PERSONAL CLEANSING SYSTEM COMPRISING POLYMERIC DIAMOND-MESH BATH SPONGE AND LIQUID CLEANSER WITH HALOGENATED BIOCIDE

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention relates to a personal bath or shower gel system comprising (A) a light weight polymeric meshed sponge and (B) a liquid cleanser comprising (1) an effective amount of surfactant(s) and (2) a halogenated bacteriostat. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing delivery/dispersion of bacteriostat on skin or substrate by either applying liquid to sponge and applying sponge to substrate and/or applying liquid to skin/substrate and then rubbing skin/substrate with said sponge.

Description: PERSONAL CLEANSING SYSTEM COMPRISING POLYMERIC DIAMOND-MESH BATH SPONGE AND LIQUID CLEANSER WITH HALOGENATED BIOCIDE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a kit or cleansing system comprising a personal cleansing hand held bath sponge;, and a liquid cleanser for bath or shower, comprising a halogenated biocide or bacteriostat. The invention further comprises a method for enhancing deposition of said biocide in liquid cleanser compositions using a diamond-mesh bath sponge. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of a sponge or system instrument to apply soap liquid cleansing compositions to the body is well known. U.S. Patent No. 5,295,280 to Hudson et al . , for example, teach a washing device for scrubbing the body. The washing member (i.e., sponge) has a substantial uniform cross-section and a substantially porous inner structure which is said to allow water and soap to permeate the surface and interior thereof (column 2, lines 28-31) U.S. Patent No. 5,144,744 to Campagnoli also teaches sponges (specifically diamond-mesh polyethylene sponge) clearly designed for bath usage (see claim 1) . WO 95/00116 (assigned to Procter & Gamble) relates to a personal cleansing system comprising a diamond-mesh bath sponge used in combination with a liquid cleanser comprising a moisturizer. The diamond-mesh sponge is said to enhance lather profile of a cleanser containing such moisturizer. On page 12 of the World Patent application, it is mentioned that antimicrobial may optionally be added. There is no mention of any particular kind of antimicrobial and no recognition that the sponge may lead to enhanced deposition of specific bacteriostats, i.e., halogenated (preferably chlorinated) bacteriostats. Finally, Dial Company has been marketing a liquid cleanser with chlorinated bacteriostat since about January, 1995. Applicants have both conceived and reduced to practice the subject invention before this date. STTMMARY OF THE INVENTION Applicants have now unexpectedly found that certain bacteriostats, i.e., halogenated bacteriostats, can be readily applied and dispersed using a diamond-mesh bath sponge such as that disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,144,744 to Campagnoli. Specifically, the present invention comprises a system or kit comprising: (1) a light weight polymeric meshed personal cleansing hand held sponge; and (2) a liquid cleanser comprising: (a) an effective amount of surfactant selected from the group consisting of soap, synthetic surfactants (anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic and/or amphoteric, cationic) and mixtures thereof; and (b) .01% to 10% by weight, preferably .05% to 5% by weight of a halogenated bacteriostat. In a second embodiment, the invention comprises a method for enhancing deposition of halogenated bacteriostat in a liquid composition comprising an effective amount of surfactant which method comprises applying said bacteriostat containing cleanser to the sponge and/or desired surface (i.e., body) and applying the sponge (with or without bacteriostat depending on whether cleanser was added to sponge or to body) to the desired surface. That is, the cleanser can be applied to the sponge and then applied to the body with the sponge; or the cleanser can be applied to the body and then rubbed on the body with the sponge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a diamond-mesh polymeric sponge. Figure 2 is a picture showing how the sponge can be held in the hand Figure 3 shows netting mesh which can be used to make the sponge. DE-TAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to the discovery that when certain bacteriostat containing liquid cleansers are applied to the body/skin using a light weight