WO1992014607A1

WO1992014607A1 - Fragrance sampler with dual fragrance delivery means

Info

Publication number: WO1992014607A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/001314
Authority: WO
Inventors: David W. Carnahan; Jamie S. Ross; Richard K. Maury; Gary L. Akins
Original assignee: Carnahan David W; Ross Jamie S; Maury Richard K; Akins Gary L
Priority date: 1991-02-19
Filing date: 1992-02-19
Publication date: 1992-09-03

Abstract

A fragrance sampling device (10) includes a central region (18) on which perfume-containing powder (30) is lightly adhered and peripheral regions (20) having an adhesively bonded layer containing rupturable microcapsules (24). The powder mixture in the central area may comprise a mixture of microcapsules and a sufficient amount of talc to provide the desired level of adhesion. The powder mixture may also comprise an inorganic powder such as talc onto which perfume oil has been absorbed. The sampler device thus provides a dual capacity for delivery of fragrances. The microcapsules in the outer periphery area are rupturable so as to release perfume upon tearing off the cover sheet, and further amounts of perfume may be released from the area by scratching or rubbing the exposed layer. The power in the inner region loosely adheres to the substrate and encourages the user to remove a portion of the powder from the substrate to the skin so that the fragrance may be delivered away from the sample. In contrast to prior samplers which do not have a lightly adhered powder layer, the present sampler provides a powder in a form such as to be readily removable and which encourages the user to place it on the skin.

Description

FRAGRANCE SAMPLER WITH DUAL FRAGRANCE DELIVERY MEANS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to fragrance samplers and more particularly to samplers having fragrance releasing particles carried on a substrate.

Background of the Invention

Fragrance samplers having perfume-releasing materials disposed on a substrate are well known in the prior art. In particular, samplers have been provided in a format in which perfume-containing material is disposed on a paper substrate of a magazine insert or direct mailer, with a removable cover sheet disposed for being pulled off by the recipient to gain access to the perfume. One approach to such a product is to incorporate perfume oil droplets in an inert wall material such as gelatin to obtain microcapsules ranging in size upward from a few microns. The microcapsules are typically disposed in a layer of an adhesive having a greater cohesive strength than the microcapsule walls so that when sheets bonded to the adhesive layer are pulled apart, the walls will be ruptured, producing an initial bloom of fragrance. After such initial release of fragrance, the recipient is invited to scratch the icrocapsule-containing adhesive layer to obtain further fragrance release by rupture of additional microcapsules, hence the designation "scratch and sniff" for such products. While effective for delivery of fragrance samples, samplers of the type referred to above do not encourage the recipient to rub the fragrance- containing material onto the skin owing to the texture of the adhesive layer which does not present a pleasant-feeling surface. Placement of a sample portion on the skin of a prospective user is considered by perfume sellers as the most effective means of inducing sales so that a sampler which encourages such action would be highly desirable. A sampler having f r agr ance - c on t ai n i ng microcapsules disposed on a soft, compressible base sheet of material is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,908,252, issued March 13, 1990, to Carnahan et al. That patent is concerned with soft compressible substrates that provide favorable tactile properties and not with samplers using coated papers of the type normally used for mass produced magazine inserts or direct mailers prepared by high-speed printing methods . U.S. Patent No. 4,752,496, issued June 21, 1988, to Fellows et al. discloses a sampler wherein cosmetic powders, which may include fragrances, are formulated into a printable slurry including a film-forming agent. The slurry is applied as a coating to a central area of a paper substrate with peripheral layers around the substrate remaining uncoated. Bonding of the cover sheet of the substrate with a cover sheet occurs only in the peripheral areas, which are free of fragrance-containing material. It is desired to provide a fragrance sampler that will produce an initial burst of fragrance as by rupture of microcapsules upon opening the sampler and which makes available to the user lightly adhered perfume-containing powder material in a format such as to invite and encourage the recipient to apply a sample of powder to the skin. The sample substrate and cover should comprise a material such as coated paper onto which advertising and graphic material as well as perfume-containing particles may be applied by mass-production methods such as printing. Another feature required for such samplers is that perfume- containing material be effectively sealed to prevent premature release of fragrances while being handled in the mails and otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a perfume sampler comprising a paper substrate having defined thereon a central region and adhesive regions at least partially enclosing said central region around its edges, the adhesive regions having deposited thereon an adhesive layer that includes rupturable perfume- containing microcapsules, and the central region having perfume-containing powder lightly adhered thereto and a cover sheet bonded to the substrate at the adhesive regions. The sampler may be sealed by providing adhesive regions that completely enclose the central region or by enclosing it completely except for along a line along which the cover sheet is folded, in which case the sampler is sealed by the adhesive regions in combination with the folded-over cover. This sampler provides two mechanisms for delivery of fragrance. Microcapsules in the adhesive layer of the adhesive regions may be ruptured upon pulling the cover sheet off or by scratching the exposed adhesive layer, and the lightly adhered powder material is presented in a format such as to encourage the recipient to apply it to the skin for sustained release away from the sampler. Both the adhesive layer in the adhesive regions and the powder in the central region may be applied by printing methods amenable to mass production.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a fragrance sampler having one substrate region with rupturable, perfume-containing microcapsules disposed in an adhesive layer thereon and another substrate region with perfume-containing powder material lightly adhered to the substrate. Another object is to provide such a fragrance sampler wherein the powdered perf me-containing material may be readily transferred to the skin of a user. Another object is to provide a perfume sampler that includes a means for sealing of perfume- containing materials so as to prevent premature release.

