EP1038793B1 - Article comprenant une système cellulaire - Google Patents

Article comprenant une système cellulaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1038793B1
EP1038793B1 EP19990870052 EP99870052A EP1038793B1 EP 1038793 B1 EP1038793 B1 EP 1038793B1 EP 19990870052 EP19990870052 EP 19990870052 EP 99870052 A EP99870052 A EP 99870052A EP 1038793 B1 EP1038793 B1 EP 1038793B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cell
cell system
article
opening means
easy
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19990870052
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1038793A1 (fr
Inventor
Georg Rudolf Theobakd Bechmann
Neil John Rogers
Joseph Fernand Deflander
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Procter and Gamble Co
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Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Priority to DE1999627939 priority Critical patent/DE69927939T2/de
Priority to EP19990870052 priority patent/EP1038793B1/fr
Priority to AU38910/00A priority patent/AU3891000A/en
Priority to EP00918030A priority patent/EP1163164A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US2000/006984 priority patent/WO2000056626A1/fr
Publication of EP1038793A1 publication Critical patent/EP1038793A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1038793B1 publication Critical patent/EP1038793B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B65D81/3261—Flexible containers having several compartments
    • B65D81/3272—Flexible containers having several compartments formed by arranging one flexible container within another

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to articles comprising one or several cells filled with an active composition wherein the cells are made out of a material which is a barrier to liquids, gases and vapors, said cells further comprising an easy-rupturing means.
  • Disposable articles comprising at least one capsule filled with an active composition associated to a substrate, for example a cotton pad are representative of the various articles to which the present invention can apply; such disposable articles typically comprise at least one capsule filled with an active composition and at least one element made out of an dispersing material. At the time the user breaks the capsules, their contents spreads onto the dispersing material and the disposable article is ready to use.
  • US 4.878.775 is a US patent to 3M. It discloses a device comprising burstable microcapsules containing a liquid, at least one sheet of a carrying substrate, and at least one sheet of a flexible liquid permeable material overlaying the microcapsules. Pressure on the device breaks the microcapsules and the liquid is dispensed on/through the liquid permeable sheet.
  • US 3.768.916 is a US patent to Medical Supply C y . It discloses a sponge comprising a hollow portion into which a glass ampoule is inserted.
  • US 5.090.832 (D3) is a US patent to Colgate It discloses a disposable pad comprising a scrubber layer, a blotter layer of absorptive material and a liquid impervious sheet located between the scrubber and the blotter layers. The pad further comprises at least one packet containing sufficient cleaning material to saturate the scrubber layer when ruptured.
  • FR 2.754.744 (D4) is a French patent application to A, Soares Duarte. It discloses a flexible film comprising cells filled with liquid. The cells are ruptured when pressure is exerted and the contained liquid is released and impregnates a support.
  • DE 3.545.926 A1 (D5) is a German application to A.G. ceremoniesauf. It discloses a system in which the capsules are made out of a material which does not rupture, but in which the seals between the two constitutive layers of said capsules are delaminated under pressure. Then, the capsule's contents is free to flow between said layers up to punctured holes through which it is dispensed.
  • EP 0 294 189 A2 (D6) is a German patent application to Jaypak Ltd. It discloses a flexible bag combined to an absorbent applicator. The bag is burst to release the liquid inside the applicator.
  • WO9403369 (D7) from Avitar describes a treatment delivery system which uses a burstable, thin film plastic inner pouch containing a treatment solution fixedly positioned in an outer container.
  • the outer container also contain a dry foam appliance which, when the inner pouch is burst, comes into contact with the active solution and absorbs it.
  • US3826259 (D8) from Health Products, describes a self-contained disposable medication applicator with an encapsulated active liquid wherein a relatively rigid section of material is provided with a recess to hold the fluid and a flexible strip has one part thereof sealed to the relatively rigid material to close off the recess and encapsulate the liquid.
  • WO9704831 (D9) from Cantwell, provides a topical hyperbaric bandage comprising a reservoir for a source of therapeutic gas in liquid form. Gas from the reservoir is formed by breaking the reservoir and putting the liquid in the reservoir in contact with a reactive substance or catalyst, after the bandage has been secured to the skin.
  • D1 discloses an article comprising microcapsules filled with a liquid composition.
  • the size of the capsules is less than 3mm in diameter because of the material they are made of. This limits the range of uses because the volume of contained liquid is limited.
