BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Topical wipes containing a flexible substrate and an aqueous carrier are well known for a variety of applications, including topical application to human skin or other applied surface to provide such surfaces with cleansing, moisturizing, depositing of actives or other materials, disinfecting, and/or any other effect that can be accomplished by application of a topical wipe to the desired surface. Examples of such products include baby wipes, sanitizing hand wipes, moisturizing wipes, facial cleansing wipes, and so forth.

Many different types of topical wipes are commercially available or otherwise known in the various arts, many of which comprise a disposable flexible substrate that contains an aqueous carrier and any other desired material that is suitable for application to the skin. The flexible substrates in these topical wipes are often made from disposable nonwoven or paper materials having the desired characteristics in view of the intended application. For many cleansing wipes, a nonwoven material is often selected to provide the optimal combination of substrate characteristics such as raw material and manufacturing costs, softness during application, tensile strength, absorption capacity, and other similar characteristics. For most topical wipes, a nonwoven substrate is most typically selected which exhibits the optimal combination of application softness or tensile strength as such substrate characteristics would benefit most product applications.

Although these topical wipes with soft, flexible, nonwoven, substrates can be manufactured with an optimal combination of tensile strength and application softness for most applications, it has been found that even these soft flexible wipes often leave a visible substrate residue when applied to rough surfaces such as human male skin or freshly shaven skin. Because substrate softness is most often achieved by keeping the nonwoven fibers within the substrate loose or free on the substrate surface, these loose or free fibers tend to adhere to rough skin or other surfaces, thus leaving a visible substrate residue on the skin after application. This substrate residue is the collection of loose or free fibers that have torn away from the substrate during application by hooking onto the rough surface during application.

It has now been found that wet topical wipes can be manufactured which contain a soft, flexible, nonwoven substrate and an aqueous carrier, wherein the wet topical wipes feel soft during application to rough surfaces and leave little or no visible substrate residue during application, provided that the flexible substrate is a fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate having a Substrate Residue Value as described hereinafter of from about 0.1 mg/cm2 about 1.2 mg/cm2. The Substrate Residue Value is a measure that correlates with the visible amount of substrate residue remaining on the applied surface after application.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide wet topical wipes, and corresponding methods of application, that are made specifically for application to rough surfaces such a male skin or freshly shaven skin. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a wet topical wipe, and to develop such corresponding methods, that feel soft during application and leaves little or no visible substrate residue after application to the rough surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to topical wipes for application to the skin, and methods of using the wipes on the skin. The topical wipes comprise an aqueous carrier in contact with a flexible, nonwoven, fluid-entangled, substrate, wherein the substrate has a Substrate Residue Value of from about 0.1 mg/cm2 to about 1.2 mg/cm2. The topical wipes are applied to the skin or other surface to provide the desired topical effect such as refreshment, cleansing, moisturizing, active or other material application, and so forth.

It has been found that the topical wipes of the present invention are especially useful for application to human skin, provided that the wipes have the selected Substrate Residue Value. It has been found that these wipes when used with an aqueous carrier provide improved softness during application and contact with the skin, and leave less substrate residue on the skin after application especially when the substrate is applied to rough skin such as human male or shaven skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a Rub Tester Weight Assembly for use in the Substrate Residue Methodology described herein. The Rub Tester Weight Assembly is part of a Southerland Ink Rub Tester also for use in the Substrate Residue Methodology described herein.

The illustrated assembly comprises a clip (A), sandpaper (B), cardboard (C), rubber pad (D) and 2 lb. weight (E).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The topical wipes of the present invention, and the corresponding methods of application, comprise or are directed to an aqueous carrier contained within a fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate, wherein the substrate has a selected Substrate Residue Value as defined in accordance with the methodology described herein. Each of these essential elements of the present invention are described in detail hereinafter.

The term"Substrate Residue Value"as used herein refers to a defined range of values obtained by the Substrate Residue Methodology as defined herein. These values represent the amount of substrate residue per area of substrate (mg/cm2) that is measured according the defined methodology. These values are an indirect measure of and correlate to the amount of visible substrate residue, e. g., substrate fibers, left on the skin after topical application of the wet topical wipe of the present invention on skin. Lower Substrate Residue Values correlate with lower visible substrate residue on the skin after application.

