WO2006025785A1

WO2006025785A1 - Care system

Info

Publication number: WO2006025785A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/001259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars SCHÖNEMYR
Original assignee: Care In Motion Ab
Priority date: 2004-09-01
Filing date: 2005-09-01
Publication date: 2006-03-09
Also published as: EP1804634A1; SE0402118D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a care system. The system comprises a sponge element and a first and a second care composition. The sponge element comprises a first portion comprising the first care composition, and a second portion comprising the second care composition, and a wrapping unit, such as a bag, extractably arranged in a cavity in the sponge unit.

Description

CARE SYSTEM

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a care system comprising a sponge element having a first sponge element portion comprising a first care composition and a second sponge element portion comprising a second care composition.

Technical Background

Personal hygiene is an important issue in today' s life. People are traveling long distances, by car, train or airplanes, often without a proper possibility to clean themselves, or clothes they are wearing. Furthermore, people living or traveling under harsh conditions, such as refugees and nursing staff in refugee camps or people traveling in remote areas are often finding themselves having problems keeping the hygiene at an acceptable level. Reasons for this include lack of water and cleaning compositions.

Water is often an article in short supply, and cleaning compositions are conventionally provided in bottles which are often cumbersome to bring on a journey.

Bottles of cleaning compositions may further be contaminated when opened, which especially is a problem in health care, where compositions such as disinfectants may loose their efficiency or even become an infection source if not properly protected from contamination.

Thus, there is a need for disposable cleaning systems which are pre-treated with a compound, such as a cleaning lotion or a disinfectant, which are to be disposed of after use.

One such disposable article is disclosed in US patent application no 2003/0019767, which describes a sponge for health care use impregnated with an anti-

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Thus it would be advantageous to provide a disposable system capable of performing two different actions.

Furthermore, after use and disposal of a sponge built up as disclosed in the ^767-application, the cleaning composition is exposed to the environment. In the case of a shoe dressing cream or a skin softening lotion, this is problematic, as the user must find a waste bin immediately after use of the sponge. Thus there is also a need for a cleaning system which can be used and then easily carried under a period until a waste bin is found.

Summary of the invention

One object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the present technique.

The present invention thus relates to a disposable care system, comprising a sponge element and a first and a second care composition. The sponge element comprises a first portion comprising the first care composition, and a second portion comprising the second care composition. A care system according to the present invention thus provides the use of two separate care compositions, which could be the same or different. Examples of where

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the use of two separate care compositions is advantageous will be described later herein.

The two care compositions used in a care system according to the present invention may be different and intended for different purposes. However, it is preferred that the different actions of the two compositions interacts to accomplish the objective of the use of the care system.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the care system according to the present invention comprises a wrapping unit, extractably arranged in a cavity in the sponge element.

The wrapping unit is arranged in a cavity of the sponge unit, from which cavity the wrapping unit is extractable. Thus the wrapping unit is protected by the sponge unit during for example packaging and transporting. When the wrapping unit is needed, as for the above mentioned hand protection or wrapping of the care system it may be extracted from its cavity. Further, when arranged in the cavity in the sponge element, the wrapping unit does not interfere with the visual appearance of the sponge element.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the wrapping unit is attached to the sponge element. The wrapping unit in a care system according to the present invention may be attached to said sponge element.

In this case, at least part of one end of the wrapping unit is attached to the sponge unit, while proper wrapping of the care system after use still is possible. This is to secure that the wrapping does not detach from the sponge unit when used.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the wrapping unit is a bag. A bag is advantageously used both as a hand protection and as wrapping for the care system after use.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the wrapping unit is preferably made of a material being

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impermeable to the first and the second care composition. Such a wrapping unit is preferably capable of wrapping the sponge element, preferably the entire care system.

The wrapping unit may be used to wrap the care system after use, but it may also be used as a hand protection with which the care system can be held during use.

In cases where the wrapping is impermeable to the care compositions, the environment will not be exposed to the care compositions after proper wrapping of the care system.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the care system may further comprise a barrier arranged to separate the first portion of the sponge element from the second portion of the sponge element. The barrier is further preferably impermeable to the first and second care compositions, thus preventing the two compositions from being accidentally mixed. This is especially advantageous when at least one of the care compositions is a liquid composition.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the wrapping unit may constitute at least part of the barrier separating the first from the second portion of the sponge element. It may be a part of the barrier or the sole component of the barrier. When the wrapping unit is part of the barrier, it is preferably arranged extracted over essentially the whole cross-section of the sponge unit.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the barrier, separating the first from the second sponge element portion, may comprise the cavity in the sponge element, in which cavity the wrapping unit is arranged.

