MXPA02010761A

MXPA02010761A - Ion sensitive, water dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same.

Info

Publication number: MXPA02010761A
Application number: MXPA02010761A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Dave A Soerens
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Co
Priority date: 2000-05-04
Filing date: 2001-05-03
Publication date: 2003-03-10
Also published as: EP1280952A2; KR100760080B1; PL366059A1; DE60141746D1; CA2407741A1; AR028412A1; JP4789386B2; WO2001083666A3; BR0110590A; ES2339424T3; KR20040025514A; EP1280952B1; CN1427906A; CN1246517C; WO2001083666A2; BR0110590B1; JP2004510458A; CA2407741C; AU6296901A; TWI237030B

Abstract

The present invention is directed to ion sensitive, water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion sensitive, water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber containing fabrics and webs comprising ion sensitive, water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.

Description

DISPERSIBLE POLYMERS IN WATER SENSITIVE TO ION, A METHOD FOR MAKE THEMSELVES AND ARTICLES USING THEMSELVES FIELD OF THE INVENTION - • The present invention is directed to water dispersible and ion sensitive polymer formulas. The present invention is also directed to a method for making water dispersible and ion sensitive polymer formulas and their applicability as binder compositions for disposable articles. The present invention is further directed to disposable articles, such as wet cleaning wipes comprising water-dispersible and ion-sensitive binder compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years, the problem of availability has plagued the industries which provide disposable items; such as diapers, cleansing cloths, incontinent garments and women's care products. Even though much has been achieved by referring to this problem, one of the weak links has been the inability to create a coherent and economical fibrous tissue, which dissolves easily or disintegrates in water, but still has sufficient strength in the use. See for example, the description of the United Kingdom patent of Great Britain No. 2,241,373 and the present of the United States of America No. 4,186,233. Without such a product, the user's ability to dispose of the product by discharging water into a toilet is greatly reduced if not eliminated. In addition, the ability of the product to disintegrate in a landfill is very limited because a large part of the product components, which may be either biodegradable or photodegradable, are encapsulated or bound together by plastic which degrades on a long period of time if he does it at all. If the plastic were to disintegrate in the presence of water, the internal components could degrade as a result of the breakdown of plastic caking or encapsulation.

Disposable products such as diapers, women's care products and incontinence care products can be made disposable by flushing water in toilets. Usually such products comprise a body-side liner which must easily pass fluids, such as urine or menstrual fluids so that the fluid can be absorbed by an absorbent core of the product. Typically, the side-to-body liner can be a fibrous and coherent fabric, which desirably possesses a number of characteristics, such as softness and flexibility. The fibrous tissue of the material Body side lining can typically be formed by wet or dry (by air) placing a plurality of fibers generally at random and joining them together to form a coherent fabric with binder compositions. Past binder compositions have performed this function well. However, the fibrous tissues comprising these compositions tend not to be dispersible and present problems in typical household sanitary systems.

Recent binder compositions have been developed which can be more dispersible and are more environmentally responsible than the binder compositions of the past. One class of binder compositions includes polymeric materials that have an inverse solubility in water. These binder compositions are insoluble in warm water, but are soluble in cold water, such as that found in a toilet. It is well known that a number of polymers exhibit cloudy spots or properties of inverse solubility in the aqueous medium. These polymers have been cited in various publications for various applications, including (1) as evaporation retarders (Japanese Patent 6,207,162); (2) as temperature sensitive compositions, which are useful as temperature indicators due to an acute color change associated with a corresponding temperature change (Japanese Patent 6,192,527); (3) as heat-sensitive materials that are opaque at a specific temperature and that are made transparent when cooled below the specific temperature (Japanese Patent 51,003,248 and Japanese Patent 81,035,703); (4) as wound dressings with good absorbency characteristics and easy to remove (Japanese patent 6,233,809); and (5) as materials in disposable personal care products (US Pat. No. 5,509,913 issued to Richard S. Yeo on April 23, 1996 and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation).

Other recent binders of interest include a class of binders which are ion sensitive. Several United States of America and European patents assigned to Lion Corporation of Tokyo, Japan describe ion-sensitive polymers comprising acrylic acid or alkyl or aryl acrylates. See U.S. Patent Nos. 5,312,883, 5,317,063 and 5,384,189, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as European Patent No. 608,460 Al. In U.S. Patent No. 5,312,883, they are described terpolymers as suitable binders for disposable non-woven fabrics. The described acrylic acid-based terpolymers, which comprise partially neutralized acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, are suitable binders for use in non-woven disposable fabrics with water discharge in some parts of the world. However, due to the presence of a small amount of sodium acrylate in the terpolymer partially neutralized, these binders fail to disperse in water containing more than about 15 parts per million Ca2 + and / or Mg2 +. When placed in water containing more than about 15 parts per million of Ca2 + and / or Mg2 + ions, the non-woven fabrics using the binders described above maintained a tensile strength greater than 30 grams per 2.54 cm (1 inch), which negatively affects the "dispersibility" of the fabric. The proposed mechanism for failure is that each calcium ion binds with two carboxylate groups either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. The intramolecular association causes the polymer chain to coil, which eventually leads to polymer precipitation. The intermolecular association gives cross-linking. Whether the intramolecular or intermolecular associations are taking place the terpolymer is not soluble in water containing more than about 15 parts per million Ca2 + and / or Mg2 +. Due to the strong interaction between the calcium ions and the carboxylate groups of the terpolymer, the disassociation of the complex is highly unfeasible because this association is irreversible. Therefore, the polymer described above has been exposed to a high Ca2 + and / or g2 + concentration solution that will not disperse in water even if the calcium concentration decreases. This limits the application of the polymer as a disposable binder material with water discharge because most areas across the United States United States have hard water which contains more than about 15 parts per million of Ca2 + and / or Mg2 +.

In a co-pending application assigned to Kimberly-Clark, for example, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 223,999, filed on December 31, 1998, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, is incorporated herein by reference. describes therein a modification of the acrylic acid terpolymers of the aforementioned patents granted to Lion Corporation. Specifically, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 223,999 discloses a sulfonate anion modified with terpolymers of acrylic acid which has improved dispersibility in a relatively hard water; for example, up to 200 parts per million Ca2 + and / or Mg2 +, compared to unmodified Lion polymers. However, the ion-sensitive polymers of Lion Corporation of the aforementioned patents and the modified sulfonate anion with acrylic acid terpolymers of the co-pending application when used as binders for personal care products, such as wet cleansing wipes , typically have reduced sheet wetting, increased sheet stiffness, increased sheet tack, reduced binder sprayable and a relatively high product cost.

Another approach to dispersible personal care products is that described in U.S. Patent No. 5,281,306 issued to Kao Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. This patent discloses a water-disintegrable cleaning sheet, for example, a wet cleaning cloth, comprising water-dispersible fibers treated with a water-soluble binder having a carboxyl group. The cleaning sheet is treated with a cleaning agent containing 5% -95% of a compatible organic solvent in water and 95% -5% of water. A preferred organic solvent is propylene glycol. The cleaning sheet retains moisture resistance and does not disperse in the organic solvent based cleaning agent, but disperses in the water.

Although many patents describe various temperature and ion sensitive compositions for water dispersible or disposable materials with water discharge, there is still a need for dispersible products possessing softness, flexibility, three-dimensionality, and elasticity; transmission and structural integrity in the presence of body fluids (including feces) at body temperature, and a true fiber dispersion after discharge with water discharge in the toilet so that the fibers do not get entangled with the roots of the trees or in the folds of the drainage pipes. In addition, known ion-sensitive polymers, such as those of Lion Corporation and those of the co-pending application of Kimberly-Clark have relatively high viscosities at high cut-off rates which render the application impossible or impractical to spray. In addition, there is a need in the art for disposable products with water discharge that have dispersibility in water in all areas of the world including soft and hard water areas. In addition, there is a need for water-dispersible binders that do not reduce the wetting of the product with which they are used and are sprayable for easy and uniform application and penetration into the products. Finally, there is a need for disposable wet wipes with water discharge and water dispersible that are stable during storage and retain a desired level of moisture resistance during use and are moistened with a wetting composition that is relatively free or is essentially free of organic solvents. Such a product is required at a reasonable cost without compromising product safety and environmental concerns, something that the products of the past have not been able to do.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive polymer formulas, which have been developed to refer to the above-described problems associated with currently available ion-sensitive polymers and others. polymers described in the literature. The ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention have a "firing property", so that the polymers are insoluble in a humidifying composition comprising ions of a particular type and concentration, such as monovalent salt solutions at a concentration from about 0.3% to 10%, but which can be soluble when diluted with water, including divalent salt solutions such as hard water with up to 200 ppm (parts per million) of calcium and magnesium ions. Unlike some ion-sensitive polymer formulations, which lose the dispersibility in hard water due to the cross-linking of ion by calcium ions, the polymer formulas of the present invention are relatively insensitive to calcium ions and / o of magnesium. Accordingly, disposable water discharge products containing the polymer formulas of the present invention maintain dispersibility in hard water. In addition, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention may have improved spray properties or reduced high cut viscosity, improved product wetting or decreased product stickiness and stickiness properties.

The polymer formulations of the present invention are useful as binders and structural components for non-woven fabrics placed by air and wet laid for applications such as from side-to-body linings, materials of fluid distribution, fluid intake materials (emergence) or cover supply in various personal care products. The polymer formulas of the present invention are particularly useful as a binder material for disposable personal care products with water discharge, particularly wet cleaning cloths for personal use, such as for cleaning or treating the skin, for removal of makeup, for the removal of nail varnish, for medical care and also cleaning cloths for use in hard surface cleaning, for automotive care, including cleaning cloths comprising disinfecting cleaning agents, and the like. Disposable products with water discharge maintain integrity or resistance to wetting during storage and use, and are separated or dispersed after disposal in the toilet when the salt concentration falls below a critical level. Suitable substrates for treatment include tissue, such as creped or non-creped tissue, coformmed products, hydroentangled fabrics, air-laid mats, fluff pulp, non-woven fabrics, and composites thereof. Methods for producing non-creped tissues and molded three-dimensional tissue fabrics for use in the present invention can be found in the patent application of the United States of America, also owned by the applicant, series No. 08 / 912,906, "Wet Elastic Fabrics and Disposable Articles Made with the Same "by F.-J. Chen and others, filed on August 15, 1997; in U.S. Patent No. 5,429,686 issued to Chiu et al. on July 4, 1995; in the patent of the United States of America No. 5,399,412 granted to S.J. Sudall and S.A. Engel on March 21, 1995; U.S. Patent No. 5,672,248 issued to Endt et al. on September 30, 1997; and U.S. Patent No. 5,607,551 issued to Farrington et al. on March 4, 1997; all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. The molded tissue structures of the aforementioned patents can be especially useful for providing good cleaning on a wet cleaning cloth. Good cleaning can also be promoted by providing a degree of texture in other substrates as well as by etching, molding, wetting and drying through air on a textured fabric, and the like.

The material placed by air can be formed by metering an air flow containing the fibers and other optional materials, in an essentially dry condition, onto a wire forming grid in movement typically in a horizontal manner. Systems and apparatuses suitable for air-laying mixtures of fibers and thermoplastic materials are described, for example, in United States of America Patent No. 4,157,724 (Persson), issued on June 12, 1979, and reissued on December 25, 1984; as the reissue patent of the United States of America No. 31,775; U.S. Patent No. 4,278,113 (Persson); granted on July 14, 1981; U.S. Patent No. 4,264,289 (Day) issued April 28, 1981; U.S. Patent No. 4,352,649 (Jacobsen et al.) issued October 5, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,353,687 (to Hosler et al.) issued October 12, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,494,278 (Kroyer et al.) issued January 22, 1985; the United States patent of America No. 4,627,806 (Johnson), granted on December 9, 1986; the patent of the United States of America No. 4,650,409 (Nistri et al.) Granted on March 17, 1987; and U.S. Patent No. 4,724,980 (Farley), issued February 16, 1988; and U.S. Patent No. 4,640,810, (Laursen et al.) issued on February 3, 1987.

