WO2012080356A2

WO2012080356A2 - Cosmetic mask intended to be applied on a surface of the body, associated use and method

Info

Publication number: WO2012080356A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/072797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pascal Hirt; Dominique Bordeaux
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2010-12-17
Filing date: 2011-12-14
Publication date: 2012-06-21
Also published as: FR2968930A1; WO2012080356A3; FR2968930B1

Abstract

This mask (10) consists of a sheet (14) of a stretchable non-woven material. The mask comprises a substantially non-stretchable stiffening area (30A to 30D) consisting of bonded fibers.

Description

Cosmetic mask intended to be applied on a surface of the body, associated use and method

The present invention relates to a cosmetic mask intended to be applied on a surface of the body.

Such a mask is particularly intended to bear a cosmetic product with a view to the application thereof on the surface of the body.

A "cosmetic product" is advantageously a product such as that defined in Council directive 93/35/EEC dated June 30, 1993.

The cosmetic product is, for example, a cosmetic composition consisting of a homogeneous or heterogeneous liquid, such as an oil, a direct or inverse emulsion, a solution, a gel, an anhydrous oil or a lotion.

The cosmetic product is particularly a care product for the surface of the body. For example, masks intended to be applied on a surface of the body are known from US 2003/0190339, US 2008/0147022 and FR 2 902 330. In US 2003/0190339, the masks comprise at least one layer consisting of an optionally porous plastic film and a layer of an absorbent product, such as a non-woven material.

Masks intended to protect a user to prevent the user from being contaminated by microorganisms, or, conversely, prevent the user from contaminating others with microorganisms from the user's body are also known from US 5,699,791 , US 6,394,090 and US 5,467,765.

Said masks are only intended to protect the user and are not intended to be stretched.

For effective application of cosmetic product on the surface of the body, and particularly on the face, it is desirable to stretch the mask prior to the use thereof in order to apply same, once stretched, onto the skin.

Therefore, it is desirable in a wide variety of applications for the masks to be significantly stretchable.

However, to ensure this stretching, the masks should have a good mechanical resistance, failing which, they tend to break, particularly when impregnated with cosmetic product.

Moreover, the masks should have a good cosmetic product absorption capacity and as light a weight as possible to minimize discomfort for the user.

Therefore, one aim of the invention is that of obtaining a cosmetic mask intended to be applied on a surface of the body, suitable for receiving a large quantity of cosmetic product and nonetheless enabling very effective application of the product, which involving minimal discomfort for the user. A further aim of the invention is that of offering a mask having a good stretchability, while offering a suitable mechanical resistance, particularly when loaded with cosmetic product and/or when the mask has through openings.

A further aim of the invention is that of obtaining such a mask which is light and inexpensive to produce.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a cosmetic mask of the abovementioned type, characterized in that it comprises a sheet of stretchable non-woven material, the mask comprising at least one substantially non-stretchable stiffening area formed of bonded fibers, the rupture stretch of the sheet, measured away from the stiffening area along at least one axis, according to the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) standard being greater than 10%.

The mask according to the invention may comprise one or several of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- the rupture stretch of the sheet, measured away from the stiffening area along at least one axis, according to the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) standard, is between 10% and

1000%, advantageously between 10% and 500%;

- the material is elastically stretchable at least for a stretch greater than 1 % and particularly between 1 % and 200% when stretched according to the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) standard;

- the sheet consists of a single layer of non-woven material;

- the stiffening area comprises fibers bonded together by fusion;

- the stiffening area comprises fibers bonded together by mechanical interaction;

- the size of the or each stiffening area is less than 5% of the total surface area of the mask, measured along an inner face intended to be applied against the surface of the body;

- the mask comprises at least one passage opening through the mask connecting an inner face of the mask intended to be applied against the surface of the body and an outer face of the mask, at least one stiffening area being arranged in the vicinity of the passage opening;

- the mask comprises a stiffening area formed by a linear segment;

- a stiffening area is formed by a peripheral line arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the mask;

- the sheet has a preferential alignment direction of the fibers forming the non- woven material, a stiffening area being substantially transversal with respect to the preferential fiber alignment direction; - the mask bears a cosmetic product arranged on or in the sheet of non-woven material; and

- the mask consists of a sheet of stretchable non-woven material, the mask comprising at least one substantially non-stretchable stiffening area consisting of bonded fibers.

