WO1992013713A1

WO1992013713A1 - Liquid-impermeable tissue

Info

Publication number: WO1992013713A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/001011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Bingham
Original assignee: Robert Bingham
Priority date: 1991-02-08
Filing date: 1992-02-07
Publication date: 1992-08-20
Also published as: AU1531292A

Abstract

A liquid-impermeable tissue (10) for use in medical applications and the like where it is desirable to insulate the user's fingers and/or hand from hazardous contaminants, such as infected body fluids and carcinogenic chemicals. The liquid-impermeable tissue (10) comprises a soft, absorbent first layer (20) and a strong, liquid-impermeable second layer (22). The absorbent layer (20) can be used for cleaning in much the same manner as contemporary tissues. The strong, impermeable second layer (22) prevents the user from becoming contaminated by either the absorption of liquids through the absorbent first layer (20) or be tearing through the absorbent first layer (20) and directly contacting the contaminants. Thus, the liquid-impermeable tissue (10) of the present invention insulates the user from potential contamination in a wide variety of cleaning situations.

Description

- IL ¬

LIQUID-IMPERMEABLE TISSUE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to tissues used for personal hygiene and cleaning purposes and more particularly to a liquid-impermeable tissue which may be used in clinical, laboratory and industrial applications wherein it is desirable to prevent the user's fingers and/or hands from coming in contact with hazardous contaminants such as pathogenic body fluids, hazardous liquids, and the like.

Background of t e Invention Various disposable towels and tissues have been heretofore known and used for cleaning soiled surfaces, removing cosmetics, absorbing spills and a wide variety of other general cleaning tasks. Typically, the disposable towels and tissues of the prior art have consisted of sheets of absorbent paper, cotton or blends thereof, sometimes disposed in multiple plies to achieve the desired strength and absorbency thereof.

In numerous clinical and laboratory applications, it is often desirable to utilize disposable towels or tissues for wiping or absorbing body fluids, chemical reagents, drug solutions, blood or other materials. When used in such applications, the typical disposable towels and tissues of the prior art may become torn, punctured or laden with liquid. As a result, the body fluid, reagent, solution, blood or other material being wiped or absorbed may permeate the tissue or towel and contaminate the fingers and/or hands of the user. Thus, in many clinical or laboratory applications, it is often necessary for the user to don rubber or plastic gloves (e.g. latex or polyethylene gloves) to avoid inadvertent skin contact of the contaminated or hazardous liquid. The need for donning rubber or plastic gloves may be viewed as undesirable and burdensome by many emergency medical personnel, physicians, nurses or laboratory personnel who frequently utilize absorbent towels or tissues to clean or absorb blood or contaminated fluids. Furthermore, many frequently utilized types of rubber gloves (e.g. latex gloves) are known to provide a less than complete barrier against transmission of certain undesirable viral pathogens or other contaminants.

Accordingly, in the present state of the art, there remains an undesirable potential for certain users or disposable paper towels or tissues, (e.g. medical and/or laboratory personnel) to become inadvertently contaminated with various hazardous liquids and/or microbial or viral pathogens due to passage of the liquid or pathogen through the disposable towels or tissues.

In view of this shortcoming of the prior art, there exists a need for a new type of disposable towel or tissue wherein a liquid-impermeable barrier is formed on one side of the towel or tissue such that contaminated or hazardous liquids are prevented from soaking through and completely permeating the towel or tissue.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-mentioned deficiencies associated in the prior art. The present invention comprises a liquid- impermeable tissue for use in medical applications where it is desirable to prevent the user's fingers or hands from coming into direct contact with hazardous contaminants, such as infected body fluids, toxic chemicals, etc.

The liquid-impermeable tissue of the present invention generally comprises a soft, absorbent first layer and a strong, liquid-impermeable second layer. The soft absorbent first layer functions to absorb and hold liquid while the strong, impermeable second layer prevents the user from becoming contaminated, either by (a) migration of liquids through the absorbent layer or (b) inadvertent tearing through the absorbent first layer and directly contacting the contaminants. Thus, the liquid-impermeable tissue of the present invention insulates the user from potential contamination in a wide variety of cleaning situations. In a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a liquid-impermeable tissue which is formed into individual sheets. The individual sheets may be stored in a roll, in the manner of contemporary toilet tissue or paper towels. Alternatively, the individual sheets may be stacked and packaged within a box or other dispensing container in the same manner as contemporary facial tissue.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-impermeable tissue is formed into a pocket having a soft absorbent outer covering on at least one side thereof surrounding a liquid-impermeable inner layer such that the user may insert several fingers or a whole hand therein to effect cleaning or absorption of liquid.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-impermeable tissue is formed into a mitt having a soft, absorbent outer covering on at least one side thereof and a liquid-impermeable inner layer. The mitt is configured so as to permit insertion of the user's hand into the interior of the mitt such that the user may utilize the soft absorbent outer surface of the mitt to effect cleaning or absorption of liquids or other matter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid-impermeable tissue of the present invention formed into sheets and disposed in a roll; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of two of the sheets of FIG. 1 showing their partial separation;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the perforated seam and separation of the two sheets of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the liquid-impermeable tissue of the present invention wherein the liquid-impermeable tissue is formed into a pocket;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the opening and seam of the pocket of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pocket of FIG. 4 disposed upon a user's three fingers;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a larger pocket disposed upon a user's hand; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the liquid-impermeable tissue of the present invention formed into a mitt;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of the mitts of FIG. 8 formed in planar sheets and disposed upon a roll; and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of mitts as shown in FIG. 8 formed in contiguous sheets and disposed within a box.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The following detailed description and the appended drawings are intended to describe presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. This detailed description and drawings shall not limit the scope of this patent application or the appended claims in anyway.