  • Some inventions such as the one disclosed for example in D2, comprise a capsule filled with an active composition which is made out of glass. While such capsules can contain large amounts of active composition, they are made out of glass, or similar rigid materials, which become dangerous for the user once they are broken.
  • Documents D3 to D9 disclose articles wherein the capsules are not limited in volume, and are made out of a material which breaks without a risk of injury for the user - in most cases, the material is a substantially flexible film -.
  • the capsules need to be filled with an active composition which is sensitive to gases, vapors, or in some cases, light.
  • the present invention is directed to a cell system comprising at least one burstable cell filled with an active composition, the cell system being characterized in that each of said at least one cell comprises at least one easy opening means and wherein the material for making said at least one cell is selected from
  • the article of the present invention has one or multiple enclosures or closed cells which contain fluid or solid (including powdered) products, preferably liquid products, which are released from the individually sealed enclosures via the increase of internal pressure within the enclosure eventually leading to rupture of one of the enclosing materials or a seal that may be present between two pieces of enclosing material.
  • a gas-producing reaction can be initiated to increase the cell's internal pressure to the point of rupture.
  • the invention is more generally related to a single or multiple cell system connected by some means to create an article or substrate of a system of chamber(s) or cell(s).
  • the cells are ruptured by one means or another thus opening the chambers to exposure to: (i) the outside environment; (ii) an internal constrained (but larger volume) environment within the system or article; or, (iii) other fluids (e.g. gases) outside of the original chambers which may enter into the previously sealed chambers.
  • the purpose of such exposure is to provide a useful benefit to the user including but not limited to: dispensing fluids or solids (including powders) in the cells to contact and optionally disperse onto a target surface for a variety of purposes ; mixing different materials from different cells to cause a useful chemical reaction as described above ; exposing a reactive material to a fluid (e.g. gaseous air or liquid water) found in the environment to cause a useful chemical reaction where either the chemical composition or even the phase state of the end products of the reaction or the energy/heat flow of the reaction may be the useful endpoint sought; exposing a fluid or solid to the gaseous environment for the purpose of volatilizing and distributing components of said fluids or solids.
  • a fluid e.g. gaseous air or liquid water
  • the article of this invention optionally but preferably features a support dispersing material designed to absorb the product upon release.
  • This support material is designed to assist the user in the application of the product.
  • barrier properties are required to prevent significant product(s) loss through permeation (i.e. less than 10 % product loss/year at 35°C/20% RH and the product(s) must keep the activity it is designed for).
  • the barrier properties of the closed cell(s) level are provided by a high barrier material. Furthermore, it has been found that most of such barrier materials are difficult to rupture, and thus an easy opening means is preferably added to the cells.
  • the article (1) is provided with a cell system (10) which comprises at least one cell (11) filled with an active composition, which can be either solid, particles, granulates, powder, liquid, or even a gas, but is preferably a liquid composition.
  • an active composition which can be either solid, particles, granulates, powder, liquid, or even a gas, but is preferably a liquid composition.
  • the cell system (10) can comprise two or more cells, filled with the same, or different compositions (see example of contained compositions below).
  • the cell system (10) can be used by itself, or it can also be coupled to a solid medium, for example a dispersing support (12) or an absorbent support. It can also be integrated into a pouch filled with liquid or gas.
  • a cell (11) comprises a bottom (13) and a dome (14).
  • the dome (14) can be made out of a flat film which is deformed into the cavities of a mold, for example by a thermoforming process. Once filled with the active composition, the dome (14) is closed by sealing the bottom (13) which preferably is a flat film.
  • the cells (11) are ruptured by applying a constraint onto their surface which can be mechanical such as a pressure, a tearing or peeling movement; or a chemical reaction which dissolves the surface of the cell.
  • the cells (11) are burst when the user applies a compression force on the top or the sides of the cell, as shown for example in figure 6c. This leads to rupture one portion of the dome (14) of the cell (11).
  • the cell (11) normally ruptures in its dome portion (14). This is due either to the fact that the material used to make the cell bottom is chosen as more resistant to rupture than the material for the dome (14), or in case the same materials are used for forming the bottom (13) and the dome (14), this is due to the manufacturing process: since the dome (14) is thermoformed in this example, its constitutive material thins down in at least one point, where mechanical properties, and especially resistance to burst, are decreased. In another embodiment , the cells (14) are chemically dissolved. In another embodiment, rupture of the cell is achieved by an easy opening means, as will be further described hereafter.