polymeric meshed hand held sponge, there is greater deposition/delivery of these bacteriostats than if they had been delivered by a regular sponge. That is, the sponge synergistically interacts with the liquid cleanser plus bacteriostat to enhance delivery of the bacteriostat. The liquid cleanser containing bacteriostat and the mesh sponge are packaged together as a kit. The liquid cleanser is usually in a separate container in an amount large enough for several uses with the sponge. More specifically, the personal bath or shower body cleansing system comprises: (A) a light weight polymeric meshed personal cleansing hand held sponge; said polymeric mesh sponge being in a form suitable for use as a hand held cleansing implement, said hand held sponge having a diameter of from about two (2) inches to about eight (8) inches (5.08 cm. to about 20.32 cm.) ; preferably the polymeric meshed personal cleansing hand held polymeric mesh sponge is made of polyethylene diamond mesh and has a diameter of from 3 to 5 inches (7.62 cm. to about 12.7 cm.);and (B) a liquid cleanser comprising: (1) an effective amount of a surfactant selected form the group of synthetic surfactants and mixtures thereof; and (2) a bacteriostat, preferably a halogenated bacteriostat, more preferably selected from the group of halogenated bacteriostats described below. © The combination of polymeric mesh sponge and cleanser plus bacteriostat enhance the deposition of the bacteriostat. That is the sponge interacts with the bacteriostat to enhance delivery/deposition in a manner superior to other types of sponges. Soonσe The cleansing polymeric mesh sponge can be prepared from readily available raw materials or with specially designed mesh materials. The polymeric mesh sponge is preferably prepared from extruded tubular netting mesh which has been prepared from special strong and flexible polymeric material. Extruded tubular netting mesh of this type, and particularly those prepared from polyethylene, have been used for the covering of meat and poultry and are readily available in industry. The polymeric mesh sponge comprises a plurality of plys of an extruded tubular netting mesh prepared from a strong flexible polymer, preferably of the group consisting of addition polymers of olefin monomers, and polyamides of polycarboxylic acids and polyamines, said plys of tubular netting mesh are folded upon itself numerous times to form a soft ball-like polymeric mesh sponge. The tubes or stripes of netted mesh polymer can be securely attached by means of a nylon band or suitable closure. This type of polymeric mesh sponge is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,462,135, July 31, 1984, to Sanford, incorporated herein by reference. An example of a hand-held ball-like polymeric mesh sponge is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,144,744, to Campagnoli, September 8, 1992, incorporated herein by reference. It is a diamond-mesh polyethylene sponge obtained from a number of netting tubes stretched over supports, joined and bound together at the center and then released from the supports. Commercially available "polymeric mesh sponges" are sold by The Body Shop and Bynum Concepts, Inc. Other suppliers include Supremia Use in New Jersey, Sponge Factory Dominicana in the Dominican Republic and Integrated Marketing Group in Harrison, New York. The following are some, although certainly not all, specifications for suitable bath polyethylene polymeric mesh sponges: Size Dia. Tubes Ea. Lenσth Total Lenσth Wt . am. 3" 2 60 cm 120 cm 15 4" 4 50 cm 200 cm 23 5" 4 80 cm 320 cm 37 One (1") inch = 2.54 cm; 3" = 3 x 2.54 - cm: 4" = 4 x 2.54 = cm: etc. Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a diamond-mesh polymeric hand held ball-like bath sponge showing a rope handle 7 which can be used in the present invention. The ease with which a cleansing polymeric mesh sponge can be held in the hand for cleaning is shown in Figure 2. A security band 13 hold the multi-layered netting mesh together to form the polymeric mesh sponge. The netting mesh that can be used in making the polymeric mesh sponge is illustrated in Figure 3. wherein 21 represents the mesh in stretched position. The fine polymeric filaments used in making the netting are represented by 18 with 19 representing the spot bonding of the filaments to form the open mesh 20. Two 2 netting tubes at 60 cm length each can be used to make a 