For example, the barrier may comprise a double wall structure, where the cavity is formed between these walls In certain embodiments of the present invention, a cloth member may be arranged in a cavity in the sponge unit, from which cavity the cloth member may be

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In certain embodiments of the present invention, a bandaging means is extractably arranged in said cavity in said sponge element, and this bandaging means may be a separate means or optionally, the wrapping means may constitute said bandaging means.

The care system may comprise bandaging means, for example advantageously in combination with that the care compositions comprises wound cleaning compositions. For example, a care system of the present invention may then be used both for cleaning a wound, as well as bandaging the same. In cases where the sponge unit is relatively rigid, the care system may be used as a pressure bandage on wounds requiring such a bandage. In certain embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the care compositions is a liquid composition, which is contained in an openable container arranged in said sponge element. When the container is opened, the liquid care composition contained therein can flow into the corresponding sponge element portion, in order to be applied to a surface.

Advantages of arranging compositions in containers include, but are not limited to, increased shelf time of the system, no risk for accidentally mixing the two care compositions until the container (s) is (are) opened, the possibility of only releasing one care composition at the time of use.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the container comprises at least one opening and a removable cover arranged to opening, such that when said cover is removed, said liquid compositions is capable of being released from said container via said opening. The

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In certain embodiments of the present invention, a liquid retaining material may be arranged in said openable container, in order to slow down the release of the liquid care composition into the corresponding sponge element portion. For example, in the case of a container made of a non-rigid material, by applying a pressure on the opened container, for instance by pressing the care system against a surface to be treated, an amount of the care composition in the container is released, this amount, however, being relatively small in relation to the amount of care composition that would have been released without the use of a liquid retaining material in the container.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the container is in the form of a sachet, for example of a non-rigid material. Such a sachet can be made having a relatively low profile to contain the desired amount of care composition without increasing the thickness of the care system to an unacceptable extent.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the first and second sponge elements may comprise multiple layers of which at least one is peelable. After using the care system for a period of time, the surface of the sponge may become dirty or inactive. The top layer may then be removed and a fresh surface under the removed layer may be used for continued use.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the sponge unit is compressed and the care system is packed

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in an air tight casing which is impermeable to the first and second care compositions used. The care system is preferably vacuum packed. This is to reduce the size during transport and before use, but also to preserve the activity of the care compositions.

The choice of first and second care compositions is dependent of the intended use of the care system.

The combination of first and second care compositions is preferably chosen both so that the combination has the desired activity and that the care compositions are compatible with each other, the combination not giving rise to inconveniences, neither to the care system, the user or the item on which the care system is used. The intended use of a care system according to the present invention may for example be personal care, such as providing, in a care system of he present invention, a combination of at least two care compositions promoting for example the maintaining of personal hygiene, such as cleaning and refreshing the skin; the protection of the body against factors in the environment, such as excessive sun exposure and insects; health care, such as the cleaning and disinfecting of wounds; surface care, such as the cleaning and polishing of furniture; and clothing care, such as the polishing and impregnation of leather.

A care system of the present invention may further comprise additional devices, such as a device for detecting the presence of microbes on the surface to be treated or optionally after the treatment.

Further aspects of application areas for the care system according to the present invention will be described in the following detailed description of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Figure 1 illustrates, in perspective, a care system of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the care system in fig 1, along line II. Figure 3, a-c, illustrates the care system in fig 1 at different stages of use: a) before use, with the bag and the cloth wholly arranged in the cavity; b) ready for use, the bag and the cloth are extracted from the cavity; and c) after use, the bag is wrenched around the care system and the cloth.

Figure 4 illustrates a care system of the present invention with peelable layers on one side of the sponge unit.

Figure 5a illustrates a care system of the present invention, wherein the care compositions are contained in openable sachets located in the sponge element, and figure 5b and 5c illustrates the openable sachet it self.