The invention also relates to the use of a cosmetic mask with a view to application on a surface of the body, characterized in that the use comprises the following steps:

- holding a mask like that defined above;

- stretching the mask along a stretching direction, to elongate the mask away from the stiffening area along the stretching direction by at least 5%, advantageously by 10% to

200%;

- applying an inner face of the stretched mask on a surface of the body.

The invention may comprise a use like that defined above, characterized in that it comprises, prior to the application step, the impregnation of a cosmetic product on or in the sheet forming the mask.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a cosmetic mask intended to be applied on a surface of the body, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- supplying a sheet of a stretchable non-woven material;

- forming at least one substantially non-stretchable stiffening area by fiber bonding, the rupture stretch of the sheet, measured away from the stiffening area along at least one axis, according to the standard EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) being greater than 10%;

- optionally, impregnating the cosmetic product on or in the sheet.

The invention will be better understood after reading the following description given solely as an example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- figure 1 is a front view of a first cosmetic mask according to the invention, prior to the use thereof by the user; and

- figure 2 is an equivalent view to figure 1 , represented during use after stretching the mask, and prior to application on the surface of the body.

In the description hereinafter, the terms "inner" and "outer" are used relatively with respect to the user. The term "inner" generally means closer to or facing the user, whereas the term "outer" generally means further from or facing away from the user.

A first cosmetic mask 10 according to the invention is represented in figures 1 and 2. This mask 10 is intended to be impregnated with a cosmetic product 12 with a view to the application of said product on a surface of the user's body, advantageously on a keratinous surface, such as the skin, particularly the face or hair. The cosmetic product is advantageously a composition consisting of a homogeneous or heterogeneous liquid, such as an oil, a direct or inverse emulsion, a solution, a gel, an anhydrous oil or a lotion.

The cosmetic product is particularly a care product for the surface of the body. In the example illustrated in figure 1 , the mask 10 is a face mask. It consists of a sheet 14 of a stretchable non-woven material.

The sheet 14 has an inner face 16 intended to be applied on the surface of the user's body, an opposite outer face 18, and at least one through opening 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D connecting the faces 16, 18.

In the example shown in figure 1 , the sheet 14 has a substantially circular periphery at rest, prior to stretching. In an alternative embodiment, the periphery is elongated at rest, for example in an elliptical shape, or more generally in an oval shape. In a further alternative embodiment, the periphery has a substantially polygonal shape, for example in a square or rectangular shape.

In the example shown in figure 1 , the sheet 14 defines two closed contour through openings 20A, 20B intended to be positioned opposite the user's eyes, one closed contour through opening 20D intended to be positioned opposite the user's mouth, and a discontinuous cut 20C intended to form a movable flap 22 to receive the user's nose.

In one alternative embodiment not shown, the sheet defines two slit-shaped through openings for the ears.

More generally, the number of through openings 20A to 20D is between 1 and 4.

The non-woven sheet 14 forming the mask thus has a surface area generally between 250 cm² and 500 cm² at rest, prior to stretching.

It has a mean thickness, measured between the inner face 16 thereof and the outer face 18 thereof less than 5 mm and particularly between 0.1 mm and 3 mm.

In one embodiment, the sheet 14 consists of a single layer of stretchable non- woven material.

The term "non-woven" according to the present invention refers to a substrate comprising fibers wherein the individual fibers or threads are arranged in a disorganized manner in a web type structure, and which are not woven or knitted. The fibers of the non- woven material are generally bonded together, either under the effect of a mechanical action (for example interlocking, air jet, etc.), or under the effect of a thermal action, or by adding a binder.

Such a non-woven material is for example defined by the ISO 9092 standard as a sheet, web or batt of directionally or randomly orientated fibers, bonded by friction, and/or cohesion and/or adhesion, excluding paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating binding yarns or filaments.

A non-woven material differs from paper by the length of the fibers used. In paper, the fibers are shorter. However, some cellulose fiber-based non-woven materials exist which are manufactured by means of a wet process and have short fibers similar to paper. The difference between a non-woven material and paper is generally the lack of hydrogen bonds between the fibers in a non-woven material.

Advantageously, the non-woven material has a preferential orientation direction of the fibers forming same, generally defined by a machine direction. This machine direction is represented by an arrow marked 24 in figure 1 . The machine direction is generally taken to be parallel to the preferential stretching direction of the mask 10. It is defined as the direction wherein the non-woven material runs in the machine forming same.