The present invention also discloses how to make non-water dispersible fabrics, including a cover supply (liner), take-up materials, and wet wiping cloths, which are stable in fluids having a first ionic composition, such as the monovalent ions at a particular concentration essentially greater than that found in typical hard water, using the formulas of the single polymer described above, as binder compositions. The resulting nonwovens are disposable with water discharge and dispersible in water due to the sensitivity of ready-made ion, which can be triggered regardless of the hardness of the water found in the toilets throughout the United States of America and in the world. The dispersible products according to the present invention may also have improved softness and flexibility properties. Such products also have a reduced tack. In some embodiments, the polymer formulations with which such articles are treated can have improved spray properties, which improve the distribution of the polymer in the product and the penetration into the product, in addition to the ease of application, which translates in cost savings.

The present invention also discloses an improved humidifying composition for wet cleaning cloths. Wet wiping cloths employing the polymer formulas of the present invention are stable during storage and retain a desired level of wet strength during use and are wetted with a wetting composition or cleaning agent that may be relatively free or essentially free of organic solvents.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the embodiments described and the appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a graph showing the wet strength data for three binder formulas as a function of the ionic environment and the soaking time.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing how the wet tensile strength (reported as CD T in grams per 2.54 centimeters over a range of soaking times), can change over time as the fabrics are soaked, comprising 68 grams per square meter of tissues placed by soft wood air and ion-sensitive binders, in solutions that comprise calcium ions.

Figure 3 compares two data sets with the product Lion SSB-3b taken from Figure 2 (marked as Code 3300) with a sulfonated salt-sensitive binder mixed with the Dur-O-Set® RB polymer in a ratio of 75 / 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INCORPORATIONS DESCRIBED In order to be effective ion-sensitive formulas suitable for use in disposable or water dispersible personal care products, the formulas must be desirably (1) functional; for example, maintaining a resistance to wetting under controlled conditions and dissolving or dispersing rapidly in soft or hard water such as that found in toilets and toilets around the world; (2) safe (non-toxic); and (3) relatively inexpensive. In addition, of the above factors, ion-sensitive formulas when used as a binder composition for a nonwoven substrate, such as a wet cleaning cloth, desirably must be (4) processable on a commercial basis.; for example, they can be applied relatively quickly on a large scale basis, such as by spraying, which therefore requires that the binder composition have a relatively low viscosity at the cutoff rate; (5) provide acceptable levels of sheet or substrate wetting; and (6) provide an improved product feel, such as reduced tackiness and improved product flexibility. The moisturizing composition with which the wet cleaning cloths of the present invention are treated can provide some of the above advantages, and, in addition, can provide one or more of (7) improved skin care, such as a skin irritation. reduced or other benefits; (8) touch properties improved, and (9) promote good cleaning by providing a balance in the use between friction and lubricity on the skin (skin slippage). The ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention and articles made therefrom, especially cleaning wipes, comprise particular wetting compositions as set forth below, can fulfill many or all of the above-mentioned criteria. Of course, it is not necessary that all the advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention be satisfied to fall within the scope of the present invention.

The polymer formulas of the present invention may be formed of a single triggerable polymer, such as an ion-sensitive polymer, or from a combination of two or more different polymers, such as a fusible polymer and a co-binder. Desirably, at least one polymer of the polymer formulas of the present invention is an ion sensitive polymer. Ion-sensitive polymers are known in the art and include any polymer whose solubility in water varies depending on the type and amount of ions present in the water. The ion-sensitive polymers useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, the Lion polymers discussed above, such as the Lion acrylic acid terpolymer, the modified sulfonate anion with acrylic acid terpolymer of copending application 09 / 223,999 and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc; Acrylic acid-free polymers of the co-pending patent application of the United States of America series No., filed on May 4, 2000, entitled "Dispersible Polymers Dispersible in Ion-Sensitive Hard Water and Applications for the Same" (identified as Case of Kimberly-Clark No. 15851; J &A No. 11302-0481; Express Mail Label No. EL498682165US) also assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., as well as other ion and chemical sensitive polymers, including the polymers of U.S. Patent No. 6,043,317 issued March 28, 2000 to Muick et al., and also assigned to Kimberly-Clark Orldwide, Inc., whose discussions of each are incorporated herein by reference herein. its entirety Other known triprable polymers may include heat-sensitive and heat-sensitive polymers as well as polymers which are dispersed in the presence of a dispersion aid added to the water of a bath basin or other water source, as discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,948,710, issued September 7, 1999 to Pomplun et al. and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Orldwide, Inc., who noted that other means to render the polymer degradable in water are through the use of a change in temperature. Certain polymers exhibit a cloudy point temperature. As a result of this, these polymers will precipitate out of a solution at a particular temperature which is the cloudy spot. These polymers can be used to form fibers, which are insoluble in water above a certain temperature, but which become soluble and therefore degradable in water at a lower temperature. As a result of this, it is possible to select or mix a polymer, which will not degrade in body fluids, such as urine, at or near body temperature (37 ° C) but which will degrade when Place in water at temperatures below body temperature, for example, at room temperature (23 ° C). An example of such a polymer is polyvinyl methyl ether, which has a cloud point of 34 ° C. When the polymer is exposed to body fluids such as urine at 37 ° C, it will not degrade, since this temperature is above the cloud point (34 ° C). However, if the polymer is placed in water at room temperature (23 ° C), the polymer will return, over time, to a solution as it was already exposed to water at a temperature below its cloud point. Consequently, the polymer will begin to degrade. Mixtures of polyvinyl methyl ether and copolymers can also be considered. The other polymers soluble in cold water including polyvinyl alcohol, graft copolymers supplied by the Nippon Synthetic Chemical Company, Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, which are encoded as Ecomaty AX2000, AX10000 and AX300G.

Ion-Sensitive Polymers Lion-sensitive ion polymers and ion-sensitive polymers of the copending applications mentioned above and the United States of America patents of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc. are useful in the present invention. The modified sulfonate anion of acrylic acid terpolymer of copending patent application 09 / 223,999, assigned from Kimberly-Clark orldwide, Inc., is desired because unlike the polymers of Lion Corporation and other polymers cited in the literature In the art, the polymers of copending patent application 09 / 223,999 are water soluble having from less than about 10 parts per million Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+, up to about 200 parts per million Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+. The polymers of the co-pending application are formulated to minimize the potentially strong interaction between the anions of the polymers and the cations in the water. The strong interaction can be explained through a hard-soft acid base theory proposed by R.G. Pearson in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, volume 85, page 3533 (1963); or N, S. Isaacs in the text Physical Organic Chemistry, published by Longman Scientific and Technical with John Wiley & Sons, Inc., of New York (1987). The hard anions and the hard cations interact strongly with each other. Soft anions and soft cations also interact strongly with one another. However, soft anions and hard cations, and vice versa, They interact weakly with each other. In Lion polymers, the carboxylate anion of sodium acrylate is a hard anion, which interacts strongly with hard cations, Ca2 + and / or Mg2 +, present in moderately hard and hard water. By replacing the carboxylate anions with a softer anion, such as a sulfonate anion, the interaction between the anions of a releasable ion polymer and the hard cations, Ca2 + and / or Mg2 +, present in moderately hard and hard water is reduced.

As used herein, the term "mild water" refers to water having a divalent ion content of less than about 10 parts per million. As used herein, the term "moderately hard water" refers to water having a divalent ion content of from about 10 to about 50 parts per million.As used, the term "hard water" refers to water having a divalent ion content of more than about 50 parts per million up to about 200 parts per million By controlling the hydrophobic / hydrophilic balance and the composition of the polymers as well as the combination of the polymers that form the formula, The ion-sensitive polymer formulas having the agglutination resistance in use and water dispersibility-water are produced.The ion-sensitive polymer can be a copolymer, such as a terpolymer.

The ion-sensitive acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention may comprise any combination of acrylic acid monomers and acrylic ester (alkyl acrylate) monomers capable of a free radical polymerization in a copolymer, and specifically, a terpolymer. Suitable acrylic acid monomers include, but are not limited to, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Suitable acrylic monomers include, but are not limited to, acrylic esters and methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 18 carbon atoms and it is preferred that acrylic esters and / or the methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 12 carbon atoms are used singly or in combination. Other suitable monomers include, but are not limited to monomers based on acrylamide and methacrylamide, such as acrylamide, N, N-dimethyl acrylamide, N-ethyl acrylamide, N-isopropyl acrylamide, and hydroxymethyl acrylamide.; N-vinylpyrrolidinone; N-vinylforamide; hydroxyalkyl acrylates and hydroxyalkyl methacrylates, such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxyethyl acrylate. Other suitable acrylic acid monomers and acrylic ester monomers are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,317,063 assigned to Lion Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A particularly preferred acrylic acid terpolymer is "LION SSB-3b, available from Lion Corporation. (In alternate embodiments, the ion sensitive polymer is formed of monomers other than acrylic acid or its derivatives, or is relatively free of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and salts thereof).

The relative amounts of the monomers in the acrylic acid copolymer of the present invention may vary depending on the desired properties in the resulting polymer. The percent monomer of acrylic acid in the copolymer is up to about 70 mol percent. More specifically, the mole percent of acrylic acid monomer in the copolymer is from about 15 to about 50 mole percent. More specifically, the mole percent of acrylic acid monomer in the copolymer is from about 25 to about 40 mole percent.

More specifically, examples of the acrylic acid copolymers useful in the present invention include copolymers of 10 percent by weight to 90 percent by weight, desirably 20 percent by weight to 70 percent by weight of acrylic acid and / or of methacrylic acid and 90 percent by weight to 10 percent by weight, desirably 80 percent by weight to 30 percent by weight of acrylic esters and / or methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 18 carbon atoms in which from 1 to 60 mol percent, Desirably 5 to 50 percent mol of acrylic acid and / or methacrylic acid is neutralized to form a salt, or copolymers of 30 weight percent to 75 weight percent, desirably 40 weight percent to 65 weight percent by weight of acrylic acid, 5 percent by weight to 30 percent by weight, desirably 10 percent by weight to 25 percent by weight of acrylic esters and / or methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 8 to 12 atoms of carbon and 20 weight percent to 40 weight percent, desirably 25 weight percent to 35 weight percent of acrylic esters and / or methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the from 1 to 50 percent per mole, desirably 2 to 40 percent per mole of acrylic acid is neutralized to form a salt.

The acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention may have an average molecular weight, which varies depending on the end use of the polymer. The acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention have a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 10,000 to about 5,000,000. More specifically, the acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention have a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 25,000 to about 2,000,000 or more specifically, from about 200,000 to about 1,000,000.

The acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention can be prepared according to a variety of polymerization methods, desirably a solution polymerization method. Suitable solvents for the polymerization method include, but are not limited to, lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol; a mixed solvent of water and one or more lower alcohols mentioned above; and a mixed solvent of water and one or more lower ketones such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone.

In the polymerization method of the present invention, any polymerization initiator can be used. The selection of a particular initiator may depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the polymerization temperature, the solvent and the monomers used. Polymerization initiators suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2'-azobis (2-methylbutyronitrile), 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile). , 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis (N, N '-dimethyleneisobutylamidine), potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, and aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The amount of polymerization initiator can desirably vary from about 0.01 to 5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the monomer present.

The polymerization temperature may vary depending on the polymerization solvent, the monomers, and the initiator used, but generally ranges from about 20 ° C to about 90 ° C. The polymerization time generally varies from about 2 to about 8 hours.

The modified acrylic acid sulfonate copolymers according to the present invention include hydrophilic monomers, such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, incorporated in the acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention together with one or more sulfonate-containing monomers. The sulfonate anions of these monomers are milder than the carboxylate anions since the negative charge of the sulfonate anion is delocalised on three oxygen atoms and one larger sulfide atom, as opposed to only two oxygen atoms and one atom of sulfonate. smallest carbon in the carboxylate anion. These monomers, containing the smoother sulfonate anion, are less interactive with the multivalent ions present in hard water, particularly the Ca2 + and Mg2 + ions.

