthetic fibers at the rate
of 10 to 50% by weight. With such a structure, by defining the
content of the hydrophobic synthetic fibers, particularly, the rate
of recovery after loaded in the wet state, the rate of one-time
moisture release and the rate of fraction moisture release can be
increased. The "rate of recovery after loaded" here is defined as
the rate of recovery of the thickness of the specimen based on the
difference of the thickness measured before and after application
of a predetermined load to the wetted specimens. The "rate of
one-time moisture release" here is defined as the rate of moisture
release based on the amount of moisture which is released at one
time from the specimen to filter paper when a predetermined load is
generally applied to the wetted specimen with the filter paper
stacked on top of the specimen. Further, the "rate of fraction
moisture release" here is defined as the rate of moisture release
based on the amount of moisture which is finally released from the
specimen to filter paper when a predetermined load is generally
applied several times to the wetted specimen with the filter paper
stacked on top of the specimen.
[0009] Further, in a further embodiment of the cosmetic puff
according to this invention, preferably, the pulp fibers of the
air-laid non-woven fabric sheet have a fiber weight per unit length
of 0.20 mg/m or more. Such a pulp fiber having a relatively heavy
fiber weight per unit length has an average pore size (void
diameter) of 100 .mu.m or more and has a strong skeleton structure,
so that the cosmetic puff having a higher rate of recovery after
loaded in the wet state, a higher rate of one-time moisture release
and a higher rate of fraction moisture release can be realized.
[0010] A cosmetic puff according to another embodiment of this
invention includes an air-laid non-woven fabric sheet, and the
air-laid non-woven fabric sheet contains pulp fibers with a fiber
weight per unit length of 0.20 mg/m or more. Such a pulp fiber
having a relatively heavy fiber weight per unit length has an
average pore size (void diameter) of 100 .mu.m or more and has a
strong skeleton structure, so that the cosmetic puff having a
higher rate of recovery after loaded in the wet state, a higher
rate of one-time moisture release and a higher rate of fraction
moisture release can be realized.
[0011] In a further embodiment of the cosmetic puff according to
this invention, preferably, the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet
includes surface layers, and at least one of the surface layers is
formed of rayon fibers. In this respect, either one of the surface
layers of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet may be formed of
rayon fibers, or both of the surface layers of the air-laid
non-woven fabric sheet may be formed of rayon fibers. With such a
structure, the cosmetic puff can provide a smooth texture in
use.
[0012] In a further embodiment of the cosmetic puff according to
this invention, preferably, at least one of the surface layers of
the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet includes moisturizer
application regions to which a moisturizer is applied and
moisturizer non-application regions which are regions other than
the moisturizer application regions. Further, this surface layer
has an area in which the moisturizer application regions and the
moisturizer non-application regions are alternately arranged at
least in one of the directions of the width and the length of the
air-laid non-woven fabric sheet. In this respect, either one of the
surface layers of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet may include
an area in which the moisturizer application regions and the
moisturizer non-application regions are alternately arranged, or
bath of the surface layers of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet
may include an area in which the moisturizer application regions
and the moisturizer non-application regions are alternately
arranged.
[0013] The "moisturizer" here may preferably include diglycerin,
triglycerin, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene
glycol, liquid paraffin, squalane, vaseline, olive oil, soy oil,
safflower oil, camellia oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, castor oil,
palm oil, mink oil, vitamin dimethyl silicone, silicone oil,
modified silicone, sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, maltose, bees wax,
hyaluronan, placental extract, aloe extract, chamomilla recutita,
peach leaf extract, collagen, loofah extract, hinokitiol.
[0014] With such a structure, in the moisturizer application
regions, the cosmetic puff can be provided with a moist texture and
thus can provide an improved texture. The moisturizer
non-application regions are kept with an apparent sheet thickness
(kept bulky) without application of the moisturizer, so that it is
effective in improving the appearance of the cosmetic puff (adding
a quality appearance to it). Therefore, the cosmetic puff can be
provided with both of an improved texture and an improved
appearance.