The term"wet topical wipe"refers to the article of the present invention, and the article to which the methods of the present invention are directed, and which comprises a fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate impregnated, coated or otherwise in contact with an aqueous carrier liquid for the purpose of rubbing the wet topical wipe over the surface of the skin to provide the skin with the desired benefit.

The term"ambient conditions"as used herein refers to surrounding conditions under about one (1) atmosphere of pressure, at about 50% relative humidity, and at about 25°C, unless otherwise specified. All values, amounts and measurements described herein are obtained under ambient conditions unless otherwise specified.

The topical wipes and corresponding methods of application of the present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well as any additional or optional ingredients, components, or limitations known or otherwise effective for use in such compositions.

All percentages, parts and ratios are by weight of the total designated composition, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the specific ingredient level and, therefore, do not include solvents, carriers, by-products, filler or other minor ingredients that may be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified.

Fluid-entangled, Nonwoven, Flexible Substrate The compositions of the present invention comprise a fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate characterized by a selected Substrate Residue Value. Any fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate that is known or is otherwise suitable for topical application to the skin can be used in the wet topical wipes of the present invention, provided that the substrate also has the requisite Substrate Residue Value.

The fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrates for use in the wet wipes of the present invention are generally known in the art, but it is believed that such substrates having the defined Substrate Residue Value have not previously been described in a wet wipe application, especially as such application is directed to or tailored to the application of the wet wipe to rough skin such as male facial skin or freshly shaven skin.

It is important to note, however, that many of the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrates described in the various wipe or substrate arts will not have the requisite Substrate Residue Value as described herein, so that these fluid-entangled substrates must be selected to have such the requisite Substrate Residue Value in order to be useful in the present invention.

Fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrates and the fluid entangling techniques for making them are well known in the substrate arts, preferred examples of such substrates and fluid entangling techniques being described in U. S. Patents 5,142,752 (Greenway et al.) and U. S.

Patents 5,281,461 (Greenway et al.), which patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These preferred fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrates comprise a symmetrical array of entangled staple fibers including a lattice structure of spaced parallel machine direction oriented rows of criss-crossing fibrous bands, and spaced cross-direction oriented fibrous bands, said machine direction fibrous bands and said cross-direction fibrous bands intersecting at dense fiber nodes, said symmetrical array of fibers having a ratio in the range of 1/1 to 4/1 ; wherein said symmetrical array of fibers is fluid entangled by discrete streams of focused fluid energy which have a confluence corresponding to said symmetrical array. More preferably, the machine direction fibrous bands and the criss-crossing fibrous bands further comprise connecting interstitial fiber components which substantially occupy interstitial spaces defined by said fibrous bands, such that the fabric has a non-apertured textile-like finish. These substrates are preferably a blend of polyester and rayon or cotton fibers and have a weight in the range of 40-120 gsy (grams per square yard).

These preferred substrates are most typically prepared by using an apparatus and related process for entangling a fibrous web which employs columnar fluid jets to eject a continuous curtain of fluid in an entangling station. The web is advanced through an entangling station on a conveyor which supports an entangling member having a symmetrical pattern of void areas. Baffle members disposed in the void areas are provided which include radiused curvatures and define apertures having a frusto-conical configuration. Dynamic forces in the fluid curtain impact the web in discrete and controlled patterns determined by the baffling members to enhance efficient energy transfer and web entanglement. Textile-like fabrics having a uniform, non-apertured, surface cover are obtained by coaction of fluid curtain and baffle structures.

Other known techniques for making fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrates are described, for example in U. S. Patent 3,485,786 (Evans); U. S. Patent 2,862,251 (Kalwarres); and U. S. Patent 3,025,585 (Griswald), which descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

Other suitable methods of making fluid-entangled substrates are described in U. S. Patent 5,674,591 (James et al.) which specifically describes a hydroentangling process, including the apparatus used in said process, which can be used to prepare a patterned web, which description is incorporated herein by reference.

The term"fluid-entangled"as used herein is an art recognized term which refers generally to the manufacturing process for entangling a fibrous web by using a fluid jet on a fibrous web to obtain the desired fiber and void configuration within the resulting fluid-entangled substrate, to thereby produce an art recognized, fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate.

The term"nonwoven"as used herein is likewise an art recognized term which distinguishes over woven fabrics in that the nonwoven substrate contain fibers that are not woven into a fabric but rather are formed into a sheet, mat, or pad layer. The fibers within the nonwoven substrate can be randomly aligned, oriented in primarily one direction, or otherwise oriented in some other nonwoven pattern depending upon the fluid entanglement manufacturing process used.

