FOAM DISPENSING PACKET

Abstract: The foam-dispensing packet comprises a sealed pouch (2) having at least one flexible wall (4), the pouch comprising an interior chamber (6) and a channel (8) for dispensing foam from the interior chamber. A sponge (10) is disposed within the chamber as well as a foamable fluid (12). When intermittent pressure is applied against the pouch wall (4), thereby squeezing the sponge (10), foam is released from the opened packet.

Description: FOAM DISPENSING PACKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention concerns a device, for example a sampler packet, for delivering a composition, such as a cleansing cosmetic composition, in foam form. The Related Art Foamed cosmetic compositions can be generated by either propellant or mechanical driven pump mechanisms. Mechanical pumps such as described in U.S. Patent 5,364,031 (Taniguchi et al.) force a cosmetic liquid composition through a pair of meshed screens. The screens entrap a predetermined amount of air within the cosmetic composition transforming the liquid into a foam. It would be highly desirable to obtain the same effect at lower costs. Pump mechanisms are normally expensive, prohibitively so when applied to small sampler packaging. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packet from which a composition, such as a cleansing cosmetic composition, can be delivered in foam form without the use of a mechanical pump. Another object of the present invention is to provide a trial size packet from which a liquid product can be converted to a deep foaming liquid upon exit from the packet. These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following summary and detailed discussion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a foam-dispensing packet which comprises: a sealed pouch having at least one flexible wall, the pouch comprising an interior chamber and a channel communicating with the chamber for dispensing foam when the pouch is opened, a sponge disposed within the chamber, and a foamable fluid within the chamber, wherein the foamable fluid forms a foam when intermittent pressure is applied against the flexible wall thereby squeezing the sponge. The present invention also provides a method for dispensing foam from packets. This method comprises: opening a sealed pouch, wherein the pouch has at least one flexible wall, an interior chamber and a channel communicating with the interior chamber for dispensing foam therefrom, and disposed within the interior chamber a sponge and a foamable fluid; applying intermittent squeezing pressure against the at least one flexible wall; and collecting foam dispensed through the channel of the pouch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Additional objects, features and embodiments of the present invention will become more readily apparent from consideration of the following drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front perspective partial cross-sectional view of a packet according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The applicant has developed a packet for foaming liquid products which does not necessitate use of costly foaming screens or other traditional foaming mechanisms associated with dispensing containers. The packets of the present invention are typically sample size. Fig. 1 illustrates a sealed pouch 2 having at least one flexible wall 4 defining a major surface of the pouch. An interior chamber 6 and a channel 8 are formed between walls of the pouch. A sponge 10 and a foamable fluid 12 are contained within the interior chamber 6. Any type of sponge may be employed for the present invention. The sponge may either be open or closed cell. Closed cell sponges being preferred. Advantageously a sponge with reticulated structure can be employed, such sponges are available from the General Foam Corporation, Paramus, New Jersey. The walls of the pouch may be formed of a flexible plastics material. Suitable plastics materials include polya ide, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Particularly useful are laminates of at least two different materials (foils) . In a preferred embodiment, the laminate is a combination of a polyamide (nylon) and polyethylene. A tear line 14 may be marked across a surface of an exterior wall of the pouch. A scissor symbol may be printed near the tear line to instruct consumers on proper opening of the pouch. A notch 16 may also be provided for assistance when opening the pouch. The tear line 14 should traverse an area of the wall that defines the channel 8. Fig. 2 illustrates seal 18. Typically the seal is a heat seal. The seal closes one or more borders of the pouch. The capacity of the pouch for foamable fluid is typically from about 15 to about 120 ml, preferably from about 30 to about 70 ml. The foamable fluids used in the present invention generally contain a surfactant. Suitable surfactants may be selected from anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric and mixtures thereof. Typical anionic surfactants are alkali metal salts of lauryl sulphate, lauryl ether sulphate, acyl isethionate, alkyl glyceryl ether sulphonate, alkyl sarcosinate and alkyl benzene sulphonate and mixtures of these. Typical nonionic surfactants are C 12 -C 20 fatty alcohol and fatty acid alkoxylates, alkyl polyglycosides, methylglucamides and combinations of these. Suitable cationic surfactants include cetrimonium chloride. Suitable amphoteric surfactants include cocoamidopropylbetaine and cocolaurylamphoacetate and mixtures thereof. The amount of surfactant is typically from about 0.5 to about 60%, more preferably from about 1 to about 20% by weight of the composition. When the composition contained in a packet of the invention is intended for application to the skin or hair, conditioning agents may be useful. These agents include volatile and nonvolatile silicones such as dimethicone and ® cyclomethicone, cationic polymers such as Jaguar C13S and Polymer JR, natural oils and esters including petrolatum, sunflower seed oil, maleated soybean oil and isopropyl myristate. The conditioning agents are typically present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 20% by weight of the composition. Humectants for moisturization may also be included. These are represented by polyols such as glycerin, polyethyleneglycol, polypropyleneglycol, butyleneglycol, propyleneglycol, sorbitan and mixtures thereof. The humectants are typically present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 50% by weight of the composition. Solvents may also be present in the fluid compositions of this invention. Suitable solvents include water and monohydric Ci-Cζ alcohols. The amounts of solvent may range from about 1 to about 99%, optimally from about 40 to about 80% by weight of the composition. The foregoing description and drawing illustrate selected embodiments of the present invention. In light thereof variations and modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art, all of which are within the spirit and purview of this invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A foam dispensing packet comprising: a sealed pouch having at least one flexible wall, the pouch comprising an interior chamber and a channel communicating with the chamber for dispensing foam when the pouch is opened, a sponge disposed within the chamber, and a foamable fluid within the chamber, wherein the foamable fluid forms a foam when intermittent pressure is applied against the flexible wall thereby squeezing the sponge. 2. A packet according to claim 1 wherein the sponge is an open or closed cell sponge. 3. A packet according to claim 1 wherein the sponge has a reticulated structure. 4. A packet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein all the walls of the pouch are formed of a flexible plastics material. 5. A packet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the walls of the pouch are formed of laminate comprising at least two layers of plastics material. 6. A packet according to claim 5 wherein the layers of the laminate are selected from polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester. 7. A packet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the interior chamber has a capacity for fluid of from about 15 to about 120 ml. 8. A packet according to claim 7 wherein the capacity ranges from "about 30 to about 70 ml. 9. A packet according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a tear line marked across a wall of the pouch. 10. A packet according to claim 9 wherein the tear line is notched near an edge of the packet. 11. A method for dispensing a foam product from a packet comprising: opening a sealed pouch, wherein the pouch has at least one flexible wall, an interior chamber and a channel communicating with the interior chamber for dispensing foam therefrom, and disposed within the interior chamber a sponge and a foamable fluid; applying intermittent squeezing pressure against the at least one flexible wall; and collecting foam dispensed through the channel of the pouch.

Inventors: FLAIG RAYMOND MICHAEL, SLAVTCHEFF CRAIG STEPHEN, TELESCA JOSEPHINE, FLAIG, RAYMOND, MICHAEL, SLAVTCHEFF, CRAIG, STEPHEN, TELESCA, JOSEPHINE
Applicants: LEVER HINDUSTAN LTD, UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC, HINDUSTAN LEVER LIMITED
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A45D40
IPC codes: A45D27, A45D34, A45D40, B05B7, B05B11, B65D75, B65D83