Abstract:
A compressed article of hygiene is formed by a compressed cloth that has been compressed by dehydration or vacuum pressure into a coin shape and that is expandable upon contact with a liquid, and a plurality of microencapsulated beads containing a material. The microencapsulated beads are attached and embedded in the compressed cloth. Upon contact with water, expansion of the compressed cloth is unconstrained, and the compressed cloth when expanded has a shape of a facial mask with openings for eye, nose and mouth. The material is a facial treatment material that hardens upon drying.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/439,831 filed on May 23, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This application relates to the field of compressed paper and woven goods. 
         [0003]    Products made in a compressed state are small, for example, the size of a coin or a button. When such products are put into a liquid, for example, water, they expand, become larger, and are then suitable for their intended purpose. For example, buttons of compressed paper can be hydrated to be used as wipes. In other examples, compressed fabrics are hydrated to make towels, face cloths, tee shirts, and other clothing. Compressed sponges that expand upon contact with water are another example. 
         [0004]    Compressed goods are useful because their light weight and small size make shipping and handling them easier than otherwise. There is a need to provide compressed goods with enhanced features, for example, ones that provide medicinal or comfort therapies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the invention, microencapsulated materials are added to compressed products. Generally, the materials are added to the products before the products are compressed. The microencapsulated products can also be added to the products after they have been compressed. 
         [0006]    Microencapsulation permits a wide range of products to be incorporated into these dehydrated compressed products while maintaining the dry, compressed nature of the products. The coatings of microencapsulated beads of material can be soluble in various types of liquid, for example, water. Moreover, in some examples, it may be desirable that the coatings only release material upon mechanical force, e.g., friction. 
         [0007]    Methods of making an article are provided, the methods comprising forming the article, that comprises paper or fabric, in a size of intended use; attaching a plurality of microencapsulated beads containing a material therein to the paper or fabric; and compressing the article to a compressed size that is smaller than the size of intended use. In one embodiment, the step of compressing the article comprises dehydrating the article. In another embodiment, the step of compressing the article comprises exposing the article to vacuum pressure. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises contacting the article with a liquid to expand the article to approximately the size of intended use. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the invention, the articles comprise a liquid-expandable paper or fabric, and a plurality of microencapsulated beads containing a material therein attached to the paper or fabric. Generally, the paper or fabric material is in a compressed state and the material remains compressed until a liquid contacts the material. This application may refer to the compressed paper or cloth as a compressed coin. In some examples, the microencapsulated beads are attached to the surface of the paper or fabric. In other examples, the beads are embedded within the fabric or paper. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the material is released from the beads upon expansion of the paper or fabric in the liquid. In some examples, the material comprises therapeutic compounds such as antibiotics or alcohols, to be used, for example, for cleaning wounds or other medicinal purposes. Articles having such materials can be useful in military or third world environments. In other examples, the material comprises comforting compounds such as a fragrance, an oil, salt, a vitamin, a skin-moisturizer, or combinations thereof. Articles having such materials can be used as compresses for aromatherapy or other relaxation therapies. In another embodiment, the materials can be in the form of a hardening facial mask. These materials can be in the form of clay, resin, or other material that is pliable when wet but hardens upon drying. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, articles in accordance with the present invention comprise a towel, a face cloth, or a wiping cloth. If the article is used as a facial mask, it is supplied with cut-outs for the eyes, nose and mouth. 
         [0011]    There are many uses for the micro encapsulated products in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. One use is combining the compressed coins with coated alcohol or antibiotic. When they are expanded, they then have the ability to be able to be used to clean wounds and other medical uses. This might be of particular value in third world areas or military situations. 
         [0012]    Another use is to microencapsulate fragrances and/or oils with these compressed coins. In this application, these coins would be placed in warm water. As they are expanded they can be used as compresses for aromatherapy or other relaxation therapies. 
         [0013]    It is believed that there are substantial uses and a substantial business for combining these two technologies. Without the dryness of the microencapsulation it would cause the coins to expand and/or the ingredients to be dissipated. 
         [0014]    The articles can be packaged and sold individually, or in groups. In one embodiment, a plurality of similar articles are packaged in a strip, with each coin individually sealed in the strip. Thus, a single coin could be cut off of the strip without affecting the seal of the others, so that they are not exposed to air when removing a single coin. The strip could be formed from a plastic material that can be colored or printed to indicate the contents of the strip. The strip could have perforations along the seam to make separation easier. The strip could also have a weakening line extending to the area enclosing each coin to allow tearing of the packaging along the weakening line. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
           [0016]    In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
           [0017]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a compressed cloth having microencapsulated beads in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the article in the form of a facial mask. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates several of the compressed articles in a strip of packaging. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    Referring now in detail to the drawings and, in particular, FIG.  FIG. 1  illustrates one aspect of the present invention. Article  10  is paper, a woven good or cloth. The article  10  can, for example, be made of rayon, but any compressible material can be used. 
