Method manufacturing an epilatory strip and strips obtainable by the method

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an epilatory strip by providing a first laminate of a pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive sandwiched between a support layer and a first release liner that in combination provide a width to the first laminate; delaminating the width of the first laminate by unwinding the first release liner and exposing an area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive; applying at least one mask or cover material onto the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive on at least one edge area of the delaminated first laminate to provide a second laminate presenting an exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive; and providing a second release liner to cover at least a portion of exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive to provide a width of epilatory strip material. Thus, hypoallergenic, non-irritant epilatory strips are obtained using the method according to the invention.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method of manufacturing an epilatory strip, which method comprises:
 providing a first laminate of a pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive sandwiched between a support layer and a first release liner that in combination provide a width to the first laminate;   delaminating the width of the first laminate by unwinding the first release liner and exposing an area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive;   applying at least one mask or cover material onto the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive on at least one edge area of the delaminated first laminate to provide a second laminate presenting an exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive; and   providing a second release liner to cover at least a portion of exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive to provide a width of epilatory strip material.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , which further comprises obtaining the first laminate by transfer coating the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive onto the support layer from the first release liner by pressure lamination, optionally using heated pressure lamination rollers, prior to incorporating the first laminate in the epilatory strip. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , which further comprises dividing out individual epilatory strips or lengths of epilatory strip material by end cutting the width of the epilatory strip material. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , which further comprises providing rupture lines crosswise the width of epilatory strip material. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one mask or cover material comprises two opposing cover ribbons provided along opposing free edges of the delaminated first laminate; optionally wherein the at least one mask or cover material is colored or presents information. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the second release liner is a low release liner, optionally at least partly overlaying the at least one mask or cover material. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive which is provided in the first laminate has one or more of a weight of between 50-55 g/m 2 , or a loop tack of 20±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Method no. 9 using a stainless steel plate as pressure plate, or a peel adhesion of 16±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Method no. 1 using a stainless steel plate as the test plate and a 20 min. test period, or a resistance to shear that is ≧40 min per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Method no. 8 using a stainless steel plate as the test plate. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , which the support layer has a thickness of between 50 μm-1 mm. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the second release liner has two flaps of release liner, with the flaps optionally overlapping. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one mask or cover material protrudes beyond at least a part of the outer edges of any of the support layer or the second release liner, with the mask or cover material optionally protruding by a distance of 1-2 mm. 
     
     
         42 . An epilatory strip comprising an adhesive on a support layer, with the adhesive being a pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive provided as a solitary layer that is coated onto the support layer. 
     
     
         43 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive which is provided in the first laminate has one or more of a weight of between 50-55 g/m 2 , or a loop tack of 20±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Method no. 9 using a stainless steel plate as pressure plate, or a peel adhesion of 16±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Method no. 1 using a stainless steel plate as the test plate and a 20 min. test period, or a resistance to shear that is ≧40 min per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Method no. 8 using a stainless steel plate as the test plate. 
     
     
         44 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the support layer has a thickness of between 50 μm-1 mm. 
     
     
         45 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the support layer is a foam support layer, a plastic film layer or a non-woven layer. 
     
     
         46 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the foam support layer is a polyethylene foam support layer. 
     
     
         47 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the film support layer is a polyethylene film support layer or a polyethylene terephthalate film layer. 
     
     
         48 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the support layer is at least substantially nonporous, optionally having a zero porosity. 
     
     
         49 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the support layer is non-perforated. 
     
     
         50 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive includes a tackifying resin, or is hypoallergenic or is free of colophony or has combinations of the foregoing. 
     
     
         51 . The epilatory strip of  claim 42 , wherein the pressure-sensitive, hot melt adhesive is covered by at least one second release liner.