DESCRIPTION
FOLDED SHEET FOR COSMETIC TREATMENTS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a folded sheet which is
preferably used for cosmetic treatments of the skin, in
particular the face.
BACKGROUND ART
A sheet which is formed by a substrate sheet such as a non-woven
fabric sheet impregnated with a lotion or the like has been used
for cosmetic treatments of the skin, in particular the face.
Such a sheet is usually available in package form containing a
sheet which has been folded in a bag or sack made of aluminum
foil or the like.
When using a sheet, the folded sheet is removed from the package,
unfolded, and applied onto the skin.
Since the folded sheet is very wet, it is often difficult to
unfold the sheet using the fingers. In particular, it can be
difficult to find the edge of the folded sheet, so that a user
may need time to find the edge to hold. In addition, it can be
difficult for a user to hold the wet edge which may easily curl
or bend. Further, the wet sheet can be easily torn, and
therefore, needs to be handled carefully. Furthermore, during
the unfolding process, a part of the spread sheet may
spontaneously curl or bend in the air, and adhere to another part
of the sheet. If so, the application of the sheet onto the skin
becomes more difficult because unfolding of the curled or bent
part is necessary while holding the rest of the sheet.
On the other hand, a tab or tabs may be provided at the edge of
the sheet. For example, USP 6702792 discloses a mask sheet which
has two tabs along the edge of the mask sheet, so that a user can
hold the tabs to unfold the mask sheet.
However, such a tab needs a special design. Therefore, the
presence of such a tab makes it difficult to manufacture a mask
sheet. In addition, it is not sufficient to provide tabs alone
in order to make it easy to unfold a mask sheet, because the tabs
only have a small area.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide a novel
folded sheet for cosmetic treatments which is easy to unfold and
can be applied onto the skin, in particular the face, even if the
sheet is wet and has no tab to hold.
The above objective of the present invention can be achieved by a
folded sheet for cosmetic treatments, comprising a main body and
at least three open edges,
wherein
the open edges are formed by folding the sheet at least three
times ,
at least one of the open edges projects from the main body, and
two of the open edges have a maximum width in a direction
perpendicular to a longitudinal or horizontal center line of the
sheet .
It is preferable that the sheet according to the present
invention be folded along at least two folding lines which are
parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal or
horizontal center line of the sheet.
In a first embodiment, the folded sheet according to the present
invention has been folded in different directions along first and
second folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel
to the longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet, such
that the width between the first and second folding lines is
smaller than the maximum width between the first or second
folding line and the outline of the sheet. It is preferable that
the cross section of the folded sheet be in form of Z . The
folded sheet according to the present invention may be formed by
folding the above folded sheet according to the first embodiment
along a third folding line which is not parallel to the first or
second folding line. It is preferable that the third folding
line be perpendicular to the first or second folding line.
In a second embodiment, the folded sheet according to the present
invention has at least three, preferably four, open edges which
project from the main body of the sheet. The folded sheet
according to the second embodiment may be formed by folding in
different directions the above folded sheet according to the
first embodiment along third and fourth folding lines which are
parallel or substantially parallel to each other and not parallel
to the first or second folding line. It is preferable that the
third and fourth folding lines be perpendicular to the first or
second folding line. It is preferable that the cross section of
the folded sheet be in form of Z .
It is preferable that the main body of the sheet according to the
present invention have a rectangular shape in general.
The folded sheet according to the present invention may be
intended to be applied on a face.
It is preferable that the folded sheet according to the present
invention comprises at least one cosmetic ingredient.
It is possible for the folded sheet according to the present
invention to comprise at least two layers.
The present invention also relates to a package comprising the
folded sheet according to the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows a front view of an example of a folded face mask
sheet according to the present invention in the unfolded position,
Fig. 2 shows a front view of the above example in a first folded
position .
Fig. 3 shows a front view of the above example in a second folded
position .
Fig. 4 shows a front view of the above example in a third folded
position .
Fig. 5 shows a front view (Figure 5(a)) and a back view (Figure
5(b)) of the above example in a fourth folded position.
Fig. 6 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example
1 .
Fig. 7 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example
2 .
Fig. 8 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example
Fig. 9 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative Example
4 .
Fig. 10 shows a folded mask sheet according to Comparative
Example 5 . Fig. 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) show a front view, a back
view and an enlarged partial view of the mask sheet corresponding
to a jaw.
