U.S. patent application number 16/457943 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-31 for unit dose foam applicator.
The applicant listed for this patent is ELC Management LLC. Invention is credited to Herve F. Bouix, Christophe Jacob.
Application Number | 20200405038 16/457943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004184591 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200405038 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacob; Christophe ; et
al. |
December 31, 2020 |
Unit Dose Foam Applicator
Abstract
A unit dose foam applicator according to the present invention
comprises an anhydrous, water soluble personal care product for
topical use. The product is contained in a pod that is comprised of
water soluble film, and the pod is housed in an opened-cell foam
pouch. The foam applicator is activated by water. Prior to use, it
is preferable if the unit dose foam applicator is disposed in a
water-impermeable packette for retail distribution and storage.
Inventors: |
Jacob; Christophe; (PRADONS,
FR) ; Bouix; Herve F.; (New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ELC Management LLC |
Melville |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004184591 |
Appl. No.: |
16/457943 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 37/00 20130101;
A45D 2040/0093 20130101; A45D 33/34 20130101; A45D 40/26 20130101;
A45D 2200/1018 20130101; A45D 2200/1045 20130101; A45D 34/04
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 37/00 20060101
A45D037/00; A45D 33/34 20060101 A45D033/34; A45D 34/04 20060101
A45D034/04; A45D 40/26 20060101 A45D040/26 |
Claims
1. A unit dose foam applicator (100) comprising: an open-cell foam
pouch (1), a water soluble pod (2) disposed in the foam pouch, and
a water soluble anhydrous product (3) disposed in the water soluble
pod.
2. A unit dose foam applicator (100) according to claim 1, wherein
the foam pouch (1) comprises two sheets of foam that are bonded
together along their perimeter to form a reservoir (1a) inside the
foam pouch.
3. A unit dose foam applicator (100) according to claim 1, wherein
the water soluble pod is made of water soluble gelatin or polyvinyl
alcohol.
4. A unit dose foam applicator (100) according to claim 1, wherein
the amount of product disposed in the water soluble pod is in the
range of 1 mL to 20 mL.
5. A unit dose foam applicator (100) according to claim 1, disposed
in a packette (4).
Description
FILED OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to foam pads for the application of a
water-soluble product to an application surface, especially for the
application of topical treatments, such as cosmetic, personal care
or medicinal products to skin, hair or nails.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the personal care industry, foam pads that are formed
into a pouch are known. The pouch typically houses a water-soluble
cosmetic or personal care product. When water is absorbed into and
through the foam pad, the water soluble product in the pouch
dissolves, and diffuses back out through the foam pad until it
reaches the outer surface of the pad. From there, the product may
be transferred to a surface, such as skin or hair. The transfer is
effected by gliding the foam pad over the surface with some amount
of compression of the pad to squeeze the product out. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,946 discloses foam pads comprised of two sheets
of foam of substantially identical size and contours, which are
superposed edge to edge and between which there is encapsulated a
solid form of a water-soluble or water-emulsifiable product (such
as a cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical product), the two
sheets being held together by at least one weld along their
periphery. The products described in this patent are in the form of
a powder, solid gel or cake. Because the foam is open cell or
half-open cell, powder products have a tendency to leak out through
the foam before the intended use. For the same reason, this design
is even less suitable for liquid or soft gel products.
[0003] Water soluble unit dose packs, sometimes called pods, are
also known. These include pouches made from gelatin or from one or
more water soluble films, like polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). These have
been used to contain a single dose of concentrated detergents and
cleaners for industrial and home use. For example, US2003-148908
discloses an anhydrous detergent encapsulated in a water soluble
film based on polyvinyl alcohol in which it is packaged as a unit
dose. The films used to form pods are typically only a few
thousandths of an inch thick, while the product reservoir is large
enough to hold one dose of product, for example, 2 mL, 5 mL or 10
mL of product. When dropped into water or aqueous solution, the pod
dissolves and releases its contents into the solution. Such unit
dose packs are now common for use in a laundry washing machine or
dishwasher.
OBJECTIVES
[0004] A main objective of the invention is to provide a unit dose
of a topical product in a single-use, disposable foam applicator.
The applicator is activated by water, and able to distribute the
product on an application surface.
SUMMARY
[0005] A unit dose foam applicator according to the present
invention comprises an anhydrous, water soluble personal care
product for topical use. The product is contained in a pod that is
comprised of water soluble film, and the pod is housed in an
opened-cell foam pouch. Prior to use, it is preferable if the foam
applicator is disposed in a water-impermeable packette for retail
distribution and storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1a depicts a unit dose foam applicator according to the
invention.
[0007] FIG. 1b is a cut-away of the applicator of FIG. 1a, in which
a water soluble pod can be seen.
[0008] FIG. 2a depicts a water soluble pod that houses a single
dose of a water soluble anhydrous product.
[0009] FIG. 2b is a cut-away of the water soluble pod of FIG.
2a.
[0010] FIG. 3a depicts a packette in which a unit dose foam
applicator according to the invention may be disposed for retail
distribution and storage.
[0011] FIG. 3b is a cut-away of the packette of FIG. 3a, in which
is disposed a unit dose foam applicator according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The present invention is described in terms of a personal
care or cosmetic product, but other types of products are also
contemplated. These include topical medical treatments, such as
wound care products. The invention is described in terms of
application to a surface of the human body (i.e., skin, hair or
nails), but other types of surfaces are also contemplated. These
include any surfaces in need of cleansing and/or sterilization.
[0013] The term "comprises" means that a recitation of one or more
elements may not be limited to those elements that are explicitly
recited.
[0014] A unit dose foam applicator (100) according to the present
invention comprises an opened-cell foam pouch (1), a water soluble
pod (2) disposed in the foam pouch, and a water soluble anhydrous
product (3) disposed in the water soluble pod. The unit dose foam
applicator preferably comprises a water-impermeable packette
(4).
