U.S. patent application number 13/865836 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-23 for powder dispensing pad.
The applicant listed for this patent is C.B. Fleet Company Incorporated. Invention is credited to Charles H. Cox.
Application Number | 20140311511 13/865836 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51728065 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140311511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cox; Charles H. |
October 23, 2014 |
POWDER DISPENSING PAD
Abstract
A powder dispensing pad comprises a bottom barrier layer, a top
barrier layer, a seal circumferentially sealing the top and the
bottom barrier layers, a storage layer between the top and bottom
barrier layers, and a metering layer having pores between the
storage layer and the top barrier layer.
Inventors: |
Cox; Charles H.; (Concord,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
C.B. Fleet Company Incorporated; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51728065 |
Appl. No.: |
13/865836 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/200 ;
132/293; 156/60; 401/261 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 156/10 20150115;
A45D 33/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/200 ;
401/261; 132/293; 156/60 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/02 20060101
A45D033/02 |
Claims
1. A powder dispensing pad, comprising: (1) a bottom barrier layer,
(2) a top barrier layer, (3) a seal, circumferentially sealing the
top and the bottom barrier layers, (4) a storage layer, between the
top and bottom barrier layers, (5) a metering layer, having pores,
between the storage layer and the top barrier layer, and (6) a
powder, between the bottom barrier layer and the top barrier
layer.
2. The powder dispensing pad of claim 1, further comprising holes
in the top barrier layer, through which the powder may be
dispensed.
3. The powder dispensing pad of claim 2, further comprising: (7) a
sealing layer, on the top barrier layer and covering the holes, and
(8) an adhesive layer, adhering the sealing layer to the top
barrier layer.
4. The powder dispensing pad of claim 1, further comprising a
container, within which is the powder dispensing pad.
5. The powder dispensing pad of claim 4, wherein the container is a
plastic bag.
6. The powder dispensing pad of claim 2, wherein the powder
dispensing pad is folder in half, so that each half of the top
barrier layer face each other, and a seal on the top barrier layer,
for holding each half of the top barrier layer together.
7. The powder dispensing pad of claim 1, further comprising a cover
layer having a line of perforations.
8. The powder dispensing pad of claim 1, wherein the powder is
between the bottom barrier layer and the metering layer.
9. The powder dispensing pad of claim 8, wherein the powder is
between the storage layer and the bottom barrier layer.
10. The powder dispensing pad of claim 8, wherein the powder is
within the storage layer.
11. The powder dispensing pad of claim 8, wherein an amount of the
powder present is a unit dose.
12. The powder dispensing pad of claim 8, wherein the powder is a
cosmetic powder.
13. The powder dispensing pad of claim 8, wherein the powder is a
medicated powder.
14-19. (canceled)
20. The powder dispensing pad of claim 3, wherein: an amount of the
powder present is a unit dose, the holes have a diameter of 4 to 6
mm the pores have a diameter of 0.8 to 1.25 mm, and a thickness of
the storage layer is 2 to 4 mm.
21. A packaged set of powder dispensing pads, comprising: a pad
dispenser, and a plurality of the powder dispensing pads of claim
1, in the pad dispenser.
22. A method of applying powder, comprising: applying a single dose
of the powder from the powder dispensing pad of claim 8, and
discarding the powder dispensing pad.
23. A method of making the powder dispensing pad of claim 1,
comprising: placing the powder on the bottom barrier layer; placing
astorage layer on the bottom barrier layer, on the powder; placing
the metering layer on the storage layer; placing the top barrier
layer on the metering layer; forming the seal, by pressing the top
barrier layer against the bottom barrier layer and applying heat;
and sealing the holes in the top barrier layer by placing the
sealing layer on the top barrier layer.
24. A powder dispensing pad containing a unit dose of powder.
25-26. (canceled)
27. A packaged set of powder dispensing pads, comprising: a pad
dispenser, and a plurality of the powder dispensing pads of claim
24, in the pad dispenser.
28. A package set of powder dispensing pads, comprising a plurality
of the powder dispensing pads of claim 24.
29-30. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Powders have traditionally been dispensed in a variety of
ways. For example, baby powder and medicated powders have typically
been dispensed from a bottle, where the top of the bottle contains
holes. The bottle contains enough powder to be dispensed many
times.
