Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to washable make-up remover pads.
Prior art
[0002] Makeup remover pads, whether they are disposable or washable, are typically made
of cotton, bamboo, hemp, flax, microfiber, vegetable fibers, synthetic fibers, or
combinations thereof. The most common makeup remover pads are made of hydrophilic
cotton, so that they can be suitably moistened with make-up remover solutions. Makeup
remover pads are usually disk-shaped but they may also have other shapes, for example
square.
[0003] Makeup remover pads may have double make-up remover surfaces, or a single make-up
remover surface and a support body opposite the single make-up remover surface, for
example with a honeycomb texture, that allows to keep shape and integrity when the
pad is moistened.
[0004] There are make-up remover pads in which solutions or components are added for performing
cosmetic skin treatments while removing make-up, for example there are moistening
or refreshing pads, antioxidants pads, etc.
[0005] Washable make-up remover pads reduce the environmental impact generated by disposing
as waste make-up remover pads after each use and are therefore a sustainable and cost-effective
alternative to disposable make-up remover pads.
[0006] In order to provide benefits from the point of view of sustainability and cost reduction,
washable make-up remover pads should be reusable after washing for a relatively high
number of times.
[0007] One of the problems that limits the diffusion of washable make-up remover pads as
compared to disposable make-up remover pads is the limited reusability. As a matter
of fact, limited reusability may nullify the sustainability benefits and may lead
to an increase of costs as compared to the use of disposable make-up remover pads.
[0008] One of the factors limiting reusability of washable absorbent garments is the presence
of bacteria and unpleasant odors that remain after washing.
Object and summary of the invention
[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a make-up remover pad which overcomes
the problems of the prior art.
[0010] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide washable make-up
remover pad having an improved reusability as compared to the prior art.
[0011] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a washable make-up
remover pad having the features of claims 1.
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the invention form the subject of the dependent claims.
[0013] The claims form an integral part of the disclosure provided here in relation to the
invention.
Brief description of the drawings
[0014] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached
drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washable make-up remover pad according
to an embodiment of the present invention, and
- Figures 2, 3 and 4 are schematic cross-sections showing washable make-up remover pads
according to different embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] It will be appreciated that the figures are not to scale to real products and that
various figures may not be represented on the same scale. It will also be appreciated
that in some figures certain elements or components may not be shown for a better
understanding.
Detailed description
[0016] In the drawings the numeral reference 10 denotes a washable make-up remover pad according
to the present invention. The make-up remover pad 10 may be disk-shaped, as shown
in figure 1. In possible embodiments the make-up remover pad 10 may also have other
shapes, for example square or polygonal.
[0017] The washable make-up remover pad 10 comprises a washable pad body 12 made of a washable
material consisting of: cotton, bamboo, hemp, flax, microfiber, cellulose, cellulose
acetate, vegetable fibers, synthetic fibers, their derivatives, and combinations thereof.
The washable pad body 12 may have a thickness (not compressed) comprised between 0.1
and 8 mm and a weight comprised between 20 and 400 g/m2.
[0018] The washable pad body 12 may be enclosed between two washable outer layers 14. The
two washable outer layers 14 may be joined to each other along the perimeter of the
washable pad body 12, e.g. by glue, welding, sewing. The two washable outer layers
14 may be made of fabric formed by any natural or synthetic material used for producing
textile articles, e.g. cotton, Lycra
®, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, polyamide, elastane, Econyl
® etc. and any mixture thereof.
[0019] The washable pad body 12 contains at least one functionalizing material 16 consisting
of: graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and combinations thereof.
[0020] In a possible embodiment the functionalizing material 16 may be embedded in polymers.
[0021] With reference to figure 2, in a possible embodiment the functionalizing material
16 may be uniformly distributed through the thickness of the washable pad body 12.
The weight of the functionalizing material 16 distributed through the thickness of
the washable pad body 12 may be comprised in the range 10-250 g/m2.
[0022] With reference to figure 3, in a possible embodiment the functionalizing material
16 may be localized on at least one surface of the washable pad body 12. In this case
the functionalizing material 16 is enclosed between at least one washable outer layer
14 and a surface of the washable pad body 12.