This machine direction can be measured using the following method:

- visually with the naked eye, or with a microscope, or by comparing the rupture elongation, given that the rupture elongation expressed in Newton in the machine direction is greater than the rupture elongation expressed in Newton in the transverse direction.

In the example shown in figure 1 , the non-woven sheet 14 made of fibers comprises at least one portion of thermofusible fibers.

Advantageously, the percentage by mass of thermofusible fibers contained in the non-woven sheet is greater than 1 % and is less than or equal to 100%, advantageously between 15% and 80%.

The thermofusible fibers are, for example, polyolefin fibers, such as polyethylene (PE) fibers, polypropylene (PP) fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers or acrylic fibers, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibers, polyurethanes or the following thermoplastic fibers: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene polymers (for example polystyrene PS, expanded polystyrene EPS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer ABS, styrene acrylonitrile copolymer SAN, styrene butadiene copolymer SB), polyamides (PA), polycarbonates (PC), saturated polyesters (for example polyethylene terephthalate glycol PET, polybutylene terephthalate glycol PBT), polyacetals (for example polyoxymethylene POM trioxane ethylene oxide copolymer), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or fluorinated polymers (for example polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE, polyvinylidene fluoride PVDF, polychlorotrifluoroethylene PCTFE)

The other fibers forming the non-woven sheet 14 are for example synthetic fibers obtained from petroleum derivatives, natural fibers obtained from plants or animals, and/or modified natural fibers, obtained for example from treatment or regeneration methods for forming fibers.

In one alternative embodiment, the sheet 14 comprises a plurality of layers of non- woven material bonded together. In any case, the faces 16 and 18 of the sheet are defined by non-woven material.

The surface density of the sheet 14 is less than 200 g/m² and is particularly between 30 g/m² and 120 g/m².

According to the invention, the non-woven sheet 14 is stretchable. The term "stretchable" means that the non-woven material forming the sheet 14 is suitable for being stretched under a stretching force applied, without breaking the material, along at least one given direction, for example along the transverse direction.

Advantageously, the stretching of the sheet 14 is measured using the following method, as defined in the EDANA WSP 1 10. 4 (05) standard, with 50 mm wide and 150 mm long test specimens, unlike the standard which uses 50mm by 200 mm test specimens.

The rupture stretch of the sheet 14 measured using the abovementioned standard is greater than 10%, and is for example between 10% and 1000%, advantageously between 10% and 500%.

This rupture stretch may be advantageously greater than 50%, or greater than 100%.

The mask 10 is thus stretchable between a resting configuration shown in figure 1 , and a stretched usage configuration shown in figure 2.

In the stretched configuration, the total surface area occupied by the mask 10 is greater than that occupied by the mask 10 in the resting position, for example at least 10% greater, advantageously at least 15% greater.

In a first alternative embodiment, the mask 10 is irreversibly stretchable beyond a stretch greater than 5%. The mask is thus considered to be stretchable.

It has a maximum extension at maximum force less than 200% and greater than

10%.

In one alternative embodiment, the mask is elastically stretchable, even for a stretch greater than 200%, i.e. it returns substantially to the initial shape and size thereof when subjected to stretching between 1 % and 200%.

According to the invention, in order to increase the stretching resistance and limit the risk of tearing during stretching, the mask comprises at least one substantially non- stretchable stiffening area 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D consisting of bonded fibers. As shown in figure 1 , the total surface area occupied by the or each stiffening area 30A to 30D is less than 5% of the total surface area of the mask.

Advantageously, each stiffening area is substantially linear.

The maximum width of the stiffening areas 30A to 30D is considerably less than the length of these areas 30A to 30D, for example at least less than 0.5 times the length of areas 30A to 30D.

In the example shown in Figure 1 , one stiffening area 30A forms a peripheral band advantageously situated on the periphery of the mask and the areas 30B, 30C, 30D form line segments advantageously situated in the vicinity of the through openings 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D.

The term "situated in the vicinity" means that the minimum distance separating the through opening 20A to 20D of an opposite stiffening area 30B, 30C, 30D is less than 50% of the maximum size of the through opening 20A to 20D.

In the example shown in figure 1 , the mask 10 comprises at least one stiffening area 30B, 30C, 30D situated in the vicinity of each stiffening opening 20A to 20D.

