WO2021123141A1

WO2021123141A1 - Polyurethane foam part for cosmetic use

Info

Publication number: WO2021123141A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/086992
Authority: WO
Inventors: Isabelle Claude; Eric Caulier
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2019-12-18
Filing date: 2020-12-18
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: FR3104918A1

Abstract

The polyurethane foam part (1) for cosmetic use comprises on at least one face (2) compressed zones (4) and non-compressed zones (6) and in that the foam structure consists of a mixture of open cells (8) and closed cells (10). The invention also relates to a cosmetic pad comprising at least one polyurethane foam part (1) according to the invention, and the use of a polyurethane foam part (1) according to the invention.

Description

TITLE: Polyurethane foam part for cosmetic use

The present invention relates to a polyurethane foam part, particularly consisting of aliphatic type polyurethane ether, for cosmetic use.

The polyurethane foam part is particularly intended to remove makeup from a part of a user's body, optionally in association with a cosmetic makeup removal product, or for the application of cosmetic product on a part of a user's body.

The cosmetic product is for example a cosmetic body surface care, coloring or/and makeup product.

More generally, a cosmetic product is as defined in EC Regulation No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

Commonly commercially available makeup removal cottons are single-use. Consequently, they generate a large quantity of waste despite the effectiveness thereof.

In the objective of protecting the environment, it is desirable to replace these single use cottons by a sustainable solution, while retaining convenience and optimal makeup removal or cosmetic product application performances.

From US 4776356, a cosmetic foam applicator is known, comprising open cells and closed cells distributed in layers thus forming a porosity gradient according to the thickness of the applicator.

However, such an applicator does not provide full satisfaction. Indeed, the foam structure completely prevents the penetration of cosmetic product, which reduces the cosmetic product removal effectiveness during makeup removal for example.

An aim of the invention is that of providing a cosmetic pad which is reusable and washable, while retaining optimal cosmetic product application and removal performances.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a polyurethane foam part for cosmetic use comprising on at least one face compressed zones and non-compressed zones and the foam structure consists of a mixture of open cells and closed cells.

Such a polyurethane foam part exhibits softness on application. Thanks to the compressed zones, the absorption of cosmetic product applied on or removed from the part of the user's body is significantly limited. This renders the polyurethane foam part readily washable, and limits the risks of contamination by product stagnation. The non-compressed zones enhance the convenience, while retaining some of the cosmetic product applied or removed to facilitate the application or removal thereof. The mixture of open cells and closed cells makes it possible to combine softness and cosmetic product absorption. Such a polyurethane foam part further helps promote foam formation when a cosmetic product is squeezed on the surface, by means of a simple mechanical effect.

Due to the structure of the foam part, the foam formed by the product does not saturate the foam part but remains available on the surface.

According to an alternative embodiment, a maximum difference in thickness between the compressed zones and the non-compressed zones of a face is between 50% and 90%.

Such a difference in thickness between compressed zones and non-compressed zones ensures a specific effectiveness of each of the zones as indicated above.

The compressed zones make it possible to retain the product on the surface by limiting the absorption thereof, hence the drying after use is accelerated, the product does not macerate and the compressed zones give the foam part a certain rigidity. The non- compressed zones offer a soft and slightly rough texture, and thus enable superior makeup removal in association with reduced contact surface areas.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the compressed zones on one face occupy a surface area between 40% and 85% of the total surface area of said face.

Such a distribution of the compressed zones and non-compressed zones provide a good compromise between convenience, effectiveness of the application or removal of cosmetic product and washability of the polyurethane foam part.

According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the cells of the non- compressed zones comprise between 45% and 55% open cells.

The open cells contribute to cosmetic product absorption and the closed cells help limit product absorption by the polyurethane foam part during the use thereof.

According to an alternative embodiment, the non-compressed zones are presented in the form of bosses.

The boss form of the non-compressed zones contributes to the simplicity of embodiment of the polyurethane foam part. Moreover, this boss form of the non- compressed zones makes it possible to transmit the application force to specific points on the skin, for example on the face, in order in particular to enhance makeup removal effectiveness, without this application being aggressive for all that, the non-compressed zones not having sharp edges.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the compressed zones have a smooth or patterned surface.

