JP2003516839A - Absorbent composites, preparation and use especially as industrial wipes - Google Patents

Abstract

Summary The present invention relates to composite materials and wipes having enhanced absorption properties. More particularly, the present invention deals with an absorbent composite consisting of a superabsorbent product disposed between two or several cellulose wadding webs. The invention also relates to methods and devices for the preparation of these wipes or commodities, and to their use in particular for industrial wiping of various liquids (water, oils, fats, biological liquids, mixtures, etc.). Related.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to composite products and materials with enhanced absorption properties, especially for use as wipe products. The invention also relates to methods and devices for the preparation of these wipes or goods, and in particular various liquids (water, oil, fat, biological fluids, mixtures etc.)
Their use for industrial wiping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Presently available disposable wipes consist essentially of one or several thick sheets (or webs) of fibrous material, for example of the cellulose or viscose type. In particular, these articles may include 1 to 5 sheets mechanically and / or chemically bonded together. The absorbency of these products is largely determined by the number of seats. These products are suitable for household use (handkerchiefs, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)
Due to its limited absorption capacity it is not well suited for industrial wiping, ie large surface areas or large volumes of liquids. Furthermore, non-woven fiber (viscose type) wipe products may have better absorbency and higher mechanical strength, but their cost is high, which limits their application.

The present invention now describes novel composite products and materials which have highly enhanced absorption properties and which can be used in particular as wipes or products.
These products are furthermore easy to produce industrially and economically. These new products and the method and device according to the invention are particularly advantageous for all types of wiping, industrial or domestic, and are particularly suitable for industrial wiping.

More particularly, the first object of the present invention is an absorbent composite material, preferably two or several cellulose wadding webs, which are joined together by mechanical embossing across their width. A material characterized in that it consists of a superabsorbent product arranged in between.

Another object of the invention is to include a superabsorbent product between at least two cellulosic wadding webs, preferably as a powder, said webs being preferably joined together by mechanical embossing across their width. It is a wipe product that is characterized by

The products of the present invention may have the appearance of rolls of a size suitable for end use, or as individual folded products, with or without entanglement. In this regard, another object of the present invention comprises a paper strip consisting of two cellulose wadding webs containing a superabsorbent product with perforations for tearing along one line, said webs Preferably are bonded together by mechanical embossing across their width.

Another object of the invention is a process for the preparation of wipes or absorbent composites, preferably a superabsorbent product between at least two cellulose wadding webs, preferably as a powder. Is a method that involves deposition in a uniform manner.

The present invention also comprises this method comprising (i) at least two cylinders for assembling both webs and (ii) means for depositing the superabsorbent, preferably in a uniform manner. An apparatus for performing.

Another aspect of the invention is the use of materials and goods, especially for industrial wiping, or a method of increasing the absorbency of cellulose waddings as described in the text below. The invention is therefore also the use of an absorbent composite material consisting of a superabsorbent product arranged between two or more cellulose wadding webs, for the preparation of industrial wipes.

As shown, the present invention now describes composite materials and absorbent wipes that include a superabsorbent product between at least two cellulosic wadding webs.

Superabsorbent products in the sense of the present invention are understood as compounds which are capable of swelling (or forming a gel) in the presence of a liquid, but which are not solubilized. Such compounds may be of natural or synthetic origin. It may, for example, be alginate, starch, acrylamide, carboxymethylcellulose, acrylate, or derivatives thereof, especially alone or blended. The superabsorbent compound used in the present invention is preferably present as a powder. In fact, this conditioning gives a better dispersion of the final composite product without significantly affecting its thickness or texture. It is understood that this superabsorbent product may also be used as particles or granules without departing from this application.

Preferred examples of superabsorbent products that can be used within the framework of the present invention are crosslinked acrylic acid polymers and crosslinked norbornene polymers. Such superabsorbents are commercially available.

Superabsorbent products have already been used in some absorbent products for body hygiene (diapers, sanitary napkins, etc.). However, these are generally composite products that often use fibrous mats in combination with synthetic materials. Furthermore, in these products from the prior art, the superabsorbent is generally selectively applied to the well-bounded areas of the composite material. This imposes great technical constraints at the production level. The present invention now comprises a novel absorbent product, more particularly an industrial product, which essentially comprises one or more cellulose wadding webs having one (or more) superabsorbent product (s) attached to each other. This section describes products for wiping. To the knowledge of the inventors, such materials have never been reported in the prior art.

