BR112020013822A2 - skin care cloth - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a skin care cloth for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use that includes at least 80% by weight of microfibers whose fibers have a diameter of less than 50 microns and are a mixture of polyamide and polyester, in which the cloth was subjected to a process of division by an alkaline solution treatment, which divides each microfiber and produces fine fibers packed intimately in a parallel structure with a capillary effect and an abrasive effect. The cloth has a surface weight of less than 180 g / m2 and is loaded with active medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic agents. The cloth is a warp knit cloth with a first surface on the opposite side and a second surface on the opposite side, where the first surface is mechanically rough and cut, so that it is soft and compact to leave a minimum of loose fibers possible in the skin during use and which results in an additional widening of the surface of the cloth structure, with a water absorbency of at least four times the weight of the cloth surface.

Description

Invention Patent Report for “CLOTH FOR SKIN CARE”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to a skin care cloth for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use that comprises at least 80% by weight of microfibers whose fibers have a diameter of less than 50 microns and are a mixture of polyamide and polyester, in which the cloth has been subjected to a process of division by an alkaline solution treatment, which divides each microfiber and produces fine fibers packed closely in a parallel structure with a capillary effect and an abrasive effect, and in which the cloth is loaded with agents medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic assets.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNIQUE

[002] Cloths for skin care are known for various uses, in particular for facial use. They usually come in practical sheet sizes to hold in one hand, and they are often folded in a box for the user to pick up a separate sheet. They are usually made from cellulose, which makes them very expensive. Unfortunately, because these cloths tend to tear easily when used in a wet condition, they are not suitable in a humidified environment.

[003] The cloth described in Patent Application Publication No. US 2010-0322989, the content of which is incorporated in its entirety into this document as a reference for all purposes, is a skin care gauze with an abrasive effect and consists of of microfibers that are loaded with active agents and intended for single, wet use. The textile surface was subjected to a division process. Gauze has a grid structure and intermediate grid spaces or interstices. The effect of this grid was to create space for the split microfiber filaments, which are loaded with active agents.

[004] During use, the cloth is wet, usually with water, which washes the active agents in the cloth and brings them to the skin. According to the active agents, they can cleanse the skin, disinfect, apply a cream or humidifier or provide a pharmaceutical product for the medicinal treatment of a region of the skin.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION

[005] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a skin care cloth mentioned at the beginning with an improved water absorbance. It was found that water absorbency is an important criterion for the usefulness of such a cloth. When, for example, cleaning someone's face, it is important that the cloth is wet enough, but not dripping. Also for medical use, it is important that no drop or split pollutes the environment. On the other hand, the cloth itself cannot be too heavy, have a firm grip and a soft feeling on the face. It is additionally unwanted for the cloth to leave loose fibers on the skin.

[006] The skin care cloth, according to the invention, has a surface weight less than 180 g / m2 and is a warp knit cloth. The skin care cloth according to the invention has a first surface and a second surface, which is desirably formed on one side of the cloth which is opposite the cloth side on which the first surface is formed. In addition, the first surface is mechanically rough and cut, so that it becomes soft and compact to leave as little fiber as possible on the skin during use and that results in an additional widening of the surface of the cloth structure, with an absorbency of water at least four times the weight of the cloth surface. The second surface is not mechanically rough. However, the warp mesh structure on the second surface allows for a firm grip on a user's hand when using the cloth. The cloth, according to the invention, is for single use and can be recycled.

[007] During use, the cloth is wet, usually with water, which washes the active agents in the cloth and brings them to the skin. According to the active agents, they can then cleanse the skin, disinfect it, apply a cream or humidifier on it and / or supply the skin with a pharmaceutical product. It can be used on normal skin as well as on damaged and marked skin.

[008] According to one aspect of the invention, the cloth is relatively low in weight per surface area, which is also an economic advantage for a single-use cloth, since the use of raw material is reduced.

