COSMETIC CARRIER AND COSMETIC CONTAINER HOUSING SAME

Abstract

The present invention is to provide a cosmetic carrier 10 capable of suppressing swelling even when it is impregnated with a cosmetic having flowability, and to provide a cosmetic container 30 housing the same. The cosmetic carrier 10 for impregnating and holding the cosmetic having flowability is formed of a fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure.

Claims

1. A cosmetic carrier for impregnating and holding a cosmetic having flowability, wherein the cosmetic carrier is formed of a fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure.

2. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1, wherein the fibers having a core-sheath structure are formed of a thermoplastic resin, the core portion is formed of a thermoplastic resin having a melting point higher than that of the sheath portion, and the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure is formed by fusing the fibers having a core-sheath structure at a part of the sheath portion.

3. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1, wherein the fibers having a core-sheath structure comprises an eccentric core-sheath type conjugate fiber having a spiral shape.

4. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1, wherein both the core portion and the sheath portion of the fibers having a core-sheath structure are a polyolefin-based resin.

5. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1, wherein the fibers having a core-sheath structure have a thickness of 2.0 dtex to 15 dtex.

6. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent density of 0.03 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.10 g/cm.sup.3 (in accordance with JIS K6400-1).

7. A cosmetic container housing the cosmetic carrier according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A cosmetic carrier 10 according to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 is one for impregnating and holding a cosmetic having flowability, and is formed of a fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure. In the cosmetic carrier 10, a sheath portion forming an outer periphery of the fiber is in contact with a cosmetic impregnated in the cosmetic carrier 10 and an inner core portion surrounded by the sheath portion is not in contact with the cosmetic. Therefore, at least the core portion can be prevented from being influenced by the cosmetic, and swelling of the entire cosmetic carrier 10 can be suppressed. This assembly is formed of only fibers having a core-sheath structure.

[0024] The fibers having a core-sheath structure are formed of a fiber in which a periphery of the core portion is surrounded by the sheath portion. It is preferable that the fibers having a core-sheath structure is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the core portion is formed of a thermoplastic resin having a melting point higher than that of the sheath portion. According to this constitution, even if the fibers having a core-sheath structure are fused at a part of the sheath part at the melting point of the sheath part, the core portion does not be fused and the fiber assembly can be produced efficiently by cooling from a low melting point. Although not particularly limited, the melting point of the core portion is preferably 135 C. to 165 C., and the melting point of the sheath portion is preferably 90 C. to 130 C. Although materials of the core portion and the sheath portion in the fibers having a core-sheath structure are not particularly limited, a polyolefin-based resin is more preferable since there is no deterioration over time due to components of the cosmetic. In addition, the polyolefin-based resin is preferable since swelling does not occur due to a liquid cosmetic composition.

[0025] Further, among the polyolefin-based resin, those in which the core portion is formed of polypropylene (having a melting point of 165 C.), and the sheath portion is formed of polyethylene (having a melting point of 130 C.), or the core portion is formed of polypropylene (having a melting point of 165 C.), and the sheath portion is formed of polybutene (having a melting point of 127 C.) can be used. Of these, a fiber in which polybutene-1 is used as the sheath portion has a high molecular weight and thus is excellent in bulkiness recovery performance when heat is applied. This polybutene-1 has a melting point of 115 C. to 130 C. (in accordance with JIS K7121). Further, it is preferable since compression set is small and compatibility with polypropylene as the core portion is good. In addition, it is preferable that the fibers having a core-sheath structure have a thickness of 2.0 dtex to 15 dtex, since the cosmetic can be easily impregnated into the cosmetic carrier 10, and the required capacity can be maintained. Further, from a viewpoint of impregnating and holding the cosmetic, the thickness of the fibers having a core-sheath structure is still more preferably 2.0 dtex to 10 dtex, and particularly preferably 2.0 dtex to 7.0 dtex.

[0026] The fibers having a core-sheath structure may be either actual crimp exhibiting steric crimp, or latent crimp exhibiting steric crimping by heating, and the crimp may be either a wave shape or a spiral shape. Of these, a fiber in which the spiral shape and the wave shape are combined is preferable since the fiber assembly is excellent in elasticity and returnability after shape deformation.

[0027] Further, an eccentric core-sheath type conjugate fiber is preferable for steric crimp thereof. A cross section of a core portion of the eccentric core-sheath type conjugate fiber may have a different shape other than a circle, such as an elliptical shape, a Y shape, and an X shape. A cross section of the eccentric core-sheath type conjugate fiber may also have a different shape other than a circle, such as an elliptical shape, a Y shape, an X shape, a #-shape, a polygon shape and a star shape, or a hollow shape.