[0015] As described above, according to this invention, in a
cosmetic puff having an air-laid non-woven fabric sheet,
particularly, by provision of a structure having pulp fibers and
hydrophobic synthetic fibers or a structure having pulp fibers with
a fiber weight per unit length of 0.20 mg/m or more, an effective
technique for releasing an appropriate amount of skin lotion
according to users patting force can be provided. Other objects,
features and advantages of the present invention will be readily
understood after reading the following detailed description
together with the accompanying drawings and the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Each of the additional features and method steps disclosed
above and below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with
other features and method steps to provide and manufacture improved
cosmetic puffs and method for using such cosmetic puffs and devices
utilized therein. Representative examples of the present invention,
which examples utilized many of these additional features and
method steps in conjunction, will now be described in detail with
reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely
intended to teach a person skilled in the art further details for
practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not
intended to limit the scope of the invention. Only the claims
define the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, combinations
of features and steps disclosed within the following detailed
description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the
broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly
describe some representative examples of the invention, which
detailed description will now be given with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0017] A representative cosmetic puff 100 as a preferred embodiment
according to the invention is now described with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective external view showing a cosmetic
puff 100 according to this embodiment.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic puff 100 according to this
embodiment has a sheet-like or plate-like form as a whole and
includes an inner layer 110 in the form of a sheet and surface
layers 120 in the form of laminated sheets on the both sides of the
inner layer 110. The cosmetic puff 100 is formed by an air-laid
non-woven fabric sheet which is manufactured by a known air-laid
technique. The cosmetic puff 100 is a cosmetic tool which is used,
as it is or with cosmetic liquid, powder, cream or gel contained in
or on it, to pat the user's face when wearing makeup. The cosmetic
puff is also referred to as a "cosmetic cotton". Each of the
surface layers 120 is typically formed by a non-woven fabric
primarily made of at least one kind of fibers of rayon, cotton,
silk, pulp or the like. The inner layer 110 contains at least pulp
fibers and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. Alternatively,
the inner layer 110 may be formed by an air-laid non-woven fabric
sheet containing pulp fibers and not containing polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) fibers, as necessary. Further, the surface
layers 120 may be formed by the same fibers as the inner layer 110.
The inner layer 110 and the surface layers 120 are features that
correspond to the "air-laid non-woven fabric sheet" and the
"surface layers", respectively, according to this invention.
Further, the pulp fibers and polyethylene terephthalate fibers in
the inner layer 110 are features that correspond to the "pulp
fibers" and the "hydrophobic synthetic fibers", respectively,
according to this invention.
[0019] In developing cosmetic puffs of this kind, particularly in
order to realize release of an appropriate amount of skin lotion
according to the force with which a user pats his or her skin with
a cosmetic puff impregnated with skin lotion, it is required to
provide the cosmetic puff having a desired moisture releasing
property so that the lotion once retained in the cosmetic puff can
be released by an appropriate amount under predetermined
conditions. Therefore, applicants of this invention have studied on
the structure and performance of cosmetic puffs of this kind. As
the results of the study, they successfully found that a cosmetic
puff having a desired moisture releasing property can be realized
by forming the above-described inner layer 110 in the form of a
non-wove fabric sheet which is formed by an air-laid non-wove
fabric sheet containing pulp fibers and hydrophobic synthetic
fibers.
[0020] Now, performance evaluations conducted for quantitative
verification of the effects of the cosmetic puff according to the
invention are explained in detail. For the performance evaluations,
particularly, criterion A (rate of recovery after loaded),
criterion B (rate of one-time moisture release), and criterion C
(rate of fraction moisture release) were measured on each of
specimens in working examples 1 to 7 and comparative examples 1 and
2 which are described below. The "rate of recovery after loaded"
here is defined as the rate of recovery of the thickness of the
specimen based on the difference of the thickness measured before
and after application of a predetermined load to the wetted
specimens. The "rate of one-time moisture release" here is defined
as the rate of moisture release based on the amount of moisture
which is released at one time from the specimen to filter paper
when a predetermined load is generally applied to the wetted
specimen with the filter paper stacked on top of the specimen.
Further, the "rate of fraction moisture release" here is defined as
the rate of moisture release based on the amount of moisture which
is finally released from the specimen to filter paper when a
predetermined load is generally applied several times to the wetted
specimen with the filter paper stacked on top of the specimen.
Specimen of Working Example 1
[0021] As for the specimen of the working example 1, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx. 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
medium fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.58 mm, fiber weight: 0.20
mg/m) is used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in the form of
the inner layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.29 mm) are used
as the non-wove fabric in the form of the surface layers 120. The
ratio (weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp fibers and the
rayon fibers is set to 93:7. Further, the mixture ratio of a binder
or typically styrene-butadiene rubber is set to 12.5% by
weight.