Yet another object is to provide such a sampler in a form that may be manufactured by printing methods.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of a fragrance sampler with the cover in unfolded, open position and with portions shown enlarged.

Fig. 2 is a pictorial view of another sampler embodying the invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a sampler 10 having a coated paper base sheet 12 and integral therewith a cover sheet along fold line 16. The base sheet has a central area 18 defined and enclosed by adhesive strips 20. As shown in enlarged region 22, the adhesive strips have perfume-containing microcapsules 24 deposited on an adhesive 26. Central area 18, as shown in enlarged region 28, has powder 30 lightly adhered to the base sheet. The sampler is shown after being opened by pulling the cover sheet loose, with remaining adhesive on the cover sheet being shown by dotted lines 32.

Fig. 2 shows a sampler 34 having a base sheet 36 and a cover sheet 38 integral therewith, folded along line 40. A central area 42 is defined on the base sheet by adhesive strips 44 in a U-shaped pattern and by fold line 40. As depicted in enlarged region 46, the adhesive strips have perfume-containing microcapsules 48 deposited on an adhesive 50. The enclosed area 42 as shown in enlarged region 52 has perfume-containing powder 54 lightly adhered to the base sheet. Remaining adhesive on the cover sheet after being torn loose is shown by dotted lines 56. The microcapsule-containing adhesive layer around the periphery of the enclosed area of the sample substrate may comprise microcapsules having droplets or globules of perfume oil encased by a wall of inert material such as gelatin and adhered to the substrate by adhesive action of the wall material itself or by a polymeric adhesive provided in a microcapsule slurry deposited on the substrate. Microcapsules for this purpose may be prepared by liquid bath encapsulation methods wherein perfume oil is emulsified by mixing with a gelatin solution in water, and the emulsion is combined with a coacervant such as an aqueous solution of gum arabic and a cross-linking agent which may be an aldehyde or organic titanate chelate as disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 07/536,970, filed June 12, 1990, for "Microcapsules and Method of Preparation," assigned to a common assignee. The encapsulated perfume oil droplets may also include a stabilizing amount of ethyl cellulose to prevent loss of more volatile components as disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 07/292,495, filed December 30, 1988, for "Stabilized Perfume-Containing Microcapsules and Method of Preparing the Same," also assigned to a common assignee. Microcapsules having walls made up of other polymeric material such as polyamides or urea- or melamine-formaldehyde copolymers or the like, as are known in the prior art, may also be used. The essential properties of the microcapsule-containing layer for use in the present sampler are that it provides sufficient cohesive strength to hold the cover in place until pulled off and that the cohesive strength of the microcapsule walls is less than that of the adhesive so that the walls will be ruptured, releasing the fragrance upon pulling the cover away from the substrate. It is preferred to use microcapsules having gelatin walls and including a gum arabic coacervation agent which, when applied in the form of an aqueous slurry and allowed to dry, forms an adhesive layer with the required properties and does not require added polymeric adhesive, although such adhesives may be used if desired.

The lightly adhered powder provided on the central area of the substrate preferably comprises microcapsules of the same composition as provided in the adhesive layer but mixed with an inert powdered diluent such as talc to reduce the powder adhesiveness to a suitable level for the powder to be readily removed by lightly rubbing on the skin. A powder mixture comprising talc and microcapsules at a proportion of 1:1 to 3:1 and preferably 2:1 talc in proportion to the microcapsules may be used. Other diluent powders may be used in combination with microcapsules, in particular, powders of other inorganic material such as clay, titanium dioxide, diato aceous earth or the like, or organic material such as starch, wax, microbeads of organosilicones, and pulverized polymers such as urea-formadehyde. In addition to providing microcapsule-powder mixtures as described, powders obtained by absorbing unencapsulated perfume oil onto the powdered surface by soaking the powder with a perfume oil may also be used. Other types of particulate materials for containing the perfume oil may include dried matrix microcapsules, known as microspheres, microsponges or the like which have a capability for soaking up perfume oil.

Although other types of substrates such as metal foils or plastic sheets may be used, the preferred substrate material for the sampler of this invention is coated paper of the type used for magazine inserts and direct mailers.

Application of adhesive microcapsule-containing layer to the peripheral regions and the powder material to the inner region may be carried out by conventional printing processes where the respective materials are applied as an aqeous slurry with sufficient fluidity to behave in the manner of an ink.

In particular, pattern gluer devices incorporated on a web press may be used. A slurry of the powder material may be applied by transfer from a pad of a pattern gluer in a first pass through the press, with the adhesive layer being applied around the periphery of the substrate in a second pass through a second pattern gluer. Other methods of applying the powder such as by silk screening may also be used. After applying the powder material, the cover sheet is folded over to bond with the substrate at the regions to which adhesive has been applied, and the sampler is allowed to dry. Other materials such as pigments may be incorporated in the powder material to produce desired color effects.

