| Water-dispersible device with pull tab activation -> Monitor Keywords |
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Water-dispersible device with pull tab activationRelated Patent Categories: Coating Implements With Material Supply, With Means To Attach Or Conform To Body Of User, Hand-or Finger-receiving PocketWater-dispersible device with pull tab activation description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070147942, Water-dispersible device with pull tab activation. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] This invention pertains to cleaning, absorbent, and application devices, and containers for liquids. [0002] Cleaning devices and other similar devices that include a fluid container commonly include a bladder or liquid-containing pouch. Such pouches are designed to burst along a frangible seam or portion when pressure is applied to the device and therefore the pouch. Such devices are not selective and burst under sufficient pressure, whether that pressure is applied intentionally by a user, or that pressure is applied unintentionally during handling, shipping, or storage. SUMMARY [0003] Cleaning devices and other similar devices including bladders that contain fluids suffer from the problem of premature bursting of such liquid containing pouches. In addition, discarding of such a device as trash can leave a wet mess. [0004] The invention disclosed herein solves the bursting and disposability problems by providing a device including a soft flexible pouch of fluid constructed from water-dispersible materials. The flexible pouch is durable and is designed to not burst during normal handling. [0005] More specifically, the invention disclosed herein provides a device including a water-dispersible base layer; a water-dispersible wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface; and a pouch positioned within the interior space, the pouch having a top layer, a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween, an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, and a pull tab attached to the pouch. [0006] The invention disclosed herein also provides a device including a water-dispersible base layer; a water-dispersible wipe layer attached to the base layer to form an internal space therebetween; a means for containing a fluid positioned within the internal space, and a means for unsealing the fluid-containing means, wherein the unsealing means is activated by stretching one of the wipe and base layers. [0007] The invention described herein also provides a method for using a device, the method including producing a device including a water-dispersible base layer, a water-dispersible wipe layer attached to the base layer to form a seam and an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface, and a pouch positioned within the interior space, the pouch having a pull tab attached to the pouch. The method further includes activating the device by pulling the pull tab to open the pouch. [0008] The invention described herein also provides a method for using a device, the method including producing a device including a water-dispersible base layer and a water-dispersible wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface; and activating the device by stretching the device [0009] The invention described herein also provides a device including a water-dispersible base layer; a water-dispersible wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface; and a pouch positioned within the interior space and attached to one of the seam and the internal surface. The pouch has a top layer, a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween, an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, and a pull tab attached to the pouch. [0010] Objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0012] The aspects of the invention as described herein will be described for exemplary purposes as a cleaning device. The aspects of the invention, however, apply equally to other forms of products, including absorbent devices, application devices, personal care devices, cosmetic devices, and other devices including wipes, mops, mitts, and cleaning towels, among other devices, and to all suitable uses including cleaning, applying, and removing. [0013] The term "surface" and its plural generally refer herein to the outer or the topmost boundary of an object. Surface may refer to that of skin, hair, clothing, upholstery, countertops, floors, walls, windows, tables, appliances, bathroom fixtures, automobiles, or any other object that may require or accommodate cleaning, removing something from, or applying something to its surface. [0014] The term "stretchable" generally refers to the capability of a material to be either elastically or plastically extensible. An elastically extensible or elastically stretchable material is a material that is capable of extending upon application of a tensile force and capable of retracting either partially or close to completely to its original dimension(s) upon removal of the force. A plastically extensible material is a material that is capable of extension or deformation without breaking upon application of a tensile force, but does not substantially recover its original size and shape after removal of a force causing the extension or deformation. [0015] The term "flushable" generally refers to an article that, when flushed down a conventional commode containing approximately room temperature water, will pass through the commode plumbing, the sewer laterals (i.e., the piping between the house or building and the main sewer line) without clogging, and disperse into pieces no larger than about 25 mm in diameter. [0016] The term "dispersible" generally refers to a material in which the fibers of that material are capable of debonding or dissolving, resulting in the material breaking down into smaller pieces than the original sheet. Debonding is generally a physical change of scattering or separation. Dissolving is a state change, wherein the material goes into solution, e.g., a water soluble polymer dissolving in water. [0017] The term "water dispersible" generally refers to a fibrous nonwoven composite structure which, when placed in an aqueous environment, will, with sufficient time, break apart into smaller pieces. As a result, the structure once dispersed may be more advantageously processible in recycling processes, for example, septic and municipal sewage treatment systems. If desired, such fibrous nonwoven structures may be made more water-dispersible or the dispersion may be hastened by the use of agitation and/or the selection of certain materials as further described below. The actual amount of time will depend at least in part upon the particular end-use design criteria. [0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a cleaning device 10 as an aspect of the present invention. The device 10 includes a wipe layer 15 and a base layer 20. For purposes of illustration, and not for purposes of limitation, the cleaning device 10 is described as a pad. [0019] The device 10 includes a wipe layer 15. The wipe layer 15 may be of any suitable shape, but is preferably generally planar and is further preferably generally rectangular or oblong. The wipe layer 15 has a perimetric edge 25 extending around the wipe layer 15. In one aspect of the present invention, the wipe layer 15 is generally the size of a human hand held flat on a surface. In another aspect of the present invention, the wipe layer 15 is generally the size of the four fingers of a human hand. In still another aspect of the present invention, the wipe layer 15 is generally the size of a human finger. The device 10 may be manufactured in any shape or of any dimensions, including as a pad sized to fit best in a child's hand, an adult hand, or on any cleaning implement. In general, the wipe layer 15 may be of any suitable size, with the size preferably selected to be suitable for the intended use of the cleaning device 10. In other aspects of the present invention, the device 10 can be manufactured into other shapes such as a mitt or square or round pads, or in any other geometry including rectangular, ovoid-like, elliptical, trapezoidal, butterfly, pear-shaped, heart-shaped, or a combination of these. [0020] The wipe layer 15 is an active layer, which performs the cleaning function. In one aspect of the present invention, the wipe layer 15 is stretchable, and may be either elastically or plastically stretchable. The wipe layer 15 is provided for comfort and flexibility and functions to direct bodily exudate(s) away from the body, or other fluids from the device 10 to the body. Flexible refers to materials that are compliant and readily conform to the bodily surfaces with which such materials are in contact, or materials that respond by easily deforming in the presence of external surfaces. The wipe layer 15 can be constructed of any woven or nonwoven material that is easily penetrated by bodily fluids and from the ingredients inside the device 10. Examples of suitable wipe layer materials include bonded carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other heat bondable fibers, polyolefins, such as copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid. Finely perforated film webs and net material can also be used. Other examples of suitable materials are composite materials of polymer and nonwoven fabric materials. The composite materials are typically in the form of integrated sheets generally formed by the extrusion of a polymer unto a web of spunbonded material. The wipe layer 15 may also include a plurality of apertures formed therein that are extended to increase the rate at which ingredients can penetrate through the wipe layer 15. The wipe layer 15 may also be embossed with any desired embossing pattern. Continue reading about Water-dispersible device with pull tab activation... Full patent description for Water-dispersible device with pull tab activation Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Water-dispersible device with pull tab activation patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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