Specimen of Working Example 2
[0022] As for the specimen of the working example 2, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx. 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
medium fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.58 mm, fiber weight: 0.20
mg/m) and polyethylene terephthalate fibers (2.2 dt.times.5 mm) is
used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in the form of the inner
layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.29 mm) are used as the
non-wove fabric in the form of the surface layers 120. The ratio
(weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp fibers, the polyethylene
terephthalate fibers and the rayon fibers is set to 83:10:7.
Further, the mixture ratio of the same binder as in the working
example 1 is set to 12.5% by weight.
Specimen of Working Example 3
[0023] As for the specimen of the working example 3, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx. 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
medium fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.58 mm, fiber weight: 0.20
mg/m) and polyethylene terephthalate fibers (2.2 dt.times.5 mm) is
used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in the form of the inner
layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.29 mm) are used as the
non-wove fabric in the form of the surface layers 120. The ratio
(weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp fibers, the polyethylene
terephthalate fibers and the rayon fibers is set to 73:20:7.
Further, the mixture ratio of the same binder as in the working
example 1 is set to 12.5% by weight.
Specimen of Working Example 4
[0024] As for the specimen of the working example 4, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx, 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
medium fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.58 mm, fiber weight: 0.20
maim) and polyethylene terephthalate fibers (2.2 dt.times.5 mm) is
used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in the form of the inner
layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.2.9 mm) are used as the
non-wove fabric in the form of the surface layers 120. The ratio
(weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp fibers, the polyethylene
terephthalate fibers and the rayon fibers is set to 63:30:7.
Further, the mixture ratio of the same binder as in the working
example 1 is set to 12.5% by weight.
Specimen of Working Example 5
[0025] As for the specimen of the working example 5, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx, 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
medium fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.58 mm, fiber weight: 0.20
mg/m) and polyethylene terephthalate fibers (2.2 dt.times.5 mm) is
used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in the form of the inner
layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.29 mm) are used as the
non-wove fabric in the form of the surface layers 120. The ratio
(weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp fibers, the polyethylene
terephthalate fibers and the rayon fibers is set to 63:30:7.
Further, the mixture ratio of the same binder as in the working
example 1 is set to 7.5% by weight.
Specimen of Working Example 6
[0026] As for the specimen of the working example 6, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx. 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
medium fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.58 mm, fiber weight: 0.20
mg/m) and polyethylene terephthalate fibers (2.2 dt.times.5 mm) is
used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in the form of the inner
layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.29 mm) are used as the
non-wove fabric in the form of the surface layers 120. The ratio
(weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp fibers, the polyethylene
terephthalate fibers and the rayon fibers is set to 63:30:7.
Further, the mixture ratio of the same binder as in the working
example 1 is set to 15.0% by weight.
Specimen of Working Example 7
[0027] As for the specimen of the working example 7, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx. 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
relatively large fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.77 mm, fiber
weight: 0.24 mg/m) and polyethylene terephthalate fibers (2.2
dt.times.5 mm) is used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in the
form of the inner layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.29 mm)
are used as the non-wove fabric in the form of the surface layers
120. The ratio (weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp fibers,
the polyethylene terephthalate fibers and the rayon fibers is set
to 63:30:7. Further, the mixture ratio of the same hinder as in the
working example 1 is set to 12.5% by weight.
Specimen of Comparative Example 1
[0028] As for the specimen of comparative example 1, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx. 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
relatively small fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.42 mm, fiber
weight: 0.17 mg/m) is used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in
the form of the inner layer 110. Further, the mixture ratio of the
same binder as in the working example 1 is set to 10.0% by
weight.
Specimen of Comparative Example 2
[0029] As for the specimen of comparative example 2, a non-woven
fabric (weight: approx. 60 g/m.sup.2) made of pulp fibers having a
relatively small fiber diameter (fiber length: 2.42 mm, fiber
weight: 0.17 mg/m) is used as the air-laid non-wove fabric sheet in
the form of the inner layer 110, and rayon fibers (1.7 dt.times.29
mm) are used as the non-wove fabric in the form of the surface
layers 120. The ratio (weight percentage) of mixture of the pulp
fibers and the rayon fibers is set to 93:7. Further, the mixture
ratio of the same binder as in the working example 1 is set to
12.5% by weight.