Three presently preferred embodiments of the liquid- impermeable tissue of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of contiguous sheets 10 separated by perforations 14 and formed into a roll 12. A central bore 18 extending through the roll 12 permits the roll to be disposed upon a dispensing rack in the manner of contemporary paper towels or toilet tissue. A tear 16 may be formed intermediately adjacent each sheet 10 to effect the separation thereof. Each sheet 10 is comprised of a soft, absorbent first layer 20 and a strong, liquid-impermeable second layer 22. The second layer 22 is formed in laminar juxtaposition to said first layer 20.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent first layer 20 can be formed of any suitable absorbent material such as paper, cotton, or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid-impermeable second layer comprises a durable and flexible plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene film. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various liquid-impermeable, durable, and flexible materials are likewise suitable. As an alternative to non-biodegradable plastics, the liquid-impermeable second layer may be formed of a liquid impenetrable, biodegradable material such that the entire liquid-impermeable tissue will biodegrade after a sufficient length of time, i.e. a matter of months or years. Examples of liquid-impermeable, biodegradable materials which may be used in this application include paper or woven fabric sheets which have been treated with or impregnated with one or more organic or inorganic materials including, but not limited to, animal or vegetable waxes or esters of fatty acids, which are both liquid repellent and biodegradable.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the absorbent first layer 20 is between .003" and .030" thick and the liquid-impermeable second layer is between .001" and .010" thick. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various other thicknesses may also be suitable depending upon the specific application intended. The absorbent first layer 20 may be attached to the liquid-impermeable second layer 22 by any suitable means capable of holding the first layer 20 and second layer 22 is laminar juxtaposition as shown. In embodiments wherein the liquid-impermeable layer is formed of a meltable material such as a thermoplastic film (e.g. PVC or polyethylene) or certain wax impregnated materials, such liquid-impermeable second layer 22 may be heat melted or thermally fused to the absorbent layer 20. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of heat-bonding techniques are possible. For example, the edges of the absorbent first layer 20 and the liquid-impermeable second layer 22 may be passed in laminar juxtaposition between heated rollers to thermally fuse the outer edges of the absorbent first layer 20 to the outer edges of the liquid- impermeable second layer 22.

As an alternative to thermal bonding, any suitable adhesive may be applied intermediate the absorbent first layer 20 and the liquid-impermeable second layer 22 to effect attachment therebetween.

The liquid-impermeable tissue of the present invention may be formed in a wide variety of sizes, preferably ranging from 3" x 3" to 18" x 18", for example, to accommodate a wide variety of cleaning tasks.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the liquid-impermeable tissue may be formed into a pocket 30 such that either several fingers or an entire hand may be inserted thereinto. The pocket 30 has an opening 32 through which several fingers or a hand may be inserted. A seam 34 is formed around the perimeter of the pocket to attach two sheets of liquid- impermeable material (e.g. sheets of paper towel, sheets of paper tissue) . Each sheet of liquid-impermeable tissue may comprise an inner liquid-impermeable layer 22 and an outer absorbent layer 20 in laminar juxtapositions. As with bonding the absorbent first layer 20 to the liquid- impermeable second layer 22, a variety of techniques, i.e. thermal bonding or adhesive bonding, may be used to seal the two liquid imperious layers 22 together in the region of the seam 34.

Such a pocket is ideally suited for use as a sponge for absorbing blood and other body fluids during surgical procedures. It also provides a convenient means for wiping up small quantities of blood or hazardous chemicals while preventing such blood or hazardous chemical from co ing into contact with the skin of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the pocket 30a may be sized to fit over several fingers for absorbing small amounts of fluids. Thus, the liquid-impermeable layer 22 of the pocket 30a insulates the fingers from contact with the fluid being absorbed by the absorbent layer 20.

