Adhesive skin patch

Abstract

This adhesive skin patch contains an aromatic component.

Description

Seal

[0001] This disclosure relates to a seal.

[0002] For the purpose of obtaining an aroma, the use of aroma components has been studied. Assuming use during a specific mental and physical state, the use of aroma components has been studied as components targeted at a specific mental and physical state and components that act on the mind and body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an aroma composition that improves psychosomatic disorders such as premenstrual tension associated with menstruation, and the volatile components that form the scent of this aroma composition exhibit their effects through a route that enters the limbic system of the brain via the olfactory mucosa by inhalation from the nostrils and a route that is absorbed from the lungs and enters the bloodstream.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-157344

[0004] Since mental and physical states and preferences vary among individuals, when using aroma components in anticipation of mental and physical effects and aromas, it is preferable for each person to use an aroma component suitable for each. One aspect of this disclosure aims to provide a means suitable for personal use of aroma components.

[0005] Generally, aroma components are inhaled from a human's nostrils. However, the inventor has focused on the fact that olfactory receptors are present in the skin and that aroma components can be transdermally absorbed. And it has been found that a skin patch-type seal containing an aroma component can directly supply the aroma component to an individual while suppressing the diffusion of the aroma component to the surroundings, and is suitable for personal use of the aroma component.

[0006] This disclosure provides, in several aspects, the following [1] to [7]: [1] A skin patch containing a fragrance component. [2] The skin patch according to [1], wherein the fragrance component contains two or more compounds. [3] The skin patch according to [1] or [2], comprising a first layer containing the fragrance component and a second layer provided on one surface of the first layer. [4] The skin patch according to [3], wherein the first layer comprises an adhesive layer and a layer located between the adhesive layer and the second layer and containing at least a portion of the fragrance component. [5] The skin patch according to [4], wherein the adhesive layer is used by being attached to the skin. [6] The skin patch according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the amount of the fragrance component released to the outside of the patch is anisotropic. [7] The skin-adhesive seal according to [4] or [5], wherein the amount of the fragrance component released from the adhesive layer side to the outside of the seal is greater than the amount released from the second layer side to the outside of the seal.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a means suitable for the personal use of aromatic components is provided.

[0008] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a skin-adhesive seal. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a skin-adhesive seal.

[0009] Several embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0010] One embodiment of this disclosure is a skin patch containing an aromatic component (hereinafter also simply referred to as "the patch"). The aromatic component may be a component intended for use in a specific physical or mental state in a human being, or a component targeting a specific physical or mental state in a human being. A specific physical or mental state may be an unpleasant physical or mental ailment, or a disorder or syndrome accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. Targeting a specific physical or mental state in a human being may be for the purpose of improving a specific physical or mental state, or for the purpose of caring for a specific physical or mental state. Targeting a specific physical or mental state in a human being may also be for the purpose of obtaining desired elements for the mind and body (obtaining elements that the mind and body desire). An example of an aromatic component is a component that improves a specific physical or mental state in a human being (having an effect of improving unpleasant symptoms associated with a specific physical or mental state in a human being). Examples of specific physical or mental states in a human being include premenstrual syndrome, menopausal disorders, and sleep disorders. A specific physical or mental state in a human being may be one or more selected from the group consisting of PMS, menopausal disorders, and sleep disorders.

[0011] Aromatic components include one or more compounds. Examples of compounds included in aromatic components include geraniol, linalool, potassiumolefin, citral, menthol, camphor, and sclareol. Aromatic components may include compounds intended for use in specific physical and mental states in humans, may include compounds targeting specific physical and mental states in humans, may include compounds that have an effect of improving unpleasant symptoms associated with specific physical and mental states in humans, and may include compounds that have an effect of improving symptoms of PMS, menopausal disorders, or sleep disorders. Examples of compounds that have an effect of improving symptoms of PMS as aromatic components include geraniol, linalool, potassiumolefin, citral, menthol, camphor, and sclareol. If an aromatic component includes a compound that has an effect of improving unpleasant symptoms in humans, it can be said that the aromatic component has an effect of improving those symptoms.

[0012] Aromatic components may be inhaled through the nostrils and may have transdermal absorption. At least one of the one or more compounds contained in the aromatic component may have transdermal absorption. In this case, it is particularly suitable as a skin patch. Examples of compounds with transdermal absorption as aromatic components include geraniol, linalool, calyolefin, citral, menthol, camphor, and sclareol. If an aromatic component contains a compound with transdermal absorption, it can be said that the aromatic component has transdermal absorption.

[0013] The aromatic components may include compounds that have an effect of improving PMS symptoms and are absorbed through the skin. Examples of aromatic components that have an effect of improving PMS symptoms and are absorbed through the skin include geraniol, linalool, potassiumolefin, citral, menthol, camphor, and sclareol. The aromatic components may include one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of geraniol, linalool, potassiumolefin, citral, menthol, camphor, and sclareol.

