The present invention relates to a device for the application of moisturizing products on the skin of the body, and to a method for the preparation of such device.

At present, moisturizing products for the skin of the body such as cosmetic oils and oily butters are available on the market and are packaged in containers, from which such products are taken in order to be applied directly on the skin of the body, which is then rubbed with the hands.

To package and transport such cosmetic oils and oily butters, currently many various different types of containers are used, none of which however is devoid of drawbacks. For example, with glass or plastics bottles the consumer has difficulty in dispensing the desired quantity of product in that it is usual to have an excessive dose, if there is no dosage measurer, or a reduced dose, if there is a dosage measurer with a drip-catcher, which owing to its natural function is not capable of fluidly dispensing the product. Furthermore, during their use, such bottles easily become greasy on their outer surface, thus becoming difficult to handle, with consequent high risk of falling and of soiling clothes and/or the surrounding environment. Finally, owing to their shape, such bottles tend to retain a certain quantity of product at the bottom which cannot be used, with consequent waste, of both product and money.

Jars in glass, metal or plastics are also used which, besides presenting the dosage problems mentioned above for bottles, are even more difficult to handle when the outer surface becomes greasy, following dispersion and dripping of the product contained therein. Furthermore, when such jars contain oily butters in the solid state, they must be heated in order to render the product contained therein fluid. The heating can be done in a bain-marie, with the disadvantage of resulting in a container that is very hot outside and a product contained inside whose temperature cannot be verified until it is applied to the skin, or the floating can be done with adapted devices provided with open-flame burners or the like. There are many problems that arise from this practice, among which are the risk for the user of receiving burns to a greater or lesser degree, the possibility of exceeding the temperature at which the product loses its natural characteristics, and the risk of breaking the jars with dispersion of the product into the surrounding environment and/or on the user. Such jars cannot therefore be transported easely, for example during a trip, owing to the high risk of breakage thereof and of dispersion of the product, since the closing mechanism is non- hermetic and also because they must always be accompanied by an adapted heating system.

Finally, bottles in plastics or metal are used, which are provided with spray dispensers which, however, besides the problem of dosage, which still cannot be used in a single solution, require the oils and/or oily butters contained in them to be fluid so that it is possible to dispense them; in these circumstances it is therefore necessary to mix them with fluid excipients or milks which as a consequence compromise their composition, organoleptic properties, purity, and the natural benefit that these products possess.

The containers described above for cosmetic oils and oily butters are also cumbersome, heavy and subject to easy breakage and usually they are not accepted in carry-on baggage on flights.

One form of packaging of many different cosmetic products, which is also practical with regard to transport, is represented by impregnated wipes, i.e. sheets of absorbent material soaked in the product of interest. Nowadays on the market there are wipes impregnated with substances with a cleansing action, or a disinfectant, makeup removal, lenitive (for use after shaving or hair removal), tanning and/or self-tanning action, or solvents for the removal of nail polish, or repellents for mosquitoes and/or other insects and the like. Such wipes are usually packaged, stacked in contact with each other, in rigid or soft packages, which however also suffer some drawbacks: first of all, such packages are often cumbersome; furthermore, there is the risk that the product may exit the packaging as a consequence of compression of the package during transport. Furthermore, the product with which the wipes are impregnated tends to flow downwardly, therefore the wipes arranged in an upper region will be soaked with a reduced quantity of product, while those arranged in a downward region will be soaked with an excessive quantity of product.

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks and limitations of the systems of packaging cosmetic oils and oily butters which are known in the state of the art, by devising a new form of packaging for such products.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a new form of packaging for cosmetic oils and oily butters which avoids needing to use a heating device in order to obtain the passage of such substances from the solid state to the fluid state.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new form of packaging for cosmetic oils and oily butters which makes it possible to release the appropriate quantity of such products for application on the body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new form of packaging for cosmetic oils and oily butters which limits the leaks and the spills of product and, as a consequence, the staining of the clothes of the user and of the environment in which the product is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form of packaging for cosmetic oils and oily butters which can be easily transported without the annoyances associated with excessive encumbrance and/or weight and without the risks of breakage of the packaging.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new form of packaging for cosmetic oils and oily butters which is highly reliable and practical to use, and the provision of which is easy and low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a single-use wipe for moisturizing the skin of the body, which is constituted by an absorbent support made of a material selected from the group constituted by: a fabric made of one or more natural plant fibers, a fabric made of one or more synthetic fibers, a fabric made of one or more natural plant fibers and one or more synthetic fibers, and a non-woven fabric, wherein the absorbent support is impregnated with a moisturizing composition that comprises one or more substances selected from the group constituted by: coconut oil (Cocos micifera) and shea butter {Butyrospermum parkii).