Suitable sulfonate-containing monomers include, but are not limited to 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and the organic or inorganic salts of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, such as the organic amine and alkaline earth metal salts of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, particularly the sodium salt of 2- acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS). Additional suitable sulfonate-containing monomers include, but are not limited to, 2-methyl-2-propane sulfonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, 2-sulfopropyl methacrylate and 3-sulfopropyl acrylate, and the organic or inorganic salts thereof , such as alkaline earth metal salts and organic amine salts, such as alkyl ammonium hydroxide wherein the alkyl groups are C1-C18. To maintain the hydrophobic / hydrophilic balance of the ion sensitive polymer, one or more hydrophobic monomers are added to the polymer.

The anion sulfonate modified acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention can be produced from monomers including the following monomers: acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or a combination thereof; 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and organic or inorganic salts thereof such as the sodium salt thereof (NaAMPS); butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. Desirably, the ion-sensitive sulfonate anion-modified acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention are produced from: acrylic acid; AMPS, NaAMPS or a combination thereof; butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. Desirably, the monomers are present in the copolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion in the following per hundred mole: acrylic acid, about 35 to less than 80 percent mol; AMPS or NaAMPS, more than 0 to about 20 percent mol; butyl acrylate from more than 0 to about 65 mol percent; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, from more than 0 to about 45 mole percent. More specifically the monomers are present in the copolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion in the following per hundred mole: acrylic acid, about 50 to about 67 mole percent; AMPS or NaAMPS, from more than 0 to about 10 percent mol; butyl acrylate, from about 15 to about 28 mole percent; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, from about 7 to about 15 mole percent. More specifically, the monomers are present in the copolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion in the following per hundred mole: acrylic acid, about 57 to about 66 mole percent; AMPS or NaAMPS, from from about 1 to about 6 mol percent; butyl acrylate, from about 15 to about 28 mole percent; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate from about 7 to about 13 mole percent; especially, about 60 percent acrylic acid to about 5 percent mol AMPS or NaAMPS, about 24.5 percent mol of butyl acrylate and about 10.5 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

If the AMPS is used as one of the monomers, it is desired to neutralize at least a part of the acid component.

Any inorganic base or organic base can be used as a neutralizing agent to neutralize the acid component. Examples of neutralizing agents include, but are not limited to, inorganic bases, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, and amines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, diethylaminoethanol, Ammonium, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, morpholine. Preferred neutralizing agents include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or a combination thereof.

A sulfonate-modified copolymer having a salt sensitivity can also be produced by sulfonation of an existing polymer, such as a copolymer or a terpolymer derived from acrylic acid. Methods for sulfonating polymers are well known in the art. Methods for the production of sulphonated or sulphated polymers are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,624,069, issued November, 1971 to Schwelger; in the patent of the United States of America No. 4,419,403 granted on December 6, 1983 to Varona; in U.S. Patent No. 5,522,967, issued June 4, 1996 to Shet; in the patent of the United States of America No. 4,220,739, granted on September 2, 1980 to Walles; in the patent of the United States of America No. 5,783,200 granted on July 21, 1998 to Motley et al., as well as the following Patents: Patents of the United States of America Nos .: 2,400,720; 2,937,066; 2,786,780; 2,832,696; 3,613,957 and 3,740,258, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The principles for sulphonation and sulfonation (for example through sulfamic acid treatment, reaction with thionyl chloride or chlorosulfonic acid or exposure to sulfur trioxide) are among the trajectories described by Samuel Shore and D.R. Berger in "Sulfates of Alcohol and Alcohol Ether", in the work Anionic Surfactants, Part 1, editor Warner M. Linfield, New York; Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1976, page 135-149; and by Ben E. Ed ards, "The sulphonation and sulfation mechanisms" in Anionic Surfactants, Part 1, Warner M. Linfield, New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1976, page 111-134, both of which are Incorporate here by reference.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas described above are used as binder materials for disposable products with water discharge and / or non-disposable with water discharge. In order to be effective as a binder in disposable products with water discharge through the United States, the formulas of the ion-sensitive polymers of the present invention remain stable and maintain their integrity while they are dry or at relatively low concentrations. of monovalent ions, but they become soluble in water containing up to about 200 parts per million divalent ions, especially calcium and magnesium ions. Desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention of the present invention including the copolymers of acrylic acid are insoluble in a salt solution containing at least about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more inorganic salts and / or organic containing monovalent ions. More desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention including copolymers of acrylic acid are insoluble in a salt solution containing from about 0.3 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of one or more salts inorganic and / or organic containing monovalent ions. Even more desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention including the acrylic acid copolymers are insoluble in salt solutions containing from about 1 weight percent to about 3.0 weight of one or more inorganic salts and / or organic containing monovalent ions. Suitable monovalent ions include, but not limited to Na + ions, K + ions, Li + ions to NH4 + ions, low molecular weight quaternary ammonium compounds (eg those having less than 5 carbons on any side groups) , and a combination of them.

In an alternate embodiment, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention including the Acrylic acid copolymers modified with anion sulfonate are insoluble in a salt solution containing at least about 1 weight percent of one or more inorganic and / or organic salts containing monovalent ions. More desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention including the terpolymers of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate are insoluble in a salt solution containing from about 1 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of one or more monovalent ions containing inorganic and / or organic salts. Even more desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention which include the anion sulfonate modified acrylic acid terpolymers are insoluble in salt solutions containing from about 1 weight percent to about 3.0 weight percent. weight of one or more inorganic and / or organic salts containing monovalent ions. Suitable monovalent ions include, but are not limited to, Na + ions, K + ions, Li + ions, NH4 +, low molecular weight quaternary ammonium compounds (for example those having less than 5 carbons on any side groups), and a combination thereof.

Based on a recent study conducted by the American Chemical Society, water hardness across the United States varies greatly, with the concentration of CaC03 varying from almost zero for mild water to around 500 parts per million of CaCO3 (around 200 parts per million Ca2 + ion) for very hard water. To ensure the dispersibility of the polymer formula throughout the country (and throughout the world) the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention are desirably water soluble containing up to about 50 parts per million Ca 2+ ions and / or Mg2 +. More desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention are soluble in water containing up to about 100 parts per million Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+ ions. Even more desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention are water soluble containing up to about 150 parts per million Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+ ions. Even more desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention are soluble in water containing up to about 200 parts per million of Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+ ions.

A wide variety of polymer / surfactant systems can be used to provide the same functionality as ion-sensitive Lion polymers and the ion-sensitive sulfonate-modified anion sulfonate terpolymers of co-pending patent application No. 09 / 223,999, without the need to limit the sulfonic or carboxylic moieties. Such other systems are described below.

Phosphorylated polymers containing phosphonic groups, thiofsulfonic groups, or other organophosphorous groups such as the "soft" anion capable of establishing an inequality with Ca ++ can be used as the ion-sensitive polymer in the present invention. This may include cellulose or modified cellulose derivatives and related gums, made insoluble by the presence of monovalent salts or other electrolytes. In one embodiment, the soluble cellulose derivatives, such as CMC, are phosphorylated and rendered insoluble and can be made effective as ion-sensitive polymer formulas when they are in a solution of high ionic strength or of an appropriate pH, but are dispersible in Tap water. In another embodiment, the aminophosphin groups, which may be anionic or amphoteric, are added to a polymer. The aminophosphinic groups can be added through the condensation of a hypophosphite salt with a primary amine. The reaction of chloromethylphosphinic acid with amine can also give useful anionic groups as described by Guenther W. Wasow in the work "Anionic Surfactants Containing Phosphorus", Anionic Surfactants: Organic Chemistry, editor Hemult W. Stache, New York: Marcel Dekker, 1996, pages 589-590. The entire Wasow chapter, comprising pages 551-629 of the aforementioned book, offers additional teachings relevant to creating polymers with useful phosphorus groups and is incorporated herein by reference.

Other methods for preparing the phosphorylated cellulose fibers are well known. These methods can be adapted to CMC, which can then serve as an agglutinating agent. The exemplary methods are described in United States Patent No. 3,739,782 issued June 19, 1973 to Bernardin. Cellulose and synthetic polymers are naturally modified to have other "soft" anionic groups may be useful as an ion-sensitive polymer of the present invention.

Natural polymers that have already been provided with useful anionic groups may also be useful in the present invention. Such polymers include agar and carrageenan, which may have multiple ester sulfate groups. These can be further modified if necessary, to have additional anionic groups (eg sulfonation, forphorylation and the like).

Polymers having two or more different soft anionic groups, such as both sulfonic and phosphonic groups, wherein the relative amounts of the different anions can be adjusted to optimize the strength, ionic sensitivity, and dispersibility of the polymer, are also useful in the present invention. This also includes zuiterionic and amphoteric compounds. Polia folitos in particular can be easily soluble above or below the isoelectric point, but insoluble at the isoelectric point, offering the potential for a trigger mechanism based on the electrolyte concentration and the pH. Examples of the polyamolytes include, but are not limited to, the copolymers of methacrylic acid and allylamine, the copolymers of methacrylic acid and 2-vinylpyridine, polysiloxane ionomers with pendant amphoteric groups, and the polymers formed directly from the zwitterionic monomer salts, such as the pair ion of comonomers (IPC) of Salamone and others, all described by Irja Piirma in the work Surfactantes Poliméricos, New York: Macel Dekker, Inc. 1992, pages 251-254, incorporated herein by reference.

Salty capable proteins, optionally modified to have additional soft ionic groups, may be useful as the ion sensitive polymer of the present invention.

Systems such as those comprising algin derivatives or natural sulfonated polymers in which the calcium ion at high concentrations (higher than the levels of 250 parts per million or less that can be found in hard water) insolubilizes the binder , but still allow the hard water to sufficiently dilute the calcium ion to make the dispersible binder useful in the present invention. Therefore, even though it is desired that the ion sensitive binders of the present invention be insoluble in solutions comprising a metal ion monovalent above a critical concentration, in some embodiments the useful ion-sensitive binders are insoluble in solutions comprising a divalent metal ion above a critical concentration, but which become soluble when the concentration of divalent metal ion falls to about 200 parts per million or more specifically to about 100 parts per million, so that the fibrous substrate with the ion-sensitive polymer as a binder maintains good moisture resistance in a solution comprising a high concentration of the divalent metal ion , but still be dispersible in water in hard water or medium hard water. Therefore, the firing mechanism, which results in a pre-wetted cleaning cloth that loses its resistance to moisture and becomes disposable with discharge of water even in hard water, may be due to the dilution of a monovalent or divalent metal ion and particularly an alkali metal ion, with monovalent ions, such as sodium being preferred. Natural polymers and gums which can be adapted for use as ion-sensitive binders are described by R.L. Whistler and J.N. BeMiller in Gomas Industriales, New York: Academic Press, Inc., 1973, incorporated herein by reference. Natural polymers, which become firm or form a gel in the presence of calcium ions are described below.

Algin (may need to be in the form of sodium alginate and calcium alginate for a good dispersability based on reported behavior in use in a binder for medicinal tablets - see page 62 of Wistler and BeMiller), which is insoluble as alginic acid, calcium alginate or in general as a salt of most polyvalent metals, but Soluble as sodium alginate or as a salt with low molecular weight amines or quaternary ammonium compounds (page 67) may be useful in the present invention. This material can be used, especially when zinc is an insolubilizing metal ion.

Other useful polymers include carrageenan and iridofican both algae derivatives comprising ester sulphates.

Both natural polymers, including cellulose, and synthetic polymers can be provided with ionic groups, such as sulfonic groups, phosphonic groups, and carboxyl groups, capable of bridging other molecules in the presence of ions of a type and adequate concentration. When the ionic concentration is essentially changed, such as by placing a cleaning article of the present invention in a toilet bowl, the article can weaken and disintegrate.