[0014] The aromatic components may be supported on carrier particles. In other words, the seal may contain carrier particles, and these carrier particles may support the aromatic components. An example of a carrier particle is SiO ２ Particles (for example, SiO ２ Examples include nanoparticles.

[0015] The seal typically includes a matrix material that holds the fragrance component, in addition to the fragrance component itself. The matrix material may be adhesive. The matrix material may be, for example, an adhesive. In this case, the fragrance component may be held in the adhesive or dispersed in the adhesive. Alternatively, if the fragrance component is supported on carrier particles, the carrier particles supporting the fragrance component may be held in the adhesive or dispersed in the adhesive.

[0016] Examples of adhesives include acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, rubber adhesives, and polyurethane adhesives. The adhesive is suitable for application to the skin. It may be adhesive to the skin and may have low skin irritation properties.

[0017] In other embodiments, the matrix material may be an alternating laminated film. An alternating laminated film is a film (thin film) formed by repeated adsorption of materials constituting the film through interactions (e.g., electrostatic interactions). Examples of materials constituting an alternating laminated film include polymer electrolytes, biopolymers (proteins, polysaccharides, etc.), and colloidal particles (polymer microparticles, SiO₂). ２ Examples include inorganic oxide particles such as [specific examples of inorganic oxide particles] and dyes. Examples of alternating laminated films include those described later as examples of alternating laminated films that may be included in the adhesive layer 23 of seal 2.

[0018] The alternating laminated film can exhibit adhesiveness while retaining the fragrance component (or carrier particles carrying the fragrance component). In this specification, "adhesion" also includes adsorption to an adherend (being supported on an adherend by adsorption) due to electrostatic interaction. When the matrix material is an alternating laminated film, the fragrance component may be retained in the alternating laminated film. Also, when the fragrance component is supported on carrier particles, the carrier particles carrying the fragrance component may be retained in the alternating laminated film.

[0019] The retention period for fragrance components in a seal may be 6 hours or more, half a day or more, 1 day or more, or 1 week or more, and may be 1 month or less, or 2 weeks or less. The retention period for fragrance components in a seal may be the period during which, when the seal is placed in an open system at normal temperature and pressure (atmospheric pressure and 25°C) immediately after its manufacture, the specific components contained in the seal at the time of manufacture remain to an extent that the specific components exhibit effectiveness, and means the period required until more than half of the fragrance components contained in the seal at the time of manufacture are released outside the seal.

[0020] The seal described above may be a single-layer seal or a seal comprising multiple layers. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a seal comprising multiple layers. The seal 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a first layer 11 containing a fragrance component and a second layer 12 provided on one surface of the first layer 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first main surface"). In this specification, the term "layer" includes not only structures formed on the entire surface when viewed as a plan view, but also structures formed on only a part of it.

[0021] The first layer 11 contains a fragrance component. Examples of fragrance components include those mentioned above as examples of fragrance components that may be included in the seal. In the first layer 11, the fragrance component may also be supported on carrier particles. The carrier particles can be any of those mentioned above without any particular limitations.

[0022] The first layer 11 may be adhesive. The first layer 11 usually includes a matrix material that holds the fragrance components in addition to the fragrance components themselves. The matrix material may be adhesive. An example of the matrix material in the first layer 11 is the one described above as an example of the matrix material in the seal.

[0023] If the matrix material in the first layer 11 is an adhesive, the fragrance component may be held in the adhesive or dispersed in the adhesive. Also, if the fragrance component is supported on carrier particles, the carrier particles supporting the fragrance component may be held in the adhesive or dispersed in the adhesive.

[0024] If the matrix material in the first layer is an alternating laminated film, the fragrance components may be retained in the alternating laminated film. Also, if the fragrance components are supported on carrier particles, the carrier particles supporting the fragrance components may be retained in the alternating laminated film.

[0025] The period during which the fragrance components can be retained in the first layer 11 may be within the range described above as the period during which the fragrance components can be retained in the seal.

[0026] The second layer 12 may be a layer that does not easily permeate the aromatic components contained in the first layer 11. For example, the permeability of the aromatic components of the second layer 12 may be lower than that of the aromatic components of the first layer 11.

[0027] The second layer 12 may contain, for example, a polymer. Examples of polymers included in the second layer 12 include low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride, and vinylidene chloride copolymers. The second layer 12 may contain polar polymers such as polyester, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride, and vinylidene chloride copolymers. When the second layer 12 contains a polar polymer, the second layer 12 can function as a substrate for creating an alternating laminated film. Therefore, the seal 1 can be easily manufactured by first creating the second layer 12 and then creating the first layer 11 containing the alternating laminated film on top of it. The second layer 12 may also contain polyethylene laminate cellophane.

[0028] In seal 1, the second layer 12 is provided on the first main surface and the side surface of the first layer 11. That is, the second layer 12 is provided on all surfaces of the first layer 11 except the second main surface (the other surface). The second layer 12 covers all of the first main surface and the side surface of the first layer 11. In another embodiment, the second layer 12 may be provided only on the first main surface of the first layer 11. Alternatively, the second layer 12 may cover all of the first main surface of the first layer 11, or only a portion of the first main surface of the first layer 11.