[009] It was found that the structure of the cloth is important for the ability to store a fluid. For that reason, the cloth, according to one embodiment of the invention, is a warp knit cloth. Warp knitting is a family of knitting methods in which the thread zigzags along the length of the cloth, that is, it follows adjacent to the knitting columns, instead of a single row. For comparison, mesh across the width of the cloth is called mesh weave.

[010] Since warp mesh requires that the number of separate strands of yarn ("ends") be equal to the number of stitches in a row, warp mesh is almost always machine-made rather than manually. All warp knitted fabrics can be stretched and are much more flexible than woven fabrics. After cutting a woven cloth, a warp or weft may become loose, which is not desired by a skin cloth user. This cannot happen with warp knit cloths. In addition, and in contrast to normal knitted fabrics, warp knitted fabrics are resistant to executions. Due to the relatively complex production with the many loops, the thickness of a warp knitted cloth is relatively larger and the cloth itself is very compact. These structural features facilitate water storage within the cloth and reduce dripping of liquid from the cloth. It has therefore been found that the preferred cloth presented for the use described above is a warp knit cloth.

[011] The warp knit cloth undergoes a division process that divides the microfibers into numerous filaments. This process increases the surface area of the cloth, and the increased surface area allows a greater amount of active agents to be bound in the cloth. In addition, the capillary effect additionally holds water in the interstices between the thin filament members. The abrasive effect of the cloth results from the relatively sharp edges of the filament, with a cross-section of three edges. Due to the abrasive effect, dry cells on the skin can be easily removed, supported by the large amount of water that washes the skin.

[012] The mechanically rough and cut side of the first surface of the cloth additionally increases the surface area of the fibers. The cut eliminates short edges and defines a flattened surface. Preferably, the rough and cut side is then compressed and / or sanitized to become more compact and to prevent filament fibers from becoming loose and sticking to the skin during use. In addition, water absorption is better when the cloth is compact so that it provides a large amount of interstices that form capillary intervals. This first surface, however, remains smooth. Although, for some modalities, it is possible to treat the second surface the same as the first surface, it is preferable that the second surface remains in its original state and is not rough and cut. The second surface is the slightly brighter surface and lends itself to be held firmly by the user, while the first surface resembles the flannel and has a softer and softer appearance to the user's touch.

[013] In a currently preferred embodiment, the cloth, according to the invention, comprises a pure polyamide fiber in addition to the microfiber, which is much thinner than the microfiber. This has the advantage of holding the warp knit cloth together after the splitting process, since the polyamide fiber is not affected by the splitting process.

[014] In an additional currently preferred modality, the active agents are encapsulated in liposomes. This is an advantage for distributing pharmaceutical agents, drugs. Liposomes are composite structures made of phospholipids and can contain small amounts of other molecules. Although liposomes can vary in size from a small micrometer range to dozens of micrometers, unilamellar liposomes are typically in the smallest range to enable their attachment to the surface and accumulation in pathological areas to treat disease.

[015] Additional modalities currently preferred are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[016] Aspects and advantages of the invention are defined in the description in this document, or they can be evident from the description, or they can be learned through the practice of modalities of the invention.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such modalities, and others, after reviewing the specification.

A complete and enabling disclosure of the present invention, which includes its best mode for a person skilled in the art, is set out more particularly in this specification, which includes reference to the attached Figures, in which: Figure 1 shows an image of the second surface an inventive cloth, but before dividing, with a magnification factor 41 times the actual size; Figure 2 shows an image of the first surface of an inventive cloth, but before dividing, with a magnification factor 41 times the actual size; Figure 3 shows an image of the second surface of an inventive cloth after splitting, mechanically rough and cut, but before loading with the agents, with a magnification factor 41 times the actual size; Figure 4 shows an image of the first surface of an inventive cloth after splitting, mechanically rough and cut, but before loading with agents, with a magnification factor 41 times the actual size; Figure 5 shows an image of the second surface of a finished inventive cloth, with a magnification factor 41 times the actual size; Figure 6 shows an image of the first surface of a finished inventive cloth, with a magnification factor 41 times the actual size; Figure 7 shows an image of the cut side of the fibers in an inventive cloth, but before dividing, with a magnification factor 1500 times the actual size; Figure 8 shows an image of the cut side of the fibers of a finished inventive cloth, with a magnification factor 1500 times the actual size; Figure 9 shows an image of an edge view of a finished cloth, according to the invention, with a magnification factor 100 times the actual size;