Ion-sensitive polymers include those which are dispersible in a low aqueous environment Prescribed conditions, but which are nonetheless not dispersible in all aqueous environments. Examples include materials that are alkaline dispersible or insoluble in salt. AQ Eastman copolyesters (from Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN), for example, can be dispersible in deionized water but still insoluble in salt solutions. These have been proposed for use in articles such as diapers that are intended to absorb body fluids. Additional information on these polymers is provided in the European Patent Application 773,315-A1"Non-woven Fabric Comprising Water-soluble Polyamides and Constructed Articles thereof," published May 14, 1997 by S.U. Ahmed Useful polyamfoliths include the polyacrylamide base copolymers which are highly sensitive to the concentration of sodium chloride.

U.S. Patent No. 3,939,836, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an alkali salt of a sulfated cellulose ester resin which gives good resistance to dry stress to fabrics, the strength of which is retained in a significant part when such fabrics are brought into contact with a salt solution typical of body fluids such as blood, menstrual fluid or urine and which are still easily dispersible in water. The resins have a degree of sulfate substitution from 0.10 to 0.45. In U.S. Patent No. 4,419,403, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the colloidal cellulose sulfate esters are used for effective water-dispersible binders, wherein the binders have a much greater degree of sulfate substitution than those of the patent of the United States of America No. 3,939,836. The binders of U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,403 form gels in the presence of potassium ions. Other patents related to dispersible polymers and wet cleaning cloths include U.S. Patent Nos. 4,117,187; 5,417,977; 4,309,469; 5,317,063; 5,312,883; 5,384,189; 5,543,488; 5,571,876; 5,709,940; 5,718,790, whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

Coaglutinant polymers As stated above, the polymer formulas of the present invention are formed of a single ion sensitive polymer or a combination of two or more different polymers, wherein at least one polymer is an ion sensitive polymer. The second polymer can be a co-binder polymer. A co-binder polymer is of one type and is in such an amount that when combined with the ion-sensitive polymer, said co-binder polymer is desirably quite dispersed in the ion-sensitive polymer; for example, the polymer sensitive to ion is desirably the continuous phase and the coagglutinating polymer is desirably the discontinuous phase. Desirably, the co-binder polymer can also fulfill several additional criteria. For example, the coagglutinating polymer may have a glass transition temperature; for example, Tg, which is lower than the glass transition temperature of the ion-sensitive polymer. In addition or alternatively, the co-binder polymer may be insoluble in water, or may reduce the cutting viscosity of the ion-sensitive polymer. The co-binder may be present at a level relative to the triggable polymer solids mass of about 45% or less, specifically about 30% or less, more specifically from about 20% or less, more specifically still around of 15% or less and more specifically of about 10% or less, with the example ranges from about 1% to about 45% or from about 25% to about 35%, as well as from around from 1% to around 20% or from about 5% to around 25%. The amount of the co-binder present must be sufficiently low, for co-binders with the potential to form water-insoluble films or bonds, so that the co-binder remains in a discontinuous phase unable to create sufficient cross-linking, or insoluble bonds, to endanger the dispersibility of the treated substrate. In one embodiment, the ion-sensitive polymer formula of the present invention may comprise about 75% acid terpolymer acrylic and about 25% by weight of poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) co-binder.

Desirably, but not necessarily, the co-binder polymer when combined with the ion-sensitive polymer will reduce the cutting viscosity of the ion-sensitive polymer to such an extent that the combination of the ion-sensitive polymer and the co-binder polymer is sprayable. By sprayable it is meant that the polymer can be applied to a nonwoven fibrous substrate by spraying and the distribution of the polymer through the substrate and the penetration of the polymer into a substrate are such that the polymer formula is applied uniformly to the substrate.

The co-binder polymer may be in the form of an emulsion latex. The surfactant system used in such a latex emulsion should be such that it does not interfere essentially with the dispersibility of the polymer sensitive to the In some embodiments, the combination of the ion-sensitive polymer and the co-binder polymer reduces the rigidity of the article to which it is applied compared to the article with just the ion-sensitive polymer. It has been found that when the ion sensitive polymer, such as a terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate, is applied to a non-woven substrate, such as an air-laid layer of wood pulp, for the purpose of forming a wet cleaning cloth, the non-woven sheet may have an undesirable amount of stiffness that is detrimental to the feeling of dry product or handling of the dry tissue during the processing, when the brittleness of the dry substrate can damage the run. By combining the ion-sensitive polymer and the co-binder polymer, the rigidity of such articles can be reduced.

The co-binder polymer of the present invention may have an average molecular weight which varies depending on the end use of the polymer. Desirably, the co-binder polymer has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from about 500,000 to about 200,000,000. More desirably the co-binder polymer has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from about 500,000 to about 100,000,000.

Binder polymers that can fulfill many or all of the foregoing criteria include, but are not limited to poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate), poly (styrene-butadiene), poly (styrene-acrylic), a vinyl acrylic terpolymer, neoprene, a polyester latex, an acrylic emulsion latex, a polyvinyl chloride, an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer, a vinyl acetate carboxylated latex and the like, all of which may not be cross-linked ( example devoid of N-methylol acrylamide or other cross-linked linkers), may be cross-linked or may be cross-linked potentially (for example crosslinker-ready preparations present) but not cross-linked essentially in the final product .

A particularly preferred non-crosslinkable poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) is Dur-O-Set® RB available from National Starch and Chemical Company, of Bridgewater, New Jersey. A particularly preferred cross-linked non-crosslinkable styrene-butadiene is Rovene® 4817 available from Mallard Creek Polymers, of Charlotte, NC. A particularly preferred crosslinkable non-crosslinkable poly (styrene-acrylic) is Rhoplex® NM 1715K available from Rohm and Haas, of Philadelphia, PA.

When a latex coaglutinant or a crosslinkable coaglutinant is potentially used, the latex should be prevented from forming essential water-insoluble bonds that agglutinate the fibrous substrate together and interfere with the dispersibility of the article. Thus, the latex may be free of crosslinking agents, such as NMA, or free of the catalyst for the crosslinker, or both. Alternatively, an inhibitor can be added that interferes with the linker cross-linked or with the catalyst so that cross-linking is prevented even when the The article has been heated to normal cross-linking temperatures. Such inhibitors may include free radical scavengers, methyl hydroquinone, t-butylcatechol, pH control agents such as potassium hydroxide and the like. For some latex crosslinkers, such as N-methylol acrylamide (NMA), for example a high pH such as a pH of 8 or higher may interfere with crosslinking at normal crosslinking temperatures (for example around of 130 ° C or higher). Also alternatively, an article comprising a latex coaglutinant can be maintained at temperatures below the temperature range at which cross-linkage occurs, such as the presence of a cross-linked linker that does not lead to cross-linking, or so that the degree of cross-linking remains low enough so that the dispersibility of the article is not endangered. Also alternatively, the amount of crosslinkable latex can be kept low at a threshold level so that even with cross linking, the article remains dispersible. For example, a small amount of crosslinkable latexes dispersed as discrete particles in an ion sensitive binder can allow dispersibility even when completely cross-linked. For the latter embodiment, the amount of latex may be below about 20% by weight, and, more specifically, below about 15% by weight relative to the ion-sensitive binder.

Latex compounds, whether crosslinkable or not, do not require coagglutinating. SEM micrography of successful ion-sensitive binding films with useful cross-linked non-crosslinkable latex emulsions dispersed there has shown that the latex coagglutinating particles can remain discrete entities in the ion-sensitive binder, possibly serving in part as a filler material. It is believed that other materials can serve a similar role, including a dispersed mineral or particulate filler in the ion sensitive binder, optionally comprising added surfactants / dispersants. For example, in a predicted incorporation, free-flowing Ganzpearl PS-8F particles from Presperse, Inc., (of Piscataway, New Jersey), a styrene / divinylbenzene copolymer with particles of about 0.4 microns, can be dispersed in a binder sensitive to the ion at a level of about 2 to 10% by weight to modify the mechanical properties, touch and optics of the ion sensitive binder. Other filler-type approaches may include microparticles, microspheres, or microbeads of metal, glass, carbon, mineral, quartz and / or plastic, such as acrylic or phenolic and hollow particles having inert, sealed gaseous atmospheres within them. your interiors Examples include EXPANCEL phenolic microspheres from Sweden's Expancel, which expand essentially when heated, or the acrylic microspheres known as PM 6545 available from PQ Corporation of Pennsylvania. Foaming agents, including C02 dissolved in the ion senve binder, can also provide useful discontinuities such as gas bubbles in the matrix of an ion senve binder, allowing the gas phase dispersed in the ion senve binder to serve as the coaglutinante. In general, any compatible material that is not miscible with the binder, especially one with adhesive or self-binding properties can be used as the co-binder, if it is not provided in a state that imparts substantial covalent bonds by binding the fibers in an interfering manner. with the dispersibility in water of the product. However, those materials that also provide additional benefits, such as reduced spray visco, can be especially preferred. Adhesive co-binders, such as latex that does not contain crosslinkers or that contain reduced amounts of crosslinkers, have been found to be especially useful for providing good results over a wide range of processing conditions, including drying at high temperatures.

As stated above, the glass tranon temperature of the coagglutinating polymer may be lower than the glass tranon temperature of the ion senve polymer, which is believed to improve the flexibility of the treated substrate, especially in the dry state. In the table 1 shown below is a comparison of the glass tranon temperature of some of the preferred polymers useful in the present invention.

Table 1. Glass Tranon Temperatures for Selected Polymers In an alternate embodiment, the ion-senve polymer formula of the present invention comprises from about 55 to about 95% by weight terpolymer of acrylic acid modified from sulfonate anion and from about 5 to about 45% by weight of poly ( ethylene-vinyl acetate). More desirably, the ion-senve polymer formula of the present invention comprises about 75% by weight of terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate and about 25% by weight of poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate).

As stated above, useful co-binder polymers may include a variety of commercial latex emulsions, including those selected from the Rovene® series (styrene butadiene latex available from Mallard Creek Polymers of Charlotte, NC), Rhoplex® latexes from Rohm and Haas Company, and Élite® Latex from National Starch. Polymer emulsions or dispersions generally comprise small polymer particles, such as crosslinkable ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, typically in spherical form, dispersed in water and stabilized with surfactant ingredients such as low molecular weight emulsifiers or protective colloids of high molecular weight. These liquid binders can be applied to fabrics placed by air or other substrates by methods known in the art of binder treatment for non-woven fabrics, including spraying or foam application, impregnation of flooded pressure point, coating curtain etc., followed by drying. In general, a wide variety of latex compounds and other resins or emulsions can be considered, including vinyl acetate copolymer latexes, such as 76 RES 7800 from Union Oil Chemicals Divisions and Resyn® 25-1103, Resyn® 25 -1109, Resyn® 25-1119 and Resyn® 25-1189 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, emulsions of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, such as ethylene vinyl acetate Airflex® from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., copolymer emulsions of acrylic acetate- vinyl, such as Rhoplex® AR-74 from Rohm and Haas Company, Synthe ul® 97-726 from Reichhold Chemicals, Inc., Resyn® 25-1140, 25-1141, 25-1142 and Resyn-6820 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, acrylic vinyl terpolymer latex such as 76 RES 3103 from Union Oil Chemical Division, and Resyn® 251110 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, acrylic emulsion latexes such as Rhoplex® B-15J, Rhoplex® P-376, Rhoplex® TR-407, Rhoplex® E-940, Rhoplex® TR-934, Rhoplex® TR-520, Rhoplex® HA -24, and Rhoplex® NW1825 from Rohm and Haas Company, and Hycar® 2600 X 322, Hycar® 2671, Hycar® 2679, Hycar® 26120, and Hycar® 2600 X 347 from BF Goodrich Chemical Group, styrene-butadiene latex, such as 76 RES 4100 and 76 RES 8100 available from Union Oil Chemicals Division, Tylac® 68-412 resin emulsion, Tylac® 68-067 resin emulsion, 68-319, 68- 413, 68-500, 68-501, available from Reichhold Chemical, Inc., and DL6672A, DL6663A, DL6638A, DL6626A, DL6620A, DL615A, DL617A, DL620A, DL640A, DL650A available from Dow Chemical Company; and rubber latex, such as neoprene available from Serva Biochemicals; polyester latex such as Eastman AQ 29D available from Eastmnan Chemical Company; vinyl chloride latex, such as Geon® 352 from B.F. Goodrich Chemical Group; ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer emulsions, such as vinyl chloride-ethylene Airflex® from Air Products and Chemicals; emulsions of polyvinyl acetate homopolymer such as Vinac® from Air Products and Chemicals; carboxylated vinyl acetate emulsion resins, such as synthetic resin emulsions Synthemul® 40-502, 40-503, and 97-664 from Reichhold Chemicals, Inc., and Polyco® 2149, 2150, and 2171 from Rohm and Haas Company. Silicone emulsions and binders can also be considered.