3-inch ball sponge. They can be bundled manually with a loop or rope to form a ball-like polymeric mesh sponge. Other designs such and rectangular gloves and washing implements made with the mesh material also work very well in the system of the present invention. Liquid Cleanser - Surfactant System The present invention relates to liquid skin cleansing compositions comprising 1 to 99% by weight, preferably 2 to 85%, more preferably 3 to 40% of a mild surfactant system comprising one or more surfactants which alone or together have been clinically tested to be milder than soap itself as measured by zein solubilization test (soap yields 80% zein solubilized) . Preferably, the mildness is such that zein solubilization is in the range 10-60%. At least 10%, preferably at least 25% of the surfactant composition must be anionic surfactant. In theory, as long as the anionic is milder than soap itself, 100% of the surfactant composition may be anionic. A number of anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic and/or amphoteric surfactants may be employed in the surfactant system of the invention provided of course that the surfactant, if used alone, or surfactant mixture is milder than would be soap itself as measured by the zein solubilization test. Among suitable anionic co-actives are the alkyl ether sulfates, acyl isethionates, alkyl ether sulfonates, sarcosinates, sulfosuccinates, taurates and combinations thereof. Among suitable amphoteric co-actives may be included alkylbetaines, amidopropyl betaines, amidopropyl sultaines and combinations thereof. Alkyl ether sulfates of the present invention will be of the general formula R- (OCH 2 CH 2 ) n OS0 3 -M + wherein R ranges from C 8 -C 20 alkyl, preferably C 12 -C 15 alkyl, n is an integer from 1 to 40, preferably from 2 to 9, optimally about 3, and M + is a sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolammonium cation. Typical commercial co-actives of this variety are listed in the Table below: Trademark Chemical Name Physical Manu¬ Form facturer Steol CS 330 Sodium Laureth Liquid Stepan Sulfate Standopol ES-3 Sodium Laureth Liquid Henkel Sulfate Alkasurf ES-60 Sodium Laureth Paste Alkaril Sulfate Cycloryl TD TEA Laureth Paste Cyclo Sulfate Standapol 125- Sodium Laureth-12 Liquid Henkel E Sulfate Cedepal Sodium Trideceth Paste Miranol TD407MF Sulfate Standopol EA-2 Ammonium Laureth Liquid Henkel Sulfate Alkyl ether sulfonates may also be employed for the present invention. Illustrative of this category is a commercial product known as Avenel S-150 commonly known as a sodium C 12 -C 15 Pareth-15 sulfonate. Another co-active type suitable for use in the present invention is that of the sulfosuccinates. This category is best represented by the monoalkyl sulfosuccinates having the formula R 2 0CCH 2 CH(S0 3 --Na * )COO--M + ; and amido-MEA sulfosuccinates of the formula: RCONHCH 2 CH 2 0 2 CCH 2 CH (S0 3 --M + )COO--M * ; wherein R ranges from C 8 -C 20 alkyl, preferably C 12 -C 15 alkyl and M * is a sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolam onium cation. Typical commercial products representative of these co-actives are those listed in the Table below: Trademark Chemical Name Physical Manu¬ Form facturer Emcol 4400-1 Disodium Lauryl Solid Witco Sulfosuccinate Witco C5690 Disodium Cocoamido MEA Liquid Witco Sulfosuccinate Mclntyre Disodium Cocoamido MEA Liquid Mclntyre Mackanate Sulfosuccinate CM40F Schercopol Disodium Cocoamido MEA Liquid Scher CMSNa Sulfosuccinate Emcol 4100M Disodium Myristamido Paste Witco MEA Sulfosuccinate Schercopol Disodium Oleamido MEA Liquid Scher Varsulf Disodium Solid Scherex S13333 Ricionoleamido MEA Sulfosuccinate Sarcosinates may also be useful in the present invention as a co-active. This category is indicated by the general formula RCON(CH 3 )CH 2 C0 2 --M + , wherein R ranges from C 8- C 20 alkyl, preferably C 12 .C 15 alkyl and M" is a sodium, potassium ammonium or triethanolammonium cation. Typical commercial products representative of these co-actives are those listed in the Table below: Trademark Chemical Name Physical Manu¬ Form facturer Hamposyl L-95 Sodium Lauroyl Solid W. R. Sarcosinate Grace Hamposyl TOC- TEA Cocoyl/Sarcosinate Liquid W. R. 30 Grace Taurates may also be employed in the present invention as co- actives. These materials are generally identified by the formula RCONR'CH,CH,S0 3 --M * , wherein R ranges from C 8 -C 20 alkyl, preferably