Fig. 11 shows a mask sheet according to Comparative Example 6 .
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
After diligent research, the inventors have discovered that it is
possible to easily unfold a folded wet sheet, even without the
aid of a tab, and apply it onto the skin, in particular the face,
for cosmetic treatments, by folding the sheet beforehand in a
specific manner.
Thus, the folded sheet according to the present invention is
characterized in that it comprises a main body and at least three
open edges,
wherein
the open edges are formed by folding the sheet at least three
times ,
at least one of the open edges projects from the main body, and
two of the open edges have a maximum width in a direction
perpendicular to a longitudinal or horizontal center line of the
sheet .
In one embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal or
horizontal center line may function as a longitudinal or
horizontal symmetric axis of the sheet. On the other hand, the
longitudinal or horizontal center line may be shifted away from
the longitudinal or horizontal symmetric axis for the sheet, for
example, by 1 mm to 5 cm, preferably 3 mm to 3 cm, and more
preferably 5 mm to 1 cm, and may or may not be parallel to the
longitudinal or horizontal symmetric axis of the sheet. Thus,
the longitudinal or horizontal center line may be a diagonal line
with regard to the longitudinal or horizontal symmetric axis of
the sheet.
According to the present invention, the open edge means a part of
the sheet in which the part is composed of a single layer of the
sheet, and the both surfaces of the layer are exposed to outside.
Since the open edge is formed by folding the sheet, according to
the present invention, the open edge is different from a tab the
both surfaces of which are exposed to outside without folding the
sheet .
According to the present invention, the main body means a part of
the sheet other than the open edge. Typically, the main body is
composed of a plurality of layers of the sheet, and at least one
surface of the layer is covered with another layer of the sheet.
Thus, the open edge in the folded sheet according to the present
invention projects from the main body, typically protrudes from
the circumference of the main body.
The folded sheet according to the present invention can be used
for cosmetic treatments of the skin, such as moisturizing or
cleansing the skin, in particular the face.
Thus, the folded sheet according to the present invention can be
used as a face mask sheet, a neck mask sheet, a decollete mask
sheet, and the like. It is also possible to use the folded sheet
according to the present invention as a wet tissue or a wipe
lingette. It is preferable that the folded sheet according to
the present invention be used for the face, including the
entirety of the face or a part of the face.
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the folded sheet according to the
present invention is explained by using figures.
The folded sheets shown in Figures 1 to 5 correspond to one
embodiment of the present invention designed to be attached onto
the face. Therefore, they may be described hereafter as folded
face mask sheets. However, the folded sheet according to the
present invention can be designed to be applied onto not only the
face but also the body such as the neck or the decollete, as
mentioned above.
Fig. 1 shows a front view of an example of a folded face mask
sheet according to the present invention in an unfolded position.
It should be understood that the folded sheet according to the
present invention should not be limited to this example.
The face mask sheet shown in Figure 1 is formed by a single
substrate sheet 1 having holes 2,2 for the eyes, a slit 3 for the
nose, a hole 4 for the mouth, and slits for the cheeks. Any of
the holes 2,2,4 may be replaced with slit(s) corresponding to the
eyes and/or mouth. On the other hand, the slit 3 may be replaced
with a hole to uncover the nose. The substrate sheet 1 may have
fewer or more slits, depending on the size and shape thereof. It
is preferable to limit the number of slits in terms of the
strength of the substrate sheet 1 .
The substrate sheet 1 may have a tab or tabs, preferably on the
outline (i.e., outside edges) thereof, for facilitating the
folding and unfolding operations of the face mask sheet. However,
the presence of tab(s) is optional in the present invention.
Preferably, the substrate sheet 1 should have no tab.
The dotted and dashed line (C) in Figure 1 corresponds to a
longitudinal center line of the substrate sheet 1 . The
longitudinal center line (C) shown in Figure 1 defines a center
line of the substrate sheet 1 and is positioned to pass over the
slit 3 for the nose as well as the hole 4 for the mouth. The
longitudinal center line (C) shown in Figure 1 functions as a
longitudinal symmetric axis for the substrate sheet 1 . However,
the longitudinal center line (C) may not necessarily be on a
symmetric axis of the substrate sheet 1 . Thus, the longitudinal
center line (C) may be shifted away from the longitudinal
symmetric axis for the sheet, and may or may not be parallel to
the longitudinal symmetric axis of the sheet.
