WO2013031029A1

WO2013031029A1 - Folded sheet for cosmetic treatments

Info

Publication number: WO2013031029A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/070308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nariyoshi YOSHIOKA; Mari Suda; Saijuan NI
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2011-08-31
Filing date: 2011-08-31
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-02-28
Also published as: KR101854495B1; JP2014525275A; KR20140071342A; CN103763978A; JP6001054B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a folded sheet (1) for cosmetic treatments, comprising a main body and at least three open edges (1a, 1b, 1c), wherein the open edges (1a, 1b, 1c) are formed by folding the sheet (1) at least three times, at least one of the open edges (1a, 1b, 1c) projects from the main body, and two of the open edges have a maximum width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet. The present invention is useful because it is easy to unfold and can be applied onto the skin, in particular the face, even if the sheet is wet and has no tab.

Description

DESCRIPTION

FOLDED SHEET FOR COSMETIC TREATMENTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a folded sheet which is

preferably used for cosmetic treatments of the skin, in

particular the face.

BACKGROUND ART

A sheet which is formed by a substrate sheet such as a non-woven fabric sheet impregnated with a lotion or the like has been used for cosmetic treatments of the skin, in particular the face.

Such a sheet is usually available in package form containing a sheet which has been folded in a bag or sack made of aluminum foil or the like.

When using a sheet, the folded sheet is removed from the package, unfolded, and applied onto the skin.

Since the folded sheet is very wet, it is often difficult to unfold the sheet using the fingers. In particular, it can be difficult to find the edge of the folded sheet, so that a user may need time to find the edge to hold. In addition, it can be difficult for a user to hold the wet edge which may easily curl or bend. Further, the wet sheet can be easily torn, and

therefore, needs to be handled carefully. Furthermore, during the unfolding process, a part of the spread sheet may

spontaneously curl or bend in the air, and adhere to another part of the sheet. If so, the application of the sheet onto the skin becomes more difficult because unfolding of the curled or bent part is necessary while holding the rest of the sheet.

On the other hand, a tab or tabs may be provided at the edge of the sheet. For example, USP 6702792 discloses a mask sheet which has two tabs along the edge of the mask sheet, so that a user can hold the tabs to unfold the mask sheet.

However, such a tab needs a special design. Therefore, the presence of such a tab makes it difficult to manufacture a mask sheet. In addition, it is not sufficient to provide tabs alone in order to make it easy to unfold a mask sheet, because the tabs only have a small area. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a novel folded sheet for cosmetic treatments which is easy to unfold and can be applied onto the skin, in particular the face, even if the sheet is wet and has no tab to hold.

The above objective of the present invention can be achieved by a folded sheet for cosmetic treatments, comprising a main body and at least three open edges,

wherein

the open edges are formed by folding the sheet at least three times ,

at least one of the open edges projects from the main body, and two of the open edges have a maximum width in a direction

perpendicular to a longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet .

It is preferable that the sheet according to the present

invention be folded along at least two folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal or

horizontal center line of the sheet.

In a first embodiment, the folded sheet according to the present invention has been folded in different directions along first and second folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet, such that the width between the first and second folding lines is smaller than the maximum width between the first or second folding line and the outline of the sheet. It is preferable that the cross section of the folded sheet be in form of Z. The folded sheet according to the present invention may be formed by folding the above folded sheet according to the first embodiment along a third folding line which is not parallel to the first or second folding line. It is preferable that the third folding line be perpendicular to the first or second folding line.

In a second embodiment, the folded sheet according to the present invention has at least three, preferably four, open edges which project from the main body of the sheet. The folded sheet according to the second embodiment may be formed by folding in different directions the above folded sheet according to the first embodiment along third and fourth folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to each other and not parallel to the first or second folding line. It is preferable that the third and fourth folding lines be perpendicular to the first or second folding line. It is preferable that the cross section of the folded sheet be in form of Z.

It is preferable that the main body of the sheet according to the present invention have a rectangular shape in general.

The folded sheet according to the present invention may be

intended to be applied on a face.

It is preferable that the folded sheet according to the present invention comprises at least one cosmetic ingredient.