C 12 -C 15 alkyl, R' ranges from C 1 -C 4 alkyl, and M + is a sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolammonium cation. Typical commercial products representative of these co-actives are those listed in the Table below: Trademark Chemical Name Physical Manu¬ Form facturer Igepon TC 42 Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Paste GAF Taurate Igepon T-77 Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Paste GAF Taurate Within the category of amphoterics there are three general categories suitable for the present invention. These include alkylbetaines of the formula RN + (CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 C0 2 --M + , amidopropyl betaines of the formula RCONHCH 2 CH 2 CH,N + (CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 C0 2 —M + , and amidopropyl sultaines of the formula RCONHCH 2 CH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 S0 3 --M + wherein R ranges from C 3 -C 20 alkyl, preferably C 12- C 1S alkyl, and M* is a sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolammonium cation. Typical commercial products representative of these co-actives are found in the Table below: Trademark Chemical Name Physical Manu¬ Form facturer Tegobetaine F Cocamidopropyl Liquid Gold- Betaine schmidt Lonzaine C Cocamidopropyl Liquid Lonza Betaine Lonzaine CS Cocamidopropyl Liquid Lonza Hydroxysuitaine Lonzaine 12C Coco-Betaine Liquid Lonza Schercotaine Myristamidopropyl Liquid Lonza MAB Betaine Velvetex OLB- Oleyl Betaine Paste Henkel 50 Within the broad category of liquid actives, the most effective are the alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl ether sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, and amidopropyl betaines. Another preferred surfactant is an acyl isethionate having the formula in which R denotes a linear or branched alkyl group and M denotes an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or an amine. Another surfactant which may be used are the monoalkyl or dialkylphosphate surfactants. Another mild surfactant which may be used, preferably used as primary surfactant in combination with other surfactants noted above, is sodium coco glyceryl ether sulfonate. While desirable to use because of its mildness properties, this coco AGS alone does not provide optimum lather creaminess. A sodium 90/10 coconut/tallow alkyl AGS distribution is preferred for creaminess. Salts other than the sodium salt such as TEA-, ammonium, and K-AGS and chain length distributions other than 90/10 coconut/tallow are usable at moderate levels. Also, some soap may be added to improve lather volume and speed of lathering. Certain secondary co-surfactants used in combination with AGS can also provide a creamier and more stable lather. These secondary surfactants should also be intrinsically mild. One secondary surfactant that has been found to be especially desirable is sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (trade name Hamposyl L, made by Hampshire Chemical) . The amphoteric betaines and sultaines noted above can be used as the sole surfactant, but are more preferred as a co¬ surfactant. Nonionics generally should not be used as the sole surfactant in this product if high foaming is desirable; however, they can be incorporated as a co-surfactant. Nonionic and cationic surfactants which may be used include any one of those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,761,418 to Parran, Jr. , hereby incorporated by reference into the subject application. Also included are the aldobionamides as taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,389,279 to Au et al; and the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides as taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,312,934 to Letton, both of which are incorporated by reference into the subject application. Soaps can be used at levels of about 1 to 10%. Soaps can be used at higher level provided that the surfactant mixture is milder than soap. The soaps may be added neat or made in situ via adding a base, e.g., NaOH; to convert free fatty acids. Of course, as noted above, soaps should only be used as cosurfactants to the extent that the surfactant system is milder than soap alone. A preferred surfactant active system is one such that acyl isethionate comprises 1 to 15% by weight of the total composition, an anionic other than acyl isethionate (e.g., ammonium lauryl ether sulfate) comprises 