CN1268031A - Personal cleansing sponge - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for the production of a size-reduced personal cleansing sponge (1) comprising: providing a polymeric mesh (2) personal cleansing sponge in a form suitable for use as a hand held cleansing implement, providing sealable non-air permeable sheet material (9), then placing the sealable non-air permeable material around the sponge (1), and evacuating air from the sponge (1), and then sealing the sealable non-air permeable material (9) around the sponge to form a sealed bag.

Description

Personal cleansing sponge

The present invention is about the personal cleansing sponge for preparing a kind of size and reduce, sponge product that size reduces and comprise the method for their apparatus.

People have known provides a kind of personal cleansing sponge that should be used as hand-held articles for washing, and it makes (often being the polyethylene of hexagon mesh) by the mesh-shape material of the polymerization of light weight.These normally used sponges are known, for example are used to add the sponge of liquid cleaning agent such as shower usefulness soap lye.For example in U.S. Pat 5 144 744, just described the production of these products, the restorability after the hexagon mesh stretches wherein has been described.The netted sponge of polyethylene that this document has illustrated the hexagon mesh than traditional sponge be easy to aspect the cleaning much superior.

WO 95/00116 has also described the purposes of this cavernous body.This document has illustrated that the traverse net shape sponge of polymerization is used in the advantage on the humidification cleaner.This sponge can produce a lot of foams, especially compares all the more so with traditional sponge.Yet because the natural characteristic of product, the volume of this sponge is quite big, and this will cause providing the problem of effective packing, and the packaging material of requirement are bigger, requires the space of transportation and storage also bigger in addition.A kind of situation that specific question occurs is when giving client with sample, and they are too big when using service by post in some countries, and during especially with these national standard mail addresses mailing, they are too big.

Owing to make the natural characteristic of the material of sponge, adopt the way of the size that reduces sponge usually, but this will cause having lost performance owing to it can not return to the original form.

Therefore requiring provides a kind of polymeric mesh shape personal cleansing sponge more effective packaging system product, that do not reduce their performances.

According to first aspect of the present invention, we provide the method for the personal cleansing sponge that a kind of production size reduces, and this method comprises:

The polymeric mesh shape cleansing sponge that provides a kind of its form should be used for hand-held articles for washing,

Salable air-locked sheet material is provided,

Then salable air-locked sheet material is encased sponge, and from sponge, deflates,

Sealing encases the sealable gas impermeable material of sponge then, to form the bag of a sealing.

We very surprisingly find, by extracting air with which out, can reduce the size of polymeric mesh shape personal cleansing sponge greatly, thereby more efficiently storage, transportation, particularly client's sampling work are provided.Surprisingly after sealing, open the bag that deflates again, sponge can be out of shape, expand into original shape, even after bag is opened, needn't client sponge be done under the situation of any processing, it also can expand rapidly and spontaneously, and this is opposite with expectation situation discussed above.This has just produced good foam performance, also finds to have these performances even be subjected to storing under the situation that high vacuum or high pressure or both all have and before reopening the long duration in this sponge.

When opening, client will see the sponge that is stored under the air tight condition, and can see that this sponge storing and being protected between the delivery period, is not subjected to external contamination.

This sponge is the hand-held sponge of polymeric mesh shape personal cleansing, and it is made by the polymeric material of light weight usually.These polymeric materials preferably make sponge be hydrophobic.This hydrophobic property has makes it can make its employed liquid cleaning agent send a large amount of foams.

The most handy extruding of this sponge is formed by the mesh of the tubulose of firm and flexible polymeric material preparation.Extruding has especially been adopted and has been easy in others by the mesh of such tubulose of polyethene preparation and accomplished.

This sponge is and is used for hand-held form with articles for washing.Its maximum gauge is from 5～20cm, preferably 7～13cm.

This sponge preferably includes the tubulose mesh of multilayer extruding, and multilayer is formed by their repeatedly folding, often forms the sponge of a spherical polymeric mesh.Can adopt the pipe or the bar of mesh polymer, with nylon tape or other packaging part firm attachment, therefore such sponge produces the form of two projectioies usually, and they are kept together by the belt or the knot at sponge middle part.Such sponge has been described in US-4462135.

This sponge is preferably spherical.The example of a kind of hand-held spherical polymeric mesh sponge is disclosed in U.S. Pat-5144744, it has described the poly sponge that is pulled in a kind of hexagon mesh that a plurality of webmasters obtain on the support member by providing, they link together in the middle, yet decontrol to form sponge from support member.