[0002] Cosmetic powders are typically dispensed from a compact,
using a brush. The powder is compacted into a solid disk, placed
into a plastic container with a lid that snaps shut. The brush is
used to loosen a small amount of powder, which is then transferred
from the brush to the skin. The compact contains enough powder to
be dispensed many times.
SUMMARY
[0003] In a first aspect, the present invention is a powder
dispensing pad, comprising (1) a bottom barrier layer, (2) a top
barrier layer, (3) a seal, circumferentially sealing the top and
the bottom barrier layers, (4) a storage layer, between the top and
bottom barrier layers, and (5) a metering layer, having pores,
between the storage layer and the top barrier layer.
[0004] In a second aspect, the present invention is a method of
making a powder dispensing pad, comprising placing the powder on
the bottom barrier layer; placing a storage layer on the bottom
barrier layer, on the powder; placing the metering layer on the
storage layer; placing the top barrier layer on the metering layer;
forming the seal, by pressing the top barrier layer against the
bottom barrier layer and applying heat; and sealing the holes in
the top barrier layer by placing the sealing layer on the top
barrier layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a powder dispending
pad.
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of the powder
dispensing pad of FIG. 1 taken along line 1-1.
[0007] FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of the powder dispending
pad of FIG. 1 without the cover layer.
[0008] FIG. 3B depicts an enlarged perspective view of a portion of
the powder dispensing pad of FIG. 3A.
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of a powder dispensing
pad.
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a powder dispensing
pad.
[0011] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a powder dispensing
pad.
[0012] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a powder dispensing pad
in a pad dispenser.
[0013] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a powder dispensing pad
and a pad dispenser for dispensing the pad.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of a method of making a
powder dispensing pad.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention makes use of the discovery of a powder
dispensing pad. The powder dispensing pad includes a bottom barrier
layer, and a top barrier layer. The top and bottom barrier layers
are sealed together, to maintain the powder between them before
being dispensed. Inside the powder dispensing pad is a storage
layer, with the powder present within the storage layer, or the
powder being present between the storage layer and the bottom
barrier layer. A metering layer having pores is present between the
storage layer and the top barrier layer, to evenly meter out the
powder to the top barrier layer. The top barrier layer includes
holes, to dispense the powder. Other optional layers may be
present, including a sealing layer having an adhesive layer, for
covering the holes in the top barrier layer prior to use. The
powder dispensing pad may also be in a container, such as a plastic
bag, or a container for holding a plurality of the powder
dispensing pads.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a powder dispensing pad, 100, within a
container, 190, for example a sealed clear plastic bag. The powder
dispensing pad includes a top barrier layer, 140, and a bottom
barrier layer, 110, which are sealed together, for example at seal
160. The top and bottom barrier layer are made of a material
impervious to passage of the powder contained within the dispenser,
and optionally are also a barrier to fluid but allow for the
passage of air, or alternatively are gas tight. The top barrier
layer includes dispensing holes (not illustrated) which are covered
and sealed by a sealing layer, 150, on the top barrier layer.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the powder dispensing
pad, 100, taken along line 1-1 shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, a
powder, 170, is between the bottom sealing layer, 110, and a
storage layer, 120. The storage layer is preferably a very porous
non-woven material having loft. A metering layer, 130, separates
the storage layer from the top barrier layer, 140. The storage
layer helps hold the powder within the dispenser, delivering the
powder slowly to the metering layer. The metering layer is
preferably made of a material though which the powder cannot pass,
except for the presence of pores through which the powder may pass.
The density and size of the pores in the metering layer determines
how much powder may be dispensed, and ensures that the powder is
evenly dispensed across its surface.
[0018] Also illustrated in FIG. 2 are optional sublayers of the top
and bottom barrier layers, 140 and 110, respectively. Preferably,
the top barrier layer includes an outer fabric sublayer 144 on an
inner membrane 142; similarly the bottom barrier layer includes an
outer fabric sublayer 114 on an inner membrane 112. The outer
fabric layers provide a cloth-like feel to the exterior of the
dispenser 100, while the inner membranes, preferably formed from a
thin membrane of a polymeric material, prevent the passage of
powder and optionally prevent the passage of fluid, or further
optionally prevent the passage of air. In the case where the
membranes contain a thermoplastic polymer film, then the seal, 160,
made be made by heating while pressing the two membranes together.