1 to 15% by weight of the total composition and amphoteric comprises 0.5 to 15% by weight of the total composition. Another preferred active system is one comprising 1 to 20% alkyl ether sulfate. Preferred surfactant active systems may also contain 1 to 10% alkali metal lauryl sulfate or C 14 -C 16 olefin sulfonate instead of acyl isethionate. Another preferred cleansing and moisturizing cleansing composition can contain ingredients selected from the group consisting of: (a) 8% to 35% polyol; (b) 35% to 70%, preferably 40% to 65% water; (c) 5% to 20%, preferably 7% to 19%, of mostly insoluble saturated (low iodine value of zero to 15) C & -C 22 fatty acid potassium soap; (d) 0.1% to 7%, preferably 0.5 to 5%, of free C 8 -C 22 fatty acids; and (e) 0.5% to 5%, preferably 0.7% to about 4.5% petrolatum, and mixtures thereof. The polyol is selected from the group consisting of : glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, ethyl hexanediol, hexylene glycols, and other aliphatic alcohols; and mixtures thereof. When propylene glycol is used as a moisturizer, it is used at a level of at least 5%. The polyols are preferably used at levels of from about 10-30%. The liquid cleanser can contain from about 0.5% to about 15% of a lipophilic emollient moisturizer selected from the group consisting of: petrolatum; esters of fatty acids; glycerin mono-, di-, and tri-esters; epidermal and sebaceous hydrocarbons such as cholesterol, cholesterol esters, squalene, squalene; silicone oils and gums; mineral oil; lanolin and derivatives and the like; and mixtures thereof. A preferred improved stable product with a moisturizing benefit is achieved with the incorporation of larger sized petrolatum particles into selected fatty acid/soap matrixes. The larger sized petrolatum particles will vary for a liquid or semi¬ solid. The key is to select the fatty acid and/or soap matrix and to mix in the petrolatum using a minimal controlled amount of shear to maintain larger petrolatum particles and achieve a homogeneous stable product, e.g., an improved benefit is also achieved in a semi-solid cleansing cream. Any fatty acid matter (free and neutralized) used in the liquid cleanser preferably has an Iodine Value (I.V.) of from zero to about 15, preferably below 10, more preferably below 3. BACTERIOSTAT The bacteriostats which are the second critical component of the liquid cleanser composition are generally halogenated bacteriostats. The first bacteriostats (chemicals which control bacteria which in turn cause sweat to break down into malodorous components) were introduced into soap bars about 1950. The most widely used of these are hexachlorophene; chlorhexidine; 3, 4, 4 ' -trichlorocarbanilide; 3,4' ,5-tri- bromosalicylanilide; 4,4' -dichloro-3 ' - (trifluoromethyl) carbanilide; and 2, 4, 4 ' -trichloro-2 ' -hydroxy diphenyl ether. The bacteriostat is used on the compositions of the invention in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 10% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight of the composition. The present invention is directed to the unexpected observation that these bacteriostats, when applied with the mesh sponge described above, were much better dispersed/deposited than if applied with other types of sponges. Other Ingredients The cleansing bath/shower compositions can contain a variety of nonessential optional ingredients suitable for rendering such compositions more desirable. Such conventional optional ingredients are well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben and imidazolidinyl urea; other thickeners and viscosity modifiers such as C 8 -C 18 ethanolamide (e.g., coconut ethanolamide) ; pH adjusting agents such as citric acid, succinic acid, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, etc.; suspending agents such as magnesium/aluminum silicate; perfumes; dyes; and sequestering agents such as disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate. If present, the optional components individually generally comprise from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the composition, but can be more or less. Optional thickeners are categorized as cationic, nonionic, or anionic and are selected to provide the desired viscosity. Suitable thickeners are listed in the Glossary and Chapters 3, 4, 12 and 13 of the Handbook of Water-Soluble Gums and Resins. Robert L. Davidson, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, N. Y., 