It is possible for the folded sheet according to the present invention to comprise at least two layers.

The present invention also relates to a package comprising the folded sheet according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an example of a folded face mask sheet according to the present invention in the unfolded position,

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the above example in a first folded position .

Fig. 3 shows a front view of the above example in a second folded position .

Fig. 4 shows a front view of the above example in a third folded position .

Fig. 5 shows a front view (Figure 5(a)) and a back view (Figure 5(b)) of the above example in a fourth folded position.

Fig. 6 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example 1.

Fig. 7 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example 2.

Fig. 8 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example Fig. 9 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example 4.

Fig. 10 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative

Example 5. Fig. 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) show a front view, a back view and an enlarged partial view of the mask sheet corresponding to a jaw.

Fig. 11 shows a mask sheet according to Comparative Example 6.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

After diligent research, the inventors have discovered that it is possible to easily unfold a folded wet sheet, even without the aid of a tab, and apply it onto the skin, in particular the face, for cosmetic treatments, by folding the sheet beforehand in a specific manner.

Thus, the folded sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a main body and at least three open edges,

wherein

the open edges are formed by folding the sheet at least three times ,

perpendicular to a longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet .

In one embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal or horizontal center line may function as a longitudinal or

horizontal symmetric axis of the sheet. On the other hand, the longitudinal or horizontal center line may be shifted away from the longitudinal or horizontal symmetric axis for the sheet, for example, by 1 mm to 5 cm, preferably 3 mm to 3 cm, and more preferably 5 mm to 1 cm, and may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal or horizontal symmetric axis of the sheet. Thus, the longitudinal or horizontal center line may be a diagonal line with regard to the longitudinal or horizontal symmetric axis of the sheet.

According to the present invention, the open edge means a part of the sheet in which the part is composed of a single layer of the sheet, and the both surfaces of the layer are exposed to outside. Since the open edge is formed by folding the sheet, according to the present invention, the open edge is different from a tab the both surfaces of which are exposed to outside without folding the sheet .

According to the present invention, the main body means a part of the sheet other than the open edge. Typically, the main body is composed of a plurality of layers of the sheet, and at least one surface of the layer is covered with another layer of the sheet.

Thus, the open edge in the folded sheet according to the present invention projects from the main body, typically protrudes from the circumference of the main body.

The folded sheet according to the present invention can be used for cosmetic treatments of the skin, such as moisturizing or cleansing the skin, in particular the face.

Thus, the folded sheet according to the present invention can be used as a face mask sheet, a neck mask sheet, a decollete mask sheet, and the like. It is also possible to use the folded sheet according to the present invention as a wet tissue or a wipe lingette. It is preferable that the folded sheet according to the present invention be used for the face, including the

entirety of the face or a part of the face.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the folded sheet according to the present invention is explained by using figures.

The folded sheets shown in Figures 1 to 5 correspond to one embodiment of the present invention designed to be attached onto the face. Therefore, they may be described hereafter as folded face mask sheets. However, the folded sheet according to the present invention can be designed to be applied onto not only the face but also the body such as the neck or the decollete, as mentioned above.

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an example of a folded face mask sheet according to the present invention in an unfolded position. It should be understood that the folded sheet according to the present invention should not be limited to this example.

The face mask sheet shown in Figure 1 is formed by a single substrate sheet 1 having holes 2,2 for the eyes, a slit 3 for the nose, a hole 4 for the mouth, and slits for the cheeks. Any of the holes 2,2,4 may be replaced with slit(s) corresponding to the eyes and/or mouth. On the other hand, the slit 3 may be replaced with a hole to uncover the nose. The substrate sheet 1 may have fewer or more slits, depending on the size and shape thereof. It is preferable to limit the number of slits in terms of the

strength of the substrate sheet 1.

The substrate sheet 1 may have a tab or tabs, preferably on the outline (i.e., outside edges) thereof, for facilitating the folding and unfolding operations of the face mask sheet. However, the presence of tab(s) is optional in the present invention.

Preferably, the substrate sheet 1 should have no tab.