[0028] For the above crimped conjugate fiber and the fiber assembly using the same, reference can also be made with Japanese Patent and Japanese Patent Publication, JP-A-2011-021300.

[0029] As the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure, those produced by a known method can be used. For example, a thermal bond method, a needle punch method, a hydroentangling method, and the like can be mentioned. Particularly, it is more preferably that the fibers having a core-sheath structure are fused at a part of the sheath portion to form the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure. In this assembly, a gap can be formed between fibers and the impregnating and holding property can be improved. In addition, the producing method thereof is not limited, and can be carried out by, for example, a hot air conveyor furnace type method, a molding type method, a method using a mesh belt (a method described in Japanese Patent No. 4195043), or the like, and thereafter the obtained product is cut into a size suitable for the cosmetic carrier by a cutting process such as press. Incidentally, in production of the assembly by fusing the fibers having a core-sheath structure at a part of the sheath portion, fusing of the fiber is performed at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the sheath portion and lower than the melting point of the core portion.

[0030] It is more preferable that, from a viewpoint of obtaining the impregnating and holding property of the cosmetic, the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent density of 0.03 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.10 g/cm.sup.3 (in accordance with JIS K6400-1), since it can give appropriate elasticity for transferring the cosmetic with a coating member of the cosmetic. In addition, a size of the assembly of the core-sheath structure fibers is not particularly limited, and is determined depending on the ease of use or the size of a container to be housed or the like.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the cosmetic carrier 10 is carried and kept in a state of being housed in an inner tray of a cosmetic container 30. That is, the cosmetic container 30 has a structure in which the cosmetic carrier 10 is housed in a container body 20. The container body 20 includes a housing container forming the container body 20 and a lid body 21 combined with the housing container so as to be openable and closable. The housing container is provided with a housing recess 22 whose upper surface is open, and the cosmetic inner tray is housed in the housing recess 22.

[0032] The lid body 21 is connected to an upper portion of the housing container by a hinge or the like, or is openable and closable as a screw. The housing recess 22 and the cosmetic inner tray can be covered by covering the housing container with the lid body 21. In this example, the cosmetic carrier 10 is housed in the inner tray, and further a liquid cosmetic is impregnated and held in the cosmetic carrier 10.

[0033] In addition, the container body may be one that can house cosmetic tools such as puffs together with the cosmetic carrier. For example, one in which a housing portion of the cosmetic carrier and a housing portion of the cosmetic tools provided side by side in the container body, one in which puffs or the like can be stacked and housed on the cosmetic carrier, or the like can be mentioned.

[0034] The cosmetic to be impregnated in the cosmetic carrier is not particularly limited as long as it is a cosmetic having flowability. A cosmetic containing an ultraviolet absorber is one of the suitable cosmetics. In addition, use of the cosmetic impregnated in the cosmetic carrier is performed by rubbing a surface of the cosmetic carrier with a finger or a cosmetic tool such as a puff, and sticking the cosmetic impregnated and held in the cosmetic carrier to the finger or the cosmetic tool.

EXAMPLES

[0035] In order to confirm the swelling resistance in the cosmetic carrier of the present invention, the swelling resistance was examined for the following examples and comparative examples.

Example 1

[0036] Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed of PP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), and have a thickness of 2.2 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure is Vafter (trade name) manufactured by INOAC Corporation, has an apparent density of 0.04 g/cm.sup.3, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1. This fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure was produced by heat fusing the sheath portion (which also applies to Examples 2 to 7). Incidentally, the volume was calculated from dimensions (which also applies to the following).

Example 2

[0037] Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed of PP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), and have a thickness of 2.2 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure is Vafter (trade name) manufactured by INOAC Corporation, has an apparent density of 0.06 g/cm.sup.3, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1.

Example 3

[0038] Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed of PP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), and have a thickness of 2.2 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent density of 0.08 g/cm.sup.3, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1.

Example 4

[0039] Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed of PP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), and have a thickness of 6.7 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent density of 0.04 g/cm.sup.3, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1.

Example 5

[0040] Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed of PP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), and have a thickness of 6.7 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent density of 0.06 g/cm.sup.3, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1.

Example 6

[0041] Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed of PP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), and have a thickness of 6.7 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent density of 0.08 g/cm.sup.3, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1.