         [0022]    Microencapsulated beads or materials  16  are added to the article  10  by known techniques to form a new article  12 . The microencapsulated beads  16  can be formed to be soluble in a liquid, such as water. In this case, the microencapsulated beads  16  will dissolve upon contact with the liquid and, upon being dissolved, will release the encapsulated material in the beads  16 . The microencapsulated beads  16  can also be formed to break upon a pressure or friction being asserted on the beads  16 . In this case, the beads  16  will break and release their contents upon the exertion of the pressure. 
         [0023]    The article  12  having the microencapsulated beads can be compressed to a smaller size, such as the size of article  14 , using any known technique, the techniques including but not limited to dehydration or submitting the article  14  to vacuum pressure. The size of the article  12  is usually small, such as the size of a coin or a button. Other sizes, however, can be used. 
         [0024]    The materials in the microencapsulated beads  16  can include an antibiotic, a pharmaceutical, an alcohol, a fragrance, an oil, vitamin, a salt, a skin conditioner, a skin moisturizer, or combinations thereof. Other materials can include cleansers, polishes, anti itch materials and anti-inflammatory materials. 
         [0025]    Any number of fragrances can be used. For example, aromatherapy fragrances thought to help calm people can be used. A bubble gum fragrance can also be used to provide a unique bubble bath for children. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates the article  14  being exposed to a liquid  20 . The liquid  20  can be any liquid that will de-compress the article  14 . By way of example, the liquid could be water. The liquid  20 , in this case, also preferably dissolves the microencapsulated beads  16  to release the contents of the beads. 
         [0027]    The result of the application of liquid  20  is that the article  14  expands to the size of the article  22 . The microencapsulated beads  16  have dissolved, releasing the contents  24  and  26 . Generally, if the contents of the beads  16  were in liquid form, the contents  24  will stay on the article  22 . If the contents of the beads  16  included fragrances, the contents  26  may leave the article  22 . 
         [0028]    In the case where the microencapsulated beads  16  are broken by friction, the application of the liquid  20  would not dissolve the beads  16 . Instead, when the article  22  is rubbed on another article, such as a person&#39;s skin, the beads  16  are broken and the contents  24  and  26  are released. 
         [0029]    The article  10  can be any compressible material that can be expanded. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. In step  30 , microencapsulated beads are added to an article. As stated before, the article can be cloth, a woven material, paper or any compressible material. In step  32 , the article is compressed. The order of these two steps can be reversed. 
         [0031]    In step  34 , the article is expanded. In step  36 , the contents of the microencapsulated beads  16  are released either as a result of contact with a liquid or as a result of friction or pressure. 
         [0032]    The articles of the present invention can be used, by way of example only, to treat wounds, to provide therapy, such as aroma therapy or relaxation therapy, for bubble baths, for cleaning—both personal and for objects. 
         [0033]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the article  10  that is compressed can also be shaped. The article  10  can also have printed material on it. The shape of the article  10  and the printed material preferably have a relation to the article  10  and the material released by the microencapsulated beads  16 . For example, if the article  10  is a wash cloth and the microencapsulated material is a bubble gum fragrance so that a child might enjoy a bath, the article  10  can be shaped like a cartoon character and a picture of the carton character can be printed on the article  10 . For example, the article  10  could be shaped like Mickey Mouse and a picture of Mickey Mouse could be placed on the article  10 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the invention, in which article  100  is configured as a facial mask. Article  100  is compressed into a coin via vacuum compression, and expands into a facial mask shape, with cutouts  101 ,  102 ,  103  for the face, when contacted by liquid  180 . Embedded into article  100  is a microencapsulated facial mask material  150  that is beneficial to the skin and hardens upon drying. Any suitable mask material could be used, such as clay, resin or other synthetic or organic materials. Application of article  100  to a face  190  allows article  100  to mold to the shape of the face and dry thereon, thus providing beneficial treatment to the skin. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a strip  200  of compressed articles  10 , which have been compressed into coin shape and are individually sealed in strip  200  in between sealed seams  215 . Strip  200  can be decorated or colored to match the type of material embedded within article  10 . In order to use an article  10 , the portion of strip  200  adjacent article  10  is cut or ripped away from the rest of strip  200 . Since each article  10  is individually sealed along seams  210 , the remaining articles  10  stay sealed. Perforations  216  can be placed along seams  215  to make separation of each article  100  easier. A weakening line  218  can extend into the space between seams  215  to make tearing of the packaging easier when accessing article  100 . 
         [0036]    While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.