The above aim and objects are also achieved by a method for the preparation of the above-mentioned single-use wipe, which comprises the steps of:

(a) preparation of the moisturizing composition comprising one or more substances selected from the group constituted by coconut oil and shea butter, in fluid form;

(b) mixing of the fluid moisturizing composition prepared in step (a), so as to render it homogeneous;

(c) impregnation of the absorbent support with the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b), by way of a method selected from the group constituted by:

(i) pouring of the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b) onto the surface of the absorbent support, arranged spread out;

(ii) immersion of the absorbent support, spread out, in the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b);

(iii) spraying of the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b) onto the surface of the absorbent support, arranged spread out.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows. Shea butter is a substance extracted from the seeds and kernels of the fruit of the shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii). In an embodiment, the moisturizing composition with which the wipe according to the invention is impregnated can comprise shea butter in a percentage of up to 52% by weight on the total weight of the moisturizing composition. In another embodiment, the moisturizing composition can comprise shea butter in a percentage comprised between 53% and 100% by weight on the total weight of the moisturizing composition. In another embodiment, shea butter can be absent from the moisturizing composition. The presence of shea butter in the composition confers characteristics of rigidity on the wipe comprising such composition.

Coconut oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the desiccated flesh of the coconut, the fruit of the coconut palm {Cocos niicifera). In an embodiment, the moisturizing composition with which the wipe according to the invention is impregnated can comprise coconut oil in a percentage comprised between 65% and 80%) by weight on the total weight of the moisturizing composition. The presence of the coconut oil in the composition makes the wipe comprising such composition less rigid.

The absorbent support that is impregnated with the moisturizing composition can be a fabric made of natural fibers of plant origin, a fabric made of synthetic fibers, a fabric made of synthetic and natural plant fibers, or a non-woven fabric. As is known in the manufacturing sector, the term "non-woven fabric" indicates a product with characteristics similar to those of a fabric but obtained with methods other than weaving or knitting and therefore lacking an ordered structure of the weft and warp threads. In a non-woven fabric the fibers have a random progression, in which it is not possible to identify any ordered structure. Non-woven fabrics can be made of both natural and synthetic fibers.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent support that is impregnated with the moisturizing composition can be a fabric made of one or more natural plant fibers, preferably selected from cotton and bamboo. Cotton fabrics are particularly indicated for being impregnated with moisturizing compositions that comprise up to 47% by weight of fatty moisturizing substances of plant origin, where such moisturizing substances have high acidity; moisturizing substances of this type are typically cosmetic oils that do not contain hydrogenated fats. Cotton fabrics are capable of perfectly absorbing compositions of this type, ensuring an optimal impregnation and the maximum extensibility of the resulting wipe. Bamboo fabrics have a higher absorption than cotton fabrics. In another embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent support can be a fabric made of one or more synthetic fibers, preferably viscose. In another embodiment, the absorbent support can also be a fabric made both with one or more natural plant fibers and with one or more synthetic fibers. Again, the absorbent support can be a non-woven fabric: preferably, such non- woven fabric can be selected from a non-woven fabric with a coarse mesh, a non-woven fabric with a fine mesh and made of tilene®, a smooth non- woven fabric with a fine mesh, and an embossed non-woven fabric with a fine mesh.

A non-woven fabric with a coarse mesh (or "net") is particularly indicated for being impregnated with moisturizing compositions that comprise from 8 to 100% by weight of hydrogenated fatty substances (saturated fats), where such substances have low acidity; moisturizing substances of this type are typically cosmetic oily butters, for example shea butter or the butters obtained by adding hydrogenated fats of plant origin to oils. Hydrogenated fatty substances can optimally be inserted between the fibers of the non-woven fabric with a coarse mesh, adhering thereto perfectly.

A non-woven fabric with a fine mesh is particularly indicated for being impregnated with moisturizing compositions that comprise high quantities (over 82% by weight) of fatty moisturizing substances of plant origin and/or by moisturizing compositions that are in the solid state at ambient temperature. In particular, the use of non-woven fabric made of tilene® and smooth non-woven fabric is preferable. The use of non-woven fabric made of tilene® is further particularly preferable.

It is further possible to use new-generation materials intended for cosmetic use, which have a higher degree of absorption than the more traditional fabrics. Such new-generation materials can be both of natural origin and of synthetic origin.