Figure 10 shows an image of an edge view of a finished cloth, according to the invention, with a magnification factor 75 times the actual size; Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of the section outlined by the square in the image of Figure 10, with a magnification factor 150 times the actual size shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of the section outlined by the square in the image in Figure 11, with a magnification factor 680 times the actual size shown in Figure 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLIFICATIVE MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION

[017] Reference will now be made in detail to the current exemplary modalities of the invention, in which one or more examples of which are illustrated in the attached figures. The detailed description uses numerical designations to refer to the features in the drawings. Similar or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to similar or similar parts of the modalities of the invention.

[018] Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope or spirit. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one modality can be used in another modality to yield an additional modality. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention should cover such modifications and variations as falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[019] It should be noted that the bands and limits mentioned in this document include all sub-bands located within the prescribed limits, including the limits themselves unless otherwise defined. For example, a range of 100 to 200 also includes all possible sub-ranges, examples of which are 100 to 150, 170 to 190, 153 to 162, 145.3 to 149.6, and 187 to 200. Additionally,

a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5, as well as all sub-ranges within the limit, such as from about 0 to 5, which includes 0 and includes 5 and the from 5.2 to 7, which includes 5.2 and includes 7.

[020] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a second surface 2 of a skin care cloth for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use that comprises at least 80% by weight of microfibers 3 whose fibers have a diameter of less than 50 microns and are a mixture of polyamide and polyester, where the cloth has a surface weight of less than 180 g / m2, where the cloth is a warp knit cloth. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a first surface 1 of a skin care cloth shown in Figure 1. However, in Figures 1 and 2, the cloth is shown in its unprocessed and untreated state.

[021] Figures 3 and 4 show the same cloth as Figures 1 and 2, except that the cloth shown in Figures 3 and 4 was additionally subjected to a division process by an alkaline solution treatment, which divides each microfiber 3 shown in Figure 3 so that it produces fibers or thin filaments 5 (Figure 4) that are intimately packed in a parallel structure that forms interstices with a capillary effect and the filaments 5 that produce an abrasive effect upon contact with the user's skin. The first surface 1 shown in Figure 4 is additionally mechanically rough and cut, making it soft and compact to result in an additional surface enlargement of the cloth structure while reducing the cloth's ability to lose loose cloth fibers so that the minimum possible fiber adheres to the skin during and immediately after use. The water absorbency of this resulting cloth, shown in Figure 4, is at least four times its surface weight.

[022] Figures 5 and 6 show the same cloth as Figures 3 and 4, except that the cloth shown in Figures 5 and 6 was additionally loaded with active medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic agents, which cannot be discerned with the naked eye in 5 and 6. Preferably, the second surface 2 shown in Figure 5 is not rough and, therefore, firm and readily capable of being grasped by the user. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the cloth shown in Figures 5 and 6 was additionally compressed and / or sanitized to make it more compact.

[023] As an example, microfibers can comprise 40% by weight of polyamide and 60% by weight, +/- 5% in each case. In addition, microfibers can desirably weigh in the range of about 150-200 dtex.

[024] According to the images shown in all Figures of the skin care cloth, the cloth comprises, in addition to microfiber 3, a pure polyamide fiber 4 which can have a weight in the range of about 38-55 dtex. The pure polyamide fiber 4 does not change after the splitting process. The pure polyamide fiber 4 can easily be identified in the Figures.