[0029] The seal 1 shown in Figure 1 consists of two layers, the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 described above, but the seal's configuration is not limited to this. For example, the first layer may consist of multiple layers.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the seal. The seal 2 shown in Figure 2 comprises a first layer 21 containing a fragrance component and a second layer 22 provided on one surface (first main surface) of the first layer 21. The first layer 21 comprises an adhesive layer 23 and a layer 24 located between the adhesive layer 23 and the second layer 22, which contains at least a portion of the fragrance component contained in the first layer 21.

[0031] Examples of aromatic components included in the first layer 21 include those mentioned above as examples of aromatic components that may be included in the seal. Layer 24 includes at least a portion of the aromatic components included in the first layer 21. Layer 24 may include all of the aromatic components included in the first layer 21. Furthermore, the aromatic components included in layer 24 may be supported on carrier particles. The carrier particles can be any of those mentioned above without any particular limitations.

[0032] Layer 24 may or may not be tacky. Layer 24 typically includes at least a portion of the fragrance components contained in the first layer 21, in addition to a matrix material that holds at least a portion of the fragrance components. The matrix material may or may not be tacky. Examples of the matrix material in layer 24 include those mentioned above as examples of matrix materials in the seal. Other examples of the matrix material in layer 24 include porous materials such as paper and nonwoven fabrics; and lipid-soluble materials such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and polyvinyl acetates.

[0033] As for specific embodiments of layer 24, those described above as embodiments of the first layer 11 of the seal 1 can be used without particular limitation. The period during which the fragrance component can be retained in layer 24 may be within the range described above as the period during which the fragrance component can be retained in the seal.

[0034] The adhesive layer 23 is an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer 23 does not have to contain fragrance components, but it may contain some of the fragrance components contained in the first layer 21. The adhesive layer 23 may be a layer that can permeate fragrance components. For example, the permeability of the adhesive layer 23 to fragrance components may be higher than the permeability of the second layer 22 to fragrance components.

[0035] The adhesive layer 23 may contain an adhesive. An example of an adhesive is the one described above as an example of an adhesive for the matrix material in the seal. The adhesive is an adhesive that can be applied to the skin. The adhesive may be adhesive to the skin and may have low skin irritation.

[0036] The adhesive layer 23 may contain alternating laminated films. Examples of materials constituting the alternating laminated films include polymer electrolytes, biopolymers (proteins, polysaccharides, etc.), colloidal particles (polymer microparticles, inorganic oxides), and dyes.

[0037] An alternating layered film may consist of layers A formed using a solution containing polycations and layers B formed using a solution containing polyanions, which are stacked alternately. Note that the alternating stacking of layers A and B is not limited to cases where one layer A and one layer B are stacked alternately, but also includes cases where layers consisting of multiple layers A and layers consisting of multiple layers B are stacked alternately.

[0038] (Polycation) In this specification, a polycation refers to a compound having two or more cationic groups in one molecule, and a cationic group refers to a cationic group or a group that can be converted into a cationic group. Examples of cationic groups include amino groups; monoalkylamino groups such as methylamino group and ethylamino group; dialkylamino groups such as dimethylamino group and diethylamino group; imino groups and guanidino groups. Note that the amino group is a -NH group to which a proton is coordinated. ３ ＋ That's fine.

[0039] The polycation may be a cationic polymer. In this specification, a cationic polymer means a polymer having two or more cationic groups in one molecule. The cationic polymer may be a polymer of monomers having cationic groups.

[0040] The cationic polymer can form a gel-like polyion complex with the anionic polymer described below in the presence of water, and the polyion complex can exhibit a bioadhesive effect and may have few adverse reactions to the living body.

[0041] As the cationic polymer, those having hydrophilicity such that they can be dissolved or swollen in water and having the property of being positively charged by dissociation of cationic groups in water are preferably used. The cationic polymer may be a polymer having two or more amino groups in one molecule.

[0042] Examples of the cationic polymer include basic polysaccharides such as collagen, polyhistidine, ionenes, chitosan, and aminated cellulose; homopolymers and copolymers of basic amino acids such as polylysine, polyarginine, and copolymers of lysine and arginine; basic vinyl polymers such as polyvinylamine, polyallylamine, and polydimethylvinylpyridine; and salts thereof (hydrochloride, acetate, etc.), polyethyleneimine, polyallylamine hydrochloride, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, and the like.

[0043] Further, a crosslinked polymer obtained by crosslinking the above-mentioned cationic polymer can also be used as the polycation. Any known method can be used as the method for crosslinking the cationic polymer. When the cationic polymer has an amino group, a method of crosslinking by condensing the amino group of the cationic polymer with a dicarboxylic acid is preferable.

[0044] As the cationic polymer, basic polysaccharides or their derivatives (for example, acetylated products, etc.) or their salts can be preferably used. In particular, the basic polysaccharide may be chitosan. Chitosan is a deacetylated product of chitin, and its degree of deacetylation may be 40 to 100%, 45 to 90%, or 50 to 80% because of its better biodegradability and water solubility.