It should be pointed out that selecting the most suitable absorbent support for each moisturizing composition makes it possible to optimize the extensibility, homogeneity and degree of impregnation of the resulting wipe, as well as the adherence of the composition to the absorbent support. Furthermore, a suitable combination of absorbent support and moisturizing composition will prevent part of the composition from being dispersed or dropping from the support during use, with consequent waste of material.

In an embodiment, the moisturizing composition with which the absorbent support is impregnated can also comprise, in addition to coconut oil and/or shea butter, one or more further fatty moisturizing substances of plant origin selected from oils for cosmetic use and oily butters for cosmetic use.

Preferably, such further fatty moisturizing substances of plant origin can be selected from the group constituted by: argan oil (argania spinosa), avocado oil {per sea gratissima), jojoba seed oil {simmondsia chinensis), sweet almond oil {primus amygdalus dulcis), rose hip seed oil {rosa moschata), macadamia seed oil {macadamia ternifolia), apricot kernel oil {primus armeniaca), peach kernel oil {primus persica) and mixtures thereof.

According to the types of the moisturizing substances present in the composition (oils and/or oily butters) and according to the corresponding quantities, compositions are obtained which have a more fluid consistency or which have a more solid consistency. In an embodiment, the moisturizing composition with which the absorbent support is impregnated can further comprise aloe juice {aloe barbadensis); in another embodiment, the moisturizing composition can further comprise extract of tiare flowers {gardenia tahitensis).

Furthermore, the moisturizing composition with which the absorbent support is impregnated can further comprise one or more preservatives. Preferably, such preservatives can be natural antioxidants, more preferably tocopherol.

Furthermore, the moisturizing composition with which the absorbent support is impregnated can further comprise one or more cosmetic powders. Preferably, such cosmetic powders can be selected from the group constituted by cosmetic mica, dyes, glitter, diamond powder, gold powder, pearl powder and mixtures thereof.

The moisturizing composition with which the absorbent support is impregnated can also comprise one or more scents and/or one or more essential oils, preferably of natural origin.

In an embodiment, the moisturizing composition with which the absorbent support is impregnated can be one of the compositions listed below:

1 ) a composition comprising 60-99% by weight of shea butter, 0-39% by weight of coconut oil and 1% by weight of tocopherol;

2) a composition comprising 95-99% by weight of coconut oil, 0-4% shea butter and 1% tocopherol;

3) a composition comprising 80-90% by weight of argan oil, 9%> by weight of coconut oil, 0- 10% by weight of shea butter and 1% by weight of tocopherol;

4) a composition comprising 50-65%) avocado oil, 1% tocopherol, 24- 34% coconut oil 0-25% shea butter;

5) a composition comprising 23-35% by weight of coconut oil, 20- 32%o by weight of shea butter, 21% by weight of aloe vera oil, 23% by weight of jojoba seed oil 1% by weight of tocopherol;

6) a composition comprising 60-82% by weight of sweet almond oil, 17-20% by weight of coconut oil, 0- 19% by weight of shea butter and 1% by weight of tocopherol;

7) a composition comprising 40-50% by weight of coconut oil, 40-

49%o by weight of gardenia tahitensis flowers, 0-19% by weight of shea butter; 1% by weight of tocopherol;

8) a composition comprising 50-60% by weight of rosa moschata seed oil, 39-40% by weight of coconut oil, 0-9% by weight of shea butter and 1 % of tocopherol;

9) a composition comprising 60-68%) by weight of macadamia oil, 27- 31 ) by weight of coconut oil, 0-12% by weight of shea butter and 1% by weight of tocopherol;

10) a composition comprising 80% by weight of apricot kernel oil, 10- 19%) by weight of coconut oil, 0-9% by weight of shea butter and 1% by weight of tocopherol;

1 1) a composition comprising 80% by weight of peach kernel oil, 10- 19%) by weight of coconut oil, 0-9%> by weight of shea butter and 1%> by weight of tocopherol.

The single-use wipe according to the present invention comprises a suitable and calibrated quantity of moisturizing composition and, at the moment of use, releases this onto the skin. In particular, the wipe according to the invention prevents, at the time of application, the moisturizing composition from dripping or getting onto the clothes of the user and/or into the environment, thus preventing staining problems. Furthermore, dripping and spreading of the product are also limited by the fact that the wipe according to the invention makes it possible to avoid the use of heating devices for fluidifying the moisturizing compositions in solid form: the composition with which the wipe is impregnated fluidifies in fact as a result of simple rubbing between the hands, or directly on the body. The single-use wipe according to the invention can preferably have one dimension (width) comprised between 15 cm and 20 cm and one dimension (length) comprised between 19 cm and 25 cm.