[0030] Further, measurements and evaluations on each of criterion A
(rate of recovery after loaded), criterion B (rate of one-time
moisture release), criterion C (rate of fraction moisture release)
have been made as follows:
(Rate of Recovery after Loaded)
[0031] For measurements of the rate of recovery after loaded, a
portable thickness gage (CR-10A of Daiei Kagaku Seiki Mfg. Co.,
Ltd.) is used to measure the thickness of each of the wetted
specimens while applying a first pressure (1.96 kPa (20
gf/cm.sup.2)) or a second pressure (3.92 kPa (40 gf/cm.sup.2)) by a
pressure-foot (1 cm.sup.2 (.phi.11.28 mm)). The rate of recovery
after loaded is obtained by the equation of
(Dc-Db)/Db.times.100.
(Rate of One-Time Moisture Release)
[0032] For measurements of the rate of one-time moisture release,
first, filter paper having dimensions of 50.times.50 mm is laid on
top of each specimen having dimensions of 50.times.50 mm and wetted
(impregnated with 2 ml of test liquid). Thereafter, a predetermined
pressure (17.5 kgf/cm.sup.2) is applied thereto and the amount of
moisture released from each specimen to the filter case is
calculated. Specifically, a weight Wa of each wetted specimen and a
weight Wb of ten pieces of filter paper are measured in advance,
and then the ten pieces of filter paper (of the weight Wb) are laid
on top of each wetted specimen. Subsequently, the above-described
predetermined pressure is applied to the filter paper from above
for 15 seconds and thereafter a weight Wc of the ten pieces of
filter paper is measured. Then, the rate of one-time moisture
release (%) is obtained by the equation of
(Wc-Wb)/Wa.times.100.
(Rate of Fraction Moisture Release)
[0033] For measurements of the rate of fraction moisture release,
first, filter paper having dimensions of 50.times.50 mm is laid on
top of each specimen having dimensions of 50.times.50 min and
wetted (impregnated with 2 ml of test liquid). Thereafter, a
predetermined pressure (34.6 kgf/cm.sup.2) is applied thereto in
three steps and the amount of moisture released from each specimen
to the filter case is calculated after each application of
pressure. Specifically, in the first step, a weight Wd of each
wetted specimen and a weight We often pieces of filter paper are
measured in advance, and then the ten pieces of filter paper (of
the weight We) are laid on top of each wetted specimen.
Subsequently, the above-described predetermined pressure is applied
to the filter paper from above for 5 seconds and thereafter a
weight Wf of the ten pieces of filter paper is measured. Then, the
rate of the first moisture release (%) is obtained by the equation
of (Wf-We)/Wd.times.100.
[0034] Subsequently, in the second step, a weight Wg of ten new
pieces of filter paper is measured, and then the ten pieces of
filter paper (of the weight Wg) are laid on top of each wetted
specimen obtained in the first step. Subsequently, the
above-described predetermined pressure is applied to the filter
paper from above for 5 seconds and thereafter a weight Wh of the
ten pieces of filter paper is measured. Subsequently, in the third
step, a weight Wi of another ten new pieces of filter paper is
measured, and then the ten pieces of filter paper (of the weight
Wi) are laid on top of each wetted specimen obtained in the second
step. Subsequently, the above-described predetermined pressure is
applied to the filter paper from above for 5 seconds and thereafter
a weight Wj of the ten pieces of filter paper is measured. Then,
the rate of the second moisture release (%) is obtained by the
equation of (Wh-Wg)/Wd.times.100.
