Impregnated matrix and method for making same

Abstract

A substantially flexible, dry matrix, which contains not more than about 3% moisture at room temperature, is impregnated with a water free treatment mixture containing a lipid and a surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, the mixture includes a glycol, a surfactant and a lipid emollient, lubricant, medicament or skin protectant. Methods for manufacturing and using the impregnated matrices are also taught.

Therefore, I claim:  
     
         1 . A dry matrix comprising 
 a. a plurality of fibers; and    b. a film on at least part of said fibers, said film comprising: 
 i. at least one member selected from the group consisting of lipid emollients, lubricants and protectants; and  
 ii. a surfactant.  
   
     
     
         2 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant comprises a glycol.  
     
     
         3 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is a member of the group consisting of cationic and anionic surfactants.  
     
     
         4 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fibers have regions with a hydrophobic character and regions with a hydrophilic character.  
     
     
         5 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant comprises between about 15%-50%, by weight, of said film.  
     
     
         6 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said film composition has a viscosity, at 25° C. of less than about 300 cps.  
     
     
         7 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance between about 4 and 11.  
     
     
         8 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein the only water present is said dry matrix is bound to said plurality of fibers.  
     
     
         9 . The dry matrix of  claim 1  comprises substantially no added water.  
     
     
         10 . The dry matrix of  claim 2  wherein said glycol is present in an amount between about 1% and about 99% by weight of said film composition.  
     
     
         11 . The dry matrix of  claim 2  wherein said glycol is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and methoxy polyethylene glycol.  
     
     
         12 . The dry matrix of  claim 2  wherein said glycol is present in an amount between about 4% and about 50% by weight of said film composition.  
     
     
         13 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said emollient is selected from the group consisting of stearyl ether, caproic esters and lanolin.  
     
     
         14 . The dry matrix of  claim 13 , wherein said emollient is present in said film composition in an amount of up to about 50% by weight of said film composition.  
     
     
         15 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said lubricant is a member selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, petrolatum and wax.  
     
     
         16 . The dry matrix of  claim 15 , wherein said lubricant is present in said film composition in an amount up to about 50% by weight of said film composition.  
     
     
         17 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said protectant is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl polysiloxane, cyclomethicone and lanolin.  
     
     
         18 . The dry matrix of  claim 17 , wherein said protectant is present in the non-aqueous mixture in an amount up to about 50% by weight of the non-aqueous mixture.  
     
     
         19 . The dry matrix of  claim 1 , wherein said medicament is a member selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide, aloe, titanium dioxide, miconazole, bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin, vitamins A, D, and E, salicylic acid, retinoic acid, resorcinol, benadryl, sulfadiazine, sulfaguanidine, citronellol and hydrocortisone, and is present in an amount up to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         20 . A method of treating a skin surface comprising the steps of: 
 a. obtaining a dry matrix comprising 
 i. a plurality of fibers; and  
 ii. a film on at least part of said fibers, said film comprising: 
 a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of lipid emollients, lubricants and protectants; and  
 b) a surfactant; and  
 
   b. rubbing said skin surface.