Such dimensions ensure that, when the wipe is fully extended and rubbed on the portion of skin to be treated, it will not curl up on itself, even if the application is performed using one hand only. Furthermore, a wipe of the dimensions indicated contains the quantity of moisturizing composition which is on average most suitable for treating the whole body.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing the single-use wipe described herein, which comprises the steps of:

(a) preparation of the moisturizing composition comprising one or more substances selected from the group constituted by coconut oil and shea butter, in fluid form;

(b) mixing of the moisturizing composition prepared in step (a), so as to render it homogeneous;

(c) impregnation of the absorbent support with the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b). Such impregnation is achieved by way of one of the following methods:

(i) pouring of the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b) onto the surface of the absorbent support, arranged spread out;

(ii) immersion of the absorbent support, spread out, in the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b);

(iii) spraying of the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition obtained in step (b) onto the surface of the absorbent support, arranged spread out.

If, in addition to coconut oil and/or to shea butter, the moisturizing composition comprises further substances, these can be incorporated in the moisturizing composition, before carrying out the step (b). The further substances incorporated in the moisturizing composition can be: one or more fatty moisturizing substances selected from cosmetic oils and oily butters; aloe juice; extract of tiare flowers; one or more preservatives; one or more scents; one or more essential oils; and one or more cosmetic powders.

Preparation of the moisturizing composition in fluid form implies that the fatty moisturizing substances which, at ambient temperature, are in the solid state (for example the cosmetic butters) are fluidified, i.e. melted. It is possible to separately fluidify each solid fatty moisturizing substance and then combine such fluidified substances; alternatively, it is possible to combine the solid fatty moisturizing substances and fluidify them with a single procedure. The melting of the solid fatty moisturizing substances can occur preferably by way of a heating device such as an oven (traditional for these purposes or a microwave), or by way of a bain-marie.

The temperature applied in the step of melting the solid fatty moisturizing substances must not exceed the "smoke point" of such substances, in order to prevent the known phenomenon of releasing volatile components and consequently modifying the chemical, physical and organoleptic properties of such substances. The melting of the solid fatty moisturizing substances can be sped up and optimized by periodically mixing such substances, taking care to lift any solid residues that are deposited on the bottom of the vessels in which the melting is carried out.

The incorporation of any cosmetic powders in the moisturizing composition occurs by placing such powders in a vessel, into which the fluid composition is then poured. The homogeneous distribution of the powders within the composition occurs by way of mixing.

The fluid composition that comprises the desired substances is then mixed (step (b)), thus amalgamating all the components homogeneously.

Preferably, the homogeneous fluid mixture can then be left to stand for a few minutes (typically 3-5 minutes), so that it cools down but does not solidify.

At this point, the absorbent support is impregnated with the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition. One of the methods of achieving the impregnation is by way of immersion of the absorbent support in the fluid and homogeneous moisturizing composition: in a preferred embodiment, the immersion can last for a time comprised between 3 seconds and 5 seconds. Another method for impregnating the absorbent support with the moisturizing composition is by way of spraying the composition on the surface of the absorbent support. In such method, the fluid composition is prepared within a controlled aeration system and is sprayed on the absorbent support by way of conventional apparatuses for such use and known to the person skilled in the art, for example by way of adapted nozzles.

In this way an impregnated wipe is obtained which, at this point, can be prepared for packaging. First of all, the dimensions of the impregnated wipe are reduced: this step must necessarily be carried out while the composition applied is still warm and not completely solidified; any solidification of the composition would in fact result in an uneven distribution thereof on the surface of the absorbent support, thus reducing the efficacy of the resulting wipe. The reduction of the dimensions of the wipe can occur according to one of the following methods:

(i) single or multiple folding of the wipe upon itself, along its longitudinal direction and/or along its transverse direction; or

(ii) winding of the wipe along its longitudinal direction or along its transverse direction onto a cylindrical support made of waterproof, non- absorbent and non-stick material.