[0035] Subsequently, in the third step, a weight Wg of ten new
pieces of filter paper is measured, and then the ten pieces of
filter paper (of the weight Wg) are laid on top of each wetted
specimen obtained in the first step. Subsequently, the
above-described predetermined pressure is applied to the filter
paper from above for 5 seconds and thereafter a weight Wh of the
ten pieces of filter paper is measured. Subsequently, in the third
step, a weight Wi of another ten new pieces of filter paper is
measured, and then the ten pieces of filter paper (of the weight
Wi) are laid on top of each wetted specimen obtained in the second
step. Subsequently, the above-described predetermined pressure is
applied to the filter paper from above for 5 seconds and thereafter
a weight Wj of the ten pieces of filter paper is measured. Then,
the rate of the third moisture release (%) is obtained by the
equation of (Wj-Wi)/Wd.times.100.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows results of evaluation of each specimen in the
working examples 1 to 7 and the comparative examples 1 and 2 in
this embodiment on criteria A, B, C. Further, in this embodiment,
the fiber length and the fiber weight of the pulp fibers are the
"average fiber length" and the fiber weight (also referred to as
the "fiber roughness") per unit length, respectively. From the
evaluation results shown in FIG. 2, evaluations are made as
follows:
(Evaluation Results on Criterion A)
[0037] As for the criterion A, the rate of recovery after loaded of
every specimen in the working examples 1 to 7 exceeds 7%, and it is
thus verified that the specimens in the working examples 1 to 7
have higher performance of recovery after loaded, compared with the
specimens of the comparative examples 1 and 2 in which the rate of
recovery after loaded is below 7%. Therefore, when, for example, a
cosmetic puff impregnated with skin lotion is used for patting, a
sufficient amount of release of skin lotion can be provided.
Further, due to the higher performance of releasing skin lotion,
such a cosmetic puff is economical without wasting skin lotion
(Evaluation Results on Criterion B)
[0038] As for the criterion B, the rate of one-time moisture
release of every specimen in the working examples 1 to 7 exceeds
75%, and it is thus verified that the specimens in the working
examples 1 to 7 have higher performance of one-time moisture
release (at one time or in one step), compared with the specimens
of the comparative examples 1 and 2 in which the rate of one-time
moisture release is below 75%. Therefore, when, for example, a
cosmetic puff impregnated with skin lotion is used for patting, a
sufficient amount of release of skin lotion can be provided even by
lightly patting the skin. In other words, it is not necessary to
pat the skin with a strong force which may put a strain on the
skin.
(Evaluation Results on Criterion C)
[0039] As for the criterion C, in the working examples 1 to 7, the
rate of (first to second) moisture release of every specimen
exceeds 85%, and the rate of (first to third) moisture release of
every specimen exceeds 90%. It is thus verified that the specimens
in the working examples 1 to 7 have higher performance of fraction
moisture release (in several steps), compared with the specimens of
the comparative examples 1 and 2 in which the rate of (first to
second) moisture release is below 85% and the rate of (first to
third) moisture release is below 90%. Therefore, when, for example,
a cosmetic puff impregnated with skin lotion is used for patting
several times (in several steps), a sufficient amount of release of
skin lotion can be continuously provided. Application of skin
lotion to the skin by patting in several steps is effective for
increasing moisture in the skin.
[0040] As described above, by using an air-laid non-woven fabric
sheet corresponding to any one of the specimens of the working
examples 1 to 7, a cosmetic puff having enhanced usability can be
provided by designing it to release an appropriate amount of skin
lotion according to the force with which a user pats the skin with
the cosmetic puff impregnated with skin lotion.
[0041] Specifically, each of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheets
corresponding to the specimens of the working examples 1 to 7
contains pulp fibers with a fiber weight per unit length of 0.20
mg/m or more. Such a pulp fiber has an average pore size (void
diameter) of 100 .mu.m or more and has a strong skeleton structure,
so that the rate of recovery after loaded in the wet state, the
rate of one-time moisture release and the rate of fraction moisture
release can be increased. Thus, such a sheet is effective for
gradually discharging the skin lotion retained in space between the
fibers, to the surface layer. Further, each of the air-laid
non-woven fabric sheets corresponding to the specimens of the
working examples 2 to 6 contains 10 to 50% of polyethylene
terephthalate fibers by weight. Therefore, in this case, the rate
of recovery after loaded in the wet state, the rate of one-time
moisture release and the rate of fraction moisture release can be
further increased, so that the effect of gradually discharging the
skin lotion retained in space between the fibers, to the surface
layer can be further enhanced.
[0042] Further, each of the air-laid non-woven fabric sheets
corresponding to the specimens of the working examples 1 to 7
contains rayon fibers in areas corresponding to the surface layers
120, so that the cosmetic puff provide a smooth texture in use.
Either one of the two surface layers 120 may be formed by the rayon
fibers, as necessary.
[0043] Further, the mixture ratio of a binder contained in the
air-laid non-woven fabric sheet is preferably set to 5 to 15% by
weight. If the mixture ratio of the binder is decreased to below 5%
by weight, disadvantageously, the rate of recovery after loaded in
the wet state is decreased, and the amount of first moisture
release is increased. Further, if the mixture ratio of the binder
exceeds 15% by weight, disadvantageously, the material is hardened
and rendered unsuitable for a cosmetic puff.
