Selectively-activatible sheet material for dispensing and dispersing a substance onto a target surface

Abstract

The present invention provides a selectively-activatible sheet material for dispensing and dispersing a substance (16) onto a target surface (20). The sheet material comprises a three-dimensional sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The said first side has a plurality of hollow protrusions (14) extending outwardly therefrom and separated from one another by valleys, while the second side has a plurality of depressions corresponding with the hollow protrusions. A substance (16) adheres to and partially fills a location protected from external contact comprising the valleys and / or the depressions. The sheet material (10) may be selectively activated by deforming the hollow protrusions (14) to deliver the substance (16) to a target surface (20), the substance having an effective viscosity upon activation which permits the substance to be liberated from its protected location and dispensed onto the target surface. Suitable substances include cleansing agents, medicinal agents, emollients, lubricants, colorants, preservatives, protectants, condiments, adhesives, fragrances, anti-perspirants, deodorants, and combinations thereof. The present invention also includes such materials having two or more substances of diverse composition, and substances which undergo a decrease in effective viscosity upon activation (such as shear-thining substances) are particularly preferred. Additional layers of porous material may also be employed on the opposide side of the subtance from the sheet material such that the substance may be dispensed through the porous material. Porous materials may provide additional beneficial interaction with the subtance, including enhanced distribution and dispersal.

Description

field of invention [0001] The present invention relates to a sheet of material comprising a substance applied to a target surface. In particular, the present invention relates to materials in which substances can be released from the sheet and dispensed onto a target surface. Background of the invention [0002] In current substance dispensing technology, articles have been developed that are coated or impregnated with a useful substance that is available when the article comes into contact with a target surface. While there are advantages to placing substances on or near the surfaces of such articles, there is often the disadvantage that useful substances are left unprotected and exposed to inadvertent contact prior to intended use. Careless contact can cause contamination of the material. Loss of material to other surfaces than the desired target surface, and / or contamination of material by other surfaces. [0003] One way of dealing with this probl...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although there are advantages to placing substances on or near the surface of such articles, there is often the disadvantage that useful substances are left unprotected and exposed to inadvertent contact prior to intended use

Additionally, the adhesive typically remains substantially in its original position relative to the target surface such that a discontinuous or disconnected adhesive layer does not evenly contact or coat the target surface

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