GB2511023A

GB2511023A - Dual surface exfoliating and cleansing microfibre mitt

Info

Publication number: GB2511023A
Application number: GB201218803A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Sallis
Original assignee: SALLIS HEALTHCARE Ltd
Current assignee: SALLIS HEALTHCARE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-19
Filing date: 2012-10-19
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Also published as: GB201218803D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a dual surface exfoliating and cleansing microfiber (1, 2 & 3 figure 2) mitt designed to accommodate two particular functions, firstly the ability to exfoliate dead skin cells and secondly to provide a soft surface that can be used to wash and wipe away most forms of makeup and dirt. The mitt is manufactured using a weft knitting machine. A raised stitch surface in a preferably hexagonal pattern enables the product to exfoliate. A flat stitch surface area washes away dead skin and or removes dirt, grease or make up with the sole addition of water. The mitt preferably has a cuff with a high proportion of elastomeric yarn and a plain knit structure to give grip around the wrist.

Description

Dual Surface Exfoliating and Cleansing Microfibre Mitt Ref: RJS MIn 0812

Field of The Invention

The present invention relates to a face and body cleaning Mitt which also has the ability to exfoliate dead skin cells. The product can be used both as a beauty care accessory and medically for patients with skin allergies and/or dermatological conditions.

Background to Invention

There are many products available in the competitive beauty accessory market which provide the function of debriding dead skins from both the face and body, this allows for the healthier new skin cells to be on the outermost surface, providing the user with a more appealing feel and glow to the skin. It is an invigorating sensation once the skin has been properly exfoliated. There are also many products available in the beauty market which facilitate the cleansing and cleaning of surface dirt, makeup and grease from the face and body. Most available products provide one of the two above functions and provide satisfactory solutions.

In principle there are two types of exfoliating products, firstly a product which is alcohol based containing microscopic quartz products in a scented solution. When rubbed against the skin it has the same effect as the soles of feet walking across a beach, it rubs away dead or weak skin cells. Whilst this is an effective way of removing dead skins from the face it can often produce irritation to users who have minor skin allergies to the scents and/or alcohol base of the product. The second type of product available is textile based and provides an abrasive surface to act as a sanding machine when rubbed across the skin. Many of these products available are very affective especially when used over the body however there are shortcomings when used over the face. The majority of products available have an extremely rough fibrous surface which can be likened to the same sort of surface as "touch and close fasteners" (Velcro). In addition some of these products require an outside agent/cleansing solution to improve its efficacy.

With a knowledge and awareness of what is currently available to the consumer the challenge was to design a product that could become a niche all rounder to serve several functions within one product and be re-usable. The objective was to produce a product that could be used on both the face and body as a cleanser and exfoliate. For this to be achieved successfully there had to be two different surfaces to provide two uses. Using known knowledge of fibre technology combined with the knitting machinery available to the applicant a concept developed over a period of several months and after a process of trial and error using many designs a final draft was realised. Various issues and problems were overcome in the designing process -(1) how to create a mitt with two surfaces, (2) create two surfaces which can accommodate two functions effectively, (3) use a textile which has the ability to cleanse with Reference; RJS MITT 0812 only water, (4) provide a final product which can stand the rigors of use and washing and thus can be re-used.

With computerised weft knitting machinery available as the applicant is primarily a textile manufacturer within the l-lealthcare sector point (1) and (2) were overcome by trialling a combination of different knit structures the outcome being the two surfaces as per image (FIG 1-FIG 2). Microfibre technology (3) can now provide sufficient data and results to provide evidence that either polyester or nylon in a rnicrofiber format can clean and wash with just water, this would enable the final product to be used without the assistance of any other materials or solutions. The only issue to be overcome was using a count (thickness) of yarn which would knit effectively, after many sample yarns an effective result was achieved. Designing a product that had the durability to be reused (4) offered several issues, firstly connecting the open end of the product so the hand doesn't slide through, a close knit knitting structure for durability and finally how was the cuff of the product to be produced to enable the user to have control of the product when using. The knitting structure see FIG 3a and FIG 3b encompasses the main body of the Mlii, to the cuff was added elastomeric yarn for grip around the wrist and the open end was sewn together using lockstitch sewing machines.

Reference: RJS MIfl 0812

Description of Drawings ECM-1

Please refer to FIG 1 which shows a detailed stitch diagram of the body of FIG 3a for the exfoliating side of the product. There is lend of microfibre (1) which is knitted on all needles. There is lend of microfibre and a heavy coolmax ductel yarn (6) knitted together using a staggered 3x1 miss knit. There is an end of microfibre (3) knitted using a staggered 1x3 tuck stitch and a covered lycra (4) which is inlaid using a staggered 1x3 rib.