Description of preferred embodiments

The herein described embodiments and variants are provided for illustrative purposes, and shall not be taken to limit the scope of the present invention. Other variants of the invention covered by the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. A preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figure 1, and in cross sectional view in figure 2, is a care system 1 comprising an essentially rectangular sponge element 2.

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The sponge element 2 comprises a top portion 3 and a bottom portion 4 which are arranged to form two separate surfaces of the sponge element 2.

The sponge element 2 is divided into an upper sponge member 6 and a lower sponge member 7.

Together, the top portion 3 and the upper sponge member 6 forms a upper sponge element portion 16, and the bottom portion 4 and the lower sponge member 7 forms a lower sponge element portion 17. The upper sponge element portion 16, i.e. the top portion 3 and/or the upper sponge member 6 comprises a first care composition, and the lower sponge element portion 17, i.e. the bottom portion 4 and/or the lower sponge member 7 comprises a second composition. On the interface 8, between the upper sponge member β and the lower sponge member 1, a barrier 9 is arranged. The barrier 9 forms a cavity 10 in the sponge 2, between the upper sponge member 6 and the lower sponge member 7. A bag 11 is arranged in the cavity 10. The bag 11 is folded in the cavity 10, whereby at least a portion of the bag which is big enough to house the care system 1 can be extracted from the cavity. The closed end 12 of the bag 11 is attached to the wall of the cavity 10, while the open end 13 of the bag is readily reachable from the outside of the sponge 2 through an opening 14 and may be extracted there through.

A cloth 15 is attached to the open end 13 of the bag, and is located on the outside of the bag 11.

The term "care", as used herein, relates to several aspects of care, such as, but not limited to personal care, for example use of cosmetics, maintaining personal hygiene, protection of the body against inconveniences and diseases. The term also relates to care of items, such as furniture, surfaces and clothing. According to the present invention, "sponge element" relates to elements having a spongy appearance, i.e. a readily compressible, preferably essentially reversibly

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The term "care composition", as used herein relates to a composition, liquid, amorphous or solid, which is active with respect to the use of the care system of the present invention, exhibiting a caring function.

Non-limiting, illustrative examples of such care compositions are insect repellants, sun blocking compositions, disinfectants and leather impregnating agents. Additional examples of care compositions will be apparent from the disclosure herein.

Suitable care compositions will depend on the intended use of the care system, and will be apparent from the disclosure herein.

The term "a portion comprising care a composition", as used herein, shall, unless stated otherwise, refer to that a composition is arranged in said portion, such as a liquid composition retained in pores of the portion or in an openable container which upon opening releases the liquid composition into said portion, a solid or amorphous compound deposited, for example dried, onto the portion, or a composition ionically or covalently bound to the portion. In a portion thus comprising a care composition, the care composition will be active when the care system is used.The care system may for example be used according to the following, which is also partly shown in fig 3. An object to be treated is provided. Such object may be a body part, such as the arm or the face, a

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The user grabs the care system, either directly or using the extracted bag as hand protection. The top portion of the care system is placed against the object and rubbed, whereby the care composition comprised in the top portion performs its function on the object. Then, the bottom portion of the care system is placed against the object and rubbed, whereby the care composition comprised in the bottom portion performs its function. After use, the user may use the cloth to wipe off the hands and/or the treated area, and the bag is turned inside out around the care system, which then can be disposed of without the worry of the care compositions contaminating the environment, such as smearing the inside of a pocket, etc.

All materials used in the care system is preferably biodegradable, such as degradable by UV-light or water, while the care system or its component are essentially not degraded in the conditions under which they are stored before use.

In the embodiment shown in fig 1 and 2, the shape of the sponge 2 is essentially that of a rod with an essentially quadrangular cross-section. However, the sponge may take other shapes, such as, but not limited to, cylindrical or spherical. The sponge is however preferably shaped and sized so that it is comfortable for a user to hold it in the hand.

Materials suitable for use in the sponge will of course depend on the care compositions used. Examples of suitable materials comprise conventionally used sponge materials, for example natural bath sponges, foamed polymeric compounds and foamed celluloses, as well as any combinations thereof. The sponge material may be of a hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature. The sponge material may further be of open-cell or closed-cell type. The porosity of the sponge

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may range from approximately 10 to 99% (v/v) , preferably 20-95%. However, a suitable porosity of the sponge will depend on the material of the sponge, the intended use of the care system and on the care compositions used. A suitable sponge (material, cell type and porosity) will be apparent to those skilled in the art with knowledge of the intended use and the care compositions .

