Abstract: The present invention presents improved packages for single-use, disposable folded towels, and more particularly to single- and multi-towel packages which provide for readily grasping a defined portion of the towel upon opening the package and automatic unfolding of the towel upon removal from the package without a separate unfolding step requiring additional consumer action. Single-towel embodiments are disclosed which provide for complete unfolding of the towel by the use of: (a) an opening bearing a particular geometrical relationship to the dimensions of the folded towel; or (b) a flexible bar within the package to provide unfolding of the towel in the longitudinal direction. A multi-towel embodiment which provides for the advantageous dispensing features and convenience of an improved single-towel package while providing the added capability of multi-towel transportation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention presents improved packages for single-use, disposable folded towels, and more particularly to single- and multi-towel packages which provide for readily grasping a defined portion of the towel upon opening the package and automatic unfolding of the towel upon removal from the package without a separate unfolding step requiring additional consumer action. Single-towel embodiments are disclosed which provide for complete unfolding of the towel by the use of: (a) an opening bearing a particular geometrical relationship to the dimensions of the folded towel; or (b) a flexible bar within the package to provide unfolding of the towel in the longitudinal direction. A multi-towel embodiment which provides for the advantageous dispensing features and convenience of an improved single-towel package while providing the added capability of multi-towel transportation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A force indicating toothbrush which uses magnetic latching to hold a movable brush member against a hollow handle. When held by the hollow handle, the bristles of the brush member are pressed against the user's teeth and gums until a predetermined force is reached. The predetermined force causes unlatching of the magnetic latch and movement of the brush member relative to the hollow handle, thereby indicative the user that too much pressure has been exerted against the teeth and gums.

Abstract: A cosmetic product package, particularly a mascara package, including a dual wiper mechanism which virtually eliminates the messiness problems of typical mascara applicators. The dual wiper mechanism has a resilient inner wiper and a resilient outer wiper spaced apart from one another within a supporting structure forming a residual mascara chamber therebetween. The inner wiper has a relatively small opening which provides most of the doctoring of the bristles. The outer wiper has a larger opening which primarily doctors the stem. Mascara which collects in the residual chamber flows through conduits around the inner wiper back into the primary reservoir, or alternatively to a discard reservoir. A mechanism to doctor more mascara from the brush upon insertion than upon removal of the brush may also be provided.

Abstract: A spray pump package capable of delivering two or more different predetermined spray patterns or spray characteristics through two or more different spray orifices, but at a liquid application amount per unit of area being treated which is optimum for the particular spray orifice selected rather than a compromise between two extremes. The predetermined spray patterns from which the end user may select may differ by any desired spray pattern or characteristic, including but not limited to: the cone angle of the spray; the width of the spray pattern; the average size of the particles in the spray; the amount of particle size deviation from the average; etc. The packages are provided with structure for automatically adjusting the maximum available pump stroke so as to optimize the maximum amount of product which can be delivered on each complete pump stroke for whichever orifice is selected by the end user.

Abstract: A consumer product passage incorporating a mixing chamber for mixing air and liquid. Consumer packages of the present invention are capable of providing excellent spray qualities at typical consumer product flow rates (e.g., less than about 1.0 cubic centimeters per second) while simultaneously maintaining relatively low air to liquid ratios (e.g., less than about 0.06:1 on a mass basis) and relatively low pressures (e.g., less than about 50 psi). The package of the present invention also offers significant environmental and safety advantages. For example, it does not depend upon dissolved propellants; and it permits the use of water in place of volatile solvents as thinning agents since high surface tension fluids are actually sprayed better. Several packages of the present invention are illustrated, including a standard aerosol version, pump and spray versions, and a finger pump version.

Abstract: An improved foundation composition for application to the skin is disclosed. The composition is characterized by the inclusion of a light scattering agent having a spherical shape and a diameter of up to 30 microns. This component permits the non-inclusion of a colorant. The absence of a colorant allows the foundation composition to be invisible on the skin.

Abstract: A single use combined shipping display and cooking microwave package is provided for heating a plurality of food pieces in a microwave oven. The packaging includes a microwave transparent enclosure which has a top panel and a bottom panel. Located adjacent to and generally coextensive with the bottom panel is a microwave susceptor. Preferably this microwave susceptor is a thin film susceptor. A spacer overlays the thin film susceptor and is also generally coextensive with the bottom panel. The spacer is adapted to hold the food pieces a predetermined distance away from this susceptor. In addition, the spacer has a plurality of apertures therein which allows the heat from the microwave susceptor to pass through to the food pieces. A similar arrangement is applicable to the top panel. A top panel microwave susceptor is located adjacent to and generally coextensive with the top panel and a top panel spacer is located adjacent to the top panel susceptor and generally coextensive with the top panel.

Abstract: An inner receptacle having a single integral piece flexible bag including a thin walled portion and a rigid fitment portion. The fitment portion includes a flange which is larger in diameter than the flexible bag to provide a mechanism to attach the inner receptacle to a bottle. The fitment portion also provides a finger grasping portion. The inner receptacle may be utilized in, for example, a squeeze pump package, a trigger or finger pump package, or a mechanical pump package. The inner receptacle also includes a mechanism for enabling substantially all of the product therein to be dispensed. One such mechanism is provided by a perforated diptube. Another such mechanism is provided by the combination of a resiliently deformable upper half and a collapsible lower half to cause the flexible bag to invert upon itself.