[0023] In the example shown in figure 3 the functionalizing material 16 is applied on both
surfaces of the washable pad body 12. The weight of the functionalizing material 16
localized on at least one surface of the washable pad body 12 may be comprised in
the range 2-100 g/m2.
[0024] In a possible embodiment, the washable pad body 12 may have at least one embossed
surface.
[0025] In a possible embodiment, the washable pad body 12 may be perforated.
[0026] With reference to figure 4, in a possible embodiment the washable make-up remover
pad 10 may comprise a washable support body 18 attached to a surface of the washable
pad body 12 and configured to maintain the shape of the latter during use and during
washing.
[0027] Graphene is a material consisting of a monoatomic layer of carbon atoms, which can
be produced by mechanical exfoliation of graphite, liquid phase exfoliation, graphene
oxide reduction or by chemical treatment of graphite. Graphene and its derivates are
used in various due to their characteristics of mechanical strength, electrical conductivity,
and ability to capture particles, bacteria, etc.
[0028] Graphene provides antibacterial, antimicrobial, fungicidal and antiviral characteristics
to the materials on which it is applied. The washable make-up remover pad 10 containing
graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and combinations thereof has therefore
better antibacterial, antimicrobial, fungicidal and antiviral and characteristics
than prior art washable absorbent garments.
[0029] The presence of graphene in the make-up remover pad 10 prevents odors, bacteria,
and other biological materials from remaining after washing, which significantly increases
the reusability of the make-up remover pad 10 as compared to prior art washable make-up
remover pad.
[0030] Particularly effective in increasing the reusability of the washable make-up remover
pad 10 is the bacteriostatic effect of graphene, that prevents proliferation of bacteria.
[0031] The presence of graphene, graphene oxide, and/or reduced graphene oxide, makes the
make-up remover pad 10 antistatic, which prevents accumulation of electric charges
which can lead to small electric shocks, especially when the outer layers 14 include
synthetic fibers.
[0032] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction
and the embodiments can be widely varied with respect to those described and illustrated,
without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims
that follow.
1. A washable make-up remover pad (10) comprising a washable pad body (12) containing
at least one functionalizing material (16) selected from a group consisting of: graphene,
graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and combinations thereof.
2. The washable make-up remover pad of claim 1, wherein said washable pad body (12) comprises
a washable material selected from a group consisting of: cotton, bamboo, hemp, flax,
microfiber, vegetable fibers, synthetic fibers, their derivatives, and combinations
thereof.
3. The washable make-up remover pad of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said functionalizing
material (16) is uniformly distributed through the thickness of said washable pad
body (12).
4. The washable make-up remover pad of claim 3, wherein the weight of said functionalizing
material (16) distributed through the thickness of said washable pad body (12) is
comprised in the range 10-250 g/m2.
5. The washable make-up remover pad of any of claims 1 - 3, wherein said functionalizing
material (16) is localized on at least one surface of said washable pad body (12).
6. The washable make-up remover pad of claim 5, wherein the weight of said functionalizing
material (31) localized on at least one surface of said washable pad body is comprised
in the range 2-100 g/m2.
7. The washable make-up remover pad of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
washable pad body (12) is disc shaped.
8. The washable make-up remover pad of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
washable pad body (12) has at least one embossed surface.
9. The washable make-up remover pad of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
washable pad body (12) is perforated.
10. The washable make-up remover pad of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a
washable support body (18) coupled to said washable pad body (12) and configured to
maintain the shape of the latter during use and during washing.
11. The washable make-up remover pad of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
functionalizing material (16) is reduced graphene oxide.
12. The washable make-up remover pad of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the washable
pad body (12) has a thickness comprised between 0.1 and 8 mm.
13. The washable make-up remover pad of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
functionalizing material (16) is enclosed between at least one washable outer layer
(14) and a surface of said washable pad body (12) .
14. The washable make-up remover pad of any of the preceding claims, wherein the washable
pad body (12) has weight comprised between 20 and 400 g/m2.
15. The washable make-up remover pad of any of the preceding claims, wherein said functionalizing
material (16) is embedded in polymers.