Abstract: Gluconolactone or glucarolactone in cosmetic skin care compositions, as anti-irritants, to reduce skin irritation, which may be intrinsic skin irritation or irritation caused by hydroxy acids or certain retinoids.

Abstract: Organic chick pea extracts are phytoestrogens, if present in an amount such as to provide an estrogenic activity equivalent to at least 1 nM of estradiol. Cosmetic compositions containing organic chick pea extracts are useful in improving the appearance of wrinkled, lined, dry, flaky, aged or photodamaged skin and improving skin thickness, elasticity, flexibility and plumpness.

Abstract: A foaming cleansing product is provided as a cleansing composition packaged in a non-aerosol mechanical dispenser. The dispenser includes a container for holding a liquid composition, a dispensing head with a housing enclosing a pump mechanism and a screen material in the flow path to convert liquid composition into a foam, and a diptube for delivering liquid from the container to the dispensing head. The cleansing composition is free of water insoluble emollients and includes an anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant of structure: ##STR1## wherein R is a fatty alkyl of 6 to 22 carbons; R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, C.sub.2 H.sub.4 COOH and C.sub.2 H.sub.4 COONa; and R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of COONa, CH.sub.2 CHOHCH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 Na, C.sub.2 H.sub.4 COONa, CH.sub.2 COOCH.sub.2 COOH and CH.sub.2 COOCH.sub.2 COONa.

Abstract: A towelette product is provided usable for cleansing/make-up removal which includes a stack of folded flexible towelettes impregnated with a fluid composition, a pouch for storing the stack of towelettes and an outer container surrounding the pouch and having walls more rigid than the flexible sheet forming the pouch. A dispensing aperture is formed in a deck panel of the pouch. A seal is adhesively arranged over the dispensing aperture to minimize fluid evaporation and control foreign objects from contaminating the towelettes. The outer container is defined by top, bottom, front, rear and side walls, the top wall having an opening with left and right flanking panels, the opening of the container and dispensing aperture of the pouch being aligned to allow towelette removal. A lid is hingedly attached to the outer container which in a closed position overlies the opening and at least a portion of the flanking panels.

Abstract: A brush having a handle at one end thereof and a bristle bearing head characterised in that the bristles are anchored in an elastomeric bridge disposed between the bristles and the head, the bridge forming a bond between the bristles and the head.

Abstract: A self-tanning cosmetic product is provided for imparting a natural-appearing tan to skin. Besides the self-tanning agent, compositions of this invention will include a crosslinked non-emulsifying siloxane elastomer and a volatile siloxane.

Abstract: A dental product is provided packaged in a telescopically arranged multi-cavity dispensing container having at least two cylinders in an upper body thereof. Peroxide and baking soda are placed as active ingredients in separate respective semi-solid streams, each stream being in separate ones of the cylinders. Uniform dispensing of each stream to deliver relatively equivalent ribbon length of each stream by incorporating a synthetic linear anionic polycarboxylate to adjust viscosity. Preferred polycarboxylates are homopolymers of acrylic, methacrylic and maleic acids, most especially a copolymer of vinyl methyl ether and maleic acid or anhydride.

Abstract: A dispensing package is provided including a container with at least two discrete compartments, respective closures positioned across upper outlet ends of the compartments and a cap fitting over the respective closures. The cap includes a crown with a surrounding skirt. The skirt has at least two flexibly squeezable sides with catches formed on the skirt lockingly engageable over the closures. The crown further includes dispensing orifices for each of the outlet orifices and in an open position allows fluid dispensing from the compartments. By placing pressure on side panels of the cap, the catch can be released, lifted into a dispensing position and fluid poured from each of the respective compartments without any intermixing within the dispensing package or cross-contamination on drain back.

Abstract: A swab is provided which includes an elongate stem and an absorbent covering such as cotton surrounding opposite tips of the stem. An antimicrobial agent is dispersed within the absorbent covering. A process is also provided for manufacturing the swabs. The process includes the steps of preparing a liquid medium containing the antimicrobial agent, contacting the absorbent covering with the liquid medium and then drying the absorbent covering.

