SOLUBLE FILMS AND METHODS THEREOF

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to dissolvable films for customizing art products.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many different types of arts and crafts products have been introduced over time, including inks, paints, and modeling compounds. Typically, these products are manufactured and packaged in their final form, complete with their own colors, scents, and textures. There remains a need for novel systems that enable a user to customize arts and crafts products, such as inks, paints, and modeling compounds, with artistic effects of their own choosing. Such systems would provide the creative experience of selecting and adjusting the colors, textures, and scents of the materials used in making artistic creations.

[0003] WO 99 / 28113 A1 illustrates for example a method for simulating a mould-imparted texture comprising applying a textured skin to a moulding from a pre-textured mould.

[0004] WO 2008 / 042331 A2 relates to packaging in the form of a pouch, which may contain active substances, such as food products, pharmaceutical agents, nutraceuticals and cosmetic agents, or the like. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a pouch, which includes at least one porous substrate encompassing a closed volume and at least one water-soluble film at least partially embedded in the at least one porous substrate. The pouch may contain an active substance within the closed volume, as well as an active substance in the water-soluble film.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides dissolvable films for use by children and artists, particularly for use as a children's craft product. The dissolvable films are formulated for customizing art materials with particular effects, such as inks, paints and modeling doughs. The dissolvable films function as effect carriers that enable a user to add "artistic effects" of their choosing to a variety of art materials.

[0007] As used herein, the term "artistic effect" refers to an effect that is selected from the group consisting of color, glitter, pattern, and combinations thereof. Thus, when a dissolvable film imparts an artistic effect to an art material, the dissolvable film imparts a color, glitter, a pattern, or a combination thereof to the art material. In preferred embodiments, the artistic effect is a coloring effect. Similarly, an "artistic component" as used herein is a component of the dissolvable film that is selected from the group consisting of a colorant, a pattern, glitter, and a combination thereof. Upon dissolution, or substantial dissolution, of the film in an art material, the artistic component becomes dispersed in the art material, which causes a corresponding artistic effect to be imparted on the art material (e.g., a red colorant contained in a film becomes dispersed in a paint or modeling compound, causing at least a portion of the paint or modeling compound to turn red). In exemplary embodiments, the artistic component(s) comprise one or more colorants.

[0008] As used herein, the term "film" refers to a solid, sheet-like material that may also be referred to as a "strip." The films are typically thin enough that in some cases they are fragile and can be easily torn. According to certain embodiments, the film has a thickness of greater than 70 µm, for example, about 80 µm, about 85 µm, or about 90 µm. In preferred embodiments, the film has a thickness of greater than 90 µm, for example, about 100 µm or about 110 µm. The films are also dissolvable, which means they are water soluble and capable of dissolving in water-based liquids and materials (e.g., water-based art materials such as inks, paints, and modeling doughs). As used herein, a percentage (%) refers to a weight percentage of the composition.

[0009] The sizes of the films, such as the length and width, can vary greatly. The films may be small, e.g. about 1 cm x about 1 cm, or may be as large as a sheet of paper, e.g. about 22 cm x about 28 cm. The films may have a length and / or width of greater than about 3 cm, greater than about 4 cm, greater than about 5 cm, or greater than about 6 cm. For example, the films may have a length and / or width of about 2 cm, about 3 cm, about 4 cm, about 5 cm, about 6 cm, about 7 cm, about 8 cm, about 9 cm, about 10 cm, about 11 cm, or about 12 cm. In particular embodiments, the films can have a variety of shapes, including but not limited to squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, or stars. In certain applications, the shape of the film may remain substantially intact after the film dissolves in the art material. For example, a user may apply a star-shaped film directly to wet paint that has already been painted onto a substrate (i.e., painted onto a substantially flat surface). The star pattern (which may impart a color or glitter to the paint) will slowly dissolve in the paint while substantially maintaining the star shape. In other applications, the film is "mixed in" to the art material such that the film's shape is not retained upon dissolution of the film. For example, the film may be added to a container of paint and the paint is subsequently stirred, which causes the components of the film to become mixed into the paint. In either type of application, the film imparts an artistic effect upon the art material (e.g., color, glitter, pattern, or combination thereof).

[0010] It is possible to provide kits that comprises dissolvable films of the present invention. For example, the kit may include one or more art materials or "base" arts and crafts products (e.g., an unpigmented ink, paint, or modeling compound) and a variety of dissolvable films that have various colors, and / or patterns. The user creates a custom arts and crafts product by blending one or more dissolvable strips, or portions thereof, in the base product. A wide variety of colors and effects are thus available to the user. Examples of art materials or "base" arts and crafts products include modeling compounds (e.g., Model Magic ®< or Silly Putty ®< ), water-based paints and inks, and tie-dye kits. Examples of dissolvable films that may be included in kits of the present invention include films having colorants that are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple, films that contain glitter, and films that are shaped into squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, stars, or hearts.