The co-binder polymer may comprise surfactant compounds that improve wetting of the substrate after application of the binder mixture.

The wettability of a dry substrate that has been treated with an ion-sensitive polymer formula can be a problem in some embodiments, because the hydrophobic portions of the ion-sensitive polymer formula can be selectively oriented to the air phase during the drying, creating a hydrophobic surface that can be difficult to moisten when the wetting composition is subsequently applied unless the surfactants are added to the wetting composition. Surfactants or other surfactant ingredients in the co-binder polymers can improve the wettability of the dried substrate that has been treated with the ion-sensitive polymer formula. The surfactants in the co-binder polymer should not interfere significantly with the ion-sensitive polymer formula. Therefore, the binder must maintain good integrity and tactile properties in the cleaning cloths pre-wetted with the present surfactant.

In one embodiment, an effective co-binder polymer replaces a part of the ion-sensitive polymer formula and allows a given level of strength to be achieved in a pre-moistened cleaning cloth with at least one of the lowest stiffness, best properties of touch (for example lubricity or smoothness), or reduced cost, in relation to an otherwise identical pre-wetted cleaning cloth lacking the co-binder polymer and comprising the ion-sensitive polymer formula at a level sufficient to achieve resistance to given tension.

Other polymers Coagglutinating Dry emulsion powder binders (DEP) from Wacker Polymer Systems (from Burghausen, Germany) such as the VINNEK® binder system, can be applied in some embodiments of the present invention. These are free-flowing and redispersible binder powders formed from liquid emulsions. The small polymer particles of a dispersion are provided in a protective matrix of water-soluble protective colloids in the form of a powder particle. The surface of the powder particle is protected against platelet wetting of mineral crystals. As a result, the polymer particles that were once a liquid dispersion are now available in a free-flowing dry powder form that can be redispersed in water or that can become sticky and swollen particles by adhering moisture. These particles can be applied in high-lift nonwovens by depositing them with the fibers during the air placement process, and then adding 10% to 30% moisture to cause the particles to swell and adhere to the fibers. This can be called the "chewing gum effect", meaning that the non-sticky and dry fibers in the fabric become sticky like chewing gum once it has been moistened. Good adhesion of the polar surfaces and other surfaces is obtained. These binders are available as free-flowing particles formed from latex emulsions that have been dried and treated with agents to prevent cohesiveness in the dry state. These can be carried in the air and deposited with fibers during the air placement process, or they can be applied to a substrate by electrostatic means, by direct contact, by means of gravity supply devices and other means. These can be applied separately from the binder, either before or after the binder has dried. Contact with moisture, either as a liquid or vapor, rehydrates the latex particles and causes them to swell and adhere to the fibers. Drying and heating at high temperatures (for example above 160 ° C) causes the binder particles to cross-bond and become water resistant, but to dry at lower temperatures (for example at 110 ° C). or less) they can result in a film formation and in a degree of fiber clumping without seriously impairing the water dispersibility of the pre-moistened cleaning cloths. Therefore, it is believed that the commercial product can be used without reducing the amount of the crosslinker by controlling the curing of the co-binder polymer, such as by limiting the drying time and temperature to provide a degree of bonding without a significant cross-linking.

As noted by Dr. Klaus Kohlhammer in the book "New Binding Placed by Air", International Non-Woven Report, September 1999, number 342, pages 20-22, 28-31, dry emulsion binder powders have the advantage that these can easily be incorporated into a non-woven or air-laid fabric during tissue formation as opposed to applying the material to an existing substrate allowing increased control over the co-binder polymer placement. Therefore, a nonwoven or a fabric placed by air can be prepared already having the dry emulsion binders there, followed by wetting when the ion-sensitive polymer formulation solution is applied, whence the dry emulsion powder becomes in sticky and contributes to agglutinate from the substrate. Alternatively, the dried emulsion powder can be trapped in the substrate by a filtration mechanism after the substrate has been treated with an ion-sensitive binder and It has dried, so that the dry emulsion powder becomes sticky with the application of the wetting composition.

In another embodiment, the dry emulsion powder is dispersed in the ion-sensitive polymer formula solution either by applying the powder when the solution of the ion-sensitive polymer formula is sprayed onto the fabric or by adding and dispersing the dry emulsion powder particles inside the ion-sensitive polymer formula solution, after which the mixture is applied to a fabric by spraying, by foam application methods or by other techniques known in the art.

Binding Formulas and Fabrics that Contain the Same The polymer formulas of the present invention can be used as binders. The binder formulas of the present invention can be applied to any fibrous substrate. The binders are particularly suitable for use in water dispersible products. Suitable fibrous substrates include, but are not limited to, woven and non-woven fabrics. In many embodiments, particularly in personal care products, the preferred substrates are non-woven fabrics. As used herein, the term "non-woven fabric" refers to a fabric having a structure of individual fibers or filaments arranged randomly in a Mat type shape (including papers). Non-woven fabrics can be made from a variety of processes including, but not limited to, air placement processes, wet laying processes, hydroentanglement processes, carding and short fiber bonding processes, and spinning solution.

The binder composition can be applied to the fibrous substrate by any known application process. Suitable processes for applying the binder material include but are not limited to printing, spraying, electrostatic spraying, coating, flooded pressure points, metering press rolls, impregnation or by any other technique. The amount of binder compositions may be dosed and uniformly distributed within the fibrous substrate or may not be evenly distributed within the fibrous substrate. The binder composition can be distributed through the entire fibrous substrate or it can be distributed within a multiplicity of closely spaced areas. In most embodiments, the uniform distribution of the binder composition is desired.

To facilitate application to fibrous substrates, the binder can be dissolved in water, or in a non-aqueous solvent such as methanol, ethanol, acetone or the like, with water being the preferred solvent. The amount of binder dissolved in the solvent may vary depending on the polymer used and the fabric application. Desirably, the binder solution contains up to about 25% by weight of the binder composition solids. More desirably, the binder solution contains from about 10 to 20% by weight of the binder composition solids, especially about 12% by weight of the binder composition solids. Plasticizers, perfumes, coloring agents, antifoams, bactericides, preservatives, surfactants, thickeners, fillers, opacifiers, adhesives, adhesive removers and similar additives can be incorporated into the solution. the binding components, if desired.

Once the binder composition is applied to the substrate, the substrate is dried by any conventional means. Once dry, the coherent fibrous substrate will exhibit improved tensile strength when compared to the tensile strength of substrates placed dry or wet and untreated, and still has the ability to easily "break" or disintegrate when placed in soft or hard water having a relatively high and agitated mvalent ion concentration. For example, the dry tensile strength of the fibrous substrate can be increased by at least 25% compared to the tensile strength in dry from the untreated substrate that does not contain the binder. More particularly, the dry tensile strength of the fibrous substrate can be increased by at least 100% compared to the dry tensile strength of the untreated substrate not containing the binder. Even more particularly, the dry tensile strength of the fibrous substrate can be increased by at least 500% compared to the dry tensile strength of the untreated substrate not containing the binder.

A desirable feature of the present invention is that the improvement in tensile strength is effected where the amount of binder composition present, "aggregated", in the resng fibrous substrate represents only a small part by weight of the entire substrate. The amount of "aggregate" may vary for a particular application; however, the optimum amount of the "aggregate" res in a fibrous substrate which has integrity while in use and also disperses rapidly when agitated in water. For example, the binder components typically are from about 5 to about 65% by weight, of the total weight of the substrate. More particularly, the binder components can be from about 10 to about 35% by weight, of the total weight of the substrate. Even more particularly, the binder components can be from about 17 to about 22% by weight, of the total weight of the substrate.

The non-woven fabrics of the present invention can have a good tensile strength in use, as well as a good ion shot. Desirably, the non-woven fabrics of the present invention are resistant to abrasion and retain a significant tensile strength in aqueous solutions containing more than about 0.3% by weight of NaCl, or a mixture of monovalent ions, for those formulas using the terpolymer of acrylic acid, and more than about 1% by weight of NaCl, or a mixture of monovalent ions for those formulas using the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate. However, non-woven fabrics are dispersible in mild to moderately hard to hard water. Because of this latter property, the non-woven fabrics of the present invention are well suited for disposable products, such as sanitary napkins, diapers, adincontinence products, and dry and pre-moistened cleaning cloths (wet cleaning cloths) ) which can be thrown in a toilet with water discharge after being used in any part of the world.

The fibers forming the aforementioned fabrics can be made from a variety of materials including natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and combinations of the same. The choice of fibers depends, for example, on the final intended use of the finished fabric and the cost of fiber. For example, suitable fibrous substrates may include, but are not limited to, natural fibers such as cotton, linen, jute, hemp, wool, wood pulp, etc. Similarly, regenerated cellulosic fibers, such as viscose rayon, and cupramonium rayon, modified cellulosic fibers, such as cellulose acetate or synthetic fibers, such as those derived from polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyacrylics , etc., alone or in combination with each other, can similarly be used. Mixtures of one or more of the above-mentioned fibers can also be used, if desired. Among wood pulp fibers, any known papermaking fibers can be used, including softwood and hardwood fibers. The fibers, for example, can be chemically reduced or mechanically pulped, bleached or unbleached, virgin or recycled, high performance or low yield and the like. Cross-linked or chemically stiffened and mercerized fibers can also be used.

Synthetic cellulose fiber types include rayon in all its varieties and other fibers derived from viscose or chemically modified cellulose, including regenerated cellulose and solvent spun cellulose, such as Lyocell. The chemically treated natural cellulosic fibers can be used, such as mercerized pulps, chemically stiffened or cross-linked fibers, or sulfonated fibers. Recycled fibers, as well as virgin fibers, can be used. Cellulose produced by microbes and other cellulose derivatives can be used. As indicated herein, the term "cellulosic" is intended to include any material having cellulose as a major constituent, and, specifically, comprising at least 50% by weight of cellulose or a cellulose derivative. Therefore, the term includes cotton, typical wood pulps, non-woody cellulosic fibers, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, rayon, thermomechanical wood pulp, chemical wood pulp, chemical wood pulp dissociated, the benzenesium or the bacterial cellulose. The fiber length is important in the production of the fabrics of the present invention. In some embodiments, such as disposable products with water discharge, fiber length is of more importance. The minimum length of the fibers depends on the method selected to form the fibrous substrate. For example, where the fibrous substrate is formed by carding, the length of the fiber should usually be at least about 42 millimeters in order to ensure uniformity.

Where the fibrous substrate is formed by air placement or wet laying processes, the fiber length can desirably be about 0.2 to 6 millimeters. Even though fibers having a length greater than 50 millimeters are within the scope of the present invention, it has been determined that when a substantial amount of fibers having a length greater than about 15 millimeters is placed in a disposable fabric with discharge of Water, even when the fibers will disperse and separate in water, their length tends to form "cords" of fibers, which are undesirable when discarded with water discharge in domestic toilets. Therefore, for these products, it is desired that the fiber length be about 15 millimeters or less so that the fibers do not have a tendency to "form ropes" when they are discharged with water discharge through a toilet. Even though fibers of various lengths are applicable in the present invention, desirably the fibers are of a length of less than about 15 millimeters so that the fibers easily disperse one another when in contact with water. The fibers, particularly the synthetic fibers, can also be crimped.