Example 7

[0042] Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed of PP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PB (polybutene-1), and have a thickness of 6.7 dtex and an eccentricity ratio of 25%. A cross-sectional shape thereof is a double-circle, spirally-formed crimped fiber whose center of gravity position is displaced. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure is Vafter (trade name) manufactured by INOAC Corporation, has an apparent density of 0.04 g/cm.sup.3, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1

[0043] A fiber assembly having an apparent density of 0.05 g/cm.sup.3, is produced from a single thermoplastic resin fiber, having a thickness of 5.6 dtex and formed of polypropylene resin, and a core-sheath structure thermoplastic resin fiber, having a thickness of 2.2 dtex and formed of polypropylene/polyethylene resin, by a thermal bond method at a weight ratio of 7:3. A size before immersion shown in Table 1 was used.

Comparative Example 2

[0044] Polyether-based urethane foam (a net type with a cell membrane removed), having a number of cells of 40/25 mm and an apparent density of 0.03 g/cm.sup.3; trade name: CFH-40, manufactured by INOAC corporation. A size before immersion shown in Table 1 was used.

Comparative Example 3

[0045] Polyester-based urethane foam (a net type with a cell membrane removed), having a number of cells of 30/25 mm and an apparent density of 0.03 g/cm.sup.3; trade name: MF-30, manufactured by INOAC corporation. A size before immersion shown in Table 1 was used.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Before immersion After 24 hours of immersion Lateral Lateral Rate of Vertical dimension Thickness Volume Vertical dimension Thickness Volume change dimension (mm) (mm) (mm) (cm.sup.3) dimension (mm) (mm) (mm) (cm.sup.3) (%) Example 1 50.25 40.16 6.93 13.99 50.19 40.05 7.33 14.73 5.29 Example 2 50.38 40.32 7.31 14.85 50.34 40.22 7.44 15.06 1.41 Example 3 50.45 40.52 6.73 13.76 50.46 40.26 6.55 13.31 3.27 Example 4 50.13 40.37 6.72 13.60 50.19 40.14 6.53 13.16 3.24 Example 5 50.41 40.21 7.44 15.08 50.47 40.22 6.97 14.15 6.17 Example 6 50.51 40.36 6.55 13.35 50.19 40.51 6.53 13.28 0.52 Example 7 50.32 40.27 7.28 14.75 50.25 40.10 7.12 14.35 2.71 Comparative 50.01 40.04 7.57 15.16 52.08 40.95 8.42 17.96 18.47 Example 1 Comparative 49.14 39.32 8.17 15.79 49.37 39.99 9.00 17.77 12.54 Example 2 Comparative 48.96 38.73 7.85 14.89 50.57 40.39 8.35 17.06 14.57 Example 3

[0046] The cosmetic carriers of the Examples and Comparative Examples were immersed in an ultraviolet absorber (trade name: Uvinul (registered trademark) A plus B, manufactured by BASF Japan) for 24 hours such that the whole cosmetic carrier was immersed therein, taken out therefrom, and dimensions thereof were measured. Based on the obtained dimensions, volumes and rates of change were calculated according to a formula: {(volume of sample piece after immersion)(volume of sample piece before immersion)}/(volume of sample piece before immersion)100(%).

[0047] Values of dimensions, volumes and rates of change after immersion into the ultraviolet absorber are shown in Table 1, and the swelling resistance is determined based on the obtained rates of change.

[0048] In Examples 1 to 7, the rates of change were 6.17% or less (6.17%), while in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the rates of change were 12.54% to 18.47%. In Examples 1 to 7, the rates of change were smaller than those of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and the swelling resistances were excellent. Incidentally, in some examples, the rate of change had a negative value since the fiber assembly shrank due to moisture.

[0049] In addition, instead of the ultraviolet absorber, the swelling resistance was examined for the examples and comparative examples using a commercial cosmetic containing an ultraviolet absorber.

[0050] The cosmetic used is B.A Creamy Foundation (B3) (trade name), manufactured by Pola Inc., and the ultraviolet absorber contained is ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and hexyl diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl benzoate.

[0051] When the results were shown, in Examples 1 to 6, the rates of change were 5.4% or less, while in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the rates of change were 12.6% to 18.5%. In Examples 1 to 7, the rates of change were smaller than those of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and the swelling resistances were excellent.

[0052] Accordingly, the cosmetic carrier of the present invention has little swelling with respect to a cosmetic and can be used for a cosmetic containing an ultraviolet absorber.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0054] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application (2016-58047) filed on Mar. 23, 2016, and Japanese Patent Application (2017-28645) filed on Feb. 20, 2017, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference. In addition, all references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0055] 10 Cosmetic carrier [0056] 20 Container body [0057] 21 Lid body [0058] 22 Housing recess [0059] 30 Cosmetic container