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  Method of measuring attributes of personal care articles and compositionsUSPTO Application #: 20060191357Title: Method of measuring attributes of personal care articles and compositions Abstract: Novel methods for measuring the soothing attributes of personal care compositions are disclosed. The methods disclosed are particularly suitable for measuring and comparing the soothing attributes of facial tissue to determine which facial tissue is most soothing to damaged skin. The methods include damaging the skin of a test subject to a predetermined amount, contacting a test facial tissue with the damaged skin, and rating the soothing attributes of the facial tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of skin damage on the skin is determined by the test subject. (end of abstract)
Agent: Senniger Powers - St Louis, MO, US Inventors: Bernard J. Minerath, Elizabeth J. Buettner, Benjamin J. Kruchoski, Jason C. Cohen, Barry T. Reece, Kimberly M. Geiser USPTO Applicaton #: 20060191357 - Class: 073865700 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060191357. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/195,136, filed Aug. 2, 2005, which is a divisional patent application claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/188,416 filed on Jul. 2, 2002, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to collecting data relating the ability of personal care compositions to soothe damaged skin. This method can also be used to measure other perceptual attributes that are defined by an individual's internal construct. These perceptual attributes include, but are not limited to, soothing, calming, relaxing, relieving, or pleasantness. More particularly, the present invention relates to an in vivo method of quickly and accurately measuring the soothing ability of a personal care composition, such as, for example, a facial tissue. The methods described herein allow for clinical studies and direct comparisons of different personal care compositions for determining the relative abilities of the products to deliver soothing attributes or beneficial perceptual changes to damaged skin, and are particularly well suited for determining the soothing attributes of facial tissue. [0003] In today's marketplace, there are a wide variety of personal care compositions available to the consuming public. Regarding facial tissues alone, there are several brand-name and generic choices for consumers. Because the marketplace is crowded and competitive, companies seek to promote their respective brands by making certain "product claims" to garner consumer attention and focus; that is, companies may make specific statements or assertions on packaging regarding the product's characteristics or ability to perform certain functions. For example, a facial tissue manufacturer may promote its facial tissue as "the strongest tissue" or as "the most absorbent tissue" to concentrate consumer attention on their brand as opposed to a competitor's brand which is for sale in close proximity. [0004] Because of the competitive nature of the marketplace, competitors consistently monitor one another's product claims to ensure that such claims represent truthful statements regarding the products. As such, it is imperative that companies compile appropriate data to substantiate product claims should such claims be challenged by one or more competitors. To meet this need for data and analysis of that data, companies routinely conduct studies, such as clinical studies, utilizing the consuming public as test subjects. As one might expect, these studies are typically carefully thought out and planned and generally utilize the assistance of one or more testing services to ensure appropriate, reliable data is gathered for analysis. [0005] To date, some methods generally utilized by various companies to generate data to substantiate product claims have not been completely satisfactory. For example, methods used to date to measure the soothing characteristics of facial tissue, to allow direct comparison of the characteristics of different facial tissues, have been unsatisfactory for numerous reasons. Some of the shortcomings of these methods include the failure of the testing method to collect data from individuals with relevant skin damage, the failure of the testing method to collect data from skin on certain areas of the body, and the failure of the testing method to produce high confidence level, reproducible results. As such, a need exists in the art for methods for collecting data relating to measuring the soothing attributes of personal care compositions such as, for example, facial tissue. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention is directed to methods for collecting data relating to one or more sensory attributes of a personal care composition. More specifically, the present invention is directed to methods for collecting data relating to the ability of a personal care composition, such as a facial tissue, or garment, to induce a soothing effect on damaged skin. The methods described herein allow data to be collected for various products and the data directly compared to determine the relative effectiveness of each product tested at inducing a soothing effect. [0007] The methods described herein are in vivo methods which utilize sick or heathy test subjects, which may either be trained or untrained. In a preferred embodiment, the soothing attributes of facial tissue can be measured by first damaging the skin in a certain area by repetitive motion until a certain preset level of damage is achieved. This damage level is preferably assessed by the test subject. Following the induction of the damage, a contacting phase is initiated wherein the damaged skin is contacted with the test product followed by the subject rating the soothing attributes of the test product. This contacting phase typically comprises numerous cycles, with each cycle comprising a set amount of wipes. Preferably, the test subject rates the soothing attributes of the test product after each cycle of the contacting phase. This process allows for the rapid determining of soothing attributes of facial tissue while delivering skin damage in a product relevant manner. [0008] Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a method of measuring a sensory attribute of a personal care composition. The method comprises providing a product including a personal care composition and inducing an amount of damage onto an area of skin of a test subject. The damaged area of skin on the subject is contacted with the product to determine the amount of soothing of the personal care composition. Finally, the amount of soothing of the product is rated. [0009] The invention is further directed to a method of measuring the soothing ability of a test facial tissue. The method comprises providing a test facial tissue and inducing damage onto a skin area around the nose of a test subject to a predetermined level. The damage is induced onto the skin area around the nose by repetitively wiping the skin area with an abrasive material. The level of damage on the skin is determined by the test subject. The test facial tissue is then contacted with the damaged area of skin on the subject to determine the amount of soothing of the test facial tissue. Finally, the amount of soothing of the test facial tissue is rated by the subject. [0010] Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. DEFINITIONS [0011] Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below will include the following meaning or meanings. [0012] "Soothing" refers to the perceived ability of a personal care composition to relieve or alleviate the perception of skin discomfort according to an individual's internal construct. Further, "soothing" or "soothes" refers to the ability of a personal care product to help irritated or dry skin feel better. Regarding personal care compositions, the terms "soothing," "calming," and "comforting" may be used interchangeably or in combination to refer to one or more attributes of the personal care composition. [0013] "Test Product" refers to personal care compositions, substrates, formulations, materials, products or any portion of a product, or combination thereof, used during the conduct of a testing protocol. [0014] "Damage Induction Phase" refers to the time period during the conduct of the study dedicated to damaging the subject's skin to a desired endpoint. [0015] "Contacting Phase" refers to the time period during the conduct of the study dedicated to evaluating the test article for perceptual attributes and/or properties. [0016] "Personal Care Products" includes personal care compositions or formulations, personal care substrates, and sensory modifiers, and any combinations thereof. [0017] "Personal Care Compositions or Formulations" includes soaps, lotions, emulsions, mousses, balms, creams, washes, cleansing compositions, powders, oils, bath oils, aerosols, and compositions to be vaporized. [0018] "Personal Care Substrates" includes woven, nonwoven, or knit webs or cloth, cellulose tissue bases webs, spunbonded fabric, meltblown fabric, knit fabric, wet-laid fabric, scrims, needle-punched webs, hydroentangled webs, webs composed of synthetic fibers, webs composed of natural fibers, and combinations thereof. The webs may be either durable, semi-durable, or disposable. Personal care substrates include products such as facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towels, paper napkins, dry and wet wipes, infant diapers, child and adult incontinent products (liners, pads, and diapers), feminine care absorbent articles (liners, pads and pantiliners), cotton balls, swabs, or pads, adhesive and non-adhesive bandages and wound dressings. [0019] "Sensory Modifiers" includes music, candles, fireplaces, pillows or other bedding, lighting, visual art, sachets or other potpourri. [0020] "Sensory Response" refers to the measurement of an individual's internal construct of a perceptual attribute. 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