The dotted and dashed line (C) in Figure 1 corresponds to a longitudinal center line of the substrate sheet 1. The

longitudinal center line (C) shown in Figure 1 defines a center line of the substrate sheet 1 and is positioned to pass over the slit 3 for the nose as well as the hole 4 for the mouth. The longitudinal center line (C) shown in Figure 1 functions as a longitudinal symmetric axis for the substrate sheet 1. However, the longitudinal center line (C) may not necessarily be on a symmetric axis of the substrate sheet 1. Thus, the longitudinal center line (C) may be shifted away from the longitudinal

symmetric axis for the sheet, and may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal symmetric axis of the sheet.

The face mask sheet shown in Figure 1 has a first folding line

(a) and a second folding line (b) represented by two dotted lines along which the face mask sheet can be folded. The two folding lines (a,b) are parallel with the longitudinal center line (C) . As shown in Figure 1, in this example, the folding lines (a,b) are positioned to pass over the holes 2,2 for the eyes. However, neither of the first folding line (a) or the second folding line

(b) has to necessarily be positioned to pass over the holes (2,2) for the eyes.

According to the example shown in Figure 1, the two folding lines (a,b) are parallel to each other, and the width between the two folding lines (a,b) is smaller than the maximum width between the first folding line (a) and the left outline of the substrate sheet 1, and the maximum width between the first folding line (b) and the right outline of the substrate sheet 1.

In Figure 1, the distance from the longitudinal center line (C) to the first and second folding lines (a,b) is constant. However, the above distance does not need to be the same. In other words, the width between the longitudinal center line (C) and the first folding line (a) and the width between the longitudinal center line (C) and the second folding line (b) may be different from each other. Thus, the former may be longer than the latter and vice versa.

The face mask sheet shown in Figure 1 can be folded as follows.

As shown in Figure 1, the substrate sheet 1 is once folded along the first folding line (a) . Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is folded as shown in Figure 2. The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 2 is in a first folded position.

Next, the substrate sheet 1 in the first folded position is further folded along the second folding line (b) . In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the folding directions in terms of the first folding line (a) and the second folding line (b) are different. In other words, the left side of the substrate sheet 1 is folded forward along the first folding line (a), while the right side of the substrate sheet 1 is folded backward along the second folding line (b) . Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is folded as shown in Figure 3. The cross-section of the folded substrate sheet 1 is in the form of Z as shown in Figure 3. The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 3 is in a second folded position.

As shown in Figure 3, the substrate sheet 1 in the second folded position has two open edges la, lb defined by the outline of the substrate sheet 1 and the first folding line (a) and the second folding line (b) , respectively. The width of the open edges la, lb is not limited, but the maximum width of each of the open edges la, lb along the perpendicular direction to the first folding line (a) or the second folding line (b) may be from 0.1 to 50 mm, preferably 1 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

Next, the substrate sheet 1 in the second folded position shown in Figure 3 is further folded along the third folding line (c) . Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is folded as shown in Figure 4. The third folding line (c) is not parallel to the first folding line

(a) or the second folding line (b) . The third folding line (c) may not be perpendicular to the first folding line (a) or the second folding line (b) . However, it is preferable that the third folding line (c) be perpendicular to the first folding line

(a) or the second folding line (b) . The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 4 is in a third folded position. As shown in Figure 4, the folded substrate sheet 1 in the third folded position has three open edges la,lb,lc. The open edge lc is defined by the outline of the substrate sheet 1 and both the first folding line (a) and the second folding line (b) . The length along the longitudinal center line (C) , which is not shown in Figure 3, of the open edge lc is not limited, but the maximum length of the open edge lc may be from 0.1 to 50 mm, preferably 1 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 4 has been folded three times, and therefore, the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 4 can be used as the folded sheet for cosmetic treatments according to the present invention.

In the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 4, the main body of the sheet is a part other than the three open edges la,lb,lc. The main body of the sheet can be composed of two or more layers of the sheet, preferably four or more layers of the sheet.