  • the cells (11) can have any shapes or dimensions, such as for example parallelepipedic, oval or hemispheric, but while not being limited, their volume is preferably comprised within the range of 0.01 to 5.0 ml, more preferably within the range of 0.4 to 2.0 ml.
  • their diameter is preferably comprised within the range of 10 to 20 mm and their depth is between 6 and 15 mm.
  • 50 to 99% of one cell's volume is filled with liquid.
  • the cell (11) is preferably made out of a liquid impervious material.
  • the cell's material should preferably feature good sealing properties and mechanical properties such that the user can rupture the cells to get the contained active composition out by applying a reasonable force, while the cells need to be strong enough not to rupture prematurely, for example during manufacturing, storage or transportation.
  • the material shall be chosen such that it does not produce sharp particles once broken, especially glass shall not be used since it produces glass splinters which can be very dangerous for example when the article (1) is used for facial/body cleaning purposes.
  • the cells (11) have the shape of sachets, as shown for example in figure 11.
  • Such sachets (11) are made out of a film which is folded and sealed.
  • the film is a high barrier film as described hereafter.
  • the sachet also comprises an easy opening means, more preferably it comprises at least one peelable seal (23) which ruptures when the user applies sufficient pressure on the sachet (11).
  • the force to be applied by the user to rupture one cell or sachet is substantially comprised within the range of 10 to 80 N (force applied on top of the cell).
  • the force to be applied to burst the cells (11) is less than 60 N, more preferably less than 40 N. Most preferably it is comprised within the range of 10 to 20 N. It has been found that this force to burst usually decreases for a same cell when the force is applied on the sides for substantially hemispheric shaped cells.
  • the material for making the cells is defined as a barrier material.
  • a barrier material is defined as having a permeation of less than 10% product loss/year at 35°C/20%RH, so that the active composition keeps the activity it has been designed for.
  • properties are achieved by using a film which is: liquid impervious in that no liquid passes through it after 30 sec.; a barrier to vapors/solvents in that its water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) is less than 6g/sqm/day at 40°C/90%RH; and optionally a barrier to gases in that its O 2 TR (oxygen transmission rate) is less than 200cc/sqm/day/atm at 23°C/50%RH.
  • WVTR water vapor transmission rate
  • O 2 TR oxygen transmission rate
  • the barrier film can have one thick layer of a thermoplastic, but is preferably a laminate material comprising at least one layer of a barrier material such as an aluminium laminate for example, which is sandwiched between thermoplastic outer layers, for good sealing properties of the film.
  • the film is laminated comprising at least one aluminium layer which gives very good barrier properties to liquids, gas and vapors, for example a LDPE/Alu/PET having a thickness of respectively m/9 ⁇ m/12 ⁇ m.
  • Other options can be to use thick thermoplastics, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) more than 50 ⁇ m thick, or polypropylene (PP) more than 100 ⁇ m thick, or low density polyethylene (LDPE) more than 150 ⁇ m thick.
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • PP polypropylene
  • LDPE low density polyethylene
  • the cell made out of a laminate material has the shape of a sachet, as shown in figures 11 and 12.
  • a sachet is preferably manufactured with a vertical (VFFS) or a horizontal (HFFS) form fill & seal process.
  • VFFS vertical
  • HFFS horizontal
  • Such forming processes are well know in the art of making sachets and pouches.
  • a film is folded in halves and sealed on its periphery to close the pouch.
  • a weak seal can be formed in the middle part of the sachet, as shown in figure 12, such as to create to compartments, which can be connected when the seal is broken (for example upon application of a pressure on one of the compartments).
  • the thickness of the material used for making the cells should be adapted to the nature of the material which is used, so that said thickness is as little as possible while keeping barrier properties as defined above. It is preferably comprised within the range of 35 to 90 ⁇ m, more preferably within the range of 35 to 50 ⁇ m. When the thickness is below 35 ⁇ m, it was found that manufacturing problems appear, for example wrinkles appear during thermoforming, and the force to rupture the cells is decreased - typically below 10 N - which leads to premature burst. Thicknesses above 90 ⁇ m may be used, such values will however lead to cells which are particularly resistant to rupture.