The face mask sheet shown in Figure 1 has a first folding line
(a) and a second folding line (b) represented by two dotted lines
along which the face mask sheet can be folded. The two folding
lines (a,b) are parallel with the longitudinal center line (C) .
A s shown in Figure 1 , in this example, the folding lines (a,b)
are positioned to pass over the holes 2,2 for the eyes. However,
neither of the first folding line (a) or the second folding line
(b) has to necessarily be positioned to pass over the holes (2,2)
for the eyes.
According to the example shown in Figure 1 , the two folding lines
(a,b) are parallel to each other, and the width between the two
folding lines (a,b) is smaller than the maximum width between the
first folding line (a) and the left outline of the substrate
sheet 1 , and the maximum width between the first folding line (b)
and the right outline of the substrate sheet 1 .
In Figure 1 , the distance from the longitudinal center line (C)
to the first and second folding lines (a,b) is constant. However,
the above distance does not need to be the same. In other words,
the width between the longitudinal center line (C) and the first
folding line (a) and the width between the longitudinal center
line (C) and the second folding line (b) may be different from
each other. Thus, the former may be longer than the latter and
vice versa.
The face mask sheet shown in Figure 1 can be folded as follows.
A s shown in Figure 1 , the substrate sheet 1 is once folded along
the first folding line (a) . Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is
folded as shown in Figure 2 . The substrate sheet 1 shown in
Figure 2 is in a first folded position.
Next, the substrate sheet 1 in the first folded position is
further folded along the second folding line (b) . In the example
shown in Figures 1 and 2 , the folding directions in terms of the
first folding line (a) and the second folding line (b) are
different. In other words, the left side of the substrate sheet
1 is folded forward along the first folding line (a), while the
right side of the substrate sheet 1 is folded backward along the
second folding line (b) . Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is folded
as shown in Figure 3 . The cross-section of the folded substrate
sheet 1 is in the form of Z as shown in Figure 3 . The substrate
sheet 1 shown in Figure 3 is in a second folded position.
A s shown in Figure 3 , the substrate sheet 1 in the second folded
position has two open edges la, lb defined by the outline of the
substrate sheet 1 and the first folding line (a) and the second
folding line (b) , respectively. The width of the open edges
la, lb is not limited, but the maximum width of each of the open
edges la, lb along the perpendicular direction to the first
folding line (a) or the second folding line (b) may be from 0.1
to 50 mm, preferably 1 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.
Next, the substrate sheet 1 in the second folded position shown
in Figure 3 is further folded along the third folding line (c) .
Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is folded as shown in Figure 4 . The
third folding line (c) is not parallel to the first folding line
(a) or the second folding line (b) . The third folding line (c)
may not be perpendicular to the first folding line (a) or the
second folding line (b) . However, it is preferable that the
third folding line (c) be perpendicular to the first folding line
(a) or the second folding line (b) . The substrate sheet 1 shown
in Figure 4 is in a third folded position.
As shown in Figure 4 , the folded substrate sheet 1 in the third
folded position has three open edges la,lb,lc. The open edge lc
is defined by the outline of the substrate sheet 1 and both the
first folding line (a) and the second folding line (b) . The
length along the longitudinal center line (C) , which is not shown
in Figure 3 , of the open edge lc is not limited, but the maximum
length of the open edge lc may be from 0.1 to 50 mm, preferably 1
to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.
The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 4 has been folded three
times, and therefore, the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure
4 can be used as the folded sheet for cosmetic treatments
according to the present invention.
In the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 4 , the main body of
the sheet is a part other than the three open edges la,lb,lc.
The main body of the sheet can be composed of two or more layers
of the sheet, preferably four or more layers of the sheet.
Lastly, the substrate sheet 1 in the third folded position can be
furthermore folded along the fourth folding line (d) . In the
example shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the folding directions in terms
of the third folding line (c) and the fourth folding line (d) are
different. In other words, the lower side of the substrate sheet
1 is folded forward along the third folding line (c) , while the
upper side of the substrate sheet 1 is folded backward along the
fourth folding line (d) . Thus, the substrate sheet 1 is folded
as shown in Figure 5 . Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show the front and
the back, respectively, of the folded substrate sheet 1 . The
cross-section of the folded substrate sheet 1 is in the form of Z
as shown in Figure 5 . The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 5 is
in a fourth folded position.