[0044] Further, the content of polyethylene terephthalate fibers in
the air-laid non-woven fabric sheet is preferably set to 10 to 50%
by weight. The polyethylene terephthalate fibers are hydrophobic,
and if the content of polyethylene terephthalate fibers exceeds 50%
by weight, disadvantageously, most of the skin lotion absorbed
therein is immediately released by first patting, and an increase
in the amount of polyethylene terephthalate fibers leads to cost
increase. Further, alternatively or in addition to the polyethylene
terephthalate fibers, other hydrophobic synthetic fibers may be
used. In this case, polypropylene (PP) fibers, nylon fibers or the
like can be used as the other hydrophobic synthetic fibers.
[0045] In the cosmetic puff 100 having the above-described
structure, preferably, a moisturizer is applied to the surface
layers 120 in order to provide a moist texture. Now, a cosmetic
puff 200 with a moisturizer applied thereto is explained with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cosmetic
puff 200 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a sectional
view of the cosmetic puff 200 which is taken along line A-A in FIG.
3.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the cosmetic puff 200 as a
representative embodiment according to the invention has surface
layers 220 each including moisturizer application regions 221 to
which a moisturizer is applied and moisturizer non-application
regions 222 or regions other than the moisturizer application
regions 221. The cosmetic puff 200 has an area in which the
moisturizer application regions 221 and the moisturizer
non-application regions 222 are alternately arranged in the
direction of the width of the cosmetic puff 200 (which direction is
set to coincide with the horizontal direction in FIG. 3).
Specifically, each of the moisturizer application regions 221 is
defined as an elongated region having an application width d1 in
the horizontal direction and an application width d2 in the
vertical direction. The moisturizer application regions 221 are
arranged with pitches d3 in the horizontal direction. Further, each
of the moisturizer non-application regions 222 is defined as a
region between adjacent moisturizer application regions 221. As
shown in FIG. 4, due to application of the moisturizer, a sheet
thickness h1 of the moisturizer application region 221 is rendered
smaller than a sheet thickness h2 of the moisturizer
non-application region 222. By such arrangement of the moisturizer
application regions 221 shown in FIG. 3, a so-called "stripe
pattern" is formed. The moisturizer application regions 221 and the
moisturizer non-application regions 222 here are features that
correspond to the "moisturizer application regions" and the
"moisturizer non-application regions", respectively, according to
this invention.
[0047] As the moisturizer to be applied to the moisturizer
application regions 221, typically, glycerin can be used. This
moisturizer has a softening property as well as the moisturizing
property, so that it is also referred to as a softener. As the
moisturizer other than glycerin, at least one of the following
materials can be used: diglycerin, triglycerin, ethylene glycol,
propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, liquid paraffin, squalane,
vaseline, olive oil, soy oil, safflower oil, camellia oil, jojoba
oil, almond oil, castor oil, palm oil, mink oil, vitamin E,
dimethyl silicone oil, modified silicone, sorbitol, sucrose,
glucose, maltose, bees wax, hyaluronan, placental extract, aloe
extract, chamomilla recutita, peach leaf extract, collagen, loofah
extract, hinokitiol. Further, polyhydric alcohol or surface active
agent may also be added as an auxiliary to the moisturizer.
[0048] With such a structure, in the moisturizer application
regions 221, the cosmetic puff can be provided with a moist texture
and thus can provide an improved texture. The moisturizer
non-application regions 222 are kept with an apparent sheet
thickness (kept bulky) without application of the moisturizer as
shown in FIG. 4, so that it is effective in improving the
appearance of the cosmetic puff (adding a quality appearance to
it). Therefore, the cosmetic puff can be provided with both of an
improved texture and an improved appearance.