  • the force to burst is often more than the acceptable value (i.e. 10 to 80 N). This is due firstly to the thickness of the film which is limited to a minimal value, under which the barrier properties are not achieved, and/or secondly to the nature of the polymer.
  • each cell of the cell system according to the present invention is provided with an easy opening means.
  • easy opening means can be applied to the present invention, which are discussed hereafter.
  • each cell of the cell system according to the present invention is provided with an easy opening means (30), such as to counter balance the high force required to burst the cell (11).
  • said easy opening means (30) is achieved by applying a laser scoring (31) onto the surface of the cell.
  • said laser scoring (31) is located on the cell's dome (14), more preferably on the top portion of said cell's dome.
  • Techniques for making such laser scorings are well known in the art.
  • the shape and dimensions of the laser scoring may be determined by those skilled in the art, such as to create a cell which can be burst when applying a force comprised within the range of 10 to 80 N, preferably, 10 to 60 N, more preferably 10 to 40 N, and most preferably within the range of 10 to 20 N.
  • the advantage of such an easy opening means (30) is that it decreases the force to burst the cell, by creating an area in its walls where the thickness is decreased.
  • the barrier properties are only marginally affected by the lower thickness, since the surface of the laser scoring is very limited.
  • the easy opening means (30) is achieved by providing the cell with at least one elongated portion (32), as shown in figure 6b.
  • Such an elongated region (32) has a lower thickness compared to the rest of the cell's walls, due to the manufacturing process, usually a thermoforming process or similar, which is such that the elongated portion (32) will be more stretched during manufacture of the cell, and thus, will have a lower thickness.
  • the optimum thickness for the elongated portion may be determined via a sampling/trials procedure, and will typically depend on the nature of the material, nature of the contents, temperature of use, so as to achieve barrier properties as defined above.
  • the volume inside said elongated portion should preferably be less than 10 % of the cell's total volume, more preferably less than 5% of the cell's total volume, and most preferably less than 2 % of the cell's total volume.
  • the easy opening means (30) is an inverted elongated portion of the cell, with less thickness, so that it is pointing in the inside of the cell. At the time the user presses onto the cell, the inverted protrusion comes inside out and bursts to release the cells contents.
  • the easy opening means (30) is achieved by a peeling area (33) located at the interface between the dome of the cell (14) and its bottom part (13), as shown in figure 6c.
  • a peeling area (33) located at the interface between the dome of the cell (14) and its bottom part (13), as shown in figure 6c.
  • an internal pressure is created inside the cell, which peels the seal off.
  • Techniques of making seals between two films are well known in the art, and a skilled person will easily find the correct parameters when making the seal, so that the force to peel off the seal is preferably comprised within the range of 10 to 80 N, as previously described.
  • Such techniques include heat sealing, hot gluing, cold gluing which are well known techniques in the field of making seals.
  • the peeling area can be a weak seal (23), as shown in figure 12 for example.
  • the weak seal (23) is located on a side of the sachet.
  • the sachet (11) comprises at least two compartments separated by a weak seal (23), the first compartment being closed and filled with a composition, and the other compartment being punched with a cut-out portion (16).
  • the median weak seal (23) breaks and the composition passes to the second compartment, and is dispensed through the cut-out portion which acts as a means for controlling the direction and flow of released composition.
  • the easy opening means (30) is achieved by an O-ring shaped cell, as shown in figures 7a and 7b.
  • the cell's contents is located inside circular peripheral walls (34).
  • the cell further comprises a central channel (35).
  • the outer seal (36) is strong while the inner seal (37) is weak and comprises a central punctured hole through which the contents is free to pass when said weak seal is broken.
  • the central weak seal breaks, and the cell's contents is released to the outside through the central channel (35) of the cell. This further allows to control the direction of the released contents.
  • the easy opening means (30) is achieved by a pull string (38) which is attached to at least one portion of the cell.
  • the pull string comprises an attachment portion, which is fixed to the cell, and a free portion which is long enough to be reached and pulled by the user.
  • cells are ruptured by pressing onto them, in this case the user's force is dispersed over the surface of contact comprised between the fingers and the cell.
  • the force needs to be more concentrated to one point of the cell, to be more effective in rupturing said cell.
  • Such a concentration is achieved by using the pull string having a small diameter (preferably less than 1mm), which is fixed to a limited surface of the cell.