Lastly, the substrate sheet 1 in the third folded position can be furthermore folded along the fourth folding line (d) . In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the folding directions in terms of the third folding line (c) and the fourth folding line (d) are different. In other words, the lower side of the substrate sheet 1 is folded forward along the third folding line (c) , while the upper side of the substrate sheet 1 is folded backward along the fourth folding line (d) . Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is folded as shown in Figure 5. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show the front and the back, respectively, of the folded substrate sheet 1. The cross-section of the folded substrate sheet 1 is in the form of Z as shown in Figure 5. The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 5 is in a fourth folded position.

The third folding line (c) and the fourth folding line (d) are parallel to each other, but are not parallel to the first folding line (a) or the second folding line (b) . The third folding line (c) and the fourth folding line (d) may not be perpendicular to the first folding line (a) or the second folding line (b) .

However, it is preferable that the third folding line (c) and the fourth folding line (d) be perpendicular to the first folding line (a) or the second folding line (b) .

As shown in Figure 5, the folded substrate sheet 1 in the fourth folded position has four open edges la, lb, lc, Id. The open edge Id is defined by the outline of the substrate sheet 1 and both the first folding line (a) and the second folding line (b) . The length along the longitudinal center line (C) which is not shown in Figure 5 of the open edge lc is not limited, but the maximum length of the open edge lc may be from 0.1 to 50 mm, preferably 1 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 5 has been folded four times, and therefore, it can be used as the folded sheet for cosmetic treatments according to the present invention.

In the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 5, the main body of the sheet is a part other than the four open edges la, lb, lc, Id. The main body of the sheet can be composed of two or more layers of the sheet, preferably seven, eight, or nine layers of the sheet .

The folded substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 5 is preferable as compared to that shown in Figure 4, because the size of the folded sheet 1 is reduced by the fourth folding. In addition, the size of the main body is smaller, and therefore, the

stickiness of the folded sheet is reduced so that unfolding of the sheet can be achieved more easily.

As shown in Figure 5, it is preferable that the main body of the sheet be a rectangular shape in general. It is preferable that the ratio of the longitudinal line to the horizontal line of the rectangle be 1:1.1 to 1:4, preferably 1:1.2 to 1:3, and more preferably 1:1.3 to 1:2. As the main body of the sheet has a rectangular shape, a user can easily recognize the open edges to be grasped, for example, even if the user closes his or her eyes due to water drops just after washing the face.

The folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 5 can be unfolded by doing the reverse of the above.

Alternatively, the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 5 can be unfolded by grasping both the third open edge (lc) and the fourth open edge (Id), and stretching the folded face mask sheet along the longitudinal direction or the longitudinal center line (C) , which is not shown in Figure 5. Thus, the folded face mask sheet will be in the position shown in Figure 3.

Next, similarly, the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 3 can be unfolded by grasping both the first open edge (la) and the second open edge (lb), and stretching the folded face mask sheet along the cross-direction or the third folding line (c) or the fourth folding line (d) which are shown in Figure 3.

The above unfolding process can make it faster to unfold the folded mask sheet.

The example shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the folded sheet according to the present invention has at least three open edges.

Therefore, a user of the folded sheet can easily find the edges to be grasped.

Since the open edges shown in Figures 1 to 5 have a shape with a relatively large area, a part of which corresponds to the outline of the sheet, the design of the sheet is easier than a sheet having a tab on the outline thereof. Further, it is easier to grasp the open edges because they have a relatively large area than tabs. Furthermore, when the open edges are grasped by the fingers, the gripping force from the fingers cannot be focused on a small area which is typically provided by a tab, so that the risk of tearing the sheet is reduced as compared to a sheet having a tab.

Since the example shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the folded sheet according to the present invention has a cross-section in the form of Z, the risk of tearing the sheet during unfolding operations is reduced. Furthermore, since the main body of the sheet becomes small due to the cross-section in the form of Z, the sticking power of the layered sheet in the main body is reduced, so that the unfolding of the sheet becomes easier. This is enhanced if the folded sheet according to the present

invention has a cross-section in the form of Z both in the second folded position and the fourth folded position (this may be referred to as "ZZ" folding) .

Accordingly, the present invention can provide a folded sheet which is easy to unfold and can be applied onto the skin, in particular the face, even if the sheet is wet and has no tab.