Abstract: An inner receptacle is provided which is adapted to be used with a resilient squeeze bottle. The inner receptacle includes a flexible bag and includes a mechanism for causing the flexible bag to invert upon itself about its midpoint without requiring attachment of the inner receptacle to the squeeze bottle. The inversion enables substantially all of the product within the receptacle to be dispensed. One preferred mechanism for causing inversion is a support frame which resembles a bird cage. This support frame may be located inside or outside the top half of the flexible bag. Such inner receptacles offer special advantages when utilized with reusable squeeze bottles. The reusable squeeze bottles may be oval and include an opening at the top which accommodates the dispensing opening of the inner receptacle and an opening at the bottom end through which the entire inner receptacle may pass. An end plate is utilized to seal the bottom end of the squeeze bottle.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as menses. The disclosed article is disposable and has a wrapper associated therewith. An elastic material is secured to the backsheet and is maintained in a substantially tensioned state until separation of the wrapper from the backsheet. Upon separation of the wrapper from the backsheet the tension in the elastic member is released causing the disposable absorbent article to form an upwardly cupped configuration to conform more closely to the wearer's body.

Abstract: Ovicidal/pediculicidal anti-lice compositions comprising a mixture of actives wherein the ratio of synthetic pyrethroids to natural pyrethrins is from about 6:1 to about 10:1. Said active mixtures are incorporated into hair treatment compositions, such as shampoos, lotions and conditioners, which are stable at high storage temperatures, effective, safe and easy to use.

Abstract: The present invention represents ovicidal/pediculicidal anti-lice active containing compositions containing a combination of alkanol synergizers selected from the group consisting of phenyl C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkanols, phenyl C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 diols, and mixtures thereof, with quaternary ammonium salts, long chain (CH.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty amines, and mixtures thereof. The compositions include hair care compositions which are storage stable at high temperatures.

Abstract: An improved foundation composition for application to the skin is disclosed. The composition is characterized by the inclusion of a light scattering agent having a spherical shape and a diameter of up to 30 microns. This component permits the non-inclusion of a colorant. The absence of a colorant allows the foundation composition to be invisible on the skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a thin film beam spring vent valve is provided. The thin film beam spring vent valve is provided in a squeeze pump package. The package includes an outer resilient bottle and a flexible bag with a relatively rigid fitment. The outer resilient bottle is provided with a substantially cylindrical internal surface portion and an aperture to enable fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the outer bottle. The valve includes a thin film beam spring located adjacent the aperture such that the beam spring will seal the aperture upon exposure to a positive dispensing pressure within the bottle. The beam spring will allow air to enter the bottle upon the application of negative pressure within the bottle. An automated mechanism is provided for cutting and grasping (e.g., utilizing a vacuum mandrel) a beam spring comprising a predetermined length of a band of flexible material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is for inserting a flat flexible bag having a rigid fitment into a bottle through a small bottle finish, and expanding the bag inside the bottle. The flat flexible bag can be grasped and oriented via the fitment utilizing a friction chuck. The fitment also enables the bag to be sealed to the bottle in an air-tight manner by interference fit. A biased plunger extends into the bag through the fitment. The plunger helps push the bag through a funnel while a vacuum is applied to the bag through the plunger. The funnel includes two angled plows which cause the bag to fold in a "C" shaped configuration. This insures reliable expansion of the bag upon releasing a blast of air into the bag. During the expansion process an air vent channel permits escape of the air between the bag and the bottle. An exemplary package formed utilizing this method and apparatus is a squeeze pump package having a thin film beam spring vent valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a thin film beam spring vent valve is provided. The thin film beam spring vent valve is provided in a squeeze pump package. The package includes an outer resilient bottle and a flexible bag with a relatively rigid fitment. The outer resilient bottle is provided with a substantially cylindrical internal surface portion and an aperture to enable fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the outer bottle. The valve includes a thin film beam spring located adjacent the aperture such that the beam spring will seal the aperture upon exposure to a positive dispensing pressure within the bottle. The beam spring will allow air to enter the bottle upon the application of negative pressure within the bottle. An automated mechanism is provided for cutting and grasping (e.g., utilizing a vacuum mandrel) a beam spring comprising a predetermined length of a band of flexible material.

Abstract: A thin film beam spring valve is provided for use in a squeeze pump package. The squeeze pump package includes a resilient outer bottle and an inner flexible bag with a rigid fitment. An apertured diptube is utilized to enable substantially all of the product within the bag to be dispensed. The outer bottle of the package has a substantially cylindrical finish which includes an aperture therethrough and an internally extending ledge at its lower end. The thin film beam spring is located above the ledge in a cavity created between the bottle finish and the rigid fitment of the inner bag. The central portion of the beam spring is located adjacent to the aperture of the finish such that the beam spring will seal the aperture upon exposure to a positive dispensing pressure within the bottle. The beam spring will allow air to enter the bottle upon the application of negative pressure within the bottle.