  • the cell can be attached all around the periphery of the cell, as shown in figures 9a and 9b. It can also be attached around a portion liking two cells, as shown in figure 9c. It can also be attached to certain points of the periphery of the cell, at the seal region between the dome and the bottom of said cell, as shown in figure 10a.
  • the pull string can be attached directly to the bottom of the cell, thus passing through the cell, as shown in figure 10b. It can also be attached to the top part of the cell's dome, as shown in figure 10c.
  • the easy opening means (30) is providing each cell of the cell system with at least one peelable seal (33), said at least one peelable seal further comprising a pull string (38), as shown in figures 8a and 8b.
  • the user releases the cell's contents by pulling on the pull-string, thus peeling off the weak seal.
  • said peelable weak seal is a portion located at the interface between the dome (14) and the bottom (13) of the cell.
  • the two preceding embodiments are also applicable in the case the cell has the shape of a sachet made by a VFFS or a HFFS forming process.
  • the cell system (10) is coupled to a support material (12).
  • said support material is made out of a liquid impervious material, such as for example a flexible pouch which contains the cell system.
  • the support material is an dispersing material (12), such as for example, a fibrous pad for facial cleaning for example made out of cotton, a wipe for body or household cleaning made out of a non-woven material, a pad to be used for wound-protection, as shown for example in figures 1, 2 or 4.
  • Said dispersing material (12) can have any shape, and dimensions suitable for containing or being coupled with a cell system (10) with dimensions as defined above.
  • the structure of said dispersing material can be chosen so as to fit the purposes of the article (1): it can have a smooth surface for pampering, or a rough surface for cleaning, rubbing or removing dead skin for example, or it can be spongy for moisturizing/impregnating the surface to treat.
  • the thickness, shape and dimensions of the dispersing material should be chosen relatively to the number of cells (11) comprised inside the cell system (10), and the volume of active composition contained inside each cell (11). Examples of fibrous pads are already known in the art, and some of them are particularly described in US.5.738.212.
  • the flow control means The flow control means
  • the active composition contained inside the cells (11) comprises a liquid or cream form
  • spillage of said composition can occur at the time the cell (11) is ruptured, even when the cell system (10) is coupled to or associated with an dispersing material (12).
  • the article (1) of the present invention is optionally but preferably provided with a means to control the flow of released active composition when the cell (11) bursts.
  • the flow-control means (15) is a film which covers at least the dome (14) side of the cell (11) and comprises at least one restricted area for the active composition to pass through, from the cell (11) to the outside medium.
  • said film also covers the bottom (13) of the cell (11), so as to prevent any spillage of the composition from the bottom (13) side of the cell (11) in case of accidental or intentional burst of said bottom (13) of the cell (11).
  • the flow-control means (15) is provided with a cut-out portion (16), through which the active composition released from the cell (11) is directed.
  • the flow-control means (15) is achieved by a cut-out portion of the film onto which a flow-control window (17) such as for example a grid, or a sheet of a porous material is adapted, as shown in figures 6 and 7.
  • a flow-control window (17) such as for example a grid, or a sheet of a porous material is adapted, as shown in figures 6 and 7.
  • a grid material is described for example in US.3.929.135 to Thompson, or in US.4.324.246 to Mullane, or in US.4.342.314 to Radel.
  • Another grid material which can be used is known under the trademark name "DRI-WEAVETM" marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company.
  • the surface of the portion through which the product will be dispensed may be adapted, for example in view of the viscosity of the product, and also in view of the application of this product.
  • the surface is comprised within the range of 1 to 1500 mm 2 , preferably 25 to 700 mm 2 .
  • the cut-out portion (16) or the flow-control window (17) is not aligned with a cell (11), so that the way of released composition from the cell to the exterior - for example, to the absorbent cotton pad (12) - is diverted.
  • This allows to better prevent spillage of composition to the exterior, especially in case said composition has a very low viscosity (i.e. less than 100 cps measured with a viscosity meter at 20°C, 1200 rpm).
  • the flow control means (15) can be an extension (24) of the sachet which comprises for example a punched portion (16), as shown in figure 12.
  • the main sachet-cell (11) which is filled with a product, and its flow-control extension (24) are separated by a peelable seal (23).
  • Both are manufactured from the same film which is folded in two halves and sealed, with one median seal (23), so that when the user applies a pressure on the top of the filled portion of the sachet (11), it breaks the peelable seal (23), creating a channel between the sachet (11) and the flow-control extension (24), and the product is released through the punched portion (16).