The presence of patterns in the compressed zones enhances the compression performances. Furthermore, such a surface comprising patterns increases the abrasiveness of the compressed zones and thus helps enhance the cleansing of a user's skin.

According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the polyurethane foam part comprises a peripheral edge.

Such a peripheral edge makes it possible to retain a cosmetic product on the polyurethane foam part and prevents said cosmetic product from flowing outside the peripheral edge.

According to an alternative embodiment, the polyurethane foam part comprises on at least one face a cosmetic product.

According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the polyurethane foam part comprises on at least one face compressed zones and non-compressed zones and the foam structure consists of a mixture of open cells and closed cells, the polyurethane foam foam is of aliphatic type, has a density greater than 80 kg/m³ and a tensile strength greater than 600 kPa, and the compressed zones on one face occupy a surface area between 40% and 85% of the total surface area of said face.

A foam part with such structural characteristics ensures a good compromise between comfort of use, efficiency of the application or removal of cosmetic products and washability of the polyurethane foam part.

In particular, such a foam part brings softness to the application on a body area thanks to the non-compressed zones, a product absorption high enough to give the applicator a certain autonomy and/or make-up removal capacity thanks to the open cells of the non-compressed zones, and limited enough to give the applicator good washability thanks to the closed cells of the compressed and non-compressed zones, avoiding that too much product stagnates within the open cells, as this stagnation could risk causing bacteriological contamination.

The invention also relates to a cosmetic pad comprising:

- at least one polyurethane foam part according to the invention, and

- at least one additional part mounted on the polyurethane foam part.

The presence of an additional part mounted on the polyurethane foam part makes it possible to add additional functions to those of the polyurethane foam part without reducing the effectiveness thereof.

According to an alternative embodiment, the cosmetic pad comprises:

- two polyurethane foam parts according to the invention, each polyurethane foam part comprising compressed zones and non-compressed zones on a single face, and

- the additional part being a foam part devoid of compressed zones and non- compressed zones, the foam part devoid of compressed zones and non-compressed zones being sandwiched between the two polyurethane foam parts according to the invention, on the face opposite the face comprising compressed zones and non-compressed zones.

The presence of foam sandwiched between the two polyurethane foam parts limits the use of polyurethane foam and thus helps reduce manufacturing costs.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the polyurethane foam part comprises compressed zones and non-compressed zones on both faces, and the additional part is a fabric part applied on one of the two faces of the polyurethane foam part.

The fabric applied on one of the two faces is for example an abrasive fabric enabling exfoliation of the part of the user's body, or indeed a plush loop type fabric for pre-makeup removal and for gentle and precise finishing with the foam. Completely different fabrics can be associated, enabling dual use of the cosmetic pad.

According to an alternative embodiment, the polyurethane foam part comprises compressed zones and non-compressed zones on a single face, and the additional part is a fabric part applied on the face of the polyurethane foam part opposite the face comprising compressed zones and non-compressed zones.

This alternative embodiment makes it possible to associate a second function with the foam, carried out by the fabric part, for example an exfoliating or other function defined by the characteristics of the fabric used.

According to a further advantageous alternative embodiment, the polyurethane foam part and the additional part form a glove, the additional part comprising in particular at least one fabric part mounted on the foam part, and in particular at the periphery thereof.

This alternative embodiment makes it possible to facilitate the use of the polyurethane foam part, and of the cosmetic pad presented, in this embodiment, in the form of a glove.

For example, the mounted additional part comprises a makeup removal fabric.

In particular, the additional part is a glove, wherein a whole hand or merely one or more fingers can be inserted according to the sizing.

The additional part forming the glove consists of two layers of fabric bound together at the periphery thereof and defining a space adapted to receive a whole hand or merely one or more fingers.

Alternatively, the mounted part forms a part of the glove, while in particular consisting of a single layer of fabric, mounted, in particular at the periphery thereof, on the foam part, the latter forming the other part of the glove. According to the size of the glove, the glove can receive a whole hand for makeup removal from the face and/or body, or indeed one or more fingers if more precise makeup removal from the face is sought.

The invention also relates to the use of a polyurethane foam part according to the invention, for the application and/or removal of a cosmetic product.