[0045] The molecular weight of the cationic polymer is not particularly limited. However, as the viscosity-average molecular weight increases, the viscosity of the solution containing the polycation increases, making it difficult to cast and laminate during the formation of the alternating laminate film. The viscosity-average molecular weight of the cationic polymer may be 1,000 to 500,000, 10,000 to 400,000, or 50,000 to 200,000.

[0046] In this specification, the "viscosity-average molecular weight" may be evaluated by the viscosity method, which is a general measurement method. For example, it can be calculated from the intrinsic viscosity [η] measured based on JIS K 7367-3:1999.

[0047] As the polycation, a low-molecular compound having two or more cationic groups in one molecule can also be used. Examples of the low-molecular compound having two or more cationic groups in one molecule include low-molecular diamines and polyamines. Examples of such polycations include compounds having two amino groups in one molecule, such as diaminoalkanes like diaminoethane, diaminopropane, diaminobutane, diaminopentane, and diaminohexane; compounds having 3 to 4 amino groups in one molecule, such as mono- or dilysylaminoalkanes like N-(lysyl)-diaminoethane, N,N'-(dilysyl)-diaminoethane, N-(lysyl)-diaminohexane, and N,N'-(dilysyl)-diaminohexane; and compounds having 5 or more amino groups in one molecule.

[0048] (Solution containing polycation) The concentration of the polycation in the solution containing the polycation may be 0.01 to 5.0% by mass, 0.02 to 2.0% by mass, or 0.05 to 1.0% by mass.

[0049] The viscosity of the solution containing the polycation may be 0.1 to 1000 mPa·s, 0.5 to 500 mPa·s, or 1 to 100 mPa·s. In this specification, the viscosity is the value measured at 20°C with a sample volume of 10 mL using a tuning fork type vibrating viscometer SV-10 manufactured by A&D Company, Limited.

[0050] Solutions containing polycations may contain two or more types of polycations in combination.

[0051] Any solvent capable of dissolving polycations can be used as the solvent for the solution containing the polycation. From the viewpoint of increasing the charge of the polycation, water or aqueous solutions of inorganic salts are preferred.

[0052] Solutions containing polycations do not require pH adjustment; the solution can be used directly after dissolving the polycations in a solvent. For example, the pH of a polycation-containing solution may be between 1.2 and 6.6.

[0053] (Polyanions) In this specification, a polyanion means a compound having two or more anionic groups in one molecule, and an anionic group means an anionic group or a group that can be converted into an anionic group. Examples of anionic groups include carboxyl groups, carboxylate groups, sulfate groups, sulfonic acid groups, and phosphoric acid groups.

[0054] The polyanion may be an anionic polymer. In this specification, an anionic polymer means a polymer having two or more anionic groups in one molecule. The anionic polymer may be a polymer of monomers having anionic groups.

[0055] The anionic polymer can form a gel-like polyion complex with the cationic polymer in the presence of water, and this polyion complex can exhibit biotissue adhesion and may have few harmful reactions to living organisms.

[0056] Preferably, an anionic polymer is one that has hydrophilicity to the extent that it can dissolve or swell in water, and that acquires a negative charge when its anionic group dissociates in water. The anionic polymer may be a polymer having two or more carboxyl groups or carboxylate groups in one molecule.

[0057] Examples of anionic polymers include natural acidic polysaccharides and their derivatives that have anionic groups (e.g., carboxyl groups, carboxylate groups, or sulfate groups), such as alginic acid, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dextran sulfate, pectin, and sacran; acidic polysaccharides and their derivatives artificially synthesized by attaching anionic groups to polysaccharides that do not naturally have anionic groups (e.g., carboxyl groups, carboxylate groups, or sulfate groups), such as cellulose, dextran, and starch (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethyl dextran, carboxymethyl starch, carboxymethyl chitosan, sulfated cellulose, and sulfated dextran, and their derivatives); homopolymers and copolymers of acidic amino acids, such as polyglutamic acid, polyaspartic acid, and copolymers of glutamic acid and aspartic acid; acidic vinyl polymers such as polyacrylic acid; and salts thereof (e.g., alkali metal salts such as sodium salts).

[0058] Examples of derivatives of acidic polysaccharides include those obtained by reacting some or all of the hydroxyl groups with acetic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, etc., and those obtained by esterifying some of the carboxyl groups or carboxylate groups with low molecular weight alcohols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

[0059] Examples of derivatives of acidic polysaccharides include ethylene glycol alginate, propylene glycol alginate, ethylene glycol hyaluronate, and propylene glycol hyaluronate. The degree of esterification in these derivatives is not particularly limited, but if the degree of esterification is too high, the proportion of carboxyl groups or carboxylate groups, i.e., the anionicity, decreases, and the mechanical strength of the polyion complex formed with the cationic polymer tends to decrease. From this viewpoint, the degree of esterification in derivatives of acidic polysaccharides may be 40-100%, 45-90%, or 50-80%.