The fabrics of the present invention can be formed of a single layer or of multiple layers. In the case of multiple layers, the layers are generally placed in a juxtaposed or surface-to-surface relationship and all or a portion of the layers can be joined to the adjacent layers. The Non-woven fabrics of the present invention can also be formed from a plurality of separate non-woven fabrics wherein the separate non-woven fabrics can be formed of single or multiple layers. In those cases in which the non-woven fabric includes multiple layers, the entire thickness of the non-woven fabric can be subjected to a binder application or each individual layer can be separately subjected to a binder application and then combined with other layers in a juxtaposed relationship to form the finished non-woven fabric.

In one embodiment, the fabric substrates of the present invention can be incorporated into body fluid absorbent products and cleansers, such as sanitary napkins, diapers, adult incontinence products, surgical bandages, tissues, the wet cleaning cloths and the like. These products may include an absorbent core, comprising one or more layers of an absorbent fibrous material. The core may also comprise one or more layers of a fluid permeable element, such as a fibrous tissue, gauze, plastic net etc. These are generally useful as wrapping materials to hold all the core components together. Additionally, the core may comprise a fluid impermeable element or barrier means to preclude the passage of fluid through the core and onto exterior surfaces of the product. Desirably, the barrier means are also dispersible in Water. A polymer film having essentially the same composition as the aforementioned water dispersible binder is particularly well suited for this purpose. In accordance with the present invention, the polymer compositions are useful for the formation of each of the aforementioned product components including the absorbent core layers, the fluid permeable element, the wrapping materials, and the barrier means or element impervious to fluid.

The binder formulas of the present invention are particularly useful for the binder fibers of non-woven fabrics placed by air. These air-laid materials are useful for side-to-body linings, fluid distribution materials, fluid intake materials, such as the emergence material, the absorbent wrap sheet and the cover supply for various products for Personal care dispersible in water. Air-laid materials are particularly useful for use as a pre-moistened cleaning cloth (wet cleaning cloth). Base weights for non-woven fabrics placed by air can vary from about 20 to about 200 grams per square meter ("gsm") with the basic fibers having a denier of about 0.5-10 and a length of about 6-15 mm. The material of emergence or the materials of taking require a better elasticity and a superior esponjosidad of so that the basic fibers that have around 6 denier or more are used to make these products. A desirable final density for the emergence or take-up materials is between about 0.025 grams per cubic centimeter ("g / cc") to about 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter. The fluid distribution materials can have a density in the desired range of about 0.10 to about 0.20 grams per cubic centimeter using fibers of a lower denier, more desirably fibers having a denier of less than about 1.5. Wipers generally can have a fiber density of about 0.025 grams per cubic centimeter to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter and a basis weight of about 20 grams per square meter to about 150 grams per square meter, specifically from about 30 to about 90 grams per square meter, and more specifically from about 60 grams per square meter to about 65 grams per square meter.

The non-woven fabrics of the present invention can also be incorporated into such body fluid absorbent products as sanitary napkins, diapers, surgical bandages, tissues and the like. In one embodiment, the binder is such that it will not dissolve when contacted with body fluids since the concentration of the monovalent ions in body fluids is above the level necessary for dissolution; for example, greater than 0.3% by weight and / or greater than 1% by weight. The non-woven fabric retains its structure, smoothness and exhibits a satisfactory firmness for practical use. However, when contacted with contact with water having a concentration of multivalent ions, such as Ca2 + and Mg2 + ions, of up to about 200 parts per million, the binder, such as one comprising a terpolymer of acrylic acid Modified anion sulfonate, disperses. Similarly, it is dispersed when contacted with water having a concentration of multivalent ions, such as Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions of less than about 10 parts per million, the binder comprising the terpolymer of acrylic acid. The non-woven fabric structure is then easily broken and dispersed in the water.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tensile strength in the use of a non-woven fabric is increased by the formation of the non-woven fabric with a binder material comprising an ion-sensitive polymer formula of the present invention and subsequently one or more monovalent and / or multivalent salts are applied to the non-woven fabric. The salt can be applied to the non-woven fabric by any method known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, applying a solid powder to the fabric and spraying a salt solution on the fabric. The amount of salt can vary depending on the particular application. However, the amount of salt applied to the fabric is typically from about 0.1% by weight to about 10% by weight of salt solids based on the total weight of the fabric. The salt-containing fabrics of the present invention can be used in a variety of fabric applications including, but not limited to, feminine pads, surgical dressings and diapers.

Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the binder formulas and fibrous substrates of the present invention can be advantageously employed in the preparation of a wide variety of products, including, but not limited to, absorbent personal care products designed to be put on contact with the body fluids. Such products may only comprise a single layer of the fibrous substrate, or may comprise a combination of elements, as described above. Although the binder formulas and fibrous substrates of the present invention are particularly suitable for personal care products, binder formulas and fibrous substrates can be advantageously employed in a wide variety of consumer products.

The combination of the acrylic acid terpolymer of the modified acrylic acid terpolymer with the sulfonate anion and the cross-linked non-bonded poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) of the present invention produces improved results on the use of the terpolymer alone. For example, when the ion-sensitive polymer formula of the present invention is used for a binder composition for wet wiping cloths, the wet wiping cloths have an improved wetting on the first flush without losing dispersibility which allows the base sheet of the wipe to be wetted. Cleaning cloth moistened easily with the solution of wet cleaning cloth at commercial speeds. The ion-sensitive polymer formula of the present invention can also reduce the stiffness of the dry base sheet, improve run-off of the dry and otherwise brittle sheet during further conversion of the product, reduce tackiness of the cleaning cloths and / or improving the spraying of the ion sensitive binder, thereby improving the distribution and penetration of the binder in the base sheet.

Unlike other binder systems known in the art, the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention can be activated as binders without the need for elevated temperature. Even when drying or removing water is useful to achieve a good distribution of the binder in a fibrous tissue, the elevated temperature, by itself, is not essential, because the binder does not require cross-linking or other chemical reactions with a high activation energy to serve as a binder. Rather, the interaction with a soluble activator compound, typically a salt, is sufficient to render the binder becomes active (insoluble) or "goes out". Therefore, a drying step can be avoided, if desired, or it can be replaced with low temperature water removal operations, such as freeze drying or drying at room temperature. The elevated temperature is generally useful for drying, but drying can be done at temperatures below what is normally necessary to drive the cross-linking reactions. Therefore, the peak temperature at which the substrate is exposed or to which the substrate is carried may be below any of the following: 180 ° C, 160 ° C, 140 ° C, 120 ° C, 110 ° C, 105 ° C, 100 ° C, 90 ° C, 75 ° C and 60 ° C, with an example range for the peak tissue temperature from around 50 ° C to around 110 ° C, or from around 70 ° C, at around 140 ° C. Of course, higher temperatures can be used, but they are not necessary in most additions. Although coagglutinating polymer systems, such as commercial latex emulsions, may also comprise cross-linked linkers suitable for reaction at temperatures of 160 ° C or higher, maintaining a lower maximum temperature may be beneficial to prevent development. of excessive resistance in the co-binder polymer that would otherwise impair the water dispersibility of the pre-wetted cleaning cloth.

Moisturizing Composition of the Wet Cleansing Cloth and Wet Wipes Containing the Same A particularly interesting embodiment of the present invention is the production of the pre-moistened cleaning cloths, or of the moistened cleaning cloths, of the ion-sensitive binder compositions described above and of fibrous materials. For cleaning wipes, the fibrous material may be in the form of a woven or non-woven fabric, however, non-woven fabrics are more desirable. The non-woven fabric is desirably formed of relatively short fibers, such as wood pulp fibers. The minimum length of the fibers will depend on the method selected to form the non-woven fabric. Where the non-woven fabric is formed by a wet or dry method, the fiber length is desirably from about 0.1 millimeters to 15 millimeters. Desirably, the non-woven fabric of the present invention has relatively low wet cohesive strength when it is not joined together by an adhesive or binder material. When such non-woven fabrics are joined together by a binder composition, which loses its bond strength in the water of the tap and in the water of the pipe, the fabric will be easily broken by the agitation provided by the water discharge and the movement through the drain pipes.

Finished cleaning cloths can be individually packaged desirably in a folded condition, in a moisture proof envelope or packaged in containers containing any desired number of sheets in a package to Water test with a moisturizing composition applied to the cleaning cloth. The finished wiping cloths can also be packaged as a roll of separate sheets in a moisture proof container that retains any desired number of sheets in the roll, with a wetting composition applied to the wiping cloths. The roll can be without core or it can be either hollow or solid. Coreless rolls, including rolls with a hollow center or without a solid core, can be produced with known coreless roll winders, including those from SRP Industry, Inc. (from San Jose, California); from Shimizu Manufacturing (Japan) and the devices described in U.S. Patent No. 4,667,890, issued May 26, 1987 to Gietman. Rolled and solid coreless rolls can offer more product for a given volume and can be adapted for a wide variety of dispensers.

In relation to the weight of the dry fabric, the cleaning cloth can desirably contain from about 10 percent to about 400 percent of the wetting composition, more desirably, from about 100 percent to about 300 percent of the wetting composition, and even more desirably, from about 180 percent to about 240 percent of the wetting composition. The cleaning cloth maintains its desired characteristics over the time periods involved in the warehouse, transportation, retail display and storage by the consumer. Therefore, shelf life can vary from 2 months to 2 years.

Various forms of waterproof envelopes and storage means for containing packaged and moist materials such as wipes and wipes and the like are well known in the art. Any of these can be used in the packaging of the pre-moistened cleaning cloths of the present invention.

Desirably, the prewetted wiping cloths of the present invention are moistened with an aqueous wetting composition, which has one or more of the following properties: (1) is compatible with the ion-sensitive binder compositions described above of the present invention; (2) allows the pre-moistened cloth to maintain its wet strength during conversion, storage and use (including assortment) as well as dispersibility in a toilet bowl; (3) does not cause skin irritation; (4) reduces the tackiness of the cleaning cloth, and provides unique tactile properties, such as a skin luster and a "lotion-type sensation", and (5) acts as a vehicle to deliver "wet cleaning" and other health benefits for the skin.

The wetting composition should not act as a solvent for the binder and generally does not contain solvents other than water, and particularly does not contain organic solvents, even though a small amount (1 percent) of a fragrance solubilizer such as a polysorbate 20 may be present. present, depending on the fragrance and the salt concentration of the moisturizing composition. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 10 weight percent of the organic solvents, such as propylene glycol or other glycols, polyhydric alcohols, and the like, based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 4 weight percent of the organic solvents. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 1 weight percent of the organic solvents. The wetting composition can be essentially free of organic solvents.

One aspect of the present invention is a wetting composition, which contains an activating compound that maintains the strength of a binder dispersible in water until the activating compound is diluted with water, wherein the resistance of the water dispersible binder begins to decay. The water dispersible binder can be any of the ion sensitive binding compositions of the present invention or any other ion sensitive binder composition. The activating compound in the humidifying composition may be a salt, such as sodium chloride, or any other compound which provides a resistance in use and storage to the water-dispersible binder composition, and may be diluted in water to allow dispersion of the substrate by firing the binder polymer to a weaker state. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 10 weight percent of an activating compound based on the total weight of the wetting composition. Specifically, the wetting composition can contain from about 0.3 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of an activating compound. Even more specifically, the wetting composition may contain from about 2 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of an activating compound.

The humidifying composition of the present invention may also comprise a variety of additives compatible with the activating compound and the water-dispersible binder, so that the strength and dispersibility functions of the cleaning cloth are not impaired. Suitable additives in the moisturizing composition include, but are not limited to the following additives: skin care additives, odor control agents; agents that remove the stickiness to reduce the tackiness of the binder; particles; antimicrobial agents, preservatives; wetting agents and cleaning agents such as detergents, surfactants and some silicones; emollients; surface sensing modifiers for enhanced tactile sensation (eg, lubricity) on the skin; fragrance, fragrance solubilizers; opacifiers, fluorescent whitening agents, ultraviolet absorbers; pharmacists; and pH control agents, such as malic acid or potassium hydroxide.