Advantageously, the mask comprises two disjointed stiffening areas 30B, 30C, 30D arranged on either side of each stiffening opening 20A to 20D.

The or each stiffening area 30B to 30D particularly extends perpendicularly to the preferential stretching direction 24 of the mask and transversally with respect to a direction of elongation of the opening 20A to 20D.

The length of each stiffening area 30B to 30D, measured perpendicularly to the stretching direction 24 is advantageously substantially equal to or slightly greater than the maximum transverse range of each opening 20A, 20B in the vicinity whereof it is positioned.

At least one stiffening area 30A extends to the periphery of the sheet 14. In the example shown in figure 1 , this stiffening area 30A has a closed contour which is substantially homothetic to the contour of the mask. In one embodiment, the bonding between the fibers in each stiffening area 30A to 30D is performed by at least partial fusion of the thermofusible fibers comprised in the non-woven material.

The degree of fusion of the fibers may be chosen according to the desired properties.

In one embodiment, the thermofusible fibers are completely fused in each stiffening area 30A to 30D. The individual structure of the thermofusible fibers disappears and a continuous medium is formed. A transparent rigid area is thus obtained.

In a second embodiment, the thermofusible fibers are partially fused in each stiffening area 30A to 30D. An opaque rigid area is advantageously obtained, enabling the application of a homogeneous tensile force and ensuring that fingers do not slip for example.

The term "partial fusion of the material" refers to fusion at a temperature substantially equal to or greater than the vitreous transition temperature of the material, and less than the melting point of the material. In particular, the temperature at which partial fusion is carried out is less by at least 10% than the melting point of the material.

The vitreous transition temperature is generally that at which a material changes from a vitreous, solid or rigid state to a rubber-like state. This temperature is, for example, measured by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), for example according to the ISO 1 1357-2 standard or by means of dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA), for example according to the ASTM D7028-07e1 Standard.

Partial or complete fusion of the fibers may be obtained by means of pressure, heating, ultrasound or calendering.

In an alternative embodiment, the bonding between the fibers in the stiffening areas 30A to 30D is a mechanical bond obtained by means of interlocking or local knitting, for example.

In any case, the rupture stretch in the stiffening areas 30A to 30D, as measured using the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) Standard is less than, for example at least two times less than that observed away from the stiffening areas 30A to 30D. This stretch is for example less than 5%, particularly less than 1 %. In this way, the stiffening areas 30A to 30D are substantially non-stretchable.

A method for manufacturing a mask 10 according to the invention will now be described.

Initially, a continuous strip of non-woven material is provided. This strip is made from a single layer or a plurality of layers of fibers which are bonded together by means of friction and/or cohesion and/or adhesion. The non-woven material is devoid of a stiffening area in this case.

The strip is reeled off a roll, for example. The strip is then conveyed to a station for forming the stiffening areas 30A to 30D.

The station comprises means for the local bonding of the fibers forming the non- woven material in the selected areas of the strip.

In particular, if the stiffening areas 30A to 30D are obtained by fusing the fibers together, the station comprises at least one surface suitable for locally heating the selected areas of the strip to form the stiffening areas 30A to 30D by means of partial or complete fusion of the fibers. The masks 10 are then cut out along the periphery thereof and are advantageously loaded with cosmetic product 12 prior to packing.

The loading is carried out by means of coating, for example. Pre-controlled coating methods make it possible to apply the desired quantity of fluid directly onto the substrate. These techniques require the use of a pump supplying a line in order to distribute the fluid homogeneously on the entire desired width. In this way, the thickness applied is readily controlled with respect to the linear flow rate as a function of speed of the substrate.

In field of textiles and non-woven materials, the fluid may be applied by means of calendering, a blade, a scraper, immersion, foam or spraying. A substance (lacquer, oil, resin, synthetic or vinyl) is deposited on one of the faces of the fabric, generally in order to render same waterproof or stain-proof.

In one alternative embodiment, the loading with cosmetic product 12 is performed directly by the user, during use.

The use of the cosmetic mask 10 according to the invention will now be described. Initially, the user takes hold of the mask 10 in the resting configuration thereof.

If the mask 10 has not yet been loaded with cosmetic product 12, the user soaks the mask 10 in the cosmetic product 12 to impregnate the product on or in the inner face 16.

The user then takes hold of the side of the mask 10, at two opposite points 40A, 40B situated on either side of a central axis A-A' of the mask, perpendicular to the direction 24.