Subsequently, the wipe is allowed to cool so that the moisturizing composition with which it has been impregnated solidifies. Preferably, cooling of the wipe can occur at a temperature comprised between 3°C and 5°C; preferably, furthermore, the duration of the cooling can be comprised between 120 and 180 minutes. The impregnated wipes can be allowed to cool by arranging them spaced apart from each other; alternatively, it is possible to arrange the impregnated wipes over each other, or adjacent to each other, taking care that the adjacent wipes do not come into mutual contact: to this end, between them one or more sheets are arranged of a waterproof, non-absorbent and non-stick material, such as a conventional plastic film (for example polyethylene) or a conventional baking paper.

Once the wipes have cooled, they are packaged by inserting them in a wrapping. The packaging can be individual (one wipe only per wrapping) or multiple (several wipes per wrapping). If the packaging is multiple, then one or more sheets of waterproof, non-absorbent and non-stick material (such as a plastic film or baking paper) are interposed between the wipes that are inside the same wrapping so as to keep them separated from each other.

The wrapping used to package the wipes must have all the edges sealable after the wipe(s) have been introduced into it, so that the seal is hermetic and no leaks of product occur, or the ingress of air into the wrapping. In an embodiment, the wrapping can be made of plastics; in another embodiment, the wrapping can be made of metal, preferably aluminum; in another embodiment, the wrapping can be made of plastics and metal. Furthermore, the wrapping can preferably be a soft container, such as for example an envelope. The wrapping can also be provided with a euro hole, as long as this does not interfere with the sealing.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to the cosmetic use of the single-use wipe described herein for moisturizing the skin of the body. In particular, such cosmetic use can occur by way of a method for moisturizing the skin of the body which comprises the steps of:

(a) fluidification of the moisturizing composition with which the wipe is impregnated, by way of heating; and

(b) distribution of the moisturizing composition on the skin of the body by way of rubbing of the impregnated wipe thereupon.

The moisturizing composition with which the wipe is impregnated is in fact usually solid at ambient temperature. The fluidification of the composition in step (a), a necessary step in order to render it absorbable by the skin, occurs by heating the wipe. The heat necessary to fluidify the composition can be generated simply by rubbing the wipe between the hands or directly on the skin of the body. Alternatively, for a faster fluidification of the moisturizing composition, the wipe can be placed for a few seconds (typically 3-5 seconds) under a flow of running hot water. Furthermore, it is also possible to rub the wrapping that contains the wipe between the hands, or place it under a flow of hot water: in this manner, once taken out of the package, the composition is already fluidified and the impregnated wipe is directly ready for use. The heating of the composition therefore occurs rapidly, simply and safely, with undoubted advantages with respect to the methods usually adopted to melt traditional solid moisturizing compositions (burners with open flame, bain-marie or the like).

If the moisturizing of the skin does not require the full quantity of moisturizing composition with which the wipe is impregnated and therefore, at the end of use, the wipe remains impregnated with some of the moisturizing composition, it is possible to preserve the partially used wipe inside its wrapping and reuse it for a second application of moisturizing composition. In an embodiment, it is possible to return the remaining moisturizing composition to the solid state by bringing the partially used wipe to a temperature slightly above 0°C, for example under a flow of running cold water or in a refrigerator. Alternatively, it is possible to preserve the partially used wipe at ambient temperature, and in this manner the moisturizing composition with which it is impregnated will remain in the fluid state. The possibility of preserving the partially used wipe represents another advantage in that it avoids wasting part of the moisturizing composition.

In practice it has been found that the wipes for moisturizing the skin of the body according to the present invention fully achieve the set aim and objects in that they provide a form of packaging that is simple, practical and convenient for handling and transporting moisturizing compositions based on cosmetic oils and/or butters. In particular, the wipes according to the invention make it possible to avoid the use of inconvenient and hazardous methods (such as heating with a bain-marie or by way of open-flame burners) in order to fluidify the moisturizing substances which at ambient temperature have a solid consistency, with an advantage in terms of greater convenience and rapidity of use and cleaning.

Furthermore, the wipes according to the invention can easily be transported in bags and suitcases thanks to the reduced encumbrance and to the sealed wrapping which prevents product leaks. These very characteristics also make it possible to transport the wipes according to the invention in carry-on baggage on flights or at sea, to comply with regulations in force.

Also, the moisturizing wipes described herein comprise an adequate quantity of moisturizing composition for application on the body, thus limiting the waste of product.

It should be understood that the characteristics of the embodiments described with reference to an aspect of the invention are to be considered valid, where applicable, also with reference to the other aspects of the invention described herein, even if they are not explicitly repeated.

The wipes for moisturizing the skin of the body, and the method for the preparation and packaging of such wipes, conceived as described herein, are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, equivalent elements, the correspondence of which is known to the person skilled in the art.