The term"flexible"as used herein is likewise an art recognized term which refers generally to thin, soft substrates having a substrate thickness of not more than about 2 cm, and that readily conform to the contour of the applied surface during application.

The nonwoven, flexible substrate for use in the present invention must have a Substrate Residue Value of from about 0.1 mg/cm2 to about 1. 2 mg/cm2, preferably from about 0.2 mg/cm2 to about 1.0 mg/cm2, most preferably from about 0.5 mg/cm2 about 0.8 mg/cm2. For purposes of defining the topical wipes and methods of the present invention, the Substrate Residue Value is determined in accordance with methodology described hereinafter.

The nonwoven, flexible substrate preferably has an average size (e. g., topical area) of not more than about 650 cm2, preferably from about 90 cm2 to about 550cm2, more preferably from about 275cm2 to about 47590cm2, and can be manufactured in any suitable shape, most typically as a square, rectangular, circular or oval shape, or variation thereof. Most typical are square or rectangular shaped substrates. It has been found that most consumers briefly apply the wet topical wipes to the desired area of the skin using one hand, typically their dominant hand, and that the wet topical wipes are more efficiently used when the surface area of the nonwoven, flexible substrate correlates with or is similar to the surface area of the dominant hand that applies the topical wipe to the skin.

The fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate may be derived from or comprised of a variety of materials both natural and synthetic. By natural is meant that the materials are derived from plants, animals, insects or byproducts of plants, animals, and insects. By synthetic is meant that the materials are obtained primarily from various man-made materials or from natural materials which have been further altered. The conventional base starting material is usually a fibrous web comprising any of the common synthetic or natural textile-length fibers, or mixtures thereof.

Nonlimiting examples of natural materials in the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate may include silk fibers, keratin fibers, cellulosic fibers and combinations thereof.

Nonlimiting examples of keratin fibers include wool fibers, camel hair fibers, and other similar materials. Nonlimiting examples of cellulosic fibers include wood pulp fibers, cotton fibers, hemp fibers, jute fibers, flax fibers, and combinations thereof.

Nonlimiting examples of synthetic materials in the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate may include those acetate fibers, acrylic fibers, cellulose ester fibers, modacrylic fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, rayon fibers, polyurethane foam, and combinations thereof. Nonlimiting examples of synthetic materials include acrylics such as acrilan, creslan, and the acrylonitrile-based fiber (orlon); cellulose ester fibers such as cellulose acetate, arnel, and acele; polyamides such as nylons (e. g., nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 610, and the like); polyesters such as fortrel, kodel, and the polyethylene terephthalate fiber, dacron; polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene; polyvinyl acetate fibers; polyurethane foams and mixtures thereof.

Nonwoven substrates made from synthetic materials useful in the present invention can also be obtained from a wide variety of commercial sources. Nonlimiting examples of suitable nonwoven layer materials useful herein include BBA Nubtex, a patterned hydroentangled material containing about 70% rayon and 30% polyester, and having a basis weight of about 57 grams per square yard (gsy), available from BBA Nonwovens, Bethune, S. C.; The fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate component described herein is preferably a patterned substrate, examples of which include mechanical embossed substrates, apertured substrates, and three-dimensional patterned substrates, the latter of which is most preferred herein.

Patterned substrates are well known in the various wipe and substrate arts, all of which are suitable for use herein provided that such patterned substrates also have the requisite Substrate Residue Value. Mechanical embossing in the art typically involves the application of force to a web through rigid members, such as protrusions on the periphery of a roll, to create areas of high density in the substrate, without changing the basis weight of the high density areas. Aperturing substrates to provide contour is likewise well known in the art and most typically involves the creation of a network of fiber bundles around a series of holes or apertures. Three dimensional substrating is described in PCT Patent Publication WO 99/25318, published May 27,1999, which description is incorporated herein by reference. These three-dimensional substrates comprise a pattern having a plurality of discrete, raised fibrous regions, wherein the raised fibrous regions have a density which is substantially the same as the density of the base surface, and wherein the raised fibrous regions are joined to said base surface by a fibrous transition region.

The fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate for use in the topical wipes and methods of the present invention also contains the aqueous carrier described herein, and is therefore not a dry wipe product for purposes of the present invention. The aqueous carrier component of the present invention is described in greater detail hereinafter.