  • one article (1) comprises a cell system (10) with one cell filled with an active composition.
  • the cell is made out of a material which is a barrier to liquids, gases, vapors and solvents, as defined previously.
  • the cell is preferably covered by a flow control means, such as a film with a cut-out portion (16) which is off-centered relatively to the dome (14) of the cell.
  • the flow-control film is attached onto the cell system (10) by sealing or gluing its edges to the cell system's edges.
  • Said cell system (10) is further sandwiched between two layers of an dispersing material (12) such as cotton, so as to create an absorbent cotton pad with an integrated burstable cell where the two outer layers of cotton can be glued or taped one to the other, but are preferably sealed, using the thermoplastic material of the cell system (10) and/or the thermoplastic material of the flow-control means (15) as sealing agent(s).
  • the cotton pad further comprises an integrated outer package.
  • Said outer package (19) is integrated to the article (1) as a backing sheet which is glued or sealed to the outer side of the pad opposite to the dome (14) of the cell, as shown in figure 5a.
  • the surface of the backing sheet is slightly superior to the surface of the cotton pad, so that when the pad is folded into two halves into a clamshell-like article, both halves being maintained in closed position by a peelable peripheral seal (21), the backing sheet protects the whole cotton pad inside from the outside medium.
  • the clamshell article (1) is used by peeling or cutting the outer package open, bursting the cell to release the active composition into the cotton pad, and then using it.
  • the cell is off-centered from the pad's folding, so as to reduce the risk of accidental squeeze in the pad's folding, and burst of the cell during transportation or storage.
  • the clam-shell structure with integrated outer package as a backing sheet enables the consumer to use a pad whose surface which comes in contact with the surface to treat has never been in contact with another surface (i.e. fingers of the user or neck of a bottle), and thus is very clean, even once the active composition impregnates the pad. This renders this structure particularly useful for cosmetic purposes.
  • the present embodiment is best achieved by providing the cell with an easy opening means.
  • Said means can be of any type but more preferably of one of the types previously described. For example, it is a laser scoring which is located onto each cell's dome.
  • each article (1) comprises a cell system (10) with one cell (11) filled with the active composition. It further comprises an absorbent pad (12), for example a cotton pad which contains the cell system (10).
  • the pad is folded into two halves which are maintained by sealing portions (20), which are glued, peel-sealed, taped, or maintained by another suitable means for securing the pad in folded position while being easily openable during use.
  • the barrier to liquids, gases or vapors is achieved the material for making the cell's walls which is for example a laminate LDPE/Alu/PET having a thickness of respectively 80 ⁇ m/9 ⁇ m/12 ⁇ m.
  • One or more articles shall be contained in a separate outer package, such as for example a pouch, or a film wrapping.
  • the present embodiment is best achieved by providing the cell with an easy opening means.
  • Said means can be of any type but more preferably of one of the types previously described. For example, it is a laser scoring which is located onto each cell's dome.
  • each article (1) comprises a cell system (10) with several cells (11) filled with the active composition. It further comprises a flat absorbent pad (12), for example a flat cotton pad which contains the cell system (10).
  • the barrier to liquids, gases or vapors is achieved by the material for making the cell's walls, which is for example a laminate LDPE/Alu/PET having a thickness of respectively m/9 ⁇ m/12 ⁇ m.
  • One or more articles shall be contained in a separate outer package, such as for example a pouch, or a film wrapping.
  • the present embodiment is best achieved by providing the cells with easy opening means.
  • Said means can be of any type but more preferably of one of the types previously described. For example, it is a laser scoring which is located onto each cell's dome.
  • the active composition which is contained inside the cell can be of any type, for example a face cleaning lotion or cream, a disinfectant composition, a composition for household cleaning purposes, a perfume composition, a polish, a medicament... Its viscosity is preferably comprised within the range of 0.1 to 6000cps measured at 20°C.
  • the active composition is a liquid face cleaning and disinfecting composition known under the trademark ClearasilTM manufactured and sold by The Procter & Gamble Company.
  • Such a composition typically comprises for example: Purified Water; Alcohol 96%; Diethyl Phthalate; Myrtrimonium Bromide; Ceteareth-14; Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate 38%; Tartaric Acid; Allantoin; Chlorhexidine Digluconate 20%; Perfume Balance PSV 1270; Cl 42051 Acid Blue 3 E131.