The sponge 2 is preferably readily, especially essentially reversibly, compressible, so that it retains its original shape after being compressed, such as by vacuum packaging or squeezing.

The upper sponge member 6 and the lower sponge member 7 may be of the same or different materials, depending on the care compositions used in the top and the bottom portion, respectively.

In other embodiments of the invention, the sponge 2 is not divided into a separate upper and a lower sponge unit.

The top portion 3 and the bottom portion 4 may be made of the same or different materials, depending on the care composition comprised in the portion and on the material used in the sponge.

The top and bottom portions may independently be a material separate from the sponge material or an integrated portion of the sponge. In some embodiments of the present invention, the upper sponge member 6 and/or the lower sponge member 7 thus constitutes the top portion 3 and/or the bottom 4, respectively.

Materials suitable for use as top and bottom portion comprise any material suitable for use in the sponge 2 and comprising a care composition, such as, in addition to the materials suitable for the sponge, also polymeric mesh/networks, woven and non-woven natural or synthetic textiles, celluloses, natural bath sponges, etc. The top and bottom portions may, when not being integrated parts of the sponge, be attached to the sponge by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to fusing or gluing.

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In the embodiment shown in figure 4, the top portion 43 of the sponge arranged on the upper sponge member 46 may comprise at least two layers 43', 43'', of which at least one may be peeled of the sponge unit. When the system has been used for a period of time, the surface 43' of the sponge may have become dirty or inactive, and will not be able to function as intended. A new layer 43'', located underneath the used layer 43' may then be accessed by peeling off the used layer to expose a fresh layer for continued use.

Between two such layers, an adhesive medium may be arranged to hold the layers together. The adhesive medium should exhibit a strong enough action to keep to keep two' layers together during normal use of the care system, but the action should also be weak enough to allow the layers to be separated by peeling off without tearing any of the layers apart. The adhesive medium may be arranged directly on the layers of the sponge element, or may be supported by a film layer, such as forming an adhesive tape. Such a film layer with said adhesive medium may be permeable, at least permeable to the care composition arranged in that portion of the sponge on which the layers are arranged.

The adhesive medium, or film layer with adhesive medium may have a stronger adhesiveness concerning the sponge element layer 43' intended to be peeled of. Thus, when peeling off a layer, the adhesive medium, or film layer with adhesive medium, will be attached on the peeled off layer 43', leaving a fresh layer 43'' for continued use of the care system.

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1 . doc As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, also the bottom portion 44 of the sponge may be equipped with such peelable layers, such that the care system comprises top portion 43 and/or bottom portion 44 comprising multiple peelable layers.

The care compositions may be any composition capable of exhibiting a caring function in accordance with the intended use of the care system. Thus, the nature of the care compositions will vary with the intended use of the care system.

The care compositions can, for example, be in the form liquid compounds, solid or amorphous compounds and in the form of surface modifying compounds, such as covalently or ionically immobilized molecules or ions, as well as combinations thereof.

The care compositions exerts their caring function upon being brought in contact with the object in need of such care, either by being deposited on to the surface, such as a liquid composition or a powder, or by the mere contact with the object, such as in the case with immobilized care compositions.

A liquid care composition may be a aqueous or non¬ aqueous compound having a low or high viscosity, which may be retained in a porous structure of upper and/or lower sponge element.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 5 a-c, liquid care compositions are contained in openable containers 520, 521, located between the sponge elements and the top and bottom portions, respectively. Such containers may also be located in the sponge elements, or between the barrier and the sponge members . When the container is opened, the liquid care composition contained therein can flow into the corresponding sponge element portion, in order to be applied to a surface. The container comprises at least one opening, such as an perforated area 522 and a removable cover 523 arranged to cover said opening, such that when said cover is removed,

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1 . d"c. the liquid composition contained therein is capable of being released from said container via said openings. The removable cover is equipped with a handle portion 524, that extend out from the sponge element. Thus, the containers may be opened for example by pulling this portion in order to open the container.