The third folding line (c) and the fourth folding line (d) are
parallel to each other, but are not parallel to the first folding
line (a) or the second folding line (b) . The third folding line
(c) and the fourth folding line (d) may not be perpendicular to
the first folding line (a) or the second folding line (b) .
However, it is preferable that the third folding line (c) and the
fourth folding line (d) be perpendicular to the first folding
line (a) or the second folding line (b) .
A s shown in Figure 5 , the folded substrate sheet 1 in the fourth
folded position has four open edges la, lb, lc, Id. The open edge
Id is defined by the outline of the substrate sheet 1 and both
the first folding line (a) and the second folding line (b) . The
length along the longitudinal center line (C) which is not shown
in Figure 5 of the open edge lc is not limited, but the maximum
length of the open edge lc may be from 0.1 to 50 mm, preferably 1
to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.
The substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 5 has been folded four
times, and therefore, it can be used as the folded sheet for
cosmetic treatments according to the present invention.
In the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 5 , the main body of
the sheet is a part other than the four open edges la, lb, lc, Id.
The main body of the sheet can be composed of two or more layers
of the sheet, preferably seven, eight, or nine layers of the
sheet .
The folded substrate sheet 1 shown in Figure 5 is preferable as
compared to that shown in Figure 4 , because the size of the
folded sheet 1 is reduced by the fourth folding. In addition,
the size of the main body is smaller, and therefore, the
stickiness of the folded sheet is reduced so that unfolding of
the sheet can be achieved more easily.
A s shown in Figure 5 , it is preferable that the main body of the
sheet be a rectangular shape in general. It is preferable that
the ratio of the longitudinal line to the horizontal line of the
rectangle be 1:1.1 to 1:4, preferably 1:1.2 to 1:3, and more
preferably 1:1.3 to 1:2. As the main body of the sheet has a
rectangular shape, a user can easily recognize the open edges to
be grasped, for example, even if the user closes his or her eyes
due to water drops just after washing the face.
The folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 5 can be unfolded by
doing the reverse of the above.
Alternatively, the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 5 can
be unfolded by grasping both the third open edge (lc) and the
fourth open edge (Id), and stretching the folded face mask sheet
along the longitudinal direction or the longitudinal center line
(C) , which is not shown in Figure 5 . Thus, the folded face mask
sheet will be in the position shown in Figure 3 .
Next, similarly, the folded face mask sheet shown in Figure 3 can
be unfolded by grasping both the first open edge (la) and the
second open edge (lb), and stretching the folded face mask sheet
along the cross-direction or the third folding line (c) or the
fourth folding line (d) which are shown in Figure 3 .
The above unfolding process can make it faster to unfold the
folded mask sheet.
The example shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the folded sheet according
to the present invention has at least three open edges.
Therefore, a user of the folded sheet can easily find the edges
to be grasped.
Since the open edges shown in Figures 1 to 5 have a shape with a
relatively large area, a part of which corresponds to the outline
of the sheet, the design of the sheet is easier than a sheet
having a tab on the outline thereof. Further, it is easier to
grasp the open edges because they have a relatively large area
than tabs. Furthermore, when the open edges are grasped by the
fingers, the gripping force from the fingers cannot be focused on
a small area which is typically provided by a tab, so that the
risk of tearing the sheet is reduced as compared to a sheet
having a tab.
Since the example shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the folded sheet
according to the present invention has a cross-section in the
form of Z , the risk of tearing the sheet during unfolding
operations is reduced. Furthermore, since the main body of the
sheet becomes small due to the cross-section in the form of Z ,
the sticking power of the layered sheet in the main body is
reduced, so that the unfolding of the sheet becomes easier. This
is enhanced if the folded sheet according to the present
invention has a cross-section in the form of Z both in the second
folded position and the fourth folded position (this may be
referred to as "ZZ" folding) .
Accordingly, the present invention can provide a folded sheet
which is easy to unfold and can be applied onto the skin, in
particular the face, even if the sheet is wet and has no tab.
In another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible
that the sheet according to the present invention has a
horizontal center line instead of the longitudinal center line
(C) shown in Figure 1 . In this embodiment, the horizontal center
line may or may not be on a horizontal symmetric axis of the
sheet, and therefore, the horizontal center line may be shifted
away from the horizontal symmetric axis for the sheet, and may or
may not be parallel to the horizontal symmetric axis of the
sheet; first and second folding lines may be parallel or
substantially parallel to the horizontal center line; and third
or fourth folding lines may not be parallel to the first or
second folding line.