1980, incorporated by reference herein. The liquid personal cleansing products can be thickened by using polymeric additives that hydrate, swell or molecularly associate to provide body (e.g., hydroxypropyl guar gum is used as a thickening aid in shampoo compositions) . A suitable thickener is hydroxy ethyl cellulose, e.g., Natrosol R 250 KR sold by The Aqualon Company. Another thickener is acrylated steareth-20 methylacrylate copolymer sold as Acrysol ICS-1 by Rohm and Haas Company. The amount of polymeric thickener found useful in the present compositions is about 0.1% to about 2%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 1.0%. The liquid cleanser can be made with from about 0.1% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.3% to about 3%, of a skin moisturizing cationic polymer selected from the group consisting of: cationic polysaccharides and derivatives, cationic copolymers of saccharides and synthetic monomers, synthetic copolymers and cationic protein derivatives. In a second embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to a method of enhancing delivery/deposition of bacteriostat which method comprises applying liquid cleanser comprising said bacteriostat to skin or to mesh sponge and rubbing or massaging said sponge over area where enhanced delivery/deposition is desired. Specifically, the method comprises applying to a substrate selected from the group consisting of skin, a polymeric meshed sponge and combinations thereof a liquid cleanser comprising: (1) an effective amount of surfactant selected from synthetic surfactants and mixtures thereof; and (2) a halogenated bacteriostat; and rubbing said polymeric mesh sponge against skin to spread the liquid cleanser. The liquid cleanser/compositions and the bacteriostat are as defined above. Unexpectedly, it has been found that the mesh sponge delivers greater amounts of bacteriostat than are delivered when other sponges are used. The following examples are intended to further illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. All percentages used are intended to be by weight unless stated otherwise. Example 1 The polymeric mesh was packaged in a kit which contained a liquid cleanser comprising as follows: INGREDIENT % BY WEIGHT Acyl Isethionate 1-15% Anionic other than Acyl 1-15% Isethionate (SLES) * Amphoteric Surfactant** 5-15% Sequestrant (EDTA or EHDP) 0.01-0.1% Moisturizer (e.g. cationic 0.05-3.0% polymer) Standard additives (e.g., dyes, 0-10% perfumes) DP300 (Triclosan) .1-1% Water Balance * Sodium lauryl ether sulfate ** Cocamidopropyl betaine Example 2 The polymeric mesh was packaged in a kit that contained a liquid cleanser comprising as follows: INGREDIENT % BY WEIGHT Acyl Isethionate 1-15% Anionic other than Acyl 1-15% Isethionate Amphoteric 20-30% Moisturizer (e.g. silicone) 3-7% Minors (perfumes, 0.1-10% preservatives) Triclosan 0.1-1% Water Balance Example 3 The polymeric mesh is packaged in a kit which contains a liquid cleanser comprising as follows: Composition * (Estimated Ingredients) Estimated % bv wt. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 6.6 Sodium Laureth Sulfate 5.2 Lauramide DEA 3.5 Glycerin 1.5 Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate 0.6 Citric Acid 0.2 Disodium Ricinoleamido MEA Sulfosuccinate 0.1 Triclosan 0.2 Water 80.9 Dyes, EDTA, Hydantoin *Liquid Dial Antibacterial Soap Example 4 The polymeric mesh is packaged in a kit which contains a liquid cleanser comprising as follows: Composition * Estimated % bv Wt Glycerin 19.5 Sodium Soap 14.1 Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate 3.5 Cocamidopropyl Betaine 1.5 Lauramide DEA 2.0 Triethanolamine 0.9 Water 55.7 BHT Minor Citric Acid Minor Methylparaben Minor Trisodium HEDTA Minor Propylparaben Minor Colorants Minor Perfume Minor *Neutrogena Example 5 In order to show that deposition of bacteriostat (i.e., Triclosan (R) or DP300) was greater using pouf than a sponge, the following experiment was conducted: First, applicants obtained a composition comprising the following ingredients. Ingredient % bv Wt . cocoamidopropyl betaine β 27% Sodium Laureth Sulfate ** 7% Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate «■** 6% Silicone « 5% Water -53% Fragrance, Colorants, Minors « 2% Applicants prepared a 25% solution of said shower gel composition containing approx. 2.5 uCi/ml radio labeled DP300 (14C-DP300, specific activity = 157 uCi/ g) . 