In the embodiment shown in fig 5b, which illustrates the sachet 520 it self, the removable cover 523 comprises a strip of an adhesive tape that covers the openings 522 in the container. When the tape is pulled away, the openings are exposed. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, several other ways of providing an openable container suitable for use in a care system of the present invention are possible. The container may in some instances comprise a plurality of independently openable non-communicating compartments, such that the care system may be used several times, by opening one compartment at a time.

The containers 520, 521 shown in fig 5 a-c are in the form of sachets of a non-rigid material, for example a non-rigid plastic material. Such sachets can be made having a relatively low profile to contain the desired amount of care composition without increasing the thickness of the care system to an unacceptable extent. Further, the containers, such as the sachets, may comprise a liquid retaining material 525 in order to slow down the release of the liquid care composition into the corresponding sponge element portion. One example of a liquid retaining material suitable for use with a aqueous care composition is a hydrophobic polymer spongy material, that are capable of retaining the care composition while also providing a more or less constant shape to the sachet, regardless of the content of composition. One advantage of using a container, e.g. sachet, to hold the composition is that need for a large pore volume in the upper and lower sponge element

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Preferably, the care compositions being released from the containers are distributed to essentially the total surfaces of the top and bottom portions respectively, by the upper and lower sponge members, respectively.

It is realized that a container of this type also would be applicable to other products than the care system of the present invention. For example, by providing such an openable container, e.g. a sachet, with a liquid distributing material and optionally an additional surface layer on top of the distributing material, such an assembly may be used on its own. One advantage with using containers such as of the above mentioned type is that containment of liquid care compositions in such containers allow for sequential release of the compositions. This could further reduce the risk of mixing the first and the second care compositions. When acting the first composition on a surface, the first container is opened, but the second container may still be closed until it is time to use this second composition and side of the care system. Further, by using containers containing the care systems, the need for and/or requirements on optional packaging materials for the care systems may reduced. If the compositions are held in the pores of the sponge unit, the packaging material need to be impermeable to the compositions. However, this is not the case for packaging materials packaging care systems of the invention, in which the compositions are contained in openable containers .

The care compositions are not restricted to be in liquid form, but may alternatively also be in solid or amorphous form.

A solid care composition may for example be a powdery compound which deposits on the object, a solid

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A care composition may also comprise a molecule and/or an ion, such as a metal ion, a small organic or inorganic molecule, or a bio-molecule, such as an antibody or a peptide or a nucleic acid, immobilized to the top and/or bottom portion.

Examples of care compositions include, but are not limited to, the following: skin cleansing compositions, skin softening compositions, sun blocking compositions, insect repellants, deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, bacteriostatic compositions, anti-microbial compositions, surface binding anti-microbial compositions, disinfectants, wound cleaning compositions, surface cleaning compositions, surfactants, degreasing compositions, leather dressing cream, leather impregnating compositions, etc.

Other care compositions suitable for use in the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Exemplary combinations of care compositions include, but are not limited to: for personal care applications: a skin cleaning composition as first care composition and a skin softening composition, a sun blocking composition, an insect repellant, an anti-tick composition, a deodorant, an antiperspirant or a perfume, as well as combinations thereof, as second care composition; for health care applications: a skin and/or wound cleaning composition as first care composition and a bacteriostatic composition, a anti-microbial composition or a disinfectant, as well as combinations thereof, as second care composition; for degreasing applications: a degreasing composition as first composition and a skin softening lotion as second care composition;

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J . Ice for leather care applications; leather dressing compositions, degreasing compositions, leather dressing cream, and^' leather impregnating compositions; for surface cleaning application; a surface cleaning composition as care first composition and a anti¬ microbial composition, such as a surface binding anti¬ microbial composition as second care composition. Such a system could be used to first clean a surface and then provide it with a anti-microbial coating which binds to the surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first care composition is a surface binding anti¬ microbial composition and the second care composition is a detection composition that detects the presence of the surface binding anti-microbial composition on the surface, to test whether the surface binding anti¬ microbial composition ha bound to the surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the first care composition is a surface cleaning composition and the second care composition is a growth medium for microbes, such as for example agar, contained in an openable container, wherein after cleaning with the first composition, the second side of the sponge unit is transiently contacted with the surface, and after the contacting the openable container containing the microbe growth medium is released to come in contact with any microbes on the second side of the sponge unit. Thus, the presence of microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, mycels etc, on the treated surface may be detected by allowing such microbes to grow on the second side of the sponge unit.