  • Detailed examples of such composition are disclosed for example in European Patent Applications EP-A-0614353 and EP-A-0614354 to the Procter & Gamble Company.

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Claims (14)

  1. Système cellulaire (10) comprenant au moins une cellule frangible (11) remplie d'une composition active, ladite au moins une cellule (11) comprenant un dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture (30), ledit système cellulaire étant caractérisé en ce que le matériau de fabrication de ladite au moins une cellule est choisi parmi :
    a) une couche épaisse de matériau thermoplastique choisi parmi :
    i) une couche de polyéthylène haute densité (HDPE) ayant une épaisseur supérieure à 50 µm
    ii) une couche de polypropylène (PP) ayant une épaisseur supérieure à 100 µm
    iii) une couche de polyéthylène basse densité (LDPE) ayant une épaisseur supérieure à 150 µm
    b) un matériau stratifié comprenant au moins une couche d'un matériau de barrière dans lequel ledit matériau stratifié est constitué de polyoléfine et de couches métalliques, de préférence des couches de polyoléfine et d'aluminium, plus préférablement un matériau stratifié de LDPE / Alu / Pet,
    ledit matériau pour fabriquer ladite au moins une cellule (11) ayant un coefficient de transmission de la vapeur d'eau (CTVE) inférieur à 6 g/m2/jour à 40 °C/90 % HR.
  2. Système cellulaire (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la force nécessaire pour faire éclater une cellule (11), lorsqu'on utilise ledit dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture, est comprise dans la gamme de 10 à 80 N, de préférence de 10 à 60 N, plus préférablement de 10 à 20 N.
  3. Système cellulaire (10) selon les revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel ledit dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture (30) est obtenu en munissant au moins une partie des parois de la cellule d'une éraflure au laser (31).
  4. Système cellulaire (10) selon les revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel ledit dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture (30) est obtenu en munissant les parois de la cellule d'une région allongée (32) qui a une force d'éclatement comprise dans la gamme de 10 à 80 N, de préférence de 10 à 60 N, plus préférablement de 10 à 20 N.
  5. Système cellulaire (10) selon les revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel ledit dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture (30) est obtenu en munissant la cellule d'un joint faible, de préférence un joint pelable.
  6. Système cellulaire (10) selon les revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel ledit dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture est en outre obtenu par une cellule en forme d'anneau en O constitué d'un matériau non frangible, la cellule comprenant en outre des joints périphériques forts (36) et un joint central faible (37), ledit joint central faible comprenant un trou piqué dans sa partie médiane à travers lequel le contenu de la cellule est dirigé une fois que ledit joint central faible a été rompu.
  7. Système cellulaire (10) selon les revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel ledit dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture (30) est obtenu en munissant les cellules d'au moins une partie pelable (33), ladite partie étant connectée à une ficelle de traction (38).
  8. Système cellulaire (10) selon les revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel ledit dispositif pour faciliter l'ouverture est obtenu au moyen d'une ficelle de traction (38) directement attachée à au moins une partie des parois de la cellule.
  9. Système cellulaire (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite au moins une cellule a un volume interne compris dans la gamme de 0,01 ml à 5,0 ml, de préférence de 0,4 à 2,0 ml.
  10. Système cellulaire (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel 50 à 99 % du volume d'une cellule est rempli avec la composition.
  11. Article comprenant un système cellulaire (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12.
  12. Article selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le système cellulaire (10) est couplé à un article dispersant (12) pour contrôler la libération et l'application de ladite composition active, une fois qu'on a fait éclaté ladite au moins une cellule.
  13. Article selon la revendication 12, dans lequel ledit article dispersant est un coussin fibreux (12).
  14. Article selon les revendications 12 et 13, comprenant une feuille doublure, ledit article étant plié en deux et les deux moitiés étant attachées ensemble par des joints ouvrables périphériques (20).