1 ml of the shower gel solution was applied to 1.2 g of pouf (original size 40 g) or 0.4 g sponge (original size 12 g) , and the pouf and sponge were squeezed 20 times to create lather. Piglet back skin of 12 sq. cm in size was washed with the pouf or sponge for 30 seconds, rinsed under running water for 30 seconds, and patted dry with paper towel. The amount of DP300 deposited on the skin was determined using autoradiography and results set forth below. Pouf = 0.07 ug/cm2 (S.D. =0.02); Sponge = 0.03 ug/cm2 (S.D. = 0.003) S.D. = standard deviation (n = 4) The results clearly show that deposition using pouf was significantly better than deposition using a sponge. Example 6 In order to further show enhanced deposition of pouf versus sponge, applicants conducted a skin disc substantivity test as follows: Applicants prepared pig skins (shaved) and applied the products noted for 30 seconds. Shower Gel A was as in Example 5 and contained ~0.25% Triclosan; Shower Gel B was a non-germicidal product. The treated sections were placed on agar plates seeded with S. aureus ATCC #6538 or K. pneumoniae ATCC #4352 for 30 minutes and then incubated at 34°C for 24 hours. The sections were placed on the agar plates ~ 15 minutes after product application. Results are set forth in Table 1 below: TABLE 1 SKIN DISC SUBSTANTIVITY RESULTS Inhibition Score (Average of Sample Application 3 skin sections) S.aureus ATCC K.pneumoniae #6538 ATCC #4352 Shower Gel A Pouf 3.83 4.00 Shower Gel A Sponge 0.83 0.00 Shower Gel B Sponge 0.00 0.00 Against S. aureus, Shower Gel A applied with pouf resulted in strong to complete inhibition of the organism. The product applied with sponge (sponge from Jergens) demonstrated less than slight inhibition. As expected, the nongermicidal Shower Gel B displayed no inhibitor activity. Against K. pneumoniae, Shower Gel A applied with the pouf resulted in complete inhibition. Shower Gel A applied with the sponge and Shower Gel B/ sponge did not inhibit the bacteria (score = 0) . From this data (see Examples 5 & 6), it is clear that pouf deposits bacteriostat in a far superior way to the sponge.

Claims: CLAIMS We claim: 1. A personal bath or shower bath cleansing system comprising: (A) a light weight polymeric meshed personal cleansing hand held sponge; said polymeric mesh sponge being in a form suitable for use as a hand held cleansing implement; and (B) a liquid cleanser comprising (1) an effective amount of surfactant selected from the group consisting of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionics, nonionics, cationics, zwitterionics and/or amphoterics and mixtures thereof; and (2) .01% to 10% by weight of a halogenated bacteriostat. 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the light weight polymeric meshed personal cleansing hand held polymeric mesh sponge is made of polyethylene diamond mesh and has a diameter of from 3 to 5 inches (7.62 cm to about 12.7 cm). 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant system comprises: (a) 1% to 15% by wt . total composition of an acyl isethionate; (b) 1 to 15% by w . of the total composition of an anionic surfactant other than acyl isethionate; and (c) 0.5 to 15% by w . of total composition amphoteric. 4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the halogenated bacteriostat is selected from the group consisting of hexachlorophene; chlorhexidine; 3,4,4'- trichlorocarbanilide; 3,4', 5-tri-bromosalicylanilide; 4, 4 ' -dichloro-3 '- (trifluoromethyi) carbanilide; and 2, 4, 4 ' -trichloro-2 ' -hydroxy diphenyl ether 5. A method of enhancing delivery/deposition of bacteriostat comprising: (a) applying to a substrate selected from the group consisting of skin, a polymeric meshed sponge and combinations thereof a liquid cleanser comprising (1) an effective amount of surfactant selected from the group consisting of synthetic surfactants and mixtures thereof; and (2) a halogenated bacteriostat; and (b) rubbing said polymeric meshed sponge against skin to spread the liquid cleanser.

Inventors: ANANTHAPADMANABHAN KAVSSERY PA, CASO STEVEN, FUJIWARA MITSUKO, VILLA VIRGILIO BARBA, VINCENT CAROL KREGLER, ANANTHAPADMANABHAN, KAVSSERY, PARAMESWARAN, CASO, STEVEN, FUJIWARA, MITSUKO, VILLA, VIRGILIO, BARBA, VINCENT, CAROL, KREGLER
Applicants: UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC, UNILEVER N.V.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q17, A61Q19