[0011] Dissolvable films currently exist in food applications (such as breath strips) and in drug applications, in which the films carry active pharmaceutical ingredients. In many of those applications, the films are formulated for oral delivery, i.e., to dissolve in a person's mouth. On the contrary, the films of the present invention are not formulated for oral or mucosal delivery; for example, the films of the present invention do not contain any pharmaceutical ingredients, food ingredients, or taste-enhancing substances, such as sweeteners. Advantageously, there are numerous ingredients in other commercially available films (i.e., those used in food or drug applications) which are preferably not included in films of the present invention. For example, in preferred embodiments, the films of the present invention do not contain any pullulan, starch, modified starch (e.g., maltodextrin), or starch derivatives.

[0012] According to particular aspects, the present invention provides dissolvable films for use in customizing an art material, each dissolvable film comprising one or more cellulose compounds, propylene glycol, glycerin, and one or more artistic components, wherein the dissolvable film imparts one or more artistic effects on the art material following administration of the dissolvable film to the art material. The resulting artistic effect(s) imparted on the art material correspond to the artistic component(s) contained in the film (e.g., a colorant imparts a color on the art material, glitter imparts glitter on the art material, etc.). The artistic component(s) comprise(s) one or more colorants, one or more patterns (e.g., shapes), or glitter. The artistic effect(s) therefore comprise(s) a color, glitter, pattern, or a combination thereof, imparted on the art material. In an exemplary embodiment, the artistic component(s) comprise or consist of one or more colorants.

[0013] The one or more cellulose compounds comprise or consist of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The cellulose compound(s) also preferably comprise at least two different types or grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; for example, the dissolvable strip may comprise two types of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose that each has a different viscosity, such as Metolose 60SH-50 ®< (hypromellose, USP sub type 2910) and Pharmacoat 615 ®< (hypromellose, USP sub type 2910). Metolose 60SH-50 ®< has a viscosity of about 45 cP to about 55 cP (e.g., about 50 cP), a methoxyl content of about 28% to about 30%, and a hydoroxypropoxyl content of about 7% to about 12%. Pharmacoat 615 ®< has a viscosity of about 12 cP to about 18 cP (e.g., about 15 cP), a methoxyl content of about 28% to about 30%, and a hydoroxypropoxyl content of about 7% to about 12%. In a preferred embodiment, the dissolvable film further comprises one or more non-ionic surfactants, preferably polysorbate 80.

[0014] Colorants of the film comprise either liquid pigment dispersions (i.e., comprising pigment(s) and water) or dry pigments. In an embodiment of a film comprising a liquid pigment dispersion, the dissolvable film comprises about 7% to about 15% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, about 1% to about 5% propylene glycol, about 0.5% to about 3% glycerin, about 10% to about 20% pigment, and about 60% to about 80% water. In an exemplary embodiment, the dissolvable film comprises about 10.5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (e.g., Metolose 60SH-50 ®< and Pharmacoat 615 ®< ), about 3% propylene glycol, about 1.05% glycerin, about 15% pigment, and about 70% water.

[0015] In an embodiment of a film comprising a dry pigment, the dissolvable film comprises about 25% to about 50% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, about 1% to about 20% propylene glycol, about 0.5% to about 10% glycerin, and about 30% to about 70% pigment. In another embodiment, the dissolvable film comprises about 30% to about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, about 5% to about 15% propylene glycol, about 1.0% to about 5% glycerin, and about 40% to about 60% pigment. In an exemplary embodiment, the dissolvable film comprises about 35% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (e.g., Metolose 60SH-50 ®< and Pharmacoat 615 ®< ), about 10% propylene glycol, about 3.5% glycerin, and about 50% pigment.

[0016] Optional additives of the film may be selected from the group consisting of pH adjusters, buffers, dispersing agents, preservatives, emulsifiers, thickening agents, and combinations thereof.

[0017] According to particular embodiments, a method for delivering one or more artistic effects to an art material comprises administering one or more dissolvable films of the present invention (i.e., those described herein) to the art material, wherein the one or more dissolvable films impart an artistic effect on the art material. The art material is preferably water-based, and is selected from the group consisting of inks, paints and modeling doughs. According to one embodiment, the user administers multiple (i.e., two or more) dissolvable films to the art material. The user may alternatively divide a film into smaller portions (e.g., by tearing or cutting) and administer the smaller portions to an art material. The dissolvable films of the present invention are manufactured according to methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0018] The following examples are provided to describe the invention in greater detail and are intended to illustrate, not limit, the invention.EXAMPLES

[0019] While only certain compositions are set forth below, alternative compositions will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such artisans will be able to modify the compositions with an eye toward the desired performance properties and intended use.