[0060] Salts of acidic polysaccharides or derivatives of acidic polysaccharides include salts of these with monovalent ions, such as alkali metal salts like sodium salts and potassium salts; and ammonium salts.

[0061] Furthermore, a crosslinked polymer obtained by crosslinking the above-mentioned anionic polymer can also be used as a polyanion. Any known method can be used to crosslink the anionic polymer. If the anionic polymer has carboxyl groups or carboxylate groups, a preferred method is to crosslink the carboxyl groups or carboxylate groups of the anionic polymer by condensation reaction with a diamine.

[0062] As anionic polymers, acidic polysaccharides or their derivatives or salts thereof can be suitably used. In particular, alginic acid or its derivatives (specifically, propylene glycol alginate, etc.) or salts thereof (for example, alkali metal salts such as sodium salts) are suitable as anionic polymers because they are natural polysaccharides, have excellent biocompatibility, and are readily available.

[0063] The molecular weight of the anionic polymer is not particularly limited, but as the viscosity-average molecular weight increases, the viscosity of the polyanion-containing solution increases, making it difficult to cast and laminate when forming alternating laminated films. The viscosity-average molecular weight of the anionic polymer may be 1,000 to 500,000, 10,000 to 400,000, or 50,000 to 200,000.

[0064] As polyanions, low-molecular-weight compounds having two or more anionic groups in one molecule can also be used. Examples of low-molecular-weight compounds having two or more anionic groups in one molecule include succinic acid and malonic acid, which are compounds having two carboxyl groups or carboxylate groups in one molecule.

[0065] (Solution containing polyanions) The concentration of polyanions in the solution containing polyanions may be 0.01 to 5.0% by mass, 0.02 to 2.0% by mass, or 0.05 to 1.0% by mass.

[0066] The viscosity of the solution containing polyanions may be 0.1 to 1000 mPa·s, 1 to 500 mPa·s, 3 to 250 mPa·s, or 10 to 100 mPa·s.

[0067] Solutions containing polyanions may contain two or more types of polyanions in combination.

[0068] Any solvent capable of dissolving polyanions can be used as the solvent for the polyanion-containing solution. From the viewpoint of increasing the charge of the polyanion, water or aqueous solutions of inorganic salts are preferred.

[0069] The pH of the solution containing the polyanion may be 1.6 to 5.4. From the viewpoint of superior polyanion solubility, the pH of the solution containing the polyanion may be 1.8 to 5.0, 2.0 to 4.5, or 2.5 to 4.0.

[0070] The pH of a solution containing polyanions can be adjusted by adding organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, or malic acid, or inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or nitric acid.

[0071] A combination of cationic and anionic polymers may form a polyionic complex and gel when mixed in the presence of water. At least one of the cationic and anionic polymers may be a bioabsorbable polymer.

[0072] Bioabsorbable polymers refer to polymers that can be biodegraded. Specifically, cationic polymers include chitosan, collagen, polylysine, polyarginine, polyhistidine, and ionene. Anionic polymers include alginic acid, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and their derivatives.

[0073] In an alternating laminated film, the number of layers A and B is not particularly limited. For example, each of the A and B layers may be 1 to 300 layers. Since alternating laminated films tend to have excellent self-adhesion, each of the A and B layers may be 10 to 100 layers, or 20 to 80 layers.

[0074] The layered structure of the A layer and the B layer in the alternating laminated film can be confirmed, for example, by observing the adhesive layer 23 using IR, NMR, TOF-SIMS (Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry), etc.

[0075] From the viewpoint of achieving superior properties such as self-adhesion, water absorption, and flexibility in a dry state, the thickness of the alternating laminated film may be 1 to 300 nm, 40 to 300 nm, 40 to 250 nm, or 40 to 200 nm.

[0076] The adhesive layer 23 may constitute the second main surface (the other surface) of the first layer 21. Alternatively, the adhesive layer 23 may include an alternating laminated film, and the alternating laminated film may constitute the second main surface of the first layer 21. The period during which the fragrance component can be retained in the first layer 21 may be within the range described above as the period during which the fragrance component can be retained in the seal.

[0077] The second layer 22 may be a layer that does not easily permeate the aromatic components contained in the first layer 21. For example, the permeability of the aromatic components of the second layer 22 may be lower than that of the aromatic components of the first layer 21. As for specific embodiments of the second layer 22, those described above as embodiments of the second layer 12 of the seal 1 can be used without particular limitation.

[0078] In seal 2, the second layer 22 is provided on the first main surface and the side surfaces of the first layer 21. That is, the second layer 22 is provided on all surfaces of the first layer 21 except the second main surface. The second layer 22 covers all of the first main surface and the side surfaces of the first layer 21. In other embodiments, the second layer 22 may be provided only on the first main surface of the first layer 21.

