IES20180217A2 - A device for application of self-tanning preparations - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the application of self-tanning preparations to the skin, and more particularly to a device, which can be an applicator glove, for application of self-tanning preparations to the skin, The device protects the palms of the hands from staining and ensures even coverage. Also disclosed is a kit comprising the device and a self-tanning preparation; and a method for the application of self-tanning preparations using the device.

Description

Title of the Invention A device for application of self-tanning preparations Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the application of self-tanning preparations to the skin, and more particularly to a device, which can be an applicator glove, for application of self-tanning preparations to the skin. The device protects the palms of the hands from staining and ensures even coverage.

Background to the invention Tanned skin is viewed as healthy, and the acquisition of a tan is seen by many as a part of an essential beauty regimen. However, medical science has demonstrated the dangers of exposure to the sun, particularly exposure to UVA and UVB radiation. An increase in the frequency of skin cancers can be attributed to an increase in the time spent in direct sunlight and the intensity of the UVA and UVB radiation. it is also well established that sun exposure can accelerate the ageing process, causing premature wrinkling, discoloration, and loss of tone.

To achieve a healthy, tanned appearance; topical self-tanning preparations have been developed to give the skin a tanned appearance without the need for exposure to direct sunlight and harmful amounts of UVA and UVB radiation. Topical self-tanning preparations work by staining or colouring the skin, and are generally available in liquid, cream, mouse, or gel form, which can be applied directly to the skin with the (palms of the) hands.

Self-tanning preparations usually contain one or more self-tanning agents, the most common of which is dihydroxyacetone (DHA, 1,3~dihydroxy—2—propanone), which is usually suspended in a water-in—oi| emulsion. DHA works through interactions between its hydroxyl groups and the amino groups of amino acids naturally occurring in proteins of the skin. These reactions lead to the formation of brown pigments in the skin, thereby giving it an appearance similar to that of a naturally obtained tan.

However, uneven application of such self-tanning preparations will result in streaks and discolorations that cannot be readily or easily corrected.

Moreover, although water-based self—tanning preparations tend to stain/colour the skin more quickly than oil~based preparations, water-based self~tanning preparations do not tend to spread evenly on the skin due to a low viscosity that leads to drips and causes streaks in the final result. 2 Furthermore, when applying self—tanning preparations, it is important to protect the (palms of the) hands from the colouring effect of such preparations, since darkened palms and fingers are unnatural and an undesirable result.

Currently, plastic or rubber gloves are used when applying self—tannlng preparations. However, plastic or rubber surfaces do not yield optimum results because the self—tanning preparation is usually unevenly distributed on the surface of the plastic or rubber glove, resulting in an uneven application, whereby streaks can easily manifest.

There is a need for a device for application of self-tanning preparations, particularly water-based self- tanning preparations, and which has sufficient absorption properties to deliver an even application.

Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for application of self- tanning preparations, wherein the device is shaped and dimensioned to receive a hand of a user, and wherein the device is formed from an absorbent material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising a device according to a first aspect of the present invention and a self-tanning preparation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for application of self-tanning preparations, the method comprising providing a device according to a first aspect of the present invention, applying a self~tanning preparation to the device, and contacting the self-tanning preparation with the skin of a user.

Optionally, the device is formed from a sponge material.

Further optionally, the device is formed from a polymer sponge material.

Still further optionally, the device is formed from a polyurethane sponge material.

Optionally or additionally, the device further comprises a microfiber material.

Further optionally or additionally, the microfiber material is a polymer microfiber material.

Still further optionally or additionally, the microfiber material is a polyester microfiber material.

Optionally or additionally, the device is formed from an elastic material.

Further optionally or additionally, the device is formed from a polymer elastic material.

Still further optionally or additionally, the device is formed from an elastomer material.

Still further optionally or additionally, the device is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material.

Optionally, the device is formed from a sponge material and a microfiber material.

Optionally or additionally, the device is formed from a sponge material, a microfiber material, and an elastic material.

Further optionally, the device is formed from a polymer sponge material and a polymer microfiber material.

Further optionally, the device is formed from a polymer sponge material, a polymer microfiber material, and a polymer elastic material.

Further optionally or additionally, the device is formed from a polyurethane sponge material and a polyester microfiber material.

Further optionally or additionally, the device is formed from a polyurethane sponge material, a polyester microfiber material, and an elastomer material, optionally a thermoplastic elastomer material.

Optionally, the device is formed from about 50% polyurethane sponge material, about 40% polyester microfiber material, and about 10% elastomer material, optionally about 10% thermoplastic elastomer material.

Optionally, the device further comprises an exfoliating material.

Optionally, the exfoliating material comprises cotton.

Optionally or additionally, the exfoliating material comprises polyester. Further optionally or additionally, the exfoliating material comprises cotton and polyester.

Optionally or additionally, the exfoliating material comprises latex. Further optionally or additionally, the exfoliating material comprises cotton, polyester, and latex.

Optionally, the exfoliating material comprises about 75% cotton, about 20% polyester, and about 5% latex. 4 Optionally, the device comprises at least one face. Further optionally, the device comprises two faces. Still further optionally, the device comprises first and second faces. Still further optionally, the device comprises first and second opposing faces.