[0015] The Foam Pouch
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a foam pouch (1) for use in
the present invention may comprise two sheets of foam (1c, 1d) that
are substantially the same size and shape. When laid one sheet on
top of the other, the perimeter of the sheets may be bonded
together by any suitable means, such as high frequency welding,
mechanical compression, adhesive or stitching. This creates a
reservoir (1a) inside the pouch, into which one or more water
soluble elements may be placed prior to completing the perimeter
seal. Suitable foams for this purpose include open cell foams (i.e.
reticulated foams). By "open cell" foam, we mean a foam wherein
more than half of the cells are open. The high concentration of
open cells allows fluids to travel through the foam pouch, in
either direction, which is required by the present invention.
Common open cell foam materials include polyurethane, polyvinyl
chloride, neoprene, polyether, polyester and open cell rubber.
Closed cell foams are specifically excluded, because a liquid
cannot travel through the foam. The size of the cells in the open
cell foam may typically range from 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, but the
invention can be practiced with even smaller cell sizes. The two
sheets of foam can be made of different materials, different
densities, and have different surface features, such as flocking
and color. As long as the pouch remains dry, the water soluble
elements remain encapsulated within the pouch. However, when an
exterior surface (1b) of the pouch is wetted, water is able to flow
through the opened cell structure until it reaches the reservoir
(1a). The water soluble elements within the reservoir become wet
and begin to dissolve.
[0017] The foam applicator can be virtually any shape, but in terms
of a circular applicator, and for the applications envisioned, a
bath product applicator may range from about 50 mm to about 150 mm
in diameter, and hold a quantity of the product between about 5 ml
and about 15 ml. For a cleanser or makeup remover for the face, the
diameter of the applicator may be from about 20 mm to about 50 mm,
and the quantity of product may be from about 2 ml to about 10
ml.
The Water Soluble Pod
[0018] Water that reaches the reservoir (1a) of the pouch (1),
comes into contact with the water soluble elements within the
pouch. The first water soluble element that comes into contact with
water is a water soluble pack or pod (2). A typical water soluble
pod is made from a water soluble gelatin or a polyvinyl alcohol
(PVOH) film that is only a few thousandths of an inch thick. The
water soluble pod may be any shape, but is preferably the same
overall shape as the foam pouch. The interior (2a) of the pod is at
least large enough to hold a single dose of a water soluble
anhydrous product (3). When water in the reservoir (1a) contacts
the pod, the pod begins to dissolve. This exposes the water soluble
product to the water in the reservoir. Preferably, in the course of
a single use of the foam applicator (100), the water soluble pod
completely dissolves.
The Anhydrous Product
[0019] The second water soluble element that comes into contact
with water in the reservoir (1a) is the water soluble anhydrous
product (3). The anhydrous product is sealed in the water soluble
pod (2). Once the pod begins to dissolve, the anhydrous product
comes into contact with water in the reservoir, and also begins to
dissolve. Before it dissolves, the anhydrous product may be solid
or liquid; particulate or gel. The only limitations on the type of
product are that the product be anhydrous to a degree that does not
degrade the water soluble pod before the intended time of use by a
consumer. Of particular interest are substantially anhydrous color
cosmetic products, such as foundations and concealers; sun care
products such as SPF lotions and after-sun treatments; and skin
care products that impart some benefit to the skin. The amount of
product sealed in the water soluble pod may range from 1 mL to 20
mL, for example, 1 mL to 10 mL; 1 mL to 5 mL; 2 mL to 15 mL; 2 mL
to 10 mL; 2 mL to 5 mL, and 5 mL to 15 mL. As the water soluble
anhydrous product (3) dissolves, an aqueous solution accumulates in
the reservoir (1a) of the pouch (1). Preferably, in the course of a
single use of the foam applicator (100), all of the water soluble
anhydrous product dissolves.
The Packette
[0020] Optionally, but preferably, each single unit dose foam
applicator, as described herein, is disposed in its own packette
(4) for retail distribution and storage. Preferably, the packette
is substantially impermeable to water and air. A substantially
water-impermeable packette will ensure that the water soluble pod
(2) and water soluble anhydrous product (3) do not dissolve before
the time of intended use. Thereafter any number of packettes may be
packaged for retail sale. For example, the final product can be a
set box comprising 10 to 30 packettes.
[0021] Alternatively, a number of single unit dose foam applicators
(100) can be packaged into the same water-tight, air-tight bag for
retail distribution. After the bag is opened by a consumer, the
length of time that the pads are exposed to the air may be too
short to adversely affect the product water soluble pod (2) or the
water soluble anhydrous product (3).
Method of Use
[0022] When a user wants to use the single dose foam applicator
according to the invention, she may tear open a packette, and
remove the foam applicator (100). She then wets the foam pouch (1),
and compresses the foam pouch with her hands to drive the water
into the reservoir (1a) of the pouch. As the water soluble
anhydrous product (3) dissolves, an aqueous solution accumulates in
the reservoir (1a) of the pouch (1). As the foam applicator is
further handled and compressed, the aqueous solution of product
diffuses out of the reservoir, through the opened cell structure of
the foam, until it reaches an exterior surface (1b) of the pouch.
From there, the solution of product may be transferred to an
application surface, such as skin, hair or nails. The transfer is
effected by gliding the foam pouch over the surface with some
amount of compression of the pouch to prevent the aqueous solution
from flowing back into the reservoir. The process may continue
until substantially all of the aqueous solution has been released
from the pouch, and transferred to an application surface. The foam
applicator may be used to evenly spread the product on the
application surface, and to touch up or freshen a previously
applied personal care product.
* * * * *