Also shown in FIG. 2 is an adhesive layer, 152, for adhering the
sealing layer, 150, on the top barrier layer, 140, and the
container 190.
[0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates the powder dispensing pad, 100,
of FIG. 1, with the sealing layer removed, to reveal more detail of
the top barrier layer, 140, and the metering layer, 130; FIG. 3B is
an expanded view of the subsection of FIG. 3A labeled "3B". As
show, the top barrier layer includes a plurality of holes, 146,
through which the powder is dispensed. These holes are covered by
the sealing layer in FIG. 1. Visible through the holes, 146, is the
metering layer, 130, which includes pores, 132, which are smaller
than the holes in the top barrier layer. Also illustrated is the
seal, 160, and the bottom barrier layer, 110.
[0020] In a variation, the top barrier layer, bottom barrier layer
and the seal between them, are all gas tight. Furthermore, the
sealing layer and the adhesive layer are also gas tight. When the
sealing layer is applied, or when the seal is formed, whichever is
carried out last, the powder dispensing pad is either flattened
using pressure or is placed under low pressure gas. This will
effectively create a vacuum or low pressure within the powder
dispensing pad, which is maintained until the sealing layer is
removed. Once opened, the storage layer will act as a spring, and
expand the powder dispensing pad when the full loft of the storage
layer returns. In this way, the powder dispensing pad will be
thinner during storage, and prior to use.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the powder dispensing pad has an
oval shape; other shapes, such as a square or a circle, are also
possible. The size of the dispenser may be any size convenient for
the user to hold. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the minor axis
of the oval shaped dispenser, W.sub.2, may be for example 3 to 20
cm, more preferably 6 to 14 cm, and most preferably 8 to 10 cm,
while the major axis (perpendicular to line 1-1 in FIG. 1) may be
for example 4 to 27 cm, more preferably 8 to 19 cm, and most
preferably 11 to 13 cm. The sealing layer covers the holes in the
top barrier layer, and is appropriately shaped and sized. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the sealing layer has an oval shape. For
example, as shown in FIG. 2, the minor axis of the oval shaped
sealing layer, W.sub.1, may be for example 2.25 to 15 cm, more
preferably 4.5 to 10.5 cm, and most preferably 6 to 7.5 cm, while
the major axis (perpendicular to line 1-1 in FIG. 1) may be for
example 3 to 20 cm, more preferably 6 to 14 cm, and most preferably
8 to 10 cm.
[0022] The thickness of the storage layer, illustrated in FIG. 2 as
t.sub.1, may be for example 1 to 5 mm, more preferably 2 to 4 mm.
The total thickness of the dispenser, illustrated in FIG. 2 as
t.sub.2, may be for example 0.5 to 5 mm greater than the thickness
of the storage layer, t.sub.1. The diameter of the holes in the top
barrier layer, illustrated in FIG. 3B as d.sub.2, may be for
example 2 to 10 mm, including 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 mm. The
diameter of the pores in the metering layer, illustrated in FIG. 3B
as d.sub.1, is always less than that of the holes in the top
barrier layer, t.sub.2, and may be for example 0.2 to 3 mm,
including 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2 and
2.5 mm. The edge-to-edge distance between the holes in the top
barrier layer, illustrated in FIG. 3A as s.sub.2, may be similar to
the diameter of the holes, d.sub.2, and may be for example 2 to 10
mm, including 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 mm. The edge-to-edge distance
between the pores in the metering layer, illustrated in FIG. 3B as
s.sub.1, may be similar to the diameter of the pores, d.sub.1, and
may be for example 0.2 to 3 mm, including 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7,
0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mm.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of a variation of a
powder dispensing pad, similar to powder dispensing pad 100 taken
along line 1-1 shown in FIG. 1. In this variation, the powder, 170,
is dispersed throughout the storage layer, 120. Other elements are
the same as those illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates another variation of a powder dispensing
pad, 100, which does not include a sealing layer. Instead, the
powder dispensing pad is folded so that one-half of the top barrier
layer, 140, faces the other half of the top barrier layer. A seal,
180, is present on the top barrier layer, to maintain each half of
the top barrier layer against each other, to prevent exposure of
the holes, 146, and prevent escape of the powder. Prior to use, a
user may break the seal and unfold the powder dispensing pad,
exposing the holes, 146, to allow for application of the powder.
