Reservoir barrier wipes, pads and applicators

Abstract

A wipe package includes an impregnated wipe, a sealed package containing the impregnated wipe and having an exterior surface and internal formulary reservoir to provide additional formulary to the impregnated wipe and at least one region on the exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe. The sealed package includes a front sheet, a first rear sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a second rear sheet. The impregnated wipe is secured to an interior surface of the first rear sheet, and at least the front sheet and the first rear sheet seal the impregnated wipe. The formulary reservoir is placed adjacent to the impregnated wipe to provide additional formulary. The package materials of the front and rear sheets protect the user's hand from contamination by the impregnated formulary during application.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION [0001] This application relates to and claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60 / 582,707 filed Jun. 23, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to impregnated and non-impregnated wipes and pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to the inclusion of a formulary reservoir to provide additional formulary within the package structure incorporating the wipes and pads as well as to materials and packaging for wipes and pads providing for improved performance and user protection. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Various types of wipes, pads and applicators are available in the marketplace. Such wipes, pads and applicators are used for the application of a variety of formularies, such as lotions, sunscreen, insect repellents, and cleaning fluids. These wipes, pads or applicators are typically marketed as an alternati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Based on the foregoing, consumers and businesses are in need of a way to exploit the convenience and portability of impregnated wipes and pads in accordance with formularies that are undesirable when in contact with the user's skin. Accordingly, one aspect involves an innovative approach to improving methods, systems and processes in packaging and impregnated wipe materials to prevent the unwanted migration of formulary from the impregnated wipe to the user's skin.

[0020] A wipe or pad in accordance with certain embodiments significantly reduces and or eliminates the transdermal migration of unwanted formulary from the impregnated wipe to the user's skin. A non-permeable barrier exists between the user's skin and the impregnated wipe providing a new improved way to exploit the convenience of impregnated wipes for a greater variety of formularies. For example, the non-permeable barrier is a part of the impregnated wipe packaging or included on one side of the impregnated wipe material. The formulary reservoir integrated into the wipe package provides a means to increase the amount of formulary available for application to the specified surface.

[0021] A wipe or pad in accordance with certain embodiments has the advantage of improving the ability of the packaging to stabilize the location or grip, in the user's hand, of the impregnated wipe while using it to apply the formulary. The one or more adjacent formulary reservoirs have the advantage of providing new or additional formulary to the wipe / applicator / pad and or providing the opportunity to mix ingredients (compound and solvent) prior to application.

[0022] Preferably, one layer of the packaging may be removed from a second layer to expose the impregnated wipe's surface for application of the formulary. The exposed impregnated wipe is attached to the second layer by a variety of techniques that are known in the art. The second layer acts as the intermediate layer wherein the formulary reservoir is integrated to provide the user the ability to deliver additional or new formulary to the wipe / pad material attached to the second layer. A third layer provides a non-permeable membrane between the impregnated wipe and the user's hand (skin). The fourth layer is attached to the third layer forming a pocket or strap for the insertion of the user's finger(s) or hand to provide additional package stabilization.

[0023] Using any of the herein described methods to secure the finger(s) or hand to the impregnated wipe, the active formulary surface may be exposed by separating the edges of the impregnated wipe, maintaining the hand or fingers to the non-permeable coating of the impregnated wipe by die-cut hole, strap or adhesive and effectively applying the wipe formulary without causing transdermal migration. The user may then press on the adjacent reservoir / s to deliver additional formulary to the wipe / applicator / pad.

Problems solved by technology

One reason for this unavailability of formularies in impregnated wipes, pads and applicators appears to be the high probability of transdermal migration of the formulary contained in the impregnated wipe through the skin of the user's hand or body parts when in contact with the impregnated wipe.

Certain formularies should not come in contact with the skin including products that are toxic, could discolor the skin, have undesirable odors or may leave the user's skin in a condition that the user may not like.

Additionally, numerous pharmaceutical products are intended to be applied only to the point of medical problem and transdermal migration through the user's skin might constitute an overdose of the medication.

Further, users of impregnated wipes may not want to receive any formulary on their skin when applying formulary to surfaces other than their own body.

Another reason for the lack of certain formularies in impregnated wipes, pads and applicators is because the methods and processes for the packaging surrounding the impregnated wipe have not addressed the user's need for a secure way to grip or hold the impregnated wipe, pad or applicator and additionally prevent transdermal migration.

Further, current systems and methods, anticipated through the prior art, do not provide the capability of a formulary reservoir to dispense additional liquid to the adhered wipe / pad substrate so that the “Barrier Package” will be able to apply the intended formulary to a greater surface area.

Additionally, the way that impregnated wipes are delivered to consumers and businesses, in the marketplace, has limited their usage in conjunction with formularies that stain, have undesirable smell or texture, or might present toxic exposure.

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