The polymeric material of this sponge of formation of special recommendation is a polyethylene; Low density polyethylene (LDPE) (LDPE) particularly.LLDPE and composition thereof.Yet this sponge can be made with any suitable polymer firm, flexibility, also has the polyamide and the polyamide of olefine monomer-polymer, polycarboxylic acids in addition.

In addition, this sponge can be made non-sphere, for example makes rectangular gloves shape.

Can adopt Zeca s.r.l. in the present invention, Piacenza, the commercially available polymeric mesh sponge that Italy and BynumConcepts Inc. sell also can be adopted the sponge of describing among WO95/00116 and the US 5144744.Also can adopt corresponding sponge with international appearance design DM/014662.

In the method, we provide air-locked sheet material to form sealed packet.So-called gas impermeable material, we refer to it can prevent that air from entering the sealed packet that this method forms, it can form vacuum for a long time at the product that Bao Zhongwei makes, and it keeps the time of vacuum is one month, and in some cases at least three or six months or even 1 year or longer.

Sealable material is placed on around the sponge that size will reduce, and this material is the form of sheet.It can be encase the monolithic shape of sponge, then in open edge place sealing, the back forms a bag deflating.In addition, this material also can be two forms, and a slice is placed on the below of sponge, and another sheet is placed on the sponge top, thereby sheet can be enclosed in together, and the back forms a bag bleeding.This sheet material preferably is the form of preformed bag.

Sheet material must be sealable, preferably heat-sealable.This sheet is to be made by sealable monoblock sheet material.Can provide thermosealed, can form the discontinuous zone of the sealing seam of bag.

This sheet material can be made with the individual layer polymeric material, also can adopt multiple layer of polymeric material.Suitable material comprises the material that one deck polyamide (being generally outside loading material) and layer of polyethylene (normally inner sealing material) form.The thickness of suitable aramid layer is 10～30 μ, for example about 20 μ.Synthetic polyethylene layer thickness is 30～70 μ, for example about 50 μ.Sheet material can the spray metal.

In the present invention, the sheet material that is used for vacuum-packed material that any people are known all can adopt.

The optimum shape of the sealed packet of producing with method of the present invention can draw by the experiment in a given method, preferably is substantially rectangle.For carrying out optimal process, requiring provides a sealed packet, and its size is carried out careful selection according to the size of sponge.Sealed packet enough not big with respect to sponge is the product of inferior quality to the optimized sealed packet of size.

The satisfactory especially shape of sealed packet is to have a pair of and rectangle another opposite side, and a pair of side edge length is 5～30cm, preferred 10～20cm, and for example about 13cm, the length of another opposite side is about 10～30, for example 15～25,21cm especially.

Control the shape of the sealed packet of method production of the present invention by selecting sheet form.Sheet material can be the form of bag, and its shape is hanked and is suitable for work in-process to use.They formed the form of the bag of needed shape when the sheet material that provides in addition, can be sealing.For example, a rectangular bag if desired, available single sheet folding, sponge are placed on the folding the inside.Also can be with two rectangular pieces materials, a slice is on sponge, and a slice is in its lower section.Rectangular bag of any all salable formation of the sheet material of these forms.

In the method, sheet material wraps on the sponge, that is sponge is placed in the space that is limited by sheet material.

If adopt preformed bag, this bag can be made before exhaust or sealing sponge is placed in the bag.Each sidepiece of preform bag preferably all seals except that sponge is put into an opening of extracting out with gas.

In the method, if use the preform bag, sponge is placed in the space of Bao Nei or sheet material qualification, and its placement location preferably leaves the seal area of appointment.For example, if a seal area that the limit is appointment of preform bag, sponge will be placed to the relative edge joint of preform bag and touch.

In this preform bag, the sponge of two convex shaped discussed above can any satisfactory mode orientation.Yet, if ask the less sponge of sponge, especially thickness that obtains a size and reduce, sponge preferably lies in the preform bag, and projection is along the center line location of preform bag, a projection is towards the edge with sealing, and another projection is towards opposed edges.As can be seen, similarly principle can be used in the use of salable sheet material.

In the method, from sponge, deflate and before salable sheet material encases sponge and during coating, to carry out, preferably encased sponge and carried out later at sheet material.

In the method, air is extracted out from the space that sheet material limits, and extracts out if adopt in the preform Bao Zecong preform bag, and air is also extracted out the space in sponge as a result.This has just reduced the size of sponge greatly.Surprisingly, this sponge can be stood that this size reduces and can not be occurred the defective of any aspect of performance by several months of collection on 25 ℃.

From the space that limits by sheet material, deflate and only to be undertaken by pressurization.