The use of a polyurethane foam part according to the invention ensures comfortable and effective application or removal of cosmetic product. Moreover, after use, the polyurethane foam part is readily washable and reusable.

The invention will be easier to understand after reading the following description, provided solely as an example, and with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view of a polyurethane foam part according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the polyurethane foam part of figure 1 as a cross- section along the plane ll-ll of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a cosmetic pad according to a first embodiment comprising two polyurethane foam parts of figure 1 as a cross-section along a vertical plane;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a cosmetic pad according to a second embodiment comprising a polyurethane foam part of figure 1 as a cross-section along a vertical plane;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a cosmetic pad according to a third embodiment comprising a polyurethane foam part of figure 1 as a cross-section along a vertical plane; and

Figure 6 is a schematic elevation view of a cosmetic pad according to a fourth embodiment.

A polyurethane foam part 1 for cosmetic use is represented in figure 1 .

The polyurethane foam part 1 consists of polyurethane. Advantageously, the polyurethane foam part 1 consists of polyurethane ether. In particular, the polyurethane foam is of aliphatic type.

The polyurethane foam part 1 advantageously has a density greater than 80 kg/m³ and particularly between 100 kg/m³ and 240 kg/m³.

The polyurethane foam part 1 has a tensile strength greater than 600 kPa.

The polyurethane foam part 1 comprises two opposite faces 2.

The polyurethane foam part 1 comprises on at least one face 2 compressed zones 4 and non-compressed zones 6.

The structure of the polyurethane foam consists of a mixture of open cells 8 and closed cells 10 seen in figure 2. The open cells 8 are permeable to gases and absorb at least some of the cosmetic product applied thereon.

The closed cells 10 are impermeable to gases and a cosmetic product cannot penetrate these closed cells 10.

In the compressed zones 4, the cells are closed cells 10 at least in the vicinity of the surface of the face 2. This is due to compression.

Advantageously, a maximum difference in thickness between the compressed zones 4 and the non-compressed zones 6 of a face 2 is between 50% and 90%.

In particular, the maximum difference in thickness between the compressed zones 4 and the non-compressed zones 6 of a face 2 is equal to 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85%.

For example, the maximum thickness of the non-compressed zones 6 of a face is 6 millimeters, the thickness of the compressed zones is 1 millimeter.

Advantageously, the compressed zones 4 on one face 2 occupy a surface area between 40% and 85% of the total surface area of said face 2.

In particular, the compressed zones 4 on one face 2 occupy a surface area equal to 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75% or 80% of the total surface area of said face 2.

Advantageously, the compressed zones 4 have a smooth or patterned surface.

The patterns are typically recessed from the surface of the compressed zones 4. Alternatively, the patterns can protrude and/or be recessed from the compressed zones 4.

Preferably, the cells of the compressed zones 4 comprising patterns are closed cells 10 at least in the vicinity of the surface of the face 2.

For example, a maximum difference in thickness between the compressed zones 4 and the patterns of a face 2 is between 5% and 35%.

In particular, a maximum difference in thickness between the compressed zones 4 and the patterns of a face 2 is preferably between 5% and 35%, being for example substantially equal to 25%.

The compressed zones 4 comprising patterns are abrasive.

Alternatively, the patterns protrude from the surface of the compressed zones 4.

Advantageously, the non-compressed zones 6 are presented in the form of bosses.

Advantageously, the cells 8, 10 of the non-compressed zones 6 comprise between 40% and 60%, more preferably between 45% and 55% of open cells 8 and respectively between 60% and 40%, more preferably respectively between 55% and 45% of open cells 10. In particular, the cells 8, 10 of the non-compressed zones 6 substantially comprise as many open cells 8 as closed cells 10. The cells 8, 10 of the non-compressed zone 6 thus in particular include substantially 50% open cells 8 and substantially 50% closed cells 10.

Advantageously, the open cells 8 and the closed cells 10 are randomly distributed in the non-compressed zones 6.

In the non-compressed zones 6, the closed cells 10 add softness and the open cells 8 contribute to the absorption of cosmetic product. A random distribution of the open cells 8 and closed cells 10 optimizes the combination of these effects.

The polyurethane foam part 1 advantageously has a disk shape. According to alternative embodiments, the polyurethane foam part 1 has any shape that can be envisaged, for example, any oval, square, rectangular, or polygonal shape.