[0079] Furthermore, the second layer 22 may cover the entire first main surface of the first layer 21, or it may cover only a part of the first main surface of the first layer 21. The second layer 22 may cover the entire side surface of the first layer 21, or it may cover only a part of the side surface of the first layer 21. For example, the second layer 22 may cover the first main surface of the first layer 21 and the portion of the side surface of the first layer 21 that corresponds to the side surface of layer 24.

[0080] The configuration of the seal is not limited to the configurations of seal 1 and seal 2 described above. In other embodiments, the seal may comprise a first layer, an adhesive layer provided on the first main surface of the first layer, and a second layer provided on the adhesive layer. The specific forms of the first layer, adhesive layer, and second layer can be those described above as, in order, the forms of layer 24, adhesive layer 23, and second layer 22 in seal 2, respectively, and these can be used without particular limitation. In this case, the adhesive layer may have an overhanging region that extends outward from the edge of the first layer. This makes it possible to bring the overhanging region into contact with the adherend while the first layer is in contact with the adherend. In other words, even if the first layer is not adhesive, the seal can be attached to the adherend using the overhanging region of the adhesive layer.

[0081] A single-layer seal can be manufactured, for example, by applying a composition obtained by mixing a fragrance component and an adhesive with a solvent onto a substrate and drying it.

[0082] Furthermore, if a single-layer seal includes an aromatic component, carrier particles supporting the aromatic component, and an alternating laminated film holding the carrier particles, the single-layer seal can be manufactured, for example, by the following method. First, a polymer layer (alternating laminated film) is created on the surface of a substrate (e.g., polyester fabric) by electrostatic self-assembly (Layer-by-Layer self-assembly). Next, carrier particles (e.g., silica nanoparticles) supporting the aromatic component are uniformly dispersed on the polymer layer. Then, the polymer-stabilized silica nanoparticles are deposited by electrophoretic deposition, followed by heat treatment. This forms a single-layer seal on the substrate, including carrier particles supporting the aromatic component and an alternating laminated film holding the carrier particles.

[0083] Furthermore, if the single-layer seal includes an aromatic component and an alternating laminated film that holds the aromatic component, the single-layer seal can be fabricated, for example, by forming a multilayer assembly on an electrode of carrier particles (e.g., silica nanoparticles) that support the aromatic component and are modified with anionic groups (e.g., carboxyl groups), and molecules having two or more cationic groups in one molecule (e.g., cytochrome C).

[0084] The seal 1 can be manufactured, for example, by a method including the steps of manufacturing a first layer 11 and manufacturing a second layer 12 on the first layer 11. Alternatively, the seal 1 can also be manufactured by a method including the steps of manufacturing a second layer 12 and manufacturing a first layer 11 on the second layer 12.

[0085] The first layer 11 can be manufactured, for example, by the method described above as a method for manufacturing a single-layer seal. The seal 1 can be manufactured by laminating the first layer 11 manufactured as described above with the second layer 12 (for example, a sheet containing a polymer). Alternatively, the seal 1 can also be manufactured by first manufacturing the second layer 12 (for example, a sheet containing a polymer), then using the second layer 12 as a base material for manufacturing the first layer 11, and then manufacturing the first layer 11 on the second layer 12.

[0086] The seal 2 described above can be manufactured by a method that includes, for example, the steps of: manufacturing a first layer 21 comprising an adhesive layer 23 and a layer 24 provided on the adhesive layer 23; and manufacturing a second layer 22 on the first layer 21. Alternatively, the seal 2 can also be manufactured by a method that includes the steps of: manufacturing a second layer 22; manufacturing a layer 24 on the second layer 22; and manufacturing an adhesive layer 23 on the layer 24.

[0087] If the first layer 21 comprises an adhesive layer 23 containing an alternating laminated film and a layer 24 provided on the adhesive layer 23, the adhesive layer 23 (alternating laminated film) can be prepared, for example, from a substrate, a solution containing a polycation (hereinafter also referred to as "solution A"), and a solution containing a polyanion (hereinafter also referred to as "solution B") by the alternating lamination method described in Langmuir, Vol. 13, pp. 6195-6203, (1997).

[0088] Specifically, an alternating laminated film can be produced by a method that includes, for example, the steps of: (i) contacting a substrate with a solution containing a polycation or a solution containing a polyanion to form a layer derived from a polycation or a polyanion on the surface of the substrate; (ii) contacting a polyanion solution with a layer derived from a polycation to form a layer derived from a polyanion on the layer derived from a polycation; and (ii) contacting a polyanion solution with a layer derived from a polyanion to form a layer derived from a polycation on the layer derived from a polyanion, and repeating these steps to form an alternating laminated film.

[0089] The substrate is not particularly limited as long as it has a smooth surface, and may be in the form of a sheet or a roll. Examples of substrates that can be used include plastic films such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PC). The alternating laminated film may be fabricated on one side of the substrate or on both sides.

[0090] According to the alternating lamination method described above, when a layer derived from polycations (or polyanions) formed on the substrate comes into contact with solution B (or solution A), polycations and polyanions are alternately adsorbed, forming a laminated film. Furthermore, as the adsorption of polycations or polyanions progresses through this contact and the surface charge reverses, further electrostatic adsorption ceases, making it possible to control the thickness of the layer formed by contact with solution A or solution B.