Abstract: A method for a skin treatment regime and a respective product is provided which cosmetically improves human skin. The product includes a first composition containing at least one active and functioning to impart a first benefit to the skin. A second composition is provided which includes a second different active and imparts a second benefit to the skin. The first and second compositions are stored in respective separate containers, which nevertheless are joined together for reminding a consumer to use the compositions in tandem and to facilitate in one sale all necessary elements of a suggested regime. Packaging suitable for this purposes can be a series of stackable jars releasably lockable together through a threaded screw arrangement one above the other.

Abstract: A method for whitening teeth is provided which involves applying to the teeth a mixture of a peroxide and a bicarbonate salt. Advantageously, the peroxide and bicarbonate salt are stored as active ingredients in separate respective compositions of a dispensing container. Preferably the dispensing container is a pump in the form of an upper and lower body telescopically engageable one with another, the upper body including at least two hollow and separate parallel cylinders each containing one of the compositions. These compositions may then be dispensed through relative compression of the pistons within the cylinders.

Abstract: An applicator pad dispensing container is provided having a jar, a cap to close the jar and a piston assembly movable within the jar. The piston assembly includes a platform with a rod projecting from an upper surface thereof terminating in a head. A stack of applicator pads, each with a central aperture, can be loaded onto the platform with the rod penetrating the aperture to securely hold the pads. The head engages a hollow socket in an under surface of the cap. Engagement of head and cap allows the platform with pads to be raised to a top position whereupon the cap can twistably be released from the head. After a pad(s) is removed, the cap can snap onto the head and with downward pressure return the platform with remaining pads back into the jar.

Abstract: A propellant driven deodorant composition for topical application to the human skin, comprising a deodorant active material comprising a cosmetically acceptable. polyhexamethylene biguanide salt, a cosmetically suitable vehicle comprising a short chain monohydric alcohol, and a non polar propellant composition having a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter of less than 14.5 MPa.sup.1/2, characterized in that the composition additionally comprises an effective amount of water.

Abstract: A duckbill valve is provided based on a valve seal with a hollow cylindrical body with first and second ends, the first end having an open mouth, the second end having a closable mouth circumscribed by a pair of crescent shaped lips. One of the lips has a thinner width than the other. The cylindrical body flares outward in the direction from the first end towards the second end. In another aspect, the cylindrical body includes a posterior and an anterior section adjacent the respective first and second ends, the anterior section having an outer wall portion curvilinearly tapering toward the thinner lip. Valves of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling flow of semi-solid substances because the mouth of the duckbill can open to a relatively large extent, the latter being off-center within a round collar fitting.

Abstract: A replaceable head toothbrush is described having a handle, a brushhead and a collar. The handle is formed with a cavity within which the collar is insertable. The brushhead at an end thereof is formed with a neck having a coupling anchor for engaging a complementary disengaging mechanism within the collar.

Abstract: A refillable dispenser and refill cartridge is described for dispensing a product through a pumping mechanism that draws product from the cartridge. Product is pumped upwards from the refill cartridge through a connector tube, across a one-way check valve into a collecting chamber from which it is dispensed through a one-way monitoring valve and exits a nozzle. Flow is initiated by compression of a domed elastomeric wall covering the collecting chamber.

Abstract: A reclosable dispenser is provided which includes a receptacle, preferably a unitarily molded plastic thermoform, for holding dry goods such as cotton swabs and a reclosable lid hingedly attached to the receptacle. The lid has a cover substantially co-extensive with the open top of the receptacle and includes a cover with a flap extension at an end thereof oriented perpendicular to the cover. A slot in the flap extension lockingly receives a rigid tab formed along a flange atop a front wall of the receptacle. The tab and slot arrangement allows for easy opening but secure closure of the dispenser.

Abstract: A pump dispenser is described for dispensing a product through a pumping mechanism that draws product from a storage container upwards through a dip tube, across a check valve, into a collecting chamber from which it is dispensed through a one-way monitoring valve and exits a nozzle. Flow is initiated by compression of a domed elastomeric wall covering the collecting chamber. A vent system of conduits including a conical ring valve brings air into the container to equalize pressure upon release of compression against the elastomeric wall. The one-way monitoring valve, downstream from the collecting chamber, may be formed as a duckbill valve of elastomeric rubber having an exit slit at the dispensing end. This slit, normally closed, will open upon pressure from a product flow. Excellent control of dispensing amounts is achieved through the pumping mechanism.