[0049] To this end, preferably, the moisturizer application regions
221 and the moisturizer non-application regions 222 are evenly
arranged over the entire surface layers 220. Therefore, instead of
the arrangement of the moisturizer application regions 221 and the
moisturizer non-application regions 222 in the cosmetic puff 200 as
shown in FIG. 3, for example, an arrangement shown in FIG. 5 may be
used. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cosmetic puff 300 according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the cosmetic puff 300 as a
representative embodiment of the invention has surface layers 320
each including moisturizer application regions 321 to which a
moisturizer is applied and moisturizer non-application regions 322
or regions other than the moisturizer application regions 321. The
cosmetic puff 300 has an area in which the moisturizer application
regions 321 and the moisturizer non-application regions 322 are
alternately arranged in the directions of the width and the length
of the cosmetic puff 200 (wherein the direction of the width is set
to coincide with the horizontal direction in FIG. 5). Specifically,
each of the moisturizer application regions 321 is defined as a
rectangular region (typically a square region) having an
application width d4 in the horizontal direction and an application
width d5 in the vertical direction. The moisturizer application
regions 321 are arranged with pitches d6 in the horizontal
direction and with pitches d7 in the vertical direction. Further,
each of the moisturizer non-application regions 322 is defined as a
region between adjacent moisturizer application regions 321. Like
in the case shown in FIG. 4, the sheet thickness of the moisturizer
application region 321 is rendered smaller than the sheet thickness
of the moisturizer non-application region 322. By such arrangement
of the moisturizer application regions 321 shown in FIG. 5, a
so-called "lattice pattern" or "checkered pattern" is formed. The
moisturizer application regions 321 and the moisturizer
non-application regions 322 here are features that correspond to
the "moisturizer application regions" and the "moisturizer
non-application regions", respectively, according to this
invention.
[0051] As described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, in this
embodiment, the moisturizer application regions and the moisturizer
non-application regions are preferably provided in the surface
layers of the cosmetic puff. Applicants of this invention further
found successfully that improvements in texture and appearance can
both be realized at a higher level by defining the shape,
dimensions, pitches or the like of the moisturizer application
regions.
[0052] Specifically, applicants conducted quantitative evaluations
of the texture and the appearance of the moisturizer application
regions 221 shown in FIG. 3 and the moisturizer application regions
321 shown in FIG. 5 in varying dimensions and pitches. For the
quantitative evaluations, particularly, criterion D (oily
thickness) and criterion E (flexural property) were measured on
each of specimens in working examples 11 to 16 and comparative
examples 11 to 14
Specimen of Working Example 11
[0053] As for the specimen of the working example 11, the specimen
of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a moisturizer
(glycerin:water=70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied to the both
sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight. Further, a
plurality of the moisturizer application regions 221 shown in FIG.
3 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction, having the
application width d1 of 2.0 mm and the pitches d3 of 5.0 mm.
Specimen of Working Example 12
[0054] As for the specimen of the working example 12, the specimen
of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a moisturizer
(glycerin:water 70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied to the both
sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight. Further, a
plurality of the moisturizer application regions 221 shown in FIG.
3 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction, having the
application width d1 of 2.0 mm and the pitches d3 of 2.0 mm.
Specimen of Working Example 13
[0055] As for the specimen of the working example 13, the specimen
of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a moisturizer
(glycerin:water=70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied to the both
sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight. Further, a
plurality of the moisturizer application regions 221 shown in FIG.
3 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction, having the
application width d1 of 1.0 min and the pitches d3 of 5.0 mm.
Specimen of Working Example 14
[0056] As for the specimen of the working example 14, the specimen
of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a moisturizer
(glycerin:water 70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied to the both
sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight. Further, a
plurality of the moisturizer application regions 221 shown in FIG.
3 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction, having the
application width d1 of 1.0 mm and the pitches d3 of 2.0 mm.
Specimen of Working Example 15
[0057] As for the specimen of the working example 15, the specimen
of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a moisturizer
(glycerin:water=70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied to the both
sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight. Further, a
plurality of the moisturizer application regions 321 shown in FIG.
5 are arranged, having the application widths d1, d2 (d1=d2) of 2.0
mm, the horizontal pitches d6 of 4.0 mm and the vertical pitches d7
of 6.0 mm.
Specimen of Working Example 16
[0058] As for the specimen of the working example 16, the specimen
of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a moisturizer
(glycerin:water=70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied to the both
sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight. Further, a
plurality of the moisturizer application regions 221 shown in FIG.
3 are arranged to extend in the horizontal direction, having the
application width d1 of 2.0 mm and the pitches d3 of 5.0 mm.
Specimen of Comparative Example 11
[0059] As for the specimen of the comparative example 11, the
specimen of the working example 1 is used without application of a
moisturizer and as a basis of evaluation, i.e. "blank" of the other
specimens.