The invention is illustrated by the following examples .

EXAMPLE 1 To 15.6 kilograms of deionized water 4.95 kilograms of talc powder, 2.9 kilograms of perfume- containing, gelatin-walled microcapsules containing fine fragrance oil, and 0.22 kilograms gold pigment was added. After thorough mixing, the resulting slurry was pumped into a pattern gluer incorporated on a web press. Also a slurry of gelatin-walled microcapsules was pumped into an additional second pattern gluer. As the paper web passed through the first pattern gluer, the powder was applied to the inner portion of the paper web by means of transfer with a flexo pad, producing a strip of powder on the web. The web continued through the second pattern gluer wherein the slurry of gelatin-walled microcapsules without powder was applied as a frame around the powder strip. The web was then folded, causing a bond between the cover sheet and the substrate. After drying of the sampler, it was opened by tearing off the cover sheet so that microcapsules were broken in the frame area, releasing a burst of fragrance. Also observed was the release of powder from the center of the frame.

EXAMPLE 2

A sampler having perfume-containing powder disposed within an enclosed area and secured by an adhesive frame area including microcapsules in the adhesive was prepared as follows. To 5.1 grams of talc powder was added 17.8 grams of deionized water, 2.5 grams of microcapsules containing fragrance and 0.25 grams of gold pigment dispersed therein. After being thoroughly mixed, the powder mixture was applied to 70-pound sterling web gloss paper by silk screen application. Using a flexo pad, a frame of 0.5 grams of fugative glue and 0.15 grams of urea-formaldehyde microcapsules was applied around the edges of the powder region.

EXAMPLE 3

The following procedure was used to produce a dry removable powder sample with an adhesive frame. To 5.1 grams of talc power was added 17.8 grams of deionized water, 2.5 grams of fragrance oil, and 0.25 gram of gold pigment. After thorough mixing, the powder m ixture was appl ied to 70-pound sterl ing web gloss paper by silk screen application. Using a flexo pad , a s lur ry o f ge l at i n-wal l ed m i c r o capsu l e s containing fragrance oil was applied around the powder strip to seal the powder into a pocket.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 3 was followed except for the following changes. The frame around the powder strip consisted of 0.5 gram of fugative glue and 0.15 gram of urea formaldehyde-walled microcapsules containing fragrance oil applied in place of the ge lat in-wal 1 ed microcapsules.

EXAMPLE 5

A sampler containing urea-formaldehyde microcapsules in the talc and adhesive frame was prepared as follows. To 5.1 grams of talc 17.8 grams of deionized water, 2.5 grams of urea-formaldehyde microcapsules containing fragrance oil, and 0.25 grams of pigment was dispersed. After being thoroughly mixed, the powder mixture was applied to 70-pound sterling web gloss paper by silk screen application. To 0.5 grams of fugative glue, 0.15 grams of urea- formaldehyde microcapsules containing fragrance oil was added. Using a flexo pad, a frame of fugative glue with urea formaldehyde microcapsules containing fragrance oil was applied around the powder strip to seal the powder into a pocket.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 1 was followed except for the following changes. The second pattern gluer applied the slurry to make a three-sided picture frame. Consequently, the fourth side of the picture frame was produced when the web was folded. The powder slurry was held in place and was not released from the center of the frame .

The above examples are merely il lustrative and are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which is limited only as indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fragrance sampler comprising: a paper substrate having on one side thereof a central region and peripheral edge region enclosing the central region; an adhesive layer containing rupturable perfume- containing microcapsules bonded to said peripheral edge regions; a lightly adhering layer of perfume-containing powder disposed on said central region; and a cover sheet enclosing said substrate and bonded to said peripheral regions.

2. A fragrance sampler as defined in claim 1 wherein said 2 microcapsules comprise perfume oil droplets encased by gelatin 3 walls including a gum arabic coacervant.

3. A fragrance sampler as defined in claim 1 wherein said powder comprises perfume containing microcapsules mixed with an inorganic powder diluent.

4. A sampler device as defined in claim 3 wherein said diluent comprises talc.

5. A sampler device as defined in claim 4 wherein talc is provided at a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 with respect to said microcapsules.

6. A sampler device as defined in claim 5 wherein said ratio is 2:1.

7. A sampler device as defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive layer and said powder are applied to said substrate in the form of an aqueous slurry.

8. A sampler devi ce as def ined in c laim 7 wherein said slurry is applied by printing.

9. A sampler device as defined in claim 8 wherein said adhesive layer includes a polymeric adhesive.

10. A sampler device comprising: a paper substrate foldable along a fold line defining a base sheet and a cover sheet; a central region on said base sheet enclosed and defined by a portion of said fold line and by edge regions extending away from said fold line; an adhesive layer including rupturable, fragrance-containing microcapsules bonded to said edge regions; a lightly adhering layer of fragrance-containing powder disposed on said central region; and said cover sheet being bondable to said edge regions when folded shut.