[0020] Each of the tables below provides two types of strips - one containing a pigment (i.e., a dry powder), referred to under "% solids," and the other containing a liquid pigment dispersion, referred to under "% liquid blend": Table 1Ingredients Material NameAlternate Description% Liquid Blend% SolidsMetolose 60SH-50Hypromellose, USP sub. type 29106.0020.00Pharmacoat 615Hypromellose, USP sub. type 29104.5015.00Propylene GlycolPropylene Glycol3.0010.00GlycerinGlycerol1.053.50Polysorbate 80Tween 200.451.50Blue #52-4442-0-000Blue Dry Pigment (Crayola supplied)15.0050.00purified water, usppurified water, usp70.00--- Table 2 Ingredients Material NameAlternate Description% Liquid Blend% SolidsMetolose 60SH-50Hypromellose, USP sub. type 29106.0020.00Pharmacoat 615Hypromellose, USP sub. type 29104.5015.00Propylene GlycolPropylene Glycol3.0010.00GlycerinGlycerol1.053.50Polysorbate 80Tween 200.451.50#10-1100-7-042 Flexiverse Blue 15:3Blue Liquid Dye (Crayola supplied)15.0050.00purified water, usppurified water, usp70.00---

[0021] As an example, one film containing a dry pigment is added per 0.5 oz of a white Model Magic ®< product. As another example, one strip is added to anywhere from 5 to 30 gm (1 oz) of a fabric paint base having the following composition:Fabric Paint

[0022] Component Base %Deionized Water 15.06Propylene Glycol 3.80Nalco 2305 0.16defoamerAC 2612 71.92acrylic polymer -film formerTamol 731 0.55dispersantTriton X-405 2.60surfactantAMP 95 0.53amino alcohol dispersant and ph stabilizerAcrysol TT-615 1.26acrylic thickenerAcrysol ASE-60 1.26acrylic thickenerParaplex-R WP-1 2.52plasticizerReputain B30 0.22PreservativePolyphase AF-1 0.11PreservativeTotal 100.00

[0023] Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications and variations of the described compositions and methods of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dissolvable film for customizing an art material, the art material comprising ink, paint, or modeling dough, wherein the dissolvable film imparts an artistic effect following administration of the dissolvable film to the art material, wherein the artistic effect is selected from the group consisting of color, glitter, pattern, and a combination thereof, the dissolvable film comprising: one or more artistic components dispersable in the art material, wherein the one or more artistic components comprise one or more liquid pigment dispersions, the dissolvable film comprising 7% to 15% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 1% to 5% propylene glycol, 0.5% to 3% glycerin, 10% to 20% pigment, and 60% to 80% water, each by weight of the dissolvable film.

2. The dissolvable film of claim 1 comprising 10.5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 3% propylene glycol, 1.05% glycerin, 15% pigment, and 70% water, each by weight of the dissolvable film.

3. A dissolvable film for customizing an art material, the art material comprising ink, paint, or modeling dough, wherein the dissolvable film imparts an artistic effect following administration of the dissolvable film to the art material, wherein the artistic effect is selected from the group consisting of color, glitter, pattern, and a combination thereof, the dissolvable film comprising: one or more artistic components, dispersable in the art material, wherein the one or more artistic components comprise one or more dry pigments, the dissolvable film comprising 25% to 50% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, 1% to 20% propylene glycol, 0.5% to 10% glycerin and 30% to 70% pigment, each by weight of the dissolvable film.

4. The dissolvable film of claim 3 comprising 30% to 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 5% to 15% propylene glycol, 1.0% to 5% glycerin, and 40% to 60% pigment, each by weight of the dissolvable film.

5. The dissolvable film of claim 3 comprising 35% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 10% propylene glycol, 3.5% glycerin, and 50% pigment, each by weight of the dissolvable film.

6. The dissolvable film of claim 1 further comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of pH adjusters, buffers, dispersing agents, preservatives, emulsifiers, thickening agents, and combinations thereof.

7. The dissolvable film of claim 1, wherein the dissolvable film has a thickness of greater than 70 µm.

8. A method for delivering one or more artistic effects to an art material comprising administering one or more dissolvable films to the art material, wherein the one or more dissolvable films impart an artistic effect on the art material, wherein the one or more dissolvable films comprise one or more cellulose compounds, propylene glycol, glycerin, and one or more artistic components, wherein the one or more artistic components are selected from the group consisting of a colorant, a pattern, glitter, and a combination thereof, wherein the one or more artistic components become dispersed in the art material, wherein the artistic effect is selected from the group consisting of color, glitter, pattern, and a combination thereof, and wherein the art material comprises ink, paint, or modeling dough.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the one or more dissolvable films comprises one or more cellulose compounds, propylene glycol, glycerin, and one or more artistic components.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more artistic components comprise one or more colorants.

11. The method of 8, wherein the art material is water-based.

12. The method of claim 9 comprising administering multiple dissolvable films to the art material.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein one or more colorants are liquid pigment dispersions comprising pigment and water.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more dissolvable films comprise 5% to 20% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 0.1% to 10% propylene glycol, 0.1% to 5% glycerin, 5% to 30% pigment, and 50% to 90%water.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more colorants are dry pigments.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more dissolvable films comprise 25% to 50% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 1% to 20% propylene glycol, 0.5% to 10% glycerin, and 30% to 70% pigment.