Specimen of Comparative Example 12
[0060] As for the specimen of the comparative example 12, the
specimen of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a
moisturizer (glycerin:water 70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied
all over the both sides of the specimen.
Specimen of Comparative Example 13
[0061] As for the specimen of the comparative example 13, the
specimen of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a
moisturizer (glycerin:water 70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied
to the both sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight.
Further, a plurality of the moisturizer application regions 221
shown in FIG. 3 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction,
having the application width d1 of 2.0 mm and the pitches d3 of 1.0
mm.
Specimen of Comparative Example 14
[0062] As for the specimen of the comparative example 14, the
specimen of the working example 1 is used as a base, and a
moisturizer (glycerin:water=70% by weight:30% by weight) is applied
to the both sides of the specimen at the rate of 20% by weight.
Further, a plurality of the moisturizer application regions 321
shown in FIG. 5 are arranged, having the application widths d4, d5
(d4=d5) of 2.0 mm, the horizontal pitches d6 of 3.0 mm and the
vertical pitches d7 of 3.0 mm.
[0063] For evaluations on the criterion D (dry thickness), the
thickness of each dry specimen (which corresponds to the sheet
thickness h2 in FIG. 4) is measured by using a portable thickness
gage (CR-10A of Daiei Kagaku Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.). For evaluations
on the criterion E (flexural property), a value B (gfcm.sup.2/cm)
of the flexural property is obtained by using a flexural property
measuring equipment (KES-FB2 ALTO-A of Kato Tech Co., Ltd.).
[0064] FIG. 6 shows results of evaluation of each specimen in the
working examples 11 to 16 and the comparative examples 11 to 14 in
this embodiment on criteria D, E. From the evaluation results shown
in FIG. 6, evaluations are made as follows:
(Evaluation Results on Criterion D)
[0065] As fix the criterion D, the dry thickness of every specimen
of the working examples 11 to 16 exceeds 1.2 mm, and it is thus
verified that the specimens in the working examples 11 to 16 are
kept bulky, compared with the specimens of the comparative examples
12 to 14 in which the dry thickness is far below the initial
thickness (1.322 mm) of the comparative example 11. Therefore, the
cosmetic puff can be improved in appearance (or provide a quality
appearance).
(Evaluation Results on Criterion E)
[0066] As for the criterion E, the value B (gfcm.sup.2/cm) of the
flexural property of every specimen of the working examples 11 to
16 and the comparative examples 12 to 14 is far below the value B
(0.2300 gfcm.sup.2/cm) of the comparative example 11. It is thus
verified that improvement in texture is realized by application of
a moisturizer.
[0067] From the above-described evaluation results on the criteria
D and E, it is quantitatively verified that improvements in texture
and appearance can both be realized at a higher level by forming
the cosmetic puff of materials corresponding to the specimens of
the working examples 11 to 16.
[0068] The specimens of the comparative examples 12 to 14 each have
relatively small pitches, compared with the specimens of the
working examples 11 to 16. Therefore, the pitches between adjacent
moisturizer application regions are kept unchanged only shortly
after application of the moisturizer, but the moisturizer may
spread with the passage of time and reduce the pitches finally to
almost zero (almost in the state of overall application). As a
result, the dry thickness may be reduced. Therefore, if the initial
pitches between adjacent moisturizer application regions can be
kept unchanged even during use of the product by the user, the
pitches and the application width of the moisturizer are not
limited to the settings defined in the working examples 11 to 16,
but can be appropriately set as necessary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0069] FIG. 1 is a perspective external view showing a cosmetic
puff 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0070] FIG. 2 shows results of evaluation of each specimen in
working examples 1 to 7 and comparative examples 1 and 2 on
criteria A, B, C.
[0071] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cosmetic puff 200 according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cosmetic puff 200 which is
taken along line AWA in FIG. 3.
[0073] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cosmetic puff 300 according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0074] FIG. 6 shows results of evaluation of each specimen in
working examples 11 to 16 and comparative examples 11 to 14 on
criteria D and E.
DESCRIPTION OF NUMERALS
[0075] 100, 200, 300 cosmetic puff [0076] 110 inner layer [0077]
120, 220, 320 surface layer [0078] 221, 321 moisturizer application
region [0079] 222, 322 moisturizer non-application region
* * * * *