The way of bleeding in addition is that sponge and sheet material are placed in the vacuum, and this vacuum is-50mmHg at least, preferably at least-and 75mmHg, for example about-100mmHg or higher.

In a kind of preferable methods, vacuum and pressurization are all adopted.Sheet material and sponge are stood vacuum can remove air effectively, makes them be subjected to the net shape of the sponge that the pressure energy controlling dimension reduces.

This method can be controlled to and make sponge be various final shapes.The sponge that size reduces can make and basic be circular (or spherical) or flat slightly sphere or roughly cylindrical, but is preferably flat and plate-like.When sponge is directed as mentioned above two convex shaped, the thickest in the middle part of it, on the position of belt or other fixture with the mesh pipe clamp of polymerization together.

Basic maximum ga(u)ge for the sponge after the flat packing is not more than 3cm, preferably is not more than 2.5cm, even can be not more than 2cm.This flat pattern is to obtain by sponge being placed on to pressurize between two flat surfaces when the vacuum draw, and for example it can be placed between the two boards shape surface.In commerce is used, a plurality of sponge is housed or organizes the bag that sheet material adds sponge more can be pressed between a pair of flat surface.Two hinged plate-like surface preferably are provided, and sheet material and sponge are placed between the hinged surface, and the zone that will seal in the sheet material preferably is placed on away from the hinge place.

The shape of salable sheet material, especially as the shape of the sheet material of preform bag, also can be used to control the shape of the sponge that final size reduces.For example, the preform bag by suitable shape is provided or the sheet material of appropriate orientation, just the shape of the sponge that size can be reduced is controlled to roughly cylindrical or " cage type ".

Can be in any suitable time the air in the suction sponge.In some cases, Best Times may must be drawn into.Suction time too weak point can cause sponge to fail to reduce to enough little size.The oversize meeting of suction time unnecessarily influences the outward appearance of the product that size reduces.For example it can cause the wrinkling or wrinkle of sealed packet.We have found that and to adopt 1～30 second, for example about 2～10 seconds.In some method, about 5 seconds of suction time is especially suitable.

At seal stock after the suction air fully from sponge, preferably take heat seal to form sealed packet.Sheet material sealing metapedes is to prevent the bag after air enters the sealing suction.

Any special bag and the suitable sealing time of sponge system can be found by experiment.Common 0.1～10 second, for example 0.5～2 second sealing time is suitable.We find that 1 second sealing time often is suitable.

Suction and sealing is availablely carried out as vacuum that market is commercially available, people are known such as SIG, Klockner and Swissvac or pressurized equipment.

After size reduces, sponge can at room temperature store for a long time, time is one or three months at least, even is 1 year, can also temperature be 30 ℃, 40 ℃ and higher, under performance has the situation of big loss, do not store (as storing for two weeks at least) during for example to 50 ℃.

When client wants the time spent, sealed packet is opened, discharge vacuum, sponge expand into its original size.In some cases, sponge expand into its original shape rapidly when sealed packet is opened.In other cases, the sponge after for example size reduces has stored for a long time (as more than 6 months) or has stored at high temperature (as being higher than 35 ℃), and client must fiddle with sponge, assists it to return to its original shape.Be immersed in 25～50 ℃, preferably 30～45 ℃, especially about 40 ℃ hot water by the sponge that will reopen, can make it return to original size well.

Sealed packet can be opened in any suitable manner, for example availablely draws back sealing seam (or in a plurality of seam) or cuts sealed packet.The sealing bag can have weakening line, for example linking the line that weakens on the thin slice of being easy to open.Sealed packet also can have selectively and weaken otch that line cooperates and open assisting.

If desired, sealed packet can be colored or print.Can or make and seal the back by product and print and painted accomplishing by precolor or printed sheet material.

According to second aspect of the present invention, we provide the polymeric mesh shape that a kind of size reduces special-purpose sponge, it wrap in by gas impermeable material make and the sealed packet that deflates in.

Deflate in sealing bag and the sponge, particularly be surrounded by air capacity that the sealed packet of sponge contains and make pressure in it be lower than atmospheric pressure, in particular cases not contain air.

According to the 3rd aspect of the present invention, we provide a kind of articles for washing of special use, it comprises the sponge that the size of producing by first aspect of the present invention reduces, or the sponge that produces in conjunction with making sponge return to the guidance of its original shape by second aspect of the present invention.This guidance can comprise the indication of unpacking and sponge being expanded simply, and this guidance can comprise that fiddling with sponge returns to the indication of original form to assist it.For example, the mesh that can instruct client to spur the formation sponge lightly expands to assist its.This guidance preferably includes immerses 25～50 ℃, preferably 30～45 ℃, for example indication in the about 40 ℃ hot water with sponge.