Aqueous Carrier The wet disposable wipe of the present invention comprises an aqueous liquid that impregnates, coats or is otherwise in contact with the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate described hereinbefore. The aqueous liquid can include any single or multiphase liquid that is suitable for topical application to the skin, and will typically comprise from about 50% to about 99.9%, preferably from about 70% to about 99%, by weight of water. The aqueous liquid can be a solution, suspension, dispersion, emulsion or other liquid or fluid form.

The aqueous liquid component of the wet topical wipes is in contact with the flexible substrate component described hereinbefore. The amount of aqueous liquid associated with any individual wet wipe will vary depending upon the desired characteristics of the finished wet wipe product, but should be at least an amount sufficient to result in deposition of at least some of the aqueous liquid onto the skin during application. To that desired end, the aqueous liquid will therefore most typically represent from about 50% to about 400%, preferably from about 100% to about 300%, by weight of the nonwoven, flexible substrate.

The aqueous carrier may be any aqueous liquid suitable for topical application to the skin.

The aqueous carrier comprises water and optionally one or more other organic or inorganic carrier liquids, wherein the water component represents from about 50% to about 99%, preferably from about 70% to about 98%, more preferably from about 85% to 98%, by weight of the aqueous carrier.

The aqueous carrier preferably further comprises one or more other carrier liquids other than water, examples of which include any volatile or nonvolatile, organic or inorganic, silicone- containing or non-silicone containing liquid compatible with the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate described hereinbefore and otherwise suitable for topical application to the skin.

The concentration of such other carrier liquids is preferably from about 0.1% to about 50%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 30%, by weight of the aqueous carrier liquid.

Nonlimiting examples of such other carrier liquids suitable for use in the aqueous carrier liquid include C1-C8 monohydric alcohols, C2-C20 dihydric or polyhydric alcohol; alkyl ethers of all such alcohols; polyoxylated polyols such as propylene glycols and polyethethylene glycols having from 2 to 30 repeating alkoxylate (e. g., ethoxylate or propoxylate) groups; polyglycerols having from 2 to 16 repeating glycerol moieties; derivatives and combinations thereof.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable alcohol carrier liquids include propylene glycol, hexylen glycol, dipropylene glycol; tripropylene glycol; glycerin; propylene glycol methyl ether; dipropylene glycol methyl ether; ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, t-butanol, 2-methoxyethanol, 2- ethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, isobutanol, 1,2-butylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol, tirmethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, propylene glycol monoisostearate, PPG-3 myristyl ether, PEG-4, PEG-8,1,2-pentanediol, PPG-14 butylether, dimethyl isosorbide, and combinations thereof. Other similar carrier liquids for use in the aqueous carrier herein are described, for example, in U. S. Patent 4,781,917 (Luebbe et al.), U. S. Patent 5,643,558 (Provancal et al.), U. S. Patent 4,816,261 (Luebbe et al.), which descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

Other nonlimiting examples of suitable carrier liquids for use in the aqueous carrier component of the wet wipe of the present invention include volatile and nonvolatile silicones such as those described in U. S. Patent U. S. Patent 5,891,424 (Bretzler et al.), which description is incorporated herein by reference. Nonlimiting examples of volatile silicone liquids include cyclomethicones such having from 3 to 7 silicone atoms (e. g., cyclohexasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane) and short chain linear polydimethylsiloxanes.

Nonlimiting examples of nonvolatile silicones include polydimethylsiloxanes and derivatives thereof.

Substrate Residue Method The wet topical wipe of the present invention is characterized by a fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate having a selected Substrate Residue Value as defined in accordance with the following methodology. This method is used to predict visible substrate residue that will be noted on skin, especially rough skin, after topical application of a fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate.

The Substrate Residue Method can be characterized generally as a process by which a 4.3" x 1.6" (11.0 cm x 4.0 cm) piece of the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate is abraded using 320 grit sandpaper and the resulting loosened fibers collected and weighed per unit area.

The following materials and apparatus are used in the Substrate Residue methodology: (1) Sutherland Ink Rub Tester (with 2 lb. weight); (2) aluminum oxide cloth 320 grit sandpaper; (3) two sided tape, 3M #409 (3M Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA); (4) fiber removal tape, 3M #3187 transparent tape (3M Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA); (5) analytical balance (+/-0.0001 g); (6) paper cutter; (7) 170 mm x 63 mm 2200 gram metal weight; (8) thick-style release paper liner, and (8) 0.0445" (1.13 mm) caliper cardboard.