Optionally, at least part of the first face of the device comprises the exfoliating material. Further optionally, the first face of the device comprises the exfoliating material.

Detailed Description of the invention The present invention relates to a device for application of self—tanning preparations, wherein the device is shaped and dimensioned to receive a hand of a user, and wherein the device is formed from an absorbent material.

Microfibers are very fine fibres compared to more conventional textile fibres. For example, microfibers are half the diameter of a silk fibre, one-third the diameter of cotton, one quarter the diameter of fine wood, and one hundred times finer than human hair. Microfibers are finer than any fibres occurring in nature.

In a preferred embodiment, the device is knit from two dissimilar yams to provide a first face consisting in large part of microfibers such as a polyurethane and/or polyester, and a second opposing face of a less absorbent material such as cotton and/or polyester.

The microfibers on the first face form the contact surface for application of the self-tanning preparation to the skin. The microfiber can be cellulosic fiber polyester or other synthetic (petroleum based) fiber, or cellulosic fiber in combination with synthetic fibers, either in mechanical or intimate blends. In a preferred embodiment, the microfiber fabric is 50% polyurethane, 40% polyester, and % thermoplastic polyurethane. The microfiber fabric can be interlock, knit, woven, warp knitted, rochelle knit, or tricot.

The exfoliating material on the second face forms a surface for removing dead skin.

The device can have an inner liner of impermeable flexible material which provides a barrier layer.

A kit for application of self—tanning preparations to human skin comprises a self—tanning preparation comprising an agent for imparting an artificial tan to human skin suspended in a pharmacologically acceptable carrier, and a device constructed from an absorbent fabric. The inner surface of the device can have an impermeable flexibie material adjacent or adhered thereto to provide a barrier layer to protect the hands. The kit can further comprise an emollient preparation for topical application to human skin, a skin cleansing/exfoliating composition, and a disposable tray for receiving the device after use. The kit can also include a detergent composition for washing the device. in use, the skin is first cleansed with the cleansing/exfoliating composition, and then the second face of the device is used to exfoliate the skin. The first face of the device is then used to apply the self- tanning preparation. The emollient composition is applied afterward and serves to prolong the colour imparted by the self-tanning preparation.

The self—taming preparation can be any suitable product which includes a self—tanning agent. The self—tanning agent can be dihydroxyacetone (“DHA”) CH2OHC(O)CH2OH. Other suitable self- tanning agents include, without limitation, methyl glyoxal, glycerol aldehyde, erythrulose, alloxan, 2,3—dihydroxysuccindialdehyde, 2,3 dimethoxysuccindiaidehyde, 2—amino—3- hydroxysuccindialdehyde, and 2—benzylamino—3-2—amino-3—hydroxysuccindialdehyde. The self- tanning agent is suspended in any suitable pharmacologically acceptable carrier, which can be a water—in-oil emulsion or a water-based substrate. The self—tanning preparation can be in foam, gel, mouse or cream form.

The device of the invention has an outer layer of a flexible, absorbent material which will absorb the self-tanning preparation and spread it evenly. in a preferred embodiment, the device is constructed from microfiber fabric, which is 50% polyurethane, 40% polyester, and 10% thermoplastic polyurethane. The microfiber can be cellulosic fiber, polyester or other synthetic (petroleum-based) fiber, or cellulosic fiber in combination with synthetic fibers, either in mechanical or intimate blends.

The microfiber fabric can be knit or woven. Suitable knitted constructions include, but are not limited to, single knit, double knit, warp knit, rochelle knit, or tricot.

The human epidermis is continually generating new skin cells and shedding older, dead skin cells.

When skin is subjected to the self—tanning preparations, it can happen that the newer skin cells can absorb the stain/colour differently than older cells. To obtain an even stain/colour and optimal results, it is advantageous to slough off the dead skin just prior to applying the self—tanning preparation. The outer layer of the device can further comprise an exfoliating material, which will shear or slough dead skin cells from the skin of a user to provide a smooth surface for application of the self—tanning preparation. in a preferred embodiment, the exfoliating material comprises about 75% cotton, about % polyester, and about 5% latex.

The flexible, absorbent material is normaily on or at a first face of the device and the exfoliating material is on or at a second opposing face of the device.

The device can also have an inner barrier layer in the form of liner, which prevents the self—tanning preparation from reaching and contacting the hands of a user. The liner is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the first face of the device, and can be adhered to the absorbent fabric or othenrvise sewn into the seams of the device so as to be adjacent to the absorbent fabric. The liner can be any suitable liquid impermeable material such as natural or synthetic rubber, plastic, PVC, latex or polyester. in the preferred embodiment, the liner is coextensive with the absorbent fabric. However, 6 the device can be constructed so that the liner only shields the palmar section and fingers of the hand in order to provide a more comfortable fit. The liner can be attached to the microfiber fabric using any suitable means, including, but not limited to, stitching, heat sealing with no stitches, laser cutting, adhesives, spray laminating, and heat-seated stitches.