[025] It has been found that a currently preferred cloth, according to the invention, has an average stack height on the first soft surface 1 in a range of about 10% to 60% of the total thickness of the cloth, preferably in a range of about 25-55%. In addition, the best warp knit cloth has a stitch count in a range of about 16 to 20 stitches per centimeter.

[026] In some embodiments, the active agents are desirably encapsulated in liposomes. Preferably, the active agents are particles with diameters in the range of about 20 to 130 nanometers.

[027] The cloth can be loaded with active agents in the range of about 5 g to 20 g of active agents per square meter of the cloth, preferably in the range of about 9 g to 15 g / m2. Individual sheet modalities of the cloth may desirably have an area of between about 100 to 300 cm2, preferably about 190 to 220 cm2.

[028] Figures 7 and 8 show the fibers present in the cloth, according to Figures 1 and 2 (Figure 7) and Figures 5 and 6 (Figure 8), but in an enlarged view. When comparing the state of the cloth at the different stages shown in these Figures, it can be seen that the microfibers 3 build a rope before dividing and are separated into single filament fibers 5 after dividing. Furthermore, it can be seen that the polyamide fiber 4 remains intact.

[029] Figures 9 to 12 show views of the edge of the edge (revealed by a cross section through a sheet) of the finished cloth, according to the invention, with different degrees of magnification. In Figures 9 and 10, the polyamide fiber 4, which holds the cloth together even after medical treatment, is close to the second surface 2, while the first surface 1 is soft with filament 5.

[030] As indicated by the rectangle shown in Figures 10 and 11, each of Figures 11 and 12 shows an additional magnification of a section taken from its previous Figure 10 and 11. The polyamide fibers 4 can easily be identified and distinguished from the filament fibers 5 of the divided microfibers 3.

[031] Cloth modalities, according to the invention, have shown good results in water absorption tests and are preferred in use for skin of all types, which include facial uses, medical uses, pharmaceutical uses and cosmetic uses.

LIST OF REFERENCE ALGARISMS 1 First surface 2 Second surface 3 Microfiber 4 Polyamide fiber 5 Microfiber filament after division

Claims (15)

1. Skin care cloth for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use characterized by comprising 80% by weight of microfibers whose fibers have a diameter of less than 50 microns and which are a mixture of polyamide and polyester, in which the cloth has been subjected to a division process by an alkaline solution treatment, which divides each microfiber and produces fine fibers packed closely in a parallel structure that has a capillary effect and an abrasive effect, in which the cloth has a surface weight less than 180 g / m2 and is loaded with active medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic agents, where the cloth is a warp mesh cloth that has a first and a second surface, where the first surface is mechanically rough and cut, so that it is soft and compact to leave as little fiber as possible on the skin during use and which results in an additional widening of the cloth structure surface, with a water absorbency of at least four times the surface weight of the cloth. 2. Skin care cloth according to claim 1, characterized in that the second surface is not rough and therefore sticky and firm. Skin care cloth according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cloth has been sanitized to become more compact. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the microfibers comprise 40% by weight of polyamide and 60% by weight of polyester, +/- 5% in each case. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the microfibers weigh 150 to 200 dtex. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in addition to the microfiber, the cloth comprises a pure polyamide fiber with a weight of 38 to 55 dtex. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the height of the pile is, on average, 10% to 60% of the total thickness of the cloth. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the height of the pile is, on average, 25 to 55% of the total thickness of the cloth. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the warp knit cloth has a stitch count of 16 to 20 stitches per centimeter. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the active agents are encapsulated in liposomes. 11. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the active agents are particles having diameters between 20 and 130 nanometers. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cloth is loaded with 5 g to 20 g of active agents per square meter of the cloth. 13. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cloth is loaded with 9 g to 15 g of active agents per square meter of the cloth. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cloth has an area of about 100 to 300 cm2. Skin care cloth according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cloth has an area of about 190 to 220 cm2.