Advantageously, the polyurethane foam part 1 comprises a peripheral edge 12.

The peripheral edge 12 extends over the entire periphery of the polyurethane foam part 1 .

The peripheral edge 12 extends at least on the face 2 of the polyurethane foam part 1 comprising compressed zones 4 and non-compressed zones 6. Advantageously, the peripheral edge 12 is formed of an annular non-compressed zone 6.

A maximum thickness of the peripheral edge 12 on at least one face 2 is between 50% and 150%, of the maximum thickness of the non-compressed zones 6 on said face 2, and in particular close to the maximum thickness of the non-compressed zones 4.

The polyurethane foam part 1 is for example embodied by local compression using a heat application or a mechanical compression, or by the application of ultrasound frequencies or high frequencies to form compressed zones 4, and by cutting using a punch.

The peripheral edge 12 is advantageously embodied during the polyurethane foam compression step, defining compressed zones and non-compressed zones.

The shape, in particular disk, of the foam part is preferably obtained after compression, particularly by cutting with a punch.

Alternatively, the foam compression tool is provided with a cutting edge suitable for defining the final shape of the foam part simultaneously with the compression step thereof suitable for forming the compressed zones and the non-compressed zones therein.

In a specific embodiment, the polyurethane foam part 1 comprises on at least one face 2 a cosmetic product.

In particular, the cosmetic product is a makeup removal product.

For example, the cosmetic product is a lotion, a gel, a soap, a mousse, or a cream. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic pad 20, 22, 24, 26 comprising at least one polyurethane foam part 1 and at least one additional part 25, 28, 30, 32 mounted on the polyurethane foam part 1 .

A first embodiment of a cosmetic pad 20 is shown in figure 3.

The cosmetic pad 20 comprises two polyurethane foam parts 1 . Each polyurethane foam part 1 comprises compressed zones 4 and non-compressed zones 6 on a single face 2, with the characteristics described above.

The additional part 25 is a foam part devoid of compressed zones and non- compressed zones.

The foam part devoid of compressed zones and non-compressed zones is sandwiched between the two polyurethane foam parts 1 , on the face 2 opposite the face 2 comprising compressed zones 4 and non-compressed zones 6.

For example, the foam part devoid of compressed zones and non-compressed zones is sandwiched on the two polyurethane foam parts 1 by gluing, overmolding or indeed by successive casting on the additional part 26.

Advantageously, the thickness of the foam part devoid of compressed zones and non-compressed zones is between 30% and 80% of the maximum thickness of the cosmetic pad 20.

A second embodiment of a cosmetic pad 22 is shown in figure 4.

The cosmetic pad 22 comprises a polyurethane foam part 1 comprising compressed zones 4 and non-compressed zones 6 on both faces 2.

The additional part 28 is a fabric part applied on one of the two faces 2 of the polyurethane foam part 1 .

The fabric of the fabric part is for example an abrasive fabric or a plush loop type fabric. The cosmetic pad 22 can thus be used for exfoliation and pre-makeup removal from the skin besides the purpose thereof of cosmetic product application and removal.

For example, the foam is cast on the fabric and then compressed.

A third embodiment of a cosmetic pad 24 is shown in figure 5.

The cosmetic pad 24 comprises a polyurethane foam part 1 .

The polyurethane foam part 1 comprises compressed zones 4 on a single face 2.

The additional part 30 is a fabric part applied on the face 2 of the polyurethane foam part 1 opposite the face 2 comprises compressed zones 4.

For example, the fabric is associated with the foam by casting the foam on the fabric before compression thereof. Alternatively, the fabric can be attached to the foam, before or after compression thereof, for example by bonding, by ultrasonic or high-frequency welding.

A fourth embodiment of a cosmetic pad 26 is shown in figure 6. The polyurethane foam part 1 comprises compressed zones 4 on a single face 2.

The additional part 32 is a glove, wherein a whole hand or merely one or more fingers can be inserted according to the sizing.

The additional part 32 forming the glove consists of two layers of fabric bound together at the periphery thereof and defining a space adapted to receive a whole hand or merely one or more fingers.

Alternatively, the additional part 32 forms a part of the glove, while consisting of a single layer of fabric, mounted, in particular at the periphery thereof, on the foam part, the latter forming the other part of the glove.