The material of the folded sheet according to the present
invention is not limited, and therefore any material can be used
for preparing, for example, the substrate sheet 1 shown in
Figures 1 to 5 . Two or more materials may be used.
Typically, the material may be a woven or non-woven fabric made
of natural fibers such as cotton, pulp, bamboo and cellulose
fibers, semi-natural fibers such as viscose rayon fibers and
synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers, polyethylene
terephthalate fibers, polyethylene fibers, and polypropylene
fibers. Two or more selected from the above fibers may be used
in combination.
Alternatively, the material may be a film or sheet made from at
least one selected from synthetic polymers such as polyethylenes
and polyvinylalcohols , semi-synthetic polymers such as biocelluloses
and alginates, and natural polymers such as
polysaccharides (e.g., carageenan and xanthan gum),
mucopolysaccharides (e.g., hyaluronic acid and sodium
hyaluronate) , polypeptides (e.g., g -polyglutamic acid) and
proteins (e.g., gelatin and collagen). The film or sheet may be
in the form of a gel or a jelly which may be transparent,
translucent or opaque. Two or more selected from the above
substances may be used in combination.
The folded sheet according to the present invention may be made
of two or more layers. Thus, for example, the substrate sheet 1
shown in Figures 1 to 5 may be a layered sheet comprising two or
more stacked layers. If a layered sheet is used, the material of
each stacked layer may be the same or different from each other.
For example, the layered sheet may be prepared by laminating the
above film or sheet made from a synthetic polymer, a semi¬
synthetic polymer and/or a natural polymer on the above woven or
non-woven fabric.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, for example,
a thin plastic film may be adhered to a woven or non-woven fabric
to form a sheet. In this embodiment, unfolding of the folded
sheet becomes easier, because the adhesion between the folded
fabric is reduced or inhibited by the thin plastic film.
Furthermore, it is unnecessary to peel the thin plastic film from
the fabric, and therefore, no waste matter can be produced.
The folded sheet according to the present invention may comprise
at least one cosmetic ingredient. Preferably, the folded sheet
according to the present invention comprises a cosmetic,
preferably a liquid cosmetic such as a cosmetic water or a milky
lotion. Thus, the mask sheet according to the present invention
is preferably wet.
The cosmetic may comprise an active cosmetic ingredient which may
be water-soluble or liposoluble.
The water-soluble active cosmetic ingredient may be chosen from
the following compounds: ascorbic acid and its biologicallycompatible
salts, enzymes, antibiotics, tightening agents, -
hydroxy acids and their salts, hydroxylated polyacids, sucroses
and their derivatives, urea, aminoacids, oligopeptides, watersoluble
plant extracts and yeast extracts, protein hydrolysates ,
hyaluronic acid, mucopolysaccharides, vitamins B2, B , H , PP,
panthenol, folic acid, salicylic acetyl acid, allantoin,
glycyrrhetic acid, kojic acid, and hydroquinone .
The liposoluble active cosmetic ingredient may be chosen from the
following compounds: d-a-tocopherol , dl-a-tocopherol, 1- -
tocopherol, dl-a-tocopherol acetate, ascorbyl palmitate, vitamin
F and glycerides of vitamin F , vitamin D , vitamin D2, vitamin D3,
retinol, retinol esters, retinol palmitate, retinol propionate,
b-carotene, d-panthenol, farnesol, and farnesyl acetate; jojoba
oils, and black-currant oils rich in essential fatty acids;
keratolytics such as salicylic acid, its salts and its esters, noctanoyl-
5 salicylic acid and its esters, a-hydroxyacid
alkylesters such as citric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid,
asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, total extract of
centella asiatica, b-glycyerrhetinic acid, a-bisabolol, and
ceramides such as 2 oleoylamino-1 ,3 octadecane; phytanetriol,
milk sphingomyelin, phospholipids of marine origin rich in
polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, and ethoxyquin; rosemary
extract, melissa extract, quercetin, extract of dried microalgae,
and steroid anti-inflammatory agents.