The sand paper is cut to 7.5 inch (19cm) lengths. The 3M #3187 fiber removal tape is cut into 6.5 inch (16.5 cm) lengths (2 tapes for each specimen) with each end of the taped folded under approximately 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) to facilitate handling. The adhesive side of the cut tape is laid onto a thick-style release paper for easier handling. All of the exposed adhesive on the cut tape is now covered by the release paper. N=10 is the number of specimens run per sample.

Before handling or testing any of the materials, the operators hands must be washed with soap and water to remove excess oils. Latex gloves can also be worn. The fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate sample is then laid out on a solid, flat surface. A piece of two-sided 3M #409 tape is positioned over and attached to a substrate sample (lengthwise and aligned with the machine direction of the substrate) so that at least an 11 cm x 4 cm area of the substrate is covered by the tape in the specified alignment. Using a paper cutter, the taped substrate samples are cut to 11 cm (machine direction) x 4 cm (cross direction) sections making sure that all of the the resulting rectangular taped substrate sample has one side that is completely covered by the attached two sided tape. The taped substrate sample is then mounted on the Sutherland Ink Rub Tester (see Figure 1) by centering and adhering (using the other side of the 2-sided adhesive tape) the taped sample onto the metal plate of the Ink Rub Tester.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the sandpaper (B) is then laid on top of the cardboard (C), and then both are laid on top of or positioned around the 2 lb. weight (E) component of the Ink Rub Tester, taking care to fold down the ends of the adjacent sandpaper/cardboard combination into clips (A) and making sure that the sandpaper (B) and cardboard (C) are positioned together and flat (see Figure 1) before proceeding with the following: 1. The 2200 gram weight is placed onto the mounted substrate sample for 20 seconds, and then immediately lifted and removed from the sample.

2. The Rub Tester Assembly with attached cardboard/sandpaper combination as described above is then attached to the Southerland Ink Rub Tester, wherein the exposed sandpaper of the Rub Tester Assembly is position over and contacted with the open 11 cm x 4 cm surface area of the mounted substrate.

3. The Ink Rub Tester is then turned on and allowed to abrade the surface of the mounted substrate for 20 rub cycles on slow speed (speed 1).

4. When the Rub Tester has shut off, carefully remove the Rub Tester Assembly with attached cardboard/sandpaper combination, being sure not to lose any of the loose substrate residue (fibers, fuzz) generated during the 20 rub cycles. In some cases, substrate residue will be attached to both the sandpaper and to the surface of the mounted substrate that was subjected to the abrading process.

5. The substrate residue (loose fiber, fuzz) generated during the rub cycles is removed from the abraded substrate and the sandpaper and then weighed. This is accomplished by using the fiber removal tapes prepared earlier by holding the pre-weighed fiber removal tape by its folded ends, removing the release paper from the adhesive side of the tape, gently placing the adhesive-exposed part of the tape onto the sandpaper to remove all of the substrate residue, lifting the tape from the sandpaper surface and then repositioning the release paper back onto the adhesive-exposed area of the lifted tape (adhesive-exposed areas now contain subtrate residue removed from the sandpaper surface), and then weighing and recording the weight of the tape (tape + release liner + substrate residue).

6. The substrate residue generated during the rubcyles and remaining on the mounted substrate is then weighed. This is accomplished by using the pre-weighed fiber removal tapes prepared earlier by holding the pre-weighed fiber removal tape by its folded ends, removing the release paper from the adhesive side of the tape, gently placing the adhesive-exposed part of the tape onto the abraded surface of the mounted substrate, laying the 2200 gram weight on top of the non-adhesive side of the tape for 20 seconds (thus applying a defined weight the abraded substrate in contact with the adhesive side of the fiber removal tape), immediately lifting and removing the 2200 gram weight from the tape, and then lifting the tape from the surface of the mounted substrate (collecting all substrate residue and also manually removing from the abraded surface and adding to the adhesive any noticeable pilled fibers which may have stayed on the abraded surface after removal of the adhesive) and then repositioning the release paper back onto the adhesive-exposed area of the lifted tape (adhesive-exposed areas now contain substrate residue removed from the abraded substrate surface), and then weighing and recording the weight of the tape (tape + relase liner + substrate residue).