The wipes or absorbent materials according to the present invention may comprise several thicknesses of cellulose wadding webs, in particular 2 to 5 webs. In a preferred embodiment, these products according to the invention consist of two cellulose wadding webs. The use of two webs is industrially simpler and more economical, and the introduction of superabsorbent products into this type of product according to the invention leads to a fairly large increase in absorbency (at 300% or more). Even). Therefore, a more particular object of the present invention is a wipe or absorbent composite material, characterized in that it comprises two cellulose wadding webs in which the superabsorbent products are arranged between one another. Is.

The cellulose wadding web (or sheet or flake) utilized within the framework of the present invention preferably consists predominantly of cellulose wadding. Preferably, they contain at least 60% cellulose wadding, more preferably at least 75% cellulose wadding. In a special embodiment, these consist entirely of cellulose wadding. Other drugs or products
It may be included in the web composition according to the present invention. For example, especially agents to increase the wet resistance of the web. By way of example, resins such as synthetic resins (generally epichlorohydrin resins in general) are mentioned by way of example, which provide protection for the interfiber bonds of the web and improve their resistance to the action of water decomposition. Such agents or resins generally represent less than 1% by weight of the web composition. On the other hand, these webs may comprise other materials or fibers used in the paper or textile industry. Furthermore, these cellulosic wadding webs may consist of virgin or recycled fibres. Generally 12 to 60 g / m ² of web per web may be used, more typically 16 to 40 g / m ² of web may be used. The width and length of these webs can be adapted by the person skilled in the art depending on the possible application. In particular, they may be strips or individual sheets wound on rolls.

The amount of superabsorbent used can also be adapted by the person skilled in the art depending on the intended application, the superabsorbent used, the number of webs, etc. In general, the products and articles of manufacture according to the invention contain from 1 to 15 g / m ² superabsorbent weight. More preferably, they are from 1 to 8 g / m ² superabsorbent weight, even more preferably 4
To 6 g / ^{m 2} containing the superabsorbent by weight.

The superabsorbent may be maintained between the webs in various ways. Generally, the superabsorbent is maintained by mechanical embossing of the web. Preferably this embosses the entire width. That is, it affects the entire surface of the web, but only a few strips of the web surface (knurling (kn
urling)). In a particular embodiment, the superabsorbent is maintained by mechanical and chemical embossing of the web. The chemical embossing comprises in particular adhesives, especially biological and / or synthetic glues. As an example, starch-based glue can be mentioned.

A special embodiment is the nest, preferably in the presence of glue.
ed) embosses the entire width of the mold. This type of embossing is illustrated in FIG.

Another embodiment is a point-to-point embossing as illustrated in FIG.

A particular embodiment of the invention is therefore a wipe product comprising at least two cellulose wadding webs with superabsorbent powder products arranged between them, these webs preferably being fitted together. Even more preferably, the products are mechanically bonded to each other by embossing across the width of the mold, and more preferably combined with a chemical binder. As mentioned above, the wipes according to the invention are generally free of fibrous mats and / or of any other synthetic material used in body hygiene products.

The products and materials according to the invention may be prepared in various ways. One of the advantages of these products is also the final manufacturing stage of cellulose wadding (semi-manufactured product).
This is because it is possible to make use of the machines or parts of machines currently being used for, or parts of machines or parts of machines currently being used (for the final product) in the processing of cellulose wadding. It is easy to industrialize.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is also a method of preparing a wiped article or absorbent material as described above, which is preferably a uniform method of superabsorbent article between at least two cellulose wadding webs. And a method involving depositing. Generally, the method of the present invention comprises the additional step of bonding these webs to maintain all or part of the superabsorbent product.

Another object of the present invention is a method of enhancing the absorbency of cellulosic wadding for various liquids, which comprises one or more supercapsule between two or several cellulosic wadding webs. It relates to a method comprising the deposition of an absorbent powder product, preferably in a uniform manner.

Of course, in the practice of this method, one or more superabsorbent products may be chosen depending on the liquid to be absorbed, these amounts being adapted according to the desired application.

According to a preferred embodiment, the superabsorbent deposition is achieved by a dry method.
This may in particular be done through spraying (using air or compressed gas) or by electrostatic coating, but spraying is the preferred method. In this embodiment, spraying is carried out, for example, on these assemblies between both webs and the resulting coating is maintained by embossing as described above, preferably by mating type binder embossing. This method advantageously allows the machines currently used for processing cellulose wadding to be used after assembling the means for spraying the superabsorbent into the machine.
In addition, spraying provides a uniform coating of superabsorbent and control of laydown can be achieved by varying the flow rate or carrier gas pressure.

[0026]   Of course, any other coating means may be used.

When more than one web is used, the superabsorbent product may be introduced between each web, or only between some of them, or only between two of them.

A preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention is a dry ro of a superabsorbent product present as a powder between two or several cellulose wadding webs.
ute) and the maintenance of the material thus deposited by creating a mechanical bond between the webs, optionally reinforced by partial sizing.

The present invention further provides an apparatus for producing an absorbent composite material as described above, which comprises (i)
An apparatus comprising at least two cylinders for assembling two cellulose wadding webs, and (ii) means for depositing the superabsorbent, preferably in a uniform manner. These assembly and coating means are arranged to provide maintenance of the superabsorbent product in the final composite material. The means for depositing the superabsorbent may be (a lamp of) a spray nozzle, or an electroadhesive cylinder. Furthermore, at least one of the assembling cylinders is engraved in order to be able to create the mechanical embossing of the web.

A special embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. According to this alternative embodiment, two cellulose wadding webs are unwound from rolls (A) and (B), which results in a separation between the webs. Then the powder superabsorbent product
By using spray nozzles distributed over the width (C), they are either deposited between these webs (on one, both of the webs or in the separation areas of the webs) or discharged. Mechanical bonds (through some points) are then created between the webs to keep all or part of the superabsorbent product in place. For example, the latter may be housed in a cell left by a mechanical joint. The mechanical bond is preferably obtained by compressing the web between both cylinders (D). At least one of these is engraved to provide a local extension of the web to provide a joint (typically a point joint). The joint may be further strengthened by pre-sizing the points obtained by embossing with the cylinder (E). After this bonding, the product is wound into a large size spool to obtain a semi-manufactured product that can be used as a raw material for subsequent processing steps, or a spool that can be used directly by the user (F). Being rolled up. The composite product may also be cut into folded or unfolded sheets, shown as entangled or unentangled, using suitable processing equipment. .

Specific examples of composite products according to the invention, together with their absorption properties, are listed in the table below.

【table】

The products and products of the present invention are fundamentally required for industrial wipes, especially medical centers (hospitals, carcasses, laboratories, etc.), equipment rooms, garages, factories, warehouses, etc. It is particularly suitable in various industrial fields such as automotive, aviation, printing, etc., or in the transportation of fruits and vegetables. The advantages of the invention are numerous, in particular the production of strong absorbent, inexpensive composite products which can be produced economically and industrially using conventional equipment.

[Procedure for Amendment] Submission for translation of Article 34 Amendment of Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] February 9, 2002 (2002.2.9)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK , DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, J P, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR , LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, R O, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ , TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW F term (reference) 3B074 AA01 AA07 AA08 AB01 AC03                       BB01                 4F100 AJ04A AJ04B BA03 BA04                       BA05 BA10A BA10B DE01C                       DG06A DG06B EC182 EH762                       EJ402 GB66 GB71 HB21                       JA13A JA13B JA13C JD14C                       YY00A YY00B YY00C

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A wipe product comprising a superabsorbent product between at least two cellulose wadding webs. 2. At least two cellulosic wadding webs having a powder superabsorbent product disposed between them, preferably mechanically coupled to each other by embossing across the width of the mating dies, Wiping product according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a web, preferably in combination with a chemical binder. 3. The wipe product according to claim 1, which contains a superabsorbent weight of 1 to 15 g / m ² . 4. The method according to claim 1, comprising two to five webs, preferably two webs, preferably 12 to 60 g / m ² . Wipe product. 5. Use of an absorbent composite material consisting of a superabsorbent product placed between two or several cellulosic wadding webs, for the preparation of an industrial wipe. 6. A paper strip comprising two cellulosic wadding webs containing a superabsorbent product, the strip comprising a portion bounded to tear along one line. Including absorbent paper roll. 7. A wiped article comprising depositing a superabsorbent article between at least two cellulose wadding webs, preferably in a uniform manner, and mechanically joining these webs across their width. Preparation method of. 8. Process according to claim 7, characterized in that the deposition is carried out by a dry process, preferably by spraying. 9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the mechanical bond is combined with a chemical binder. 10. Adhering one or more superabsorbent powder products in a uniform manner between two or more cellulosic wadding webs and mechanically bonding the entire width of the webs. A method of increasing the absorbency of cellulose wadding for various liquids. 11. A method comprising: (i) at least two cylinders for assembling both webs by embossing across the width and (ii) means for depositing the superabsorbent, preferably in a uniform manner. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to any one of clauses 7 to 10. 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the means for depositing the superabsorbent are represented by spray nozzles. 13. At least one of the assembling cylinders is engraved so that the web can be mechanically embossed.
Or the apparatus according to 12.