[0091] In the method for producing the alternating laminated film described above, the substrate is brought into contact with solution A to form a layer derived from polycations on the surface of the substrate, or the substrate is brought into contact with solution B to form a layer derived from polyanions on the surface of the substrate. It is preferable to perform the former when the surface of the substrate is negatively charged, and the latter when the surface of the substrate is positively charged. It is also sufficient to bring at least a portion of the surface of the substrate into contact with solution A or solution B. Contact with solution A or solution B may be performed in two or more separate steps.

[0092] In the process of forming the alternating laminated film, it is sufficient that the surface charge is reversed in step (i) or step (ii). Furthermore, the number of contacts is not particularly limited. For example, in step (i), contact with solution B may be divided into two or more steps, and in step (ii), contact with solution A may be divided into two or more steps.

[0093] In the process of forming the alternating laminated film, steps (i) and (ii) may be repeated, for example, until the number of layers derived from polycations and polyanions reaches 1 to 300. Furthermore, since the alternating laminated film tends to have excellent self-adhesion, the process may be repeated until the number of layers derived from polycations and polyanions reaches 10 to 100, or even 20 to 80. The thickness of the alternating laminated film can be controlled by controlling the number of times steps (i) and (ii) are repeated.

[0094] In the alternating lamination method described above, it is preferable that the process of forming the alternating laminated film ends in step (ii) rather than in step (i). This makes it easier for the properties of the material used as the polycation to be expressed. For example, if chitosan is used as the polycation, the antibacterial properties of chitosan are more easily expressed.

[0095] In the above manufacturing method, it is preferable to rinse the exposed surface of the substrate or the alternating laminated film after contact between the substrate, the polycation-derived layer or the polyanion-derived layer and solution A or solution B. This allows for the removal of excess material from the exposed surface.

[0096] The rinsing solution used is preferably water, an organic solvent, or a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent. Examples of water-soluble organic solvents include methanol, ethanol, propanol, acetone, dimethylformamide, and acetonitrile.

[0097] In the above method for producing alternating laminated films, contacting the substrate, the polycation-derived layer, or the polyanion-derived layer with solution A or solution B may be carried out by immersing the substrate, the polycation-derived layer, or the polyanion-derived layer in solution A or solution B. Such a method for producing alternating laminated films will also be referred to below as the "alternating immersion method." For example, in the step of forming a polycation-derived or polyanion-derived layer on the surface of the substrate, the substrate may be brought into contact with solution A or solution B by immersion. Also, in step (i) or (ii) above, the polycation-derived layer (or polyanion-derived layer) may be brought into contact with solution B (or solution A) by immersion. This makes industrial production easier.

[0098] As an apparatus for forming alternating laminated films by the alternating immersion method, a device called a dipper, as described in J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 79, pp. 7501-7509, (1996), Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-568599 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4302321), may be used. When using a dipper, an arm that holds the substrate moves automatically, and the substrate can be sequentially immersed in solution A, solution B, or rinsing solution according to a program.

[0099] With the alternating dipping method, film formation can continue as long as the surface charge reverses. Therefore, the thin films formed by the alternating dipping method have higher film thickness uniformity and better film thickness controllability than those formed by the conventional dip coating method.

[0100] When forming alternating laminated films using the alternating immersion method, the pH of the polyanion-containing solution may be between 1.6 and 5.4 from the viewpoint of enabling more efficient alternating lamination.

[0101] Furthermore, using the alternating immersion method, even if part or all of the substrate has a cylindrical, thread-like, fibrous, or foamed shape, a laminated film can be formed on the surface of the substrate as long as the solution can penetrate it through immersion. Also, even if the surface of the substrate has an uneven shape, a laminated film can be formed following the surface structure. Moreover, even if the substrate surface has a nanometer-scale or submicron-scale structure, a laminated film can be formed following that structure.

[0102] The alternating laminated film may be manufactured by forming the alternating laminated film by a spin coating method in which solution A or solution B is dropped or sprayed onto a substrate. In this case, the rinsing solution may be supplied by dropping, spraying, showering, or a combination thereof. The substrate may be subjected to motion such as transport or rotation.

[0103] Regardless of the manufacturing method used, any solvent capable of dissolving polycations or polyanions can be used as the solvent for solution A or solution B, respectively. However, water or aqueous solutions of inorganic salts are preferred because they allow for a greater charge of the polycations or polyanions. The concentration of polycations or polyanions in the solution is not particularly limited and can be set appropriately according to each manufacturing method.

[0104] Furthermore, if at least one of the polycation and polyanion is a salt, and the solubility of the polycation or polyanion in water decreases by removing the counterions of the cationic or anionic groups in the salt, the mechanical strength of the nanofilm layer can be improved by removing the counterions contained in the alternating laminated film after its formation. Counterions can be removed, for example, by increasing the number of washing steps or immersing in a pH adjusting solution.