The main yarns that make this side of the fabric rough enough to produce an exfoliating effect are the combination of the microfibre and coolmax (6). They are knitted in a staggered formation with tucked stitches (5) in between so that the fabric is still open enough to allow water in and out of the fabric easily. Because there are microfibres (1), (3) and the one end in (6), the exfoliating side still has absorbance as well as abrasion too-There is an inlaid covered lycra (4) which is used to control the width of the fabric.

FIG S shows a close up of the exfoliating side of the fabric, you can see the staggered design of the fabric. ECM-2

Please refer to FIG 2 which is a detailed stitch diagram of the body of FIG 3b for the cleanse side of the product. There is lend of microfibre (1) which is knitted on all needles and 2 ends of microfibre (2) which are spliced in using a 3x1 needle selection. There is also another end of microfibre (3) which is knitted using a 3x1 tuck stitch and lastly there is a covered lycra (4) laid into the product using a staggered 3x5 needle selection.

By splicing the microfibre yarns (2) on top of yarn (1) in a 3x1 pattern and also tucking yarn (3) using the same 3x1 pattern creates a thick ribbed fabric. Because of the amount of microfibre in this ribbed design, this makes the fabric very soft and absorbant and ideal for cleansing. The vertical tucked stitches (5) open up the fabric allowing water in and out of the product easily, the inlaid covered lycra (4)is used to control the width of the fabric.

FIG 6 shows a close up of the cleanse side of the fabric, it shows the ribbed effect and the smoothness of the fabric.

Reference: RJS MIII 0812 ECM-land 2 Cuff Details Please refer to FIG 4 which shows a detailed stitch diagram of the cuff regarding to ECM-l and 2. There is a microfibre yarn (1) which is knitted on all needles. There is a microfiber (3) which is plated with a fine covered lycra (7) and is knitted using a lxi miss knit rib selection. The lxi miss knit rib allows the cuff to be smaller in width than the rest of the body and the knitted Iycra gives the cuff a bit more stretch and recovery to help grip the wrist better and stop the mitt sliding off There is an inlaid lycra (4) which again is used to control the fabric width.

Drawing References FIG 1 -page 6-knit structure ECM1 for exfoliating FIG 2 -page 7-knit structure ECMZ for cleansing FIG 3a -page 8-plan view of exfoliating surface FIG 3b -page 9-plan view of cleansing surface FIG 4-page 10-knit structure of cuff FIG S -page 11-magnified plan view of surface for FIG 1 FIG 6-pagelz -magnified plan view of surface for FIG 2

Claims

Reference; PUS MITT 0812 Claims 1. A Mitt produced with Microfibre yarn on a weft knitting machine with 2 different surfaces, one for exfoliating and the other for cleansing (rig 1 and 2 highlight the different knit structures and figure 5 and 6 show the magnified surfaces).
2. The soft microfibre textile used to produce the mitt aswell as the complimentary other fibres, combined with the weft knitted stitch have produced a soft finish enabling the product to be used on both the face and body with just water.
3. Fig 1 (knit structure) and FigS depicts the raised stitch surface which allows for the debriding potential, it is the stitch formation in a raised hexagonal pattern that enables the product to exfoliate
4. Fig 2 (knit structure) and figure 6 depicts the flat stitch surface area which is ideal for washing away dead skin cells and/or removing dirt/grease/makeup from the skin with solely the addition of water S. The product benefits from an ecological point of view as it is re-usable many times and as such is a cost effective way for cleansing and exfoliating 6. The mitt provides novelty as it is multifunctional and it can be used on both the face and body without the need for assisting cleansing solutions.7. The Mitt can be used as a beauty product for removing makeup and exfoliating areas of the neck, face and head.8. The Mitt can be used in the medical market for effective use on patients with dermatological skin problems, as such research has enabled the applicant to identify where patients are allergic to cleaning solutions and cleansers the mitt would be an ideal option to effectively clean and exfoliate.9 The Mitt contains a cuff which can be viewed on the north end of the garment on Fig 3a and Fig 3b containing a higher proportion of elastomeric yarn and a plain knit structure to give grip around the wrist and allow control when using the product, as the cuff grips the wrist firmly whilst the hand is inside the user can provide constant steady pressure on the part of the body or lace without the Mitt sliding off the hand.10. The Mitt can be washed by hand using a mild hand soap and then rinsed thoroughly with cold water, this process will remove most traces of dirt, grease and makeup however it is recommended that the product has atleast one hot wash per week, medical patient users should seek advice on methods of washing the product.11. The Mitt has been neatly finished with a looped ribbon at the cuff end of the product to allow the product to dry naturally when hung in modest room temperature (70 degrees), the microfibre ingredient facilitates a quick natural drying time.