Referring now to FIG. 7, alternatively the pocket 30b may be sized to fit over the entire hand of the user when the need for greater absorbency is contemplated. In this case the liquid-impermeable layer 22 of the pocket 30b insulates the entire hand from contact with the fluid being absorbed by the absorbent layer 20.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a mitt 40 may be formed of the liquid-impermeable tissue of the present invention to provide an even greater capacity for absorption and to additionally permit the limited use of tools and instruments while being worn. The ability to independently manipulate the thumb 42 of the mitt increases the ability of the user to effect cleaning and also permits the user to perform simple mechanical tasks without the need for removing the mitt 40 from the hand. Thus, the mitt 40 provides substantial advantages in instances where such manipulations are or may be required. Referring now to FIG. 9, the mitt 40 is shown formed into tear-away sheets 44 disposed in a roll 12c having a central bore 18c. Thus, the mitt 40 may be dispensed in a manner similar to the sheets 10 of FIG. 1. Because of its symmetry a single mitt 40 may be used upon either the right or left hand. Excess portions 46 of the tear-away sheet 44 are removed by tearing them away from the mitt 40. Perforations 48 facilitate the separation of the excess portions 46 from the mitt 40.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the sheets 10, pockets 30a and 30b, or mitts 40 may alternatively be packaged within a box 50 in a manner similar to contemporary facial tissues for convenient dispensing.

It is understood that the exemplary liquid-impermeable tissue described herein and shown in the drawings represents only presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Indeed, various modifications and additions may be made to such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various intermediate and/or additional layers may be added to the absorbent and liquid-impermeable layers disclosed. Also, the absorbent and liquid-impermeable layers of the present invention may be incorporated into various configurations other than the pocket and mitt as disclosed. Also, in the "pocket" and "mitt" embodiments of the invention, the upper absorbent layer (e.g. that which would reside on the back of the hand, opposite the palmar surface) may be eliminated such that the mitt or pocket will have only one bottom absorbent layer and two liquid-impermeable layers between which the fingers or hand may be inserted. Thus, these and other modifications and additions may be obvious to those skilled in the art and may be implemented to adapt the present invention in a variety of different applications.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A liquid-impermeable tissue comprising: a layer of absorbent material; a layer of liquid-impermeable material; and said layer of absorbent material and said layer of liquid-impermeable material being disposed in laminar juxtaposition to one another.

2. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer is formed of paper.

3. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer is formed of cotton.

4. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer is formed of plastic.

5. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer comprises biodegradable liquid-impermeable material.

6. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer comprises a biodegradable liquid repellent wax.

7. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer comprises a biodegradable liquid repellent organic ester.

8. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer and said liquid-impermeable layer are of elongate configuration and wherein intermittent perforations are formed thereaσross to define contiguous individual sheets of liquid-impermeable tissue separable along said perforations.

9. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 8 wherein said elongate absorbent layer and said elongate liquid- impermeable layer are rolled about a central axis so as to be disposed in a roll.

10. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein: at least one of said absorbent layer and said liquid-impermeable layer are formed at least partially of meltable material; and said absorbent layer and said liquid-impermeable layer are joined by thermal bonding.

11. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 wherein: said absorbent layer and said liquid-impermeable layer each have at least two outer edges; and said outer edges of the absorbent layer are bound to said outer edges of the liquid-impermeable layer so as to hold said absorbent layer and said liquid- impermeable layer in laminar juxtaposition.

12. The liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 1 further comprising: a quantity of adhesive material between said absorbent layer and said liquid-impermeable layer to hold said absorbent layer and said liquid-impermeable layer in laminar juxtaposition to one another.

13. A pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue comprising: a lower sheet comprising a lower layer of absorbent material and an upper layer of liquid- impermeable material disposed in laminar juxtaposition to one another and having outer edges extending around the peripheries thereof; an upper sheet comprising at least a layer of liquid-impermeable material having an outer edge extending around the periphery thereof; said layers of liquid-impermeable tissue being attached to one another along at least portions of their outer edges such that the liquid-impermeable layer of the lower sheet is in opposing juxtaposition to the liquid-impermeable layer of the upper sheet; and an opening is formed therein to permit at least a portion of a human hand to be inserted between the liquid-impermeable layer of the upper sheet and the liquid-impermeable layer of the lower sheet.

14. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Clain 13 wherein said first lower layer and said second upper layer are a four-sided, generally rectangular configurations and wherein said outer peripheries of said first lower layer and said second layer are joined along three of said four sides to form the said pocket whereinto a portion a human hand may be inserted.

15. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 13 wherein said absorbent layer is formed of paper.

16. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim

13 wherein said absorbent layer is formed of cotton.

17. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim

13 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer is formed of plastic.

18. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim

13 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer comprises biodegradable liquid-impermeable material.

19. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 13 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer comprises a biodegradable liquid repellent wax.

20. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 13 wherein said liquid-impermeable layer comprises a biodegradable liquid repellent organic ester.

21. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 13 wherein said upper sheet comprises an upper layer of absorbent material and a lower layer of liquid-impermeable material disposed in laminar juxtaposition to one another and having an outer edge extending around the periphery thereof.

22. The pocket of liquid-impermeable tissue of Claim 13 wherein said pocket is in the shape of a mitt to permit insertion of an entire human hand thereinto.