In another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible that the sheet according to the present invention has a

horizontal center line instead of the longitudinal center line (C) shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the horizontal center line may or may not be on a horizontal symmetric axis of the sheet, and therefore, the horizontal center line may be shifted away from the horizontal symmetric axis for the sheet, and may or may not be parallel to the horizontal symmetric axis of the sheet; first and second folding lines may be parallel or

substantially parallel to the horizontal center line; and third or fourth folding lines may not be parallel to the first or second folding line.

The material of the folded sheet according to the present

invention is not limited, and therefore any material can be used for preparing, for example, the substrate sheet 1 shown in

Figures 1 to 5. Two or more materials may be used.

Typically, the material may be a woven or non-woven fabric made of natural fibers such as cotton, pulp, bamboo and cellulose fibers, semi-natural fibers such as viscose rayon fibers and synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers, polyethylene

terephthalate fibers, polyethylene fibers, and polypropylene fibers. Two or more selected from the above fibers may be used in combination.

Alternatively, the material may be a film or sheet made from at least one selected from synthetic polymers such as polyethylenes and polyvinylalcohols , semi-synthetic polymers such as bio- celluloses and alginates, and natural polymers such as

polysaccharides (e.g., carageenan and xanthan gum),

mucopolysaccharides (e.g., hyaluronic acid and sodium

hyaluronate) , polypeptides (e.g., γ-polyglutamic acid) and

proteins (e.g., gelatin and collagen). The film or sheet may be in the form of a gel or a jelly which may be transparent,

translucent or opaque. Two or more selected from the above substances may be used in combination.

The folded sheet according to the present invention may be made of two or more layers. Thus, for example, the substrate sheet 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 may be a layered sheet comprising two or more stacked layers. If a layered sheet is used, the material of each stacked layer may be the same or different from each other. For example, the layered sheet may be prepared by laminating the above film or sheet made from a synthetic polymer, a semisynthetic polymer and/or a natural polymer on the above woven or non-woven fabric.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, for example, a thin plastic film may be adhered to a woven or non-woven fabric to form a sheet. In this embodiment, unfolding of the folded sheet becomes easier, because the adhesion between the folded fabric is reduced or inhibited by the thin plastic film.

Furthermore, it is unnecessary to peel the thin plastic film from the fabric, and therefore, no waste matter can be produced.

The folded sheet according to the present invention may comprise at least one cosmetic ingredient. Preferably, the folded sheet according to the present invention comprises a cosmetic,

preferably a liquid cosmetic such as a cosmetic water or a milky lotion. Thus, the mask sheet according to the present invention is preferably wet.

The cosmetic may comprise an active cosmetic ingredient which may be water-soluble or liposoluble.

The water-soluble active cosmetic ingredient may be chosen from the following compounds: ascorbic acid and its biologically- compatible salts, enzymes, antibiotics, tightening agents, a- hydroxy acids and their salts, hydroxylated polyacids, sucroses and their derivatives, urea, aminoacids, oligopeptides, water- soluble plant extracts and yeast extracts, protein hydrolysates , hyaluronic acid, mucopolysaccharides, vitamins B₂, B₆, H, PP, panthenol, folic acid, salicylic acetyl acid, allantoin,

glycyrrhetic acid, kojic acid, and hydroquinone .

The liposoluble active cosmetic ingredient may be chosen from the following compounds: d-a-tocopherol , dl- -tocopherol, 1- - tocopherol, dl-a-tocopherol acetate, ascorbyl palmitate, vitamin F and glycerides of vitamin F, vitamin D, vitamin D₂, vitamin D₃, retinol, retinol esters, retinol palmitate, retinol propionate, β-carotene, d-panthenol, farnesol, and farnesyl acetate; jojoba oils, and black-currant oils rich in essential fatty acids;

keratolytics such as salicylic acid, its salts and its esters, n- octanoyl-5 salicylic acid and its esters, a-hydroxyacid

alkylesters such as citric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, total extract of centella asiatica, β-glycyerrhetinic acid, a-bisabolol, and ceramides such as 2 oleoylamino-1 , 3 octadecane; phytanetriol, milk sphingomyelin, phospholipids of marine origin rich in polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, and ethoxyquin; rosemary extract, melissa extract, quercetin, extract of dried microalgae, and steroid anti-inflammatory agents.