Other elements of this variation of a powder dispensing pad are the
same as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 (except for the absence of
the sealing layer and adhesive layer). The seal, 180, may be made
of the same adhesive as adhesive layer, 152, illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a cut-away view of another variation of a
powder dispensing pad, 100, which does not include a sealing layer,
but instead includes a cover layer, 350. The cover layer, 350, is
on the top barrier layer, 140, and includes one or more lines of
perforations, 380, such as a single line (illustrated), two
parallel lines, or two perpendicular lines. The line or lines of
perforations have a length which is less than a diameter of the top
barrier layer, 140, and do not intersect an edge of the cover
layer, 350. Prior to use, a user may tug apart the line or lines of
perforations, separating the edges of the perforated line or lines,
forming a gap in the cover layer. This gap will expose the
underlying top barrier layer and holes, and the metering layer, to
allow the user to dispense the powder.
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a cut-away view of a pad dispenser, 400,
for containing a plurality of powder dispensing pads, 100 (although
only a single powder dispensing pad is present in the
illustration). The pad dispenser, 400, includes a body, 430, and a
lid, 420, which is movably attached to the body. At the top of the
body is a top surface, 412, of the body which includes an opening,
410, through which a powder dispensing pad may be removed. The
opening may have any shape, including a slit, or cross-shaped
slits, as illustrate. In a variation, each of the powder dispensing
pads may be attached to each other by a weak attachment, so that as
a first powder dispensing pad is pulled out of the pad dispenser
and through the cross-shaped slits, the next powder dispensing pad
to which it is attached is pulled part-way through the slits before
the weak attachment is broken.
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a variation of a pad dispenser, 500, for
containing a plurality of powder dispensing pads, 100 (although
only a single dispenser is present in the illustration). The pad
dispenser, 500, includes a body, 530. At the top of the body is a
top surface, 512, of the body which includes an opening, 510,
through which a powder dispensing pad may be removed. The opening
as illustrated is a slit. In a variation, each of the powder
dispensing pads may be attached to each other by a weak attachment,
so that as a first powder dispensing pad is pulled out of the pad
dispenser and through the slit, the next powder dispensing pad to
which it is attached is pulled part-way through the slit before the
weak attachment is broken. As illustrated, the powder dispensing
pad is part-way through the slit.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method of making the powder
dispensing pad of FIG. 1. In step 900, the powder is applied to the
bottom barrier layer. Next, in step 910, the storage layer is
applied onto the powder on the bottom barrier layer. Next, in step
920, the metering layer is applied to the storage layer. Next, in
step 930, the top barrier layer containing holes is applied to the
metering layer. Next, in step 940, the seal is formed by heating
and applying pressure along the location for the seal. Next, in
step 950, the adhesive layer is applied to the sealing layer. Next,
in step 960, the sealing layer with the adhesive layer on it, is
applied to the top barrier layer, covering the holes in the top
barrier layer. Lastly, in step 970, optionally the now completed
powder dispensing pad is sealed into a container, such as a plastic
pouch.
[0029] Variations of the forming process are possible. For example,
to form the powder dispensing pad shown in FIG. 4, steps 900 and
910 are replaced with two different steps: applying the powder into
the storage layer, and then applying the storage layer to the
bottom barrier layer. In another example, to form the powder
dispensing pad shown in FIG. 5, steps 950 and 960 are replaced with
two different steps: applying an adhesive in a semicircle along the
location of the seal on the top barrier layer, followed by folding
the powder dispensing pad in half.
[0030] Any powder may be included in the powder dispensing pad.
Examples include baby powder, cosmetic powders, and medicated
powders, all of which may be applied to human skin. Preferably, the
powder dispensing pad is intended for a single use, and preferably
contains only enough powder for a single application, referred to
as a unit dose. In the case of a cosmetic powder, the amount of
powder is sufficient for a single application, also referred to as
a unit dose. In the case of medicated powder, a single dosage of
the medication is present in the powder, also referred to as a unit
dose; when the powder dispensing pad contains a unit dose of
medication, the powder dispensing pad may be referred to as a unit
dosage form of the medication. In the case of a baby powder, the
amount of powder is sufficient for a single application to a baby
during a diaper change. Since not all the powder present in the
powder dispensing pad will be dispensed during use, an excess of
the powder may be included so that a unit dose of the powder is
dispensed during use.
* * * * *