A liposoluble active cosmetic ingredient as described above may
be incorporated in a solubilized state into oils used alone or in
association, among which mention can be made of the following:
oils of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin, and in particular
animal or vegetable oils formed by esters of fatty acids and of
polyols, in particular liquid triglycerides, e.g. sunflower, corn,
soya, vegetable marrow, sesame, hazelnut, pistachio nut, apricot,
almond, or avocado oils; fish oils, glycerol tricaproccaprylate,
or vegetable or animal oils of formula R i C00R 2 in which R
represents the remainder of a higher fatty acid having from 7 to
19 carbon atoms, and R2 represents a branched hydrocarbonated
chain containing from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g. Purcellin oil;
wheat germ, calophyllum, sesame, coriander, and safflower oils,
passion flower oil, rosa mosqueta oil, macadamia oil, fruit seed
oil (made from grape, black-currant, orange, or kiwi fruit seeds),
colza, copra, groundnut, onager, palm, castor, linseed, jojoba,
chia, and olive oils, cereal germ oils such as wheat germ oils,
bran oil, rice oil, and karite oil; acetylglycerides ; octanoates,
decanoates or ricinoleates of alcohols or of polyalcohols ;
triglycerides of fatty acids; glycerides; paraffin oil, Vaseline
oil, and perhydrosqualene; fatty alcohols (stearylic alcohol,
cetylic alcohol) and fatty acids (stearic acid) and their esters;
polyalkyl (Ci~C2o ) siloxanes, and in particular those having
trimethylsilyl terminal groups, preferably those whose viscosity
is less than 0.06 m /s, among which mention can be made of linear
polydimethylsiloxanes and alkylmethylpolysiloxanes such as cetyl
dimethicone (CTFA name) .
Mention can also be made of hydrocarbonated oils that are
partially fluorinated, or perf luorinated oils, and in particular
perf luoropolyethers and perf luoroalcanes .
The oily phase, i.e., the oil droplets dispersed in the cosmetic,
may be present in a proportion by weight relative to the total
weight of the composition within the range of 0.1% to 30% by
weight. Preferably, this percentage lies in the range of 5% to
25% by weight.
The cosmetic may comprise other active cosmetic ingredients which
are commonly used in cosmetics. Among such active cosmetic
ingredients that ere used, mention may be made of anti-oxidant
cleansing agents, free radical scavengers, moisturizers,
depigmenting agents, liporegulators , anti-acne agents,
antidandruff agents, anti-aging agents, softeners, antiwrinkle
agents, keratolitic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, fresheners,
healing agents, vascular protectors, antibacterial agents,
antifungal agents, antiperspirants, deodorants, skin conditioners,
anesthetics, immunomodulators , nourishing agents, and sebum
absorbers (e.g. Orgasol) or moisture absorbers.
The folded sheet according to the present invention may be
contained in a container to prepare a package. The container may
preferably be a bag or sack made from any material, preferably a
plastic or metal film. Aluminum foil, in particular a laminated
aluminum foil, is more preferable as the material for the bag or
sack. Thus, the present invention relates to a package
comprising the folded mask sheet.
EXAMPLES
The present invention will be described in more detail by way of
the following examples, which however should not be construed as
limiting the scope of the present invention.
Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-6
[Example 1 ]
A folded mask sheet according to the present invention which had
been folded as shown in Fig. 5 was used.
[Comparative Example 1 ]
A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 6 was
used. The size and the material of the mask sheet were the same
as those of Example 1 .
[Comparative Example 2 ]
A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 7 was
used. The size and the material of the mask sheet were the same
as those of Example 1 .
[Comparative Example 3 ]
A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 8 was
used. The size and the material of the mask sheet were the same
as those of Example 1 . The folded mask sheet shown in Fig. 8 had
one open edge .
[Comparative Example 4 ]
A folded mask sheet which had been folded as shown in Fig. 9 was
used. The folded mask sheet shown in Fig. 9 had two tabs.
[Comparative Example 5 ]
A mask sheet which had a thin plastic film 6 on a surface of the
mask sheet as shown in Fig. 10 was used. The mask sheet was
folded as shown in Figure 3 of JP-A-2000-287751 .
[Comparative Example 6 ]
A mask sheet which had been rolled and could be unrolled as shown
in Fig. 12 was used. The size and the material of the mask sheet
were the same as those of Example 1 .
[Evaluations]
Each of the folded mask sheets of Example 1 as well as the folded
or rolled mask sheets of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were put
into a small bag made of laminated aluminum foil with a cosmetic
lotion .