The user then moves the points 40A, 40B away from each other by stretching the mask along the direction 24, as shown in figure 2.

The stretch is for example greater than 5% and between 10% and 200% on at least one axis parallel to the direction 24.

Since the mask 10 is stretchable, it increases the surface area thereof by at least 5%, without breaking or tearing, particularly in the complementary areas to the stiffening areas 30A to 30D.

In the stiffening areas 30A to 30D, the mask is not stretched significantly. In this way, around the through holes 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, the mask substantially retains the dimensions thereof at least in the direction perpendicular to the direction 24, increasing the local resistance of these areas and preventing the tearing thereof.

Similarly, the presence of the stiffening areas 30A to 30D enables uniform distribution of the tensile forces applied by the user on each side of the mask 10. The mask 10 is thus easier to handle, particularly when unfolding the mask and/or when the mask is very flexible. The presence of the closed contour peripheral stiffening area 30A further prevents the exudation of the cosmetic product 12 at the periphery of the mask 10.

These masks 10 are thus stretchable in all directions to enable optimal fitting of the shape thereof on the application area on the surface of the body.

Once the mask 10 is in the stretched configuration thereof, the user applies the inner surface 16 against the surface of the body, enabling the positioning of the cosmetic product 12 on the surface of the body.

The terms "one", "two", etc. should be understood as meaning "at least one", "at least two", etc., respectively, unless mentioned otherwise.

Claims

1 . - Cosmetic mask (10) intended to be applied on a surface of the body, characterized in that it comprises a sheet (14) of stretchable non-woven material, the mask (10) comprising at least one substantially non-stretchable stiffening area (30A to 30D) formed of bonded fibers, the rupture stretch of the sheet (14), measured away from the stiffening area (30A to 30D) along at least one axis, according to the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) standard being greater than 10%.

2. - Mask (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rupture stretch of the sheet (14), measured away from the stiffening area along at least one axis, according to the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) standard, is between 10% and 1000%, advantageously between 10% and 500%;

3. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the material is elastically stretchable at least for a stretch greater than 1 % and particularly between 1 % and 200% when stretched according to the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) standard.

4. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the sheet (14) is formed of a single layer of non-woven material.

5. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the stiffening area (30A to 30D) comprises fibers bonded together by fusion.

6.- Mask (10) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the stiffening area (30A to 30D) comprises fibers bonded together by mechanical interaction.

7. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the size of the or each stiffening area (30A to 30D) is less than 5% of the total surface area of the mask (10), measured along an inner face (16) intended to be applied against the surface of the body.

8. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one passage opening (20A to 20D) through the mask (10) connecting an inner face (16) of the mask (10) intended to be applied against the surface of the body and an outer face (18) of the mask (10), at least one stiffening area (30B to 30D) being arranged in the vicinity of the passage opening (20A to 20D).

9. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it comprises a stiffening area (30B to 30D) formed by a linear segment.

10. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that a stiffening area (30A) is formed by a peripheral line arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the mask (10).

1 1 .- Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the sheet (14) has a preferential alignment direction (24) of the fibers forming the non-woven material, a stiffening area (30B to 30D) being substantially transversal with respect to the preferential fiber alignment direction (24).

12. - Mask (10) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it bears a cosmetic product (12) arranged on or in the sheet (14) of non-woven material.

13. - Use of a cosmetic mask (10) for applying a cosmetic product (12) on a surface of the body, the use comprising the following steps:

- holding a mask (10) according to any of the above claims;

- stretching the mask (10) along a stretching direction, to elongate the mask (10) away from the stiffening area along the stretching direction by at least 5%, advantageously by 10% to 200%;

- applying an inner face (16) of the stretched mask (10) on a surface of the body.

14. - Use according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises, prior to the application step, the impregnation of a cosmetic product on or in the sheet (14) forming the mask (10).

15. - Method for manufacturing a cosmetic mask (10) intended to be applied on a surface of the body, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- supplying a sheet (14) of a stretchable non-woven material;

- forming at least one substantially non-stretchable stiffening area (30A to 30D) by fiber bonding, the rupture stretch of the sheet (14), measured away from the stiffening area (30A to 30D) along at least one axis, according to the EDANA WSP 1 10.4(05) standard being greater than 10%;

- optionally, impregnating the cosmetic product (12) on or in the sheet (14).