CN1329476A - Method of use of disposable nonwoven substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a disposable facial tissue suitable for the purpose of blowing the nose which is made a cheaper and less energy intensive process. Preferably the disposable facial tissue should be strong, soft and absorbent. This is achieved by the use of a fluid entangled substrate for collecting and removing mucus from the nasal region.

Description

How to use the disposable nonwoven substrate

The present invention relates to methods of using disposable nonwoven substrates.

Disposable facial tissues intended for nose blowing purposes have been sold for over 100 years. Today, the method used to make disposable tissue paper is most commonly wet-laid. In this method, cellulosic fibers are beaten to a concentration of less than 1% by weight solids in an aqueous medium. The slurry is laid on a porous surface so as to provide a substantially planar fibrous web from which substantially all moisture is removed. Removal of such large amounts of water is an expensive and energy-intensive process.

The present invention provides a disposable facial tissue suitable for nose blowing purposes which is produced by a less expensive and less energy intensive process. Preferably the disposable facial tissue should be strong, soft and absorbent.

It is known to use fluid entangling methods, especially hydroentangling methods, to prepare personal hygiene products. Known facial cleansing pads, such as pads for removing makeup, are produced by hydroentangling. Demak'Up ^(TM) is a commercially available brand of cosmetic removal pads, sold by the company P&G in several European countries. However, such pads are thick and bulky, and are not suitable for nose blowing purposes.

Summary of the invention

The objects of the present invention are achieved by using a fluid-entangled substrate, preferably a hydro-entangled substrate, to prepare a tissue suitable for collecting and removing mucus from the nasal area.

Preferred substrates have a basis weight of about 20-100 g/m2, preferably have a thickness of less than about 0.5 mm and/or a surface area of at least about 10,000 mm2. As used herein, caiiper is the thickness of the substrate when subjected to a compressive load of 15.5 grams per square meter.

Detailed description of the invention

The disposable tissue paper produced by the present invention can be single ply or ply. In one embodiment of the invention, the tissue paper is a multi-ply product comprising at least two juxtaposed substrates, or a substrate in which one layer is juxtaposed with another separately formed substrate.

No chemical binder is required, although certain chemical additives may optionally be used to provide, for example, enhanced wet strength and/or enhanced flexibility. Particularly suitable wet strength agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin resins, including those sold as Kymene ^™ 557H by Hercules, Inc. (Wilmington, Delaware).

The method of forming the substrate is hydroentanglement, preferably hydroentanglement. Further information relating to hydroentanglement can be found in US-A-2 862 251, which relates to hydroentanglement for the preparation of nonwoven products; US-A-3 025 585 discloses hydroentanglement, wherein , a layer of irregularly placed fibers placed on the free ends of a set of tapered projections arranged in a predetermined pattern on a permeable backing element with interconnections between the projections Fiber gathering spaces; US-A-3 485 706 discloses a nonwoven fabric with a pattern of pores produced by hydroentanglement; US-A-5320 900 discloses a nonwoven fabric consisting essentially of polyester fibers and cellulose fibers spunlaced fabrics; and EP-A-0 418 493, which relates to nonwoven fabrics produced using perforated cylinders as hole-forming elements. Hydroentanglement equipment suitable for preparing substrates is available from ICBT Perfojet, SA., 38330 Mount Bonnot, France. A hydroentangling apparatus is disclosed in EP-A-0 776361 published June 4, 1997.

In the prior art, webs are hydroentangled for a variety of purposes. For example, apertured paper webs are used as constituent sheets for diapers and other absorbent articles. US-A-3 620 903 discloses nonwoven fabrics suitable for use as wearable garments, produced by hydroentangling. In particular, these nonwovens are used in medical surgical gowns and drapes, and in wound dressings.

A suitable method of providing a fluid-entangled substrate for use in the present invention is hydroentangling, wherein a layer of fibers such as a nonwoven batt or other layer of starting fibers is formed on a porous member. The starting layer may consist of any web, mat or batt of loose fibers distributed in random relation to each other or with any degree of alignment, as may be produced by carding or the like. Fibers can be any natural, cellulosic and/or fully synthetic material. The starting layer can be prepared by any desired technique, such as by carding, random laying, air or suspension deposition, and the like. The starting layer may consist of a blend of fibers of different types and/or sizes. Alternatively, the starting layer may be a component of a loose fibrous web, such as a cross-lapped carded web.

In order for the fibers to interentangle sufficiently, the fluid stream impinging on the fiber layer can be formed at high pressure and exhibit high energy flux. In carrying out the process, water or another suitable liquid or fluid is forced under high pressure through small diameter orifices so as to emerge continuously or intermittently as a fine, substantially columnar high energy flux stream. A paper web or other fibrous layer is placed on the porous element and the assembly is moved with the fiber layer facing up into the path of the high energy flux stream. Move the web or the stream, or both, to traverse the web. As the impact continues, the fibers of the web are simultaneously realigned, entangled and locked in place. The resulting structure comprises fibers arranged in an ordered geometric pattern of interdigitated bundles locked together at their intersection points only by fiber interactions.

The substrate may be dried while it is still on the porous element, but is preferably dried after removal from the porous element. Apertured webs can be dried, printed, heat treated or other types of conventional fabric processing methods including treatment with resins, binders, sizing agents, finishes, etc., surface coating and/or pressing, embossing Or laminated with other materials.

The caliper of a paper substrate is defined herein as the caliper of the paper when subjected to a compressive load of 15.5 grams per square meter.

Example

A 50/50 blend of viscose and polypropylene was used to prepare the hydroentangled substrate. No chemical adhesives are used. Substrates were prepared on an ICBT Perfojet machine using a total energy input of 0.6-1 kWh/kg. The resulting substrate had a basis weight of 60 g/m2, was soft to the touch, and retained very good tear strength even when wet. Cut the substrate into approximately 210 mm x 210 mm squares.

The above example was repeated substituting cotton for the viscose/polypropylene blend.

The substrates of these embodiments are particularly useful for nose blowing purposes to collect and remove mucus from the nasal area. In particular, the surface texture and low friction of the substrate provide a disposable with reduced painful damage and irritation to the skin around the nose, even during repeated nose blowing.

Claims (4)

CLAIMS 1. A method of using a disposable nonwoven substrate for making a tissue paper suitable for collecting and removing mucus from the nasal area, characterized in that said substrate is a fluid-entangled substrate. 2. The use of a substrate for the preparation of a tissue paper suitable for collecting and removing mucus in the nasal area according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the substrate is less than 0.5 mm and the surface area is at least 10000 mm2. 3. The use of a substrate for the preparation of a tissue paper suitable for collecting and removing mucus from the nasal area according to claim 1, wherein the tissue paper is a multilayer product comprising at least two juxtaposed layers of the substrate, or a A substrate in which a layer is juxtaposed with another separately formed substrate. 4. The method of using a substrate for making a tissue paper suitable for collecting and removing mucus from the nasal area according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a hydroentangled substrate.