A liposoluble active cosmetic ingredient as described above may be incorporated in a solubilized state into oils used alone or in association, among which mention can be made of the following:

oils of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin, and in particular animal or vegetable oils formed by esters of fatty acids and of polyols, in particular liquid triglycerides, e.g. sunflower, corn, soya, vegetable marrow, sesame, hazelnut, pistachio nut, apricot, almond, or avocado oils; fish oils, glycerol tricaproccaprylate, or vegetable or animal oils of formula Ri C00R₂ in which R_x

represents the remainder of a higher fatty acid having from 7 to 19 carbon atoms, and R₂ represents a branched hydrocarbonated chain containing from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g. Purcellin oil; wheat germ, calophyllum, sesame, coriander, and safflower oils, passion flower oil, rosa mosqueta oil, macadamia oil, fruit seed oil (made from grape, black-currant, orange, or kiwi fruit seeds), colza, copra, groundnut, onager, palm, castor, linseed, jojoba, chia, and olive oils, cereal germ oils such as wheat germ oils, bran oil, rice oil, and karite oil; acetylglycerides ; octanoates, decanoates or ricinoleates of alcohols or of polyalcohols ;

triglycerides of fatty acids; glycerides; paraffin oil, Vaseline oil, and perhydrosqualene; fatty alcohols (stearylic alcohol, cetylic alcohol) and fatty acids (stearic acid) and their esters; polyalkyl (Ci~C₂o) siloxanes, and in particular those having trimethylsilyl terminal groups, preferably those whose viscosity is less than 0.06 m²/s, among which mention can be made of linear polydimethylsiloxanes and alkylmethylpolysiloxanes such as cetyl dimethicone (CTFA name) .

Mention can also be made of hydrocarbonated oils that are

partially fluorinated, or perfluorinated oils, and in particular perfluoropolyethers and perfluoroalcanes .

The oily phase, i.e., the oil droplets dispersed in the cosmetic, may be present in a proportion by weight relative to the total weight of the composition within the range of 0.1% to 30% by weight. Preferably, this percentage lies in the range of 5% to 25% by weight.

The cosmetic may comprise other active cosmetic ingredients which are commonly used in cosmetics. Among such active cosmetic ingredients that ere used, mention may be made of anti-oxidant cleansing agents, free radical scavengers, moisturizers,

depigmenting agents, liporegulators , anti-acne agents,

antidandruff agents, anti-aging agents, softeners, antiwrinkle agents, keratolitic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, fresheners, healing agents, vascular protectors, antibacterial agents,

antifungal agents, antiperspirants, deodorants, skin conditioners, anesthetics, immunomodulators , nourishing agents, and sebum absorbers (e.g. Orgasol) or moisture absorbers.

The folded sheet according to the present invention may be contained in a container to prepare a package. The container may preferably be a bag or sack made from any material, preferably a plastic or metal film. Aluminum foil, in particular a laminated aluminum foil, is more preferable as the material for the bag or sack. Thus, the present invention relates to a package

comprising the folded mask sheet.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described in more detail by way of the following examples, which however should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-6

[Example 1]

A folded mask sheet according to the present invention which had been folded as shown in Fig. 5 was used.

[Comparative Example 1]

A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 6 was used. The size and the material of the mask sheet were the same as those of Example 1.

[Comparative Example 2]

A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 7 was used. The size and the material of the mask sheet were the same as those of Example 1.

[Comparative Example 3]

A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 8 was used. The size and the material of the mask sheet were the same as those of Example 1. The folded mask sheet shown in Fig. 8 had one open edge .

[Comparative Example 4] A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 9 was used. The folded mask sheet shown in Fig. 9 had two tabs.

[Comparative Example 5]

A mask sheet which had a thin plastic film 6 on a surface of the mask sheet as shown in Fig. 10 was used. The mask sheet was folded as shown in Figure 3 of JP-A-2000-287751.