7. The substrate residue from each sample is the sum of the weight-increase of the removal tapes from the sandpaper and from the surface of the abraded sample as described above.

8. The Substrate Residue Value for defining the wet topical wipes of the present invention is then calculated. The starting weight for each piece of release tape is subtracted from the ending weight with attached substrate residue as described above. The difference will be the weight of substrate residue collected for each step of the method. For any given substrate sample, the weight of residue collected from the sandpaper and the weight of residue collected from the abraded substrate are added together to obtain the total residue weight of lost from the sample during testing. This sum value is converted to milligrams (mg) and then converted from absolute weight loss to weight loss per unit area by dividing the total sum value weight of collected residue by the size of the abraded area (44.0 cm2) for the unit of mg/cm2, which is then a Substrate Residue Value, which is then evaluated and averaged over a ten (10) specimen average to provide the Substrate Residue Value for purposes of defining the wet topical wipe and corresponding methods of the present invention.

It is important that the Fiber Removal Tape described herein is not substituted with any other tape or material. Using a tape with a different level of adhesive will greatly change the amount of residue removed from the nonwoven substrate.

Optional Ingredients The wet topical wipes of the present invention may further comprise one or more optional ingredients which may modify the physical, chemical, cosmetic or aesthetic characteristics of the compositions or serve as additional"active"components when deposited on the skin. The compositions may also further comprise optional inert ingredients. These optional components may be associated with either the aqueous carrier component, the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate, or both, but will most typically be incorporated into the aqueous carrier component.

Optional ingredients include any material known or otherwise suitable for use in personal care compositions, including substrate-containing personal care compositions such as wet topical wipes, provided that such optional materials are compatible with the essential materials described herein, or do not otherwise unduly impair product performance.

Nonlimiting examples of optional ingredients suitable for use in the wet topical wipes include pH buffering agents; perfumes; antimicrobials (antibacterial and/or antiviral) deodorants; antioxidants; vitamins; binders; biological actives; chelating agents; cosmetic astringents; film formers; bulking agents; absorbents; emollients; humectants; soothing agents; dyes and pigments; drying agents; skin active agents; preservatives; sensates; complexed and uncomplexed cyclodextrins; and other similar materials.

Nonlimiting examples of optional complexed and uncomplexed cyclodextrins for use herein include alpha-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrins, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. The concentration of optional cyclodextrins ranges from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of the aqueous liquid component of the wet topical wipe.

Nonlimiting examples of optional cyclodextrins for use herein are described in U. S. Patent 5,942,199 (Lucas et al.) and U. S. Patent 5,861,145 (Lucas et al.), which descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

Optional sensates for use herein include any sensate that is known or otherwise effective for use on the skin as a sensate material, nonlimiting examples of which include camphor, menthol, and other similar materials. Optional sensates are most typically used at concentrations ranging from about 0.01% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.05% to about 2%, even more preferably from about 0.05% to 1%, by weight of the aqueous liquid component of the wet topical wipe. The sensates are preferably use in combination with an optional cyclodextrin, more preferably complexed into all or part of the cyclodextrins in the wet topical wipe.

The wet topical wipes may further comprise a surfactant, but is preferably substantially free of conventional anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, and/or zwitterionic surfactants. In this context, the term substantially free means that the wet topical wipes preferably contain less than 3%, more preferably less than 1%, most preferably zero percent, of such conventional surfactants by weight of the aqueous carrier.

The wet topical wipes are also preferably substantially free of binders, e. g., film forming polymeric materials applied to the substrate surface. In this context, the term"substantially free" means that the substrate is not processed to contain any such binder material which is applied to and in contact with the substrate surface.

Manufacturing Methods The wet topical wipes of the present invention can be made by any of a variety of techniques well known in the wet topical wipe and manufacturing arts. Once the fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate is selected for use in the wet topical wipes, a variety of techniques can be used to coat or impregnate the substrate with the aqueous liquid component and any other optional ingredients.

For example, the aqueous liquid of the present invention can be coated on the selected substrate by spraying, printing, splashing, dipping, soaking, coating, flood coating, spray coating or metered dosing the substrate with the aqueous liquid. Many other techniques or variations can be used to accomplish this combination. The substrate may be folded into stacks prior to or after adding the aqueous liquid. The wet topical wipe is then packaged in a suitable moisture and vapor impermeable package.