Advices for Skin Care As can be seen, the term "skin care additives" represents the additives, which provide one or more benefits to the user, such as a reduction in the likelihood of having a diaper rash and / or other skin damage caused. by fecal enzymes. These enzymes, particularly trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase, are proteolytic enzymes produced in the area gastrointestinal to digest food. In infants, for example, faeces tend to be watery and contain among other materials, bacteria and some amounts of digestive enzymes not degraded. These enzymes, if they remain in contact with the skin for an appreciable period of time, have been found to cause irritation that is uncomfortable in itself and that may predispose the skin to infection by microorganisms. As a countermeasure, skin care additives include, but are not limited to, enzyme inhibitors and sequestrants as set forth hereinafter. The wetting composition may contain less than about 5 weight percent of skin care additives based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More specifically, the moisturizing composition can contain from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of skin care additives. Even more specifically, the moisturizing composition may contain from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent of skin care additives.

A variety of skin care additives may be added to the moisturizing composition and pre-wetted cleaning cloths of the present invention or may be included therein. In an embodiment of the present invention, skin care additives in the form of particles they are added to serve as inhibitors of fecal enzymes, offering potential benefits in the reduction of the diaper rash and in skin damage caused by fecal enzymes. U.S. Patent No. 6,051,749 issued April 18, 2000 to Schulz et al., Whose entirety is incorporated herein by reference, discloses organophilic clays in a woven or non-woven fabric, which is said to be useful in inhibiting the fecal enzymes. Such materials may be used in the present invention, including the reaction products of the organic long-chain quaternary ammonium compounds with one or more of the following clays: montmorillonite, bentonite, beidellite, hectorite, saponite, and stevensite.

Other known enzyme inhibitors and sequestrants can be used as skin cleansing additives in the moisturizing composition of the present invention, including those that inhibit trypsin and other digestive or fecal enzymes, and inhibitors for urease. For example, enzyme inhibitors and antimicrobial agents can be used to prevent the formation of odors in body fluids. For example, urease inhibitors, which can also be said to play a role in odor absorption, are described by T. Trinh in the world patent application No. 98/26808, "Absorbent Articles with Odor Control System", published on June 25, 1998, the totality of which is Incorporated here by reference. Such inhibitors can be incorporated into the wetting composition and prewetted cleaning wipes of the present invention and include transition metal ions and their soluble salts, such as silver, copper, zinc, ferric and aluminum. the anion can also provide an inhibition of urease, such as borate, phytate, etc. Potentially valuable compounds include, but are not limited to silver chlorate, silver nitrate, mercury acetate, mercury chloride, mercury nitrate, copper metaborate, copper bromate, copper bromide, copper chloride, dichromate copper, copper nitrate, copper salicylate, copper sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc borate, zinc phytate, zinc bromate, zinc bromide, zinc chlorate, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, cadmium acetate, cadmium borate, cadmium bromide, cadmium chlorate, cadmium chloride, cadmium formate, cadmium iodate, cadmium iodide, cadmium permanganate, cadmium nitrate, cadmium sulfate and gold chloride.

Other salts that have been described as having urease inhibition properties include ferric and aluminum salts, especially nitrates and bismuth salts.

Other urease inhibitors are described by Trihn, including hydroxamic acid and its derivatives; thiourea; hydroxylamine; salts of phytic acid, plant extracts, variable species, including various tannins, for example, carob tannin and its derivatives, such as chlorogenic acid derivatives; acids that occur naturally such as ascorbic acid, citric acid, and its salts; Phenyl phosphide diamidate / diamino phosphoric acid phenyl ester; aryl metal phosphoramidate complexes, including substituted phosphorodiamidate compounds; phosphoramidates without substitution on nitrogen; boric acid and / or its salts, especially including borax, and / or organic boron acid compounds; the compounds described in European Patent Application 408,199; sodium, copper, manganese and / or zinc dithiocarbamate; quinones, phenols, thiurams; substituted rhodanine acetic acids, alkylated benzoquinones; disulfide formanidin; 1: 3-maleic anhydride diketones; succinamide; phthalic anhydride; Behenic anhydride; / N, N-dihalo-2-imidazolidinones; N-halo2-oxazolidinones; thio- and / or acylphosphoryl-amide and / or substituted derivatives thereof-, thiopyridine-N-oxides, thiopyridines and thiopyrimidines; oxidized sulphide derivatives of diarynophosphinyl compounds; cyclotriphosphazatriene derivatives; ortho-diaminophosphinyl derivatives of oximes; bromine-nitro compounds; diamidophosphorothiolates S-aryl and / or alkyl; diaminophosphinyl derivatives; mono- and / or poly ifosforodiamide; 5 - its t i tuido - benzoxat iol-2-some; N (diaminophosphinyl) arylcarboxamides; alkoxy -1, 2 -benzothiazine compounds; etc.

Many other skin care additives may be incorporated into the moisturizing composition and pre-moistened cleaning cloths of the present invention. including, but not limited to sun blocking agents and ultraviolet absorbers, to acne treatments, pharmaceuticals, baking soda (including encapsulated forms thereof), vitamins and their derivatives, such as vitamins A or E, botanicals such as hazelnut extract and aloe vera, allantoin, emollients, disinfectants, hydroxy acids for the control of wrinkles or anti-aging effects, sunscreens, tanning promoters, skin lighteners, deodorants and antiperspirants, ceramides for skin benefits and other uses, astringents, humidifiers, nail varnish removers, insect repellents, antioxidants, antiseptics, anti-inflammatory agents and the like, provided that the additives are compatible with an ion-sensitive binder composition associated therewith, and especially the binder compositions. sensitive to the ion of the present invention (for example, these do not cause a loss of their of the resistance in the wet state of the pre-wetted cleaning cloths, before dilution in water, even when dispersibility in water is allowed).

Useful materials for skin care and other benefits are listed in McCutcheon 1999, volume 2: "Functional Materials, MC Publishing Company, Glen Rock, NJ Other useful botanicals for skin care are provided by Active Organics, of Lewisville, Texas.

Odor Control Additives Odor control additives suitable for use in the wetting composition and prewetted cleaning wipes of the present invention include, but are not limited to zinc salts; to talcum powder, to encapsulated perfumes (including microcapsules, macrocapsules, and perfume encapsulated in liposomes, bladders, or microemulsions), chelators, such as tetraacetic acid ethylenediamine; zeolites; activated silica, granules or activated carbon fibers; activated silica particles; polycarboxylic acids, such as citric acid, cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives; chitosan or chitin and derivatives thereof; oxidizing agents; antimicrobial agents, including silver-laden zeolites (for example, those of BF Technologies, located in Beverly, Massachusetts, sold under the trademark HEALTHSHIELDMark); triclosan, kieselguhr; and mixtures thereof. In addition to controlling body odor or body waste, odor control strategies can also be employed to mask or control any odor of the treated substrate. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 5 weight percent of odor control additives based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight of the control additives of odor. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.03 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of the odor control additives.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition and / or prewetted cleaning wipes comprise derivatized cyclodextrins, such as hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin in solution, which remain on the skin after cleaning and provide an odor absorption layer. In other embodiments, the odor source is removed or neutralized by the application of an odor control additive, exemplified by the action of a chelator, which binds metal groups necessary for the function of many proteases and other enzymes that commonly produce a odor. The chelating metal group interferes with the action of the enzyme and decreases the risk of bad odor in the product.

The principles for the application of chitosan or chitin derivatives to non-woven fabrics and cellulosic fibers are described by S. Lee et al. In the work "Finished Blood Repellents and Antimicrobials for Cotton and Non-Woven Fabrics Based on Chitosan and Fluoropolymers ", Journal of Textile Research, 69 (2); 104-112, February 1999.

Agents Who Like the Stickiness Even when high salt concentrations can reduce the glue of the ion sensitive binder, other means for glue reduction are often desirable. Therefore, the tackifying agents can also be used in the wetting composition to reduce the stickiness, if any, of the ion sensitive binder. Suitable tackifying agents include any substance known in the art to reduce the glue between two adjacent fibrous sheets treated with an adhesive type polymer or any substrate capable of reducing the sticky feel of an adhesive type polymer on the skin. . Agents that remove the stickiness can be applied as solid particles in the dry form, as a suspension or as a solution of the particles. The deposit can be by spraying, coating, electrostatic deposit, beating, filtration (for example, a pressure difference drives a gas phase charged with particles through the substrate, depositing the particles by means of a filtering mechanism) and the like, and can be applied evenly over one or more surfaces of the substrate or can be applied in a pattern (eg, repetitive or random patterns) on a part of the surface or surfaces of the substrate. The agent that removes the stickiness can be present through the thickness of the substrate, it can be concentrated on one or both surfaces and may be essentially present on only one or both of the surfaces of the substrate.

Specific tackifying agents include, but are not limited to powders, such as talcum powder, calcium carbonate, mica, starches, such as corn starch, lycopodium powder; mineral fillers, such as titanium dioxide; silica powder, alumina; metal oxides in general; Baking soda; kieselguhr; and similar. Polymers and other additives having a low surface energy can also be used, including a wide variety of fluorinated polymers, silicone additives, polyolefins and thermoplastics, waxes, debinding agents known in the paper industry including compounds having side chains of alkyl, such as those having 16 or more carbons and the like. The compounds used as release agents for molds and candlemaking can also be considered as well as dry lubricants and fluorinated release agents.

In one embodiment, the tackifier comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as the polytetrafluoroethylene telomer compound (KRYTOX® DF) used in the dry lubricant of polytetrafluoroethylene release agent MS-122DF, marketed by Miller-Stephenson (Danbury, Connecticut ) as a spraying product For example, the Polytetrafluoroethylene particles can be applied by spraying on one side of the substrate before winding the pre-moistened cleaning cloths. In one embodiment, an agent that removes the tack is applied to only one surface of the substrate before being rolled into a roll.

The wetting composition desirably contains less than about 25 weight percent of the tackifying agents based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of the tackifiers, more specifically, about 5 percent or less. Even more specifically, the wetting composition contains from about 0.05 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight of the tackifiers.

In addition to acting as an agent that removes stickiness, starch compounds also improve the strength properties of pre-moistened cleaning cloths. For example, it has been found that ungelled starch particles such as hydrophilic tapioca starch, when present at a level of "about 1 percent more by weight relative to the weight of the wetting composition, may allow the pre-moistened cleaning cloth maintain the same resistance to a salt concentration lower than what is possible without the presence of starch. Thus, for example, a given resistance can be achieved with 2 percent salt in the humidifying composition in the presence of the salt compared to a 4 percent level of salt being necessary without the starch. The starch can be applied by adding said starch to a laponite suspension to improve the dispersion of the starch within the wetting composition.

Microparticles The humidifying composition of the present invention can be further modified by the addition of solid particles or microparticles. Suitable particles include, but are not limited to, mica, silica, alumina, calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc and zeolites. The particles can be treated with stearic acid or other additives to increase the attraction or binding of the particles to the binder system, if desired. Also, two-component microparticle systems, commonly used as retention aids in the papermaking industry, can be used. Such two-component microparticle systems generally comprise a phase of colloidal particles, such as silica particles, and a water-soluble cationic polymer for bonding the particles to the fibers of the tissue to be formed. The presence of the particles in the composition humidifier can serve one or more useful functions, such as (1) increase the opacity of pre-wetted wipes; (2) modify the rheology or reduce the tackiness of the pre-wetted cleaning cloth; (3) improve the touch properties of the cleaning cloth; or (4) delivering the desired agents to the skin through a particulate carrier, such as a porous carrier or a microcapsule. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 25 percent by weight of particles based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More specifically, the wetting composition can contain from about 0.05 weight percent to about 10 weight percent microparticles. Even more specifically, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent microparticles.