The care system may also comprise a microbe detecting means, such as a sampler for sampling a surface for microbes . One example of such a microbe detecting means is an agar-coated stick. Several additional beneficial combinations for different care applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such additional combinations and also

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The barrier is arranged to separate the upper sponge member 6 from the lower sponge member 7. The barrier is arranged to prevent the first care composition from mixing with the second care composition especially in cases where at least one of the care compositions is a liquid composition. In other embodiments of the present invention, the barrier may, for example comprise two barriers, one separating the top portion from the sponge, and one separating the bottom portion from the sponge.

In further additional embodiments of the present invention, where the sponge element is impermeable to the care compositions, the sponge element it self may constitute the barrier.

Materials suitable for use as barriers will depend on the care compositions used, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The barrier material is preferably inert with respect to the care compositions, thus forming a passive barrier, and may for example be a polymeric film, optionally laminated with an additional barrier layer, such as a metal foil, or any other suitable material. In embodiments of the present invention, the barrier material is a rigid material which acts as a support for the care system assembly.

The bag is arranged in a cavity in the sponge element. In the embodiment shown in fig 1, the bag is arranged in a cavity formed by a double walled structure in the barrier. In other embodiments, the bag may be arranged in any cavity in the sponge element or in the top or bottom portions. The bag is arranged in the cavity so that it is extractable there from through an opening, whereby a part of the bag at least big enough to house the sponge member is able to extracted. The bag may also function as a hand protection for the user during use.

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3 . cloc After use of the care system, the bag is wrenched around the care system, thus protecting the environment from the care compositions. Thus, the bag is advantageously made of a material impermeable to the care compositions. For example, after use, one can put the care system in a pocket without worrying for smearing care compositions on the inside of the pocket.

In further embodiments, the bag may constitute at least part of the above mentioned barrier, and in such cases, the bag is preferably arranged, when located in the cavity from which it may be extracted, spanning essentially the whole cross-section of the sponge.

Materials suitable for use as the bag will depend on the care compositions used, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Exemplary, the bag will a polymer bag.

In other embodiments of the invention, the bag may be replaced by another wrapping unit, such as a self- adhesive polymeric film, capable of wrapping the care system after use.

The cloth attached to the bag may be, for example a woven or non-wowen textile cloth. The cloth may be an un¬ treated cloth, but it may also be a cloth pre-treated with a care composition as defined above, such as a wet- wipe for cleaning the hands of the user or a cloth impregnated with, for example a insect repellant.

In the embodiment shown in fig 1, the cloth is arranged in the same cavity as the bag, however, in other embodiments of the present invention, the cloth may be arranged in any other cavity in the sponge.

In embodiments of the present invention, a bandage may be extractably arranged in a cavity in the sponge unit. This bandage may for example be used to bandage a wound which previously has been cleaned with the care system. The bandage may for example be a gauze-bandage, or any other suitable bandage. In cases where the sponge unit of the invention is relatively rigid, the sponge

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X . doc unit and the bandage may be used to apply a pressure bandage if so needed. The bandage may be a separate element in the care system, or may alternatively be constituted by the previously mentioned wrapping unit. Even if the above summary and description mainly refers to the preferred embodiment where the care system comprises a wrapping, such as a bag, arranged in a cavity in the sponge unit, it also possible to envisage a care system not comprising the wrapping, i.e. a care system comprising a sponge element having a first sponge element portion comprising a first care composition and a second sponge element portion comprising a second care composition. Such a care system without the wrapping could also comprise the care compositions arranged in openable containers and/or the peelable layers and/or the different care composition combinations, as mentioned above for the embodiment comprising the wrapping.

It shall be noted that the above description and the accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, and that the present invention is not limited thereto, as the scope of the present invention is determined by the claims. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications and/or alterations to the described invention is possible without deviating from the scope of the claims. For example, even if the above summary and description mainly refers to the preferred embodiment where the care system comprises a wrapping, such as a bag, arranged in a cavity in the sponge unit, it also possible to envisage a care system not comprising the wrapping, i.e. a care system comprising a sponge element having a first sponge element portion comprising a first care composition and a second sponge element portion comprising a second care composition. Such a care system without the wrapping could also comprise the care compositions arranged in such openable containers (e.g. sachets) and/or comprise such peelable layers and/or comprise such different care

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1 . doc composition combinations, and/or comprise such barrier means as mentioned in the embodiments above comprising the wrapping.