[Comparative Example 6]

A mask sheet which had been rolled and could be unrolled as shown in Fig. 12 was used. The size and the material of the mask sheet were the same as those of Example 1.

[Evaluations]

Each of the folded mask sheets of Example 1 as well as the folded or rolled mask sheets of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were put into a small bag made of laminated aluminum foil with a cosmetic lotion .

The material of the bag used and the composition of the cosmetic lotion used were the same as Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6.

After a predetermined amount of time, the mask sheet was removed from the bag, and unfolded by the fingers to evaluate by two professional panelists "ease of finding edge(s)", "easiness of unfolding", and "penetration of lotion" using a score system shown below as well as "presence of waste" wherein "Yes" means any waste of matter was produced during the unfolding operations, whereas "No" means no waste of matter was produced during the unfolding operations. The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

5 Very Good

4 Good

3 Fair

2 Poor

1 Very Poor

As shown in Table 1, the folded mask sheet according to Example 1 could be handled very easily, as it was easy to find edges and to unfold the mask sheet.

On the other hand, as shown in Table 1, it was difficult to find the edge(s) of the mask sheets according to Comparative Examples 1 to 6. Thus, unfolding the mask sheets according to Comparative Examples 1 to 6 was more difficult than unfolding that according to Example 1.

The mask sheet according to Comparative Example 3 may have better handling as compared to Comparative Examples 1, 2, 5 and 6, because it has one open edge. However, the handling of the mask sheet according to Comparative Example 3 is still inferior to that of the mask sheet according to Example 1. In addition, the mask sheet according to Comparative Example 3 cannot be further folded, because the open edge cannot be found any more if folded.

Also, the mask sheet according to Comparative Example 4 may have better handling as compared to Comparative Examples 1, 2, 5 and 6, because it has two tabs. However, the handling of the mask sheet according to Comparative Example 4 is also still inferior to that of the mask sheet according to Example 1. In addition, the mask sheet according to Comparative Example 4 had a risk of being torn relatively easily, because the gripping force provided by the fingers was focused on a relatively small area of the tab.

Therefore, it was necessary to handle more carefully.

Further, it was found that the cosmetic lotion was difficult to penetrate into the mask sheets according to Comparative Examples 5 and 6.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the mask sheet according to Comparative Example 5 produced waste matter, i.e., a plastic film, to be disposed, whereas the mask sheet according to Example 1 did not produce such waste matter when using the mask sheet.

Claims

1. A folded sheet for cosmetic treatments, comprising a main body and at least three open edges,

wherein

the open edges are formed by folding the sheet at least three times ,

at least one of the open edges projects from the main body, and

two of the open edges have a maximum width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet.

2. The folded sheet according to Claim 1, wherein the sheet has been folded along at least two folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet.

3. The folded sheet according to Claim 1, wherein the sheet has been folded in different directions along first and second folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet, such that the width between the first and second folding lines is smaller than the maximum width between the first or second folding line and the outline of the sheet.

4. The folded sheet according to Claim 3, wherein the cross

section of the folded sheet is in form of Z.

5. The folded sheet according to Claim 1, wherein the sheet has been formed by folding the folded sheet according to Claim 3 or 4, along a third folding line which is not parallel to the first or second folding line.

6. The folded sheet according to Claim 5, wherein the third

folding line is perpendicular to the first or second folding line .

7. The folded sheet according to Claim 1, wherein the sheet has at least three, preferably four, open edges which project from the main body of the sheet.

8. The folded sheet according to Claim 7, wherein the sheet has been formed by folding in different directions the folded sheet according to Claim 3 or 4, along third and fourth folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to each other and not parallel to the first or second folding line .

9. The folded sheet according to Claim 8, wherein the third and fourth folding lines are perpendicular to the first or second folding line.

10. The folded sheet according to Claim 9, wherein the cross

section of the folded sheet is in form of Z.

11. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 10,

wherein the main body of the sheet has in general a

rectangular shape.

12. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 11,

wherein the sheet is intended to be applied on a face.

13. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 12,

wherein the sheet comprises at least one cosmetic ingredient.

14. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 13,

wherein the sheet comprises at least two layers.

15. A package comprising the folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.