EP19990870052 1999-03-19 1999-03-19 Article comprenant une système cellulaire Expired - Lifetime EP1038793B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1999627939 DE69927939T2 (de) 1999-03-19 1999-03-19 Artikel mit einem Zellensystem
EP19990870052 EP1038793B1 (fr) 1999-03-19 1999-03-19 Article comprenant une système cellulaire
AU38910/00A AU3891000A (en) 1999-03-19 2000-03-17 An article comprising a cell system
EP00918030A EP1163164A1 (fr) 1999-03-19 2000-03-17 Article comprenant un systeme de cellules
PCT/US2000/006984 WO2000056626A1 (fr) 1999-03-19 2000-03-17 Article comprenant un systeme de cellules

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19990870052 EP1038793B1 (fr) 1999-03-19 1999-03-19 Article comprenant une système cellulaire

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1038793A1 EP1038793A1 (fr) 2000-09-27
EP1038793B1 true EP1038793B1 (fr) 2005-10-26

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19990870052 Expired - Lifetime EP1038793B1 (fr) 1999-03-19 1999-03-19 Article comprenant une système cellulaire
EP00918030A Withdrawn EP1163164A1 (fr) 1999-03-19 2000-03-17 Article comprenant un systeme de cellules

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00918030A Withdrawn EP1163164A1 (fr) 1999-03-19 2000-03-17 Article comprenant un systeme de cellules

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EP (2) EP1038793B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU3891000A (fr)
DE (1) DE69927939T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000056626A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6508604B1 (en) 1999-03-19 2003-01-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Article comprising a cell system
US7914891B2 (en) 2005-12-28 2011-03-29 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Wipes including microencapsulated delivery vehicles and phase change materials
US7497351B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2009-03-03 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Wet wipe dispensing system
US7654412B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2010-02-02 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Wet wipe dispensing system for dispensing warm wet wipes
US8192841B2 (en) 2006-12-14 2012-06-05 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Microencapsulated delivery vehicle having an aqueous core
US7924142B2 (en) 2008-06-30 2011-04-12 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Patterned self-warming wipe substrates

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US3768916A (en) 1971-12-01 1973-10-30 Medical Supply Co Sponge with encapsulated liquid
US3826259A (en) * 1973-06-04 1974-07-30 Health Prod Inc Self-contained disposable swab-type medication applicator
US3929135A (en) 1974-12-20 1975-12-30 Procter & Gamble Absorptive structure having tapered capillaries
US4342314A (en) 1979-03-05 1982-08-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Resilient plastic web exhibiting fiber-like properties
US4324246A (en) 1980-05-12 1982-04-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable absorbent article having a stain resistant topsheet
DE3545926A1 (de) 1985-12-23 1987-07-02 Allan Gerhard Fruehauf Tuch oder dgl. mit darin integrierten, einen wirkstoff enthaltenden kapseln
US5090832A (en) 1986-05-12 1992-02-25 Colgate-Palmolive Company Disposable cleaning pad and method
EP0294189B1 (fr) 1987-06-02 1994-08-31 Jaypak Limited Sachet avec un moyen d'application de liquides et machine pour le fabriquer
US4878775A (en) 1987-10-28 1989-11-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Liquid transfer device
JP2649280B2 (ja) * 1990-02-08 1997-09-03 生研化学株式会社 揮散性物質の包装体
US5229180A (en) * 1991-10-02 1993-07-20 American National Can Company Laser scored package
AU3073692A (en) 1991-11-25 1993-06-28 Richardson-Vicks Inc. Compositions for regulating skin wrinkles and/or skin atrophy
ATE238763T1 (de) 1991-11-25 2003-05-15 Richardson Vicks Inc Verwendung von salicylsäure zur kontrolle von hautfalten und/oder hautatrophie
US5804300A (en) * 1991-12-28 1998-09-08 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Method of producing laminated packaging material
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CA2215023C (fr) * 1995-03-10 2003-05-13 The Texwipe Company Llc Dispositif et procede de nettoyage
GB9515807D0 (en) * 1995-08-02 1995-10-04 Cantwell Evelyna D Topical hyperbaric bandage
US5738212A (en) 1996-10-04 1998-04-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Fibrous pad and a dispensing package therefor
FR2754744A1 (fr) 1996-10-22 1998-04-24 Soares Duarte Antoine Film alveolaire avec liquide incorpore

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1038793A1 (fr) 2000-09-27
WO2000056626A1 (fr) 2000-09-28
DE69927939T2 (de) 2006-07-27
AU3891000A (en) 2000-10-09
EP1163164A1 (fr) 2001-12-19
DE69927939D1 (de) 2005-12-01

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