Method of Application The wet topical wipe is applied to the desired area of the skin, preferably to rough or shaven skin, more preferably to male facial skin, to release or deposit an effective amount of the aqueous liquid on the skin or to otherwise provide the desired topical effect on the area of application.

The method of the present invention is directed to the topical application of the wet topical wipe described herein, wherein the topical application results in little or no visible substrate residue on the areas of the skin to which the wet topical wipe was applied. The methods of the present invention are especially effective in providing any one or more of benefits such as topical cleansing, skin moisturizing, topical deposition of skin active agents or other materials, topical deposition of skin deodorizing agents, skin refreshment, skin deodorizing, fragrance application, or combinations thereof. The topical cleansing benefit can include the topical removal from skin of dirt, oil, cosmetics, environmental odors, body odors, or any other undesirable material that can be removed by such application. Preferably, the wet topical wipes of the present invention are directed to a method of refreshing the desired area of the skin.

The wet topical wipes of the present invention can also be applied immediately before application to the skin, e. g., within about 15 minutes of topical application.

The amount of aqueous liquid delivered from the wipe and frequency of topical application can vary widely, depending upon individual needs, and the topical benefit desired.

The wet topical wipe, especially when used to provide topical refreshment, can be applied one to several times a day, preferably one to three times per day.

EXAMPLES The following examples illustrate specific embodiments of the wet topical wipes and corresponding methods of application of the present invention, but are not intended to be limiting thereof. Other modifications can be undertaken by the skill artisan without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Each of the exemplified compositions is applied topically to the skin, including rough areas of the skin such as male facial skin, forearms, neck and shaven skin, to provide refreshment of the skin. Each of the exemplified compositions is also formulated with optional ingredients such as skin active agents or other materials, and then applied topically to the skin to deposit the skin active agent or other material to the desired site of application.

Each of the exemplified compositions is also formulated with 1) optional moisturizing agents and applied topically to the skin to provide moisturization benefits, and/or 2) a surfactant and applied topically to the skin to provide cleansing benefits.

Unless otherwise specified, each of the exemplified compositions is prepared by mixing together the listed ingredients to form an aqueous carrier, and then coating the selected fluid- entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrate with the aqueous liquid, and then packaging the resulting wet topical wipe in a moisture and vapor impervious package.

All exemplified amounts are weight percents based upon the total weight of the aqueous liquid component, unless otherwise specified. Each exemplified composition is coated onto a 12 count stack of 68 gsm (gram/m2) fluid-entangled, nonwoven, flexible substrates (70% Rayon, 30% PET) having a Substrate Residual Value of between 0.5 and 0.8.

Example 1: Refreshing Wet Topical Wipe Aqueous liquid Ingredients Weight % SD Alcohol 40 10. 00 Propylene Glycol 0. 50 Sodium Benzoate 0. 02 Tetrasodium EDTA 0. 01 Perfume 0. 02 Deodorant Perfume 0. 01 Sodium Hydroxide 0-5. 67 Hydrochloric Acid 0-4.0 Water, distilled QS Example 2: Deodorizing Wet Topical Wipe Ingredient Weight % SD Alcohol 40 10. 00 Cyclodextrin 1. 5-6.0 Methyl Lactate0. 5-1. 0 Propylene Glycol 0. 50 Perfume 0. 05 Sodium Benzoate 0. 02 Tetrasodium EDTA 0. 01 Deodorant Perfume 0. 01 Sodium Hydroxide 0-2. 0 Hydrochloric Acid 0-2. 0 Water, distilled QS Example 3: Antimicrobial Wet Topical Wipe Ingredient Weight % Methyl Isostearate 0.67 Polyethylene Wax 0.3 Dimethicone 0.5 Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 0.6 Siliconeantifoam 0. 2 Triclosa# 0. 15 SodiumBenzoate 0. 2 TetrasodiumEDTA 0. 1 D-GluconicAcid 2. 5 SD Alcohol 40 10 Perfume 0. 03 Water S The embodiment illustrated in Example 3 is specifically prepared as follows. In a suitable vessel, the ammonium laurel sulfate, silicone antifoam, sodium benzoate, tetrasodium EDTA, d- gluconic acid, alcohol, fragrance and water are mixed at room temperature to form an aqueous phase. In a separate, suitable vessel, the methyl isostearate, polyethylene wax, Triclosan@, dimethicone are mixed at elevated temperatures to form a water insoluble phase. The water- insoluble phase is then heated to 90°C. The water-insoluble mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and is then reheated in a Hot Melt Spray unit with a 0.018" spray nozzle (KS10 Slautterback Unit). The solution is brought to a temperature of 90° C and sprayed onto a moving web of the substrate in Example 1 with variable air pressure and distance from the web. The coated roll is then transferred to an aqueous phase application system for loading. The aqueous phase is applied onto the substrate using a lotion bar.