The material of the bag used and the composition of the cosmetic
lotion used were the same as Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1
to .
After a predetermined amount of time, the mask sheet was removed
from the bag, and unfolded by the fingers to evaluate by two
professional panelists "ease of finding edge(s)", "easiness of
unfolding", and "penetration of lotion" using a score system
shown below as well as "presence of waste" wherein "Yes" means
any waste of matter was produced during the unfolding operations,
whereas "No" means no waste of matter was produced during the
unfolding operations. The results are shown in Table 1 .
Table 1
5 Very Good
4 Good
3 Fair
2 Poor
1 Very Poor
As shown in Table 1 , the folded mask sheet according to Example 1
could be handled very easily, as it was easy to find edges and to
unfold the mask sheet.
On the other hand, as shown in Table 1 , it was difficult to find
the edge(s) of the mask sheets according to Comparative Examples
1 to 6 . Thus, unfolding the mask sheets according to Comparative
Examples 1 to 6 was more difficult than unfolding that according
to Example 1 .
The mask sheet according to Comparative Example 3 may have better
handling as compared to Comparative Examples 1 , 2 , 5 and 6 ,
because it has one open edge. However, the handling of the mask
sheet according to Comparative Example 3 is still inferior to
that of the mask sheet according to Example 1 . In addition, the
mask sheet according to Comparative Example 3 cannot be further
folded, because the open edge cannot be found any more if folded.
Also, the mask sheet according to Comparative Example 4 may have
better handling as compared to Comparative Examples 1 , 2 , 5 and ,
because it has two tabs. However, the handling of the mask sheet
according to Comparative Example 4 is also still inferior to that
of the mask sheet according to Example 1 . In addition, the mask
sheet according to Comparative Example 4 had a risk of being torn
relatively easily, because the gripping force provided by the
fingers was focused on a relatively small area of the tab.
Therefore, it was necessary to handle more carefully.
Further, it was found that the cosmetic lotion was difficult to
penetrate into the mask sheets according to Comparative Examples
5 and .
Furthermore, it should be noted that the mask sheet according to
Comparative Example 5 produced waste matter, i.e., a plastic film,
to be disposed, whereas the mask sheet according to Example 1 did
not produce such waste matter when using the mask sheet.
CLAIMS
1 . A folded sheet for cosmetic treatments, comprising a main
body and at least three open edges,
wherein
the open edges are formed by folding the sheet at least three
times ,
at least one of the open edges projects from the main body,
and
two of the open edges have a maximum width in a direction
perpendicular to a longitudinal or horizontal center line of
the sheet.
2 . The folded sheet according to Claim 1 , wherein the sheet has
been folded along at least two folding lines which are
parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal or
horizontal center line of the sheet.
3 . The folded sheet according to Claim 1 , wherein the sheet has
been folded in different directions along first and second
folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to
the longitudinal or horizontal center line of the sheet, such
that the width between the first and second folding lines is
smaller than the maximum width between the first or second
folding line and the outline of the sheet.
4 . The folded sheet according to Claim 3 , wherein the cross
section of the folded sheet is in form of Z .
5 . The folded sheet according to Claim 1 , wherein the sheet has
been formed by folding the folded sheet according to Claim 3
or 4 , along a third folding line which is not parallel to the
first or second folding line.
6 . The folded sheet according to Claim 5 , wherein the third
folding line is perpendicular to the first or second folding
line .
7 . The folded sheet according to Claim 1 , wherein the sheet has
at least three, preferably four, open edges which project
from the main body of the sheet.
8 . The folded sheet according to Claim 7 , wherein the sheet has
been formed by folding in different directions the folded
sheet according to Claim 3 or 4 , along third and fourth
folding lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to
each other and not parallel to the first or second folding
line .
9 . The folded sheet according to Claim 8 , wherein the third and
fourth folding lines are perpendicular to the first or second
folding line.
10. The folded sheet according to Claim 9 , wherein the cross
section of the folded sheet is in form of Z .
11. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 10,
wherein the main body of the sheet has in general a
rectangular shape.
12. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 11,
wherein the sheet is intended to be applied on a face.
13. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 12,
wherein the sheet comprises at least one cosmetic ingredient.
14. The folded sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 13,
wherein the sheet comprises at least two layers.
15. A package comprising the folded sheet according to any one of
Claims 1 to 14.