According to the sizing of the foam part and of the fabric part mounted on the periphery thereof, the glove thus formed will be able to receive a whole hand or merely one or more fingers, according to the intended use of the cosmetic pad, for example according to use on large or smaller surface areas.

For example, the additional part 32 is mounted by stitching, or by ultrasonic or high- frequency welding, or by heating on the foam part.

According to the size of the glove, the glove can receive a whole hand for makeup removal from the face and/or body, or indeed one or more fingers if more precise makeup removal from the face is sought.

Alternatively, further embodiments of cosmetic pads can be envisaged.

A use of a polyurethane foam part 1 for the application and/or removal of a cosmetic product will now be described.

A user seeking to remove cosmetic product on a part of their body, for example makeup, without using a makeup removal product, applies on this part of their body the face 2 of the polyurethane foam part 1 comprising compressed zones 4 and non- compressed zones 6.

The user rubs the part of their body with the polyurethane foam part 1 until the cosmetic product has been completely removed.

The non-compressed zones 6 and the mixture of open cells 8 and closed cells 10 combine softness and absorption of the cosmetic product removed whereas the compressed zones 4 do not retain the product removed.

The user can then wash the polyurethane foam part 1 and reuse it.

If the user wishes to remove cosmetic product from a part of their body using a makeup removal product, or apply a cosmetic product on this part of their body, they pour the product to be applied onto the polyurethane foam part 1 .

The user rubs the part of their body with the polyurethane foam part 1 until the cosmetic product has been completely removed or the cosmetic product has been applied. The user can then wash the polyurethane foam part 1 and reuse it.

Claims

1. Polyurethane foam part (1) for cosmetic use, characterized in that it comprises on at least one face (2) compressed zones (4) and non-compressed zones (6) and in that the foam structure consists of a mixture of open cells (8) and closed cells (10).

2. Polyurethane foam part (1) according to claim 1 , wherein a maximum difference in thickness between the compressed zones (4) and the non-compressed zones (6) of a face (2) is between 50% and 90%.

3. Polyurethane foam part (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compressed zones (4) on one face (2) occupy a surface area between 40% and 85% of the total surface area of said face (2).

4. Polyurethane foam part (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cells of the non-compressed zones (6) comprise between 45% and 55% open cells (8).

5. Polyurethane foam part (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-compressed zones (6) are presented in the form of bosses.

6. Polyurethane foam part (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the compressed zones (4) have a smooth or patterned surface.

7. Polyurethane foam part (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a peripheral edge (12).

8. Polyurethane foam part (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising on at least one face (2) a cosmetic product.

9. Cosmetic pad (20, 22, 24, 26) comprising:

- at least one polyurethane foam part (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and

- at least one additional part (25, 28, 30, 32) mounted on the polyurethane foam part (1).

10. Cosmetic pad (20) according to claim 9, comprising:

- two polyurethane foam parts (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, each polyurethane foam part (1 ) comprising compressed zones (4) and non-compressed zones (6) on a single face (2), and - the additional part (25) being a foam part devoid of compressed zones and non- compressed zones, the foam part devoid of compressed zones and non-compressed zones (6) being sandwiched between the two polyurethane foam parts (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, on the face (2) opposite the face (2) comprising compressed zones (4) and non- compressed zones (6).

11. Cosmetic pad (22) according to claim 9, wherein the polyurethane foam part (1) comprises compressed zones (4) and non-compressed zones (6) on both faces (2), and the additional part (28) is a fabric part applied on one of the two faces of the polyurethane foam part (1).

12. Cosmetic pad (24) according to claim 9, wherein the polyurethane foam part (1) comprises compressed zones (4) and non-compressed zones (6) on a single face (2), and the additional part (30) is a fabric part applied on the face (2) of the polyurethane foam part opposite the face (2) comprising compressed zones (4) and non- compressed zones (6).

13. Cosmetic pad (26) according to claim 9, wherein the polyurethane foam part (1 ) and the additional part (32) form a glove, the additional part comprising in particular at least one fabric part mounted on the foam part, and in particular at the periphery thereof.

14. Use of a polyurethane foam part (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for the application and/or removal of a cosmetic product.