According to the 4th aspect of the present invention, we provide a kind of personal cleansing articles for use, and it comprises the sponge that reduces in conjunction with the size of liquid cleaning ingredients such as shower soap lye with the method for first aspect present invention sponge that produce or second aspect of the present invention.Washing agent can have the adjusting composition, preferably has the surfactant that the skin that contains some is regulated the oil phase of composition and contain effective quantity of selecting from soap and synthetic surfactant and composition thereof.

In this one side of the present invention, any liquid detergent of describing in WO 95/00116 all can use.

Now with reference to accompanying drawing and illustrative methods the present invention is described.

The sponge of the preferred polymeric mesh before the size that Fig. 1 represents to be used for the inventive method reduces.

Fig. 2 represents to be used for the cutaway view of the preferred compression system of the inventive method.

Fig. 3 represents the cutaway view of the sponge of the present invention after preferred sizes reduces.

Fig. 4 represents the sponge after the size of Fig. 3 of seeing from above reduces.

In the method for the invention, provide a kind of sponge 1 that briefly shows as Fig. 1.This sponge that obtains from the sponge factory that is positioned at Dominican Republic comprises LDPE mesh pipe 2, and they are connected together by the belt 3 on middle part " node ".Therefore the mesh pipe separately has two projectioies 5 and 7.

In the method for the invention, sponge is placed in bag 9 the sheet material, and bag 9 is made by bilayer film, and bilayer film is thick aramid layer of 20 μ and the thick polyethylene layer of 50 μ, and aramid layer constitutes outside bearing bed, and polyethylene layer constitutes inner sealant.Bag 9 is rectangular, and it has 11,12 and 13 and unlimited limits 15 of three sealing strips.Sponge inserts in the bag by opening 15, and is placed to and makes projection 5 contiguous sealing strips 12, the projection 7 contiguous limits 15 of opening wide.Bag is placed between the plate 17 and 19 that connects together by hinge 21 then.Whole assembly is put into a vacuum plant (not shown), vacuumizes with when adding upward pressure in the angle that reduces between plate 17 and 19.The vacuum that adds is-1000mmHg, vacuumizes with pressurization steps and will change about 5 second time.To wrap 9 unlimited limit heat seal then to keep vacuum.About 1 second of heat seal time.The sponge that size after the packing that is produced reduces as shown in Figure 3.Sponge after the compression is about 2cm at the thickness of its thickest point.The sponge that size after the packing of seeing from the top down reduces as shown in Figure 4.

Adopt two identical bilayer films to replace three edges 11,12 can obtain identical result with the bag 9 of 13 sealings.First block of sheet material is placed on the plate 19, sponge is placed on this sheet material, and second block of sheet material is placed on the top of sponge, vacuumizing and pressurizeing sealing four limits 11,12,13 and 15, back.

Can adopt the edge 12 of monolithic bilayer film folding in addition to form a sealing.Then at pressurization and sealed after being vacuumized edge 13,15 and 11.

Claims (12)

1. A method of producing a size-reduced special purpose washing sponge, comprising: Provide a special washing sponge of polymeric mesh in a form suitable for making hand-held washing articles, Provides a sealable, airtight sheet, A sealable, airtight sheet is then wrapped around the sponge and the air is drawn out of the sponge, The sealable air-impermeable sheet surrounding the sponge is then sealed to form a sealed pack. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sealable air impermeable sheet is in the form of a sealable pack. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sponge is formed from multiple layers of extruded low density polyethylene mesh material. 4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed pack has a generally flat shape, preferably a rectangle with one pair of sides measuring 5-30 cm and the other pair of sides measuring 10-30 cm. 5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the air is extracted from the sponge under pressure and vacuum. 6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the sponge and sheet are compressed between two substantially planar surfaces while the air is being drawn. 7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the air is extracted over a period of 10 seconds. 8. A size-reduced specialty washing sponge obtainable by the method of any one of claims 1-7. 9. A size-reduced polymeric mesh special purpose washing sponge enclosed in a sealed pack made of air impermeable sheet material from which air is drawn. 10. A personal washing article comprising a size-reduced sponge according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and having instructions for deforming the sponge to its original size. 11. The article of manufacture according to claim 10, wherein the instructions include instructions to open the sealed package, move the sponge and immerse the sponge in water at a temperature of 30-50°C. 12. A special cleaning product comprising a sponge of reduced size according to any one of claims 1 to 9 with a liquid cleaning composition.

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