Example 4: Moisturizing Wet Topical Wipe Ingredient Weight % Methyl Isostearate 0. 67 Polyethylene Wax 0. 3 Dimethicone 0. 5 Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 0.6 Silicone antifoam 0. 2 Sodium Benzoate 0. 2 Tetrasodium EDTA 0. 1 D-Gluconic Acid 2. 5 Perfume 0. 03 Waters The embodiment illustrated in Example 4 is specifically prepared as follows In a suitable vessel, the ammonium laurel sulfate, silicone antifoam, sodium benzoate, tetrasodium EDTA, d- gluconic acid, fragrance and water are mixed at room temperature to form an aqueous phase. In a separate, suitable vessel, the methyl isostearate, polyethylene wax, dimethicone are mixed at elevated temperatures to form a water insoluble phase. The water-insoluble phase is then heated to 90°C. The water-insoluble mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and is then reheated in a Hot Melt Spray unit with a 0.018" spray nozzle (KS10 Slautterback Unit). The solution is brought to a temperature of 90° C and sprayed onto a moving web of the substrate in Example 1 with variable air pressure and distance from the web. The coated roll is then transferred to an aqueous phase application system for loading. The aqueous phase is applied onto the substrate using a lotion bar.

Example 5 : Sunscreen Wet Topical Wipe Ingredient Weight % Methyl Isostearate 0. 67 Polyethylene Wax 0.3 Dimethicone 0.5 Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 0.6 Silicone antifoam 0. 2 Sodium Benzoate 0. 2 TetrasodiumEDTA 0. 1 Fragrance 0.03 Oxybenzone 3 Ethylhexyl p-methoxy 6 cinnamate Water QS The embodiment illustrated in Example 5 is specifically prepared as follows. In a suitable vessel, the ammonium laurel sulfate, silicone antifoam, sodium benzoate, tetrasodium EDTA, fragrance and water are mixed at room temperature to form an aqueous phase. In a separate, suitable vessel, the methyl isostearate, polyethylene wax, dimethicone, oxybenzone, ethylhexyl p- methoxy cinnamat, are mixed at elevated temperatures to form a water insoluble phase. The water-insoluble phase is then heated to 90°C. The water-insoluble mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and is then reheated in a Hot Melt Spray unit with a 0.018"spray nozzle (KS10 Slautterback Unit). The solution is brought to a temperature of 90° C and sprayed onto a moving web of the substrate in Example 1 with variable air pressure and distance from the web. The coated roll is then transferred to an aqueous phase application system for loading. The aqueous phase is applied onto the substrate using a lotion bar.

Example 6: Insect Repellent Wet Topical Wipe Ingredient Weight % Methyl Isostearate 0. 67 Polyethylene Wax 0.3 Dimethicone 0. 5 Ammonium Lauryl 0.6 Sulfate Silicone antifoam 0. 2 Sodium Benzoate 0. 2 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.1 Fragrance 0. 03 DEET-diethyl 5 tolumamide Water QS The embodiment illustrated in Example 6 is specifically prepared as follows In a suitable vessel, the ammonium laurel sulfate, silicone antifoam, sodium benzoate, tetrasodium EDTA, fragrance and water are mixed at room temperature to form an aqueous phase. In a separate, suitable vessel, the methyl isostearate, polyethylene wax, dimethicone, DEET-diethyl tolumamide are mixed at elevated temperatures to form a water insoluble phase. The water-insoluble phase is then heated to 90°C. The water-insoluble mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and is then reheated in a Hot Melt Spray unit with a 0.018" spray nozzle (KS10 Slautterback Unit). The solution is brought to a temperature of 90° C and sprayed onto a moving web of the substrate in Example 1 with variable air pressure and distance from the web. The coated roll is then transferred to an aqueous phase application system for loading. The aqueous phase is applied onto the substrate using a lotion bar.