[0105] In the process of producing the first layer 21, for example, the first layer 21 can be produced by bonding the adhesive layer 23 produced as described above with the layer 24. The layer 24 can be produced, for example, by the method described above as a method for producing a single layer seal. Alternatively, the first layer 21 may be produced by first producing the adhesive layer 23 on the substrate and then producing the layer 24 on top of it, or by first producing the layer 24 on the substrate and then producing the adhesive layer 23 on top of it.

[0106] In the step of creating the second layer 22 on the first layer 21, the seal 2 having the second layer 22 on the first layer 21 can be manufactured by laminating the first layer 21 and the second layer 22 (for example, a sheet containing a polymer) as described above. Alternatively, after creating the second layer 22 (for example, a sheet containing a polymer), the seal 2 can also be manufactured by using the second layer 22 as a base material, creating a layer 24 on the second layer 22, and then creating an adhesive layer 23 on the layer 24.

[0107] The seal is for skin application. A seal comprising multiple layers (for example, seal 1 and seal 2) may be used by applying the second main surface of the first layer to the skin. Seal 2 may be used by applying the adhesive layer 23 to the skin. The alternating laminated film described above has excellent conformability to the adherend. Therefore, when the adhesive layer 23 includes the alternating laminated film and the alternating laminated film constitutes the second main surface of the first layer 21, seal 2 is particularly suitable as a seal for skin application.

[0108] Furthermore, the seal may be a seal intended for use in a specific physical or mental state in a person, or a seal intended for use in a specific physical or mental state in a person, or a seal intended to obtain desired elements for the mind and body when a person is in a specific physical or mental state, or a seal targeting a specific physical or mental state in a person, or a seal used to improve unpleasant symptoms in a person. If the aromatic component contains a component intended for use during PMS, or a component that improves the symptoms of PMS, the seal may be a seal intended for use during PMS, or a seal intended for use during PMS (when PMS symptoms are present), or a seal intended to obtain elements desired by the mind and body when PMS symptoms are present, or a seal used to improve the symptoms of PMS. If the aromatic components include components intended for use during menopausal disorders or components that improve the symptoms of menopausal disorders, the seal may be a seal intended for use during menopausal disorders, a seal intended for use during menopausal disorders (when menopausal symptoms are present), a seal intended to provide elements that the mind and body desire when menopausal symptoms are present, and a seal used to improve the symptoms of menopausal disorders. If the aromatic components include components intended for use during sleep disorders or components that improve the symptoms of sleep disorders, the seal may be a seal intended for use during sleep disorders, a seal intended for use during sleep disorders (when sleep disorder symptoms are present), a seal intended to provide elements that the mind and body desire when sleep disorder symptoms are present, and a seal used to improve the symptoms of sleep disorders.

[0109] In the above-described seal, the amount of fragrance component released to the outside of the seal may be anisotropic. That is, the amount of fragrance component released in a particular direction may differ from the amount released in another direction. In this case, it becomes possible to supply the fragrance component to a specific target while suppressing the disorderly diffusion of the fragrance component around the seal, making it particularly suitable for personal use of the fragrance component.

[0110] For example, in seals 1 and 2, a second layer is provided on the first main surface (and on the side surface) of the first layer. Therefore, the release of aromatic components contained in the first layer in the direction of the second layer is suppressed, making it possible to create anisotropy in the amount of aromatic components released to the outside of the seal. Alternatively, by adjusting the types of carrier particles and matrix materials, etc., and controlling the diffusion direction of aromatic components within each layer of the seal, anisotropy in the amount of aromatic components released to the outside of the seal can also be created.

[0111] In a seal, the amount of fragrance component released to the outside of the seal from one side of the seal may be greater than the amount released to the outside of the seal from the other side. More specifically, in seal 1, the amount of fragrance component released to the outside of seal 1 from the first layer 11 side may be greater than the amount released to the outside of seal 1 from the second layer 12 side. In seal 2, the amount of fragrance component released to the outside of seal 2 from the adhesive layer 23 side may be greater than the amount released to the outside of seal 2 from the second layer 22 side.

[0112] 1, 2... Seal, 11, 21... First layer, 12, 22... Second layer, 23... Adhesive layer, 24... Layer.

Claims

1. A patch for skin application containing fragrance components.

2. The skin patch according to claim 1, wherein the fragrance component comprises two or more compounds.

3. A skin adhesive seal according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a first layer containing the fragrance component and a second layer provided on one surface of the first layer.

4. The skin-adhesive seal according to claim 3, wherein the first layer comprises an adhesive layer and a layer located between the adhesive layer and the second layer and containing at least a portion of the fragrance component.

5. The skin-adhesive seal according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive layer is applied to the skin for use.

6. The skin-adhesive seal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of fragrance component released to the outside of the seal is anisotropic.

7. The skin-adhesive seal according to claim 5, wherein the amount of the fragrance component released from the adhesive layer side to the outside of the seal is greater than the amount released from the second layer side to the outside of the seal.

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