Before use, the care system of the present invention may be compressed and packed, e.g. vacuum packed, in an air tight packing material, such as for example an aluminum-laminated polymeric foil.

Vacuum packaging of the care system prolongs the shelf-life of the product and also provides a small package which is easily and economically transported.

When the packing material is opened, the care system will swell to its original size and shape, ready for use.

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Claims

1. A care system comprising a sponge element (2) having a first sponge element portion (16) comprising a first care composition and a second sponge element portion (17) comprising a second care composition.

2. A care system according to claim 1, comprising a sponge element (2) having a first sponge element portion (16) comprising a first care composition and a second sponge element portion (17) comprising a second care composition, wherein a wrapping unit (11), which is capable of wrapping the sponge element is extractably arranged in a cavity (10) of the sponge unit.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said wrapping unit (11) is attached to said sponge element.

4. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said wrapping unit (11) is a bag.

5. A system according to any of the claims 2 to 4, wherein said wrapping unit (11) is made of a material being impermeable to said first and second care compositions.

6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a barrier (9) arranged to separate said first portion (16) from said second portion (17), said barrier being impermeable to said first and said second care compositions .

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said wrapping unit (11) constitutes at least part of said barrier (9) .

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8. A system according to claim 6, wherein said barrier (9) comprises said cavity (10) .

9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cloth member (15) is extractably arranged in a cavity (10) in said sponge element.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said cloth member (15) is attached to said wrapping unit (11) .

11. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a bandaging means is extractably arranged in a cavity (10) in said sponge element (2) .

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said wrapping unit (11) constitutes said bandaging means.

13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said care compositions is a liquid composition, said system comprising an openable container (520) arranged in said sponge element and comprising said at least one care composition.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said container (520) comprises at least one opening (522) and a removable cover (523) arranged on said opening (522) , such that when said cover (523) is removed, said liquid composition is capable of being released from said container (520) via said opening (522) .

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said removable cover (523) comprises a portion (524) that extends from said sponge element.

16. A system according to claim 13 or 15, wherein said container (520) comprises a plurality of independently openable non-communicating compartments.

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17. A system according to any of the claims 13 to

16, wherein a liquid retaining material (525) is arranged in said openable container.

18. A system according to any of the claims 13 to

17, wherein said container (520) comprises a sachet.

19. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said first and second portions (16, 17) of said sponge comprises multiple layers (3', 3'') of which at least one is peelable.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein an adhesive medium is arranged between said sponge element layers.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said adhesive medium is supported by a film layer.

22. A system according to any of the claims 19 to 21, wherein said film layer with adhesive medium is permeable.

23. A system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said film layer with adhesive medium has a stronger adhesiveness concerning the sponge element layer intended to be peeled of.

24. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said sponge element is compressed and said system is packed in an air tight casing impermeable to said first and second care compositions.

25. A system according to any one of the claims 1 to 24, wherein said first care composition is a skin cleaning composition and said second composition is

i U '>j-..P- Ό i b -Λ ". " : \ W / a J iPi-αt jΛH.V 'ΛF i¹: IN ITiTj 'irr chosen from the group comprising skin softening lotion, a sun blocking composition, an insect repellant, an anti- tick composition, a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a perfume and any combination thereof.

26. A system according to any one of the claims 1 to 24, wherein said first care composition is chosen from the group comprising a skin cleaning composition, a wound cleaning composition and any combination thereof and said second care composition is chosen from the group comprising a bacteriostatic composition, an anti¬ microbial composition, a disinfectant and any combination thereof.

27. A system according to any one of the claims 1 to 24, wherein said first composition is a leather dressing cream, and wherein said second composition is a leather impregnating composition.

28. A system according to any one of the claims 1 to 24, wherein said first care composition is a surface cleaning composition, and said second care composition is chosen from the group comprising a disinfectant, an anti¬ microbial composition, a bacteriostatic composition and any combination thereof.

29. A system according to any one of the claims 1 to 24, wherein said first care composition is an surface binding anti-microbial composition, and wherein said second care composition is a detection composition for detecting the binding of said anti-microbial composition to a surface.

30. A system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a anti-microbial detecting means.

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