Microcapsules and Other Delivery Vehicles The microcapsules and other delivery vehicles can also be used in the moisturizing composition of the present invention to provide skin care agents; medicines, comfort-promoting agents, such as eucalyptus; perfumes; skin care agents, additives for odor control, vitamins, powders, and other additives for the skin of the user. Specifically the wetting composition may contain up to about 25 per percent by weight of microcapsules or other delivery vehicles based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More specifically, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.05 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, microcapsules or other delivery vehicles. Even more specifically, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.2 percent by weight to about 5.0 percent by weight of microcapsules or other delivery vehicles.

Microcapsules and other delivery vehicles are well known in the art. For example, the POLY-PORE® E200 (Chemdal Corporation, of Ariington, Heights, Illinois), is a delivery agent comprising hollow, soft spheres that can contain an additive to over 10 times the weight of the delivery vehicle. Known reported additives that have been used with the POLY-PORE® E200 include, but are not limited to, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinol, retinyl palmitate, octyl methoxycinnamate, tocopherol, silicone compounds (DC 435), and oil mineral. Another useful delivery vehicle is a sponge type material marketed as POLY-PORE® L200, which is reported to have been used with silicone (DC 435) and mineral oil. Other known delivery systems include cyclodextrins and their derivatives, liposomes, polymeric sponges, and spray-dried starch.

The additives present in the microcapsules are isolated from the environment and from other agents in the humidifying composition until the cleaning cloth is applied to the skin, at which time the microcapsules are broken and deliver their charge to the skin or other surfaces.

Condoms and Antimicrobial Agents The moisturizing composition of the present invention may also contain preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents. Various preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents, such as Mackstat H 66 (available from Mclntyre Group, of Chicago, Illinois), have been found to give excellent results to prevent the growth of bacteria and mildew. Other suitable preservatives and antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to, the DMDM hydantoin (for example, Glydant PlusMarca, from Lonza, Inc., of Fair Lawn, New Jersey), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, from Kathon (Rohm and Hass, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), methylparaben, propylparaben, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-l, 3-diol, benzoic acid and the like. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent on an active condom and / or antimicrobial agent basis based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the moisturizing composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight of condoms and / or antimicrobial agents. Even more desirably, the moisturizing composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 0.5 percent by weight of condoms and / or antimicrobial agents.

Wetting Agents and Cleaning Agents A variety of wetting agents and / or cleaning agents may be used in the wetting composition of the present invention. Suitable wetting agents and / or cleaning agents include, but are not limited to, detergents and non-ionic, amphoteric and anionic surfactants, especially amino acid-based surfactants. Amino acid-based surfactant systems, such as those derived from amino acids, L-glutamic acid and other natural fatty acids, offer pH compatibility to human skin and a good cleaning force, while being relatively safe and providing tactile properties. and improved wetting compared to other anionic surfactants. One function of the surfactant is to improve the wetting of the dry substrate with the wetting composition. Another function of the surfactant may be to disperse the dirt from the bathroom when the pre-wetted cleaning cloth contacts a soiled area and to increase its absorption into the substrate. The surfactant it can also help to carry out the removal, the general personal cleaning, the cleaning of the hard surface, the control of the smell and the like.

A commercial example of an amino acid-based surfactant is acylglutamate, marketed under the brand Amisoft of Aj inomoto Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 3 weight percent wetting agents and / or cleaning agents based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight of the humidifying agents and / or cleaning agents. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent wetting agents and / or cleaning agents.

Although the amino acid-based surfactants are particularly useful in the humidifying compositions of the present invention, a wide variety of surfactants may be used in the present invention. Suitable nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic polyoxyalkylene (oleophilic) base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic part of the compounds desirably has a sufficiently high molecular weight to make it insoluble in water. The addition of the polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic part increases the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50 percent of the total weight of the condensation product. Examples of compounds of this type include the commercially available Pluronic surfactants from (BASF of Wyandotte Corporation), especially those in which the polyoxypropylene ether has a molecular weight of about 1500-3000 and the contained polyoxyethylene is about 35- 55% of the molecule by weight, for example Pluronic L-62.

Other nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the condensation products of C8-C22 alkyl alcohols with 2-50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Examples of compounds of this type include the condensation products of secondary alkyl alcohols or "C15 with 3-50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, which are commercially available as the Poli-Tergent SLF series from Olin Chemicals or the TERGITOL® series of Union Carbide, for example TERGITOL® 25-L-7, which is formed by condensing about 7 moles of ethylene oxide with a C 12 -C 15 alkanol.

Other nonionic surfactants which may be employed in the humidifying composition of the present invention include the ethylene oxide esters of C6-C12 alkyl phenols such as (nonylphenoxy) polyoxyethylene ether. Particularly useful are the esters prepared by condensing about 8-12 moles of ethylene oxide with nonylphenol, for example, the IGEPAL® CO series (GAF Corp.).

Additional nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the alkyl polyglycosides (APG) derivatives as a dextrose condensation product (D-Glucose) and a straight or branched chain alcohol. The glycoside part of the surfactant provides a hydrophilic having a higher hydroxyl density, which increases the solubility in water. Additionally, the inherent stability of the glycoside acetal bond provides chemical stability in alkaline systems. In addition, unlike some nonionic surfactants, the alkyl polyglycosides do not have a cloud point, allowing one to formulate without a hydrotrope, and these are very mild, as well as easily biodegradable nonionic surfactants. This class of surfactants is available from Horizon Chemical under the trade names APG-300, APG-350, APG-500 and APG-500.

Silicones are another class of wetting agents available in pure form, or as microemulsions, macroemulsions, and the like. An exemplary nonionic surfactant group is that of the glycol-silicone copolymers. These surfactants are prepared by adding poly (lower) alkyleneoxy chains to the free hydroxyl groups of dimethylpolysiloxanes and are available from Dow Corning Corp. as Dow Corning 190 and 193 surfactants (CTFA name: copolyol dimethicone). These surfactants work, with or without any volatile silicones used as solvents, to control the foaming produced by the other surfactants, and also impart a shine to metal, ceramic and glass surfaces. The anionic surfactants can also be used in the humidifying compositions of the present invention. Anionic surfactants are useful because their high detergency includes anionic detergent salts having alkyl substituents of 8 to 22 carbon atoms such as water-soluble higher fatty acid alkali metal soaps, for example, sodium myristate and sodium palmitate. A preferred class of the anionic surfactants encompasses the sulfonated and sulfated water soluble alkaline earth metal and alkali metal alkali metal salts containing a hydrophobic higher alkyl half (typically containing from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms) such as salts of higher alkyl mono or polynuclear aryl sulfonates having from about 1 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, with the examples available as Bio-Soft D-40 series (from Stepan Chemical Company).

Other useful classes of the anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal salts of alkylnaphthalene sulfonic acids (methylnaphthalene sodium sulfonate, petro AA, from Petrochemical Corp.); the sulfated higher fatty acid monoglycerides such as the sodium salt of the sulphated monoglyceride of fatty acids of cocoa oil and the potassium salt of the sulphated monoglyceride of the fatty acids of bait; the alkali metal salts of the sulfated fatty alcohols containing from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms (for example sodium lauryl sulfate and stearyl sodium sulfate); the sodium cycloolefin sulfide compounds C4-C16 such as the Bio-Terge series (from Stepan Chemical Company); the alkali metal salts of ethyleneoxysulphated fatty alcohols (the ammonium or sodium sulfates of the condensation products of about 3 moles of ethylene oxide with n-C12-C15 alkanol, eg Neodol ethoxysulfates, from Shell Chemical Co. .); the alkali metal salts of the higher fatty esters of the low molecular weight alkyl sulphonic acids, for example the fatty acid esters of the sodium salt of isothionic acid, the sulfates of fatty ethanolamide, the fatty acid amides of acids aminoalkyl sulphonics, for example, the lauric acid amide of taurine; as well as numerous other anionic organic surfactants such as sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate and mixtures thereof.

A further useful class of the anionic surfactants includes the 8- (4n-alkyl-2-cyclohexyl) -octanoic acids, wherein the cyclohexenyl ring is substituted with an additional carboxylic acid group. These compounds or their potassium salts are commercially available from Westvaco Corp. as Diacid 1550 or H-240. In general, these anionic surfactants can be used in the form of their alkali metal, ammonium salts or alkaline earth metal salts.

Macroemulsions and Microemulsions of Particles Silicone The wetting composition may further comprise an aqueous microemulsion of silicone particles.

For example, the patent of the United States of America No. 6,037,407, entitled "Process for the Preparation of Emulsions" Aqueous Silicone Oils and / or Gums and / or Resins ", issued on March 14, 2000 describes polysiloxane organ in an aqueous microemulsion Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 5 weight percent of a microemulsion of silicone particles based on the total weight of the wetting composition More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.02 weight percent to about 3 weight percent of a microemulsion of silicone particles, most desirably. the wetting composition contains from about 0.02 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent of a microemulsion of silicone particles.

The silicone emulsions in general can be applied to the cleaning cloth pre-wetted by any known coating method. For example, the pre-moistened cleaning cloth can be moistened with an aqueous composition comprising a water-miscible or water-miscible silicone-based component that is compatible with the activating compound in the wetting composition. In addition, the cleaning cloth may comprise a non-woven fabric of fibers having a water-dispersible binder wherein the fabric is moistened with a lotion comprising silicone-based sulfosuccinate. Silicone-based sulfosuccinate provides a gentle and effective cleaning without an upper level of surfactant. Additionally, the silicone-based sulfosuccinate provides a solubilization function, which prevents precipitation of the oil-soluble components, such as fragrance components, vitamin extracts, plant extracts, and essential oils.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition comprises a silicone copolyol sulfosuccinate, such as disodium copolyol dimethicone sulfosuccinate and dimethicone diammonium copolyolsulfosuccinate.

Desirably, the wetting composition comprises less than about 2 percent by weight of the silicone-based sulfosuccinate, and more desirably from about 0.05 percent to about 0.30 percent by weight of the silicone-based sulfosuccinate.

In another example of a product comprising silicone emulsions, the Dow Corning 9506 powder may also be present in the wetting composition. Dow Corning 9506 powder is believed to comprise a cross-linked polymer of dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone and is a spherical powder, which is said to be useful for controlling skin oils (see "New Chemical Perspectives", soap and cosmetics, volume 76). , number 3, March 2000, page 12). Therefore, a water dispersible cleaning cloth, which delivers an effective powder to control the oil of the skin, is also within the scope of the present invention. The principles for preparing the silicone emulsions are described in WO97 / 10100, published on March 20, 1997.

Emollients A moistening composition of the present invention may also contain one or more emollients. Suitable emollients include but are not limited to, lanolin PEG 75 to methyl gluceth 20 benzoate, to C12-C15 alkyl benzoate, to ethoxylated cetyl stearyl alcohols, to products marketed as Lambent wax WS-L, cetiol La bent WD-F HE (from Henkel Corp.), Glucam P20 (from Amerchol), Poliox WSR N-10 (Union Carbide), Poliox WSR N-3000 (from Union Carbide), Luviquat from (BASF), Finsolv SLB 101 (Finetex Corp.), mink oil, allantoin, alcohol Stearyl, Estol 1517 (Unichema), and Finsolv SLB 201 (Finetex Corp.).

An emollient can also be applied to a surface of the article before or after wetting with the wetting composition. Such an emollient may be insoluble in the wetting composition and may be immobile except when exposed to a force. For example, a petrolatum-based emollient may be applied to a surface in a pattern, after which the other surface is wetted to saturate the cleaning cloth. Such a product can provide a cleaning surface and an opposing skin treatment surface.

The emollient composition in such products and in other products of the present invention may comprise a plastic or a fluid emollient such as one or more liquid hydrocarbons (e.g. petrolatum), mineral oil and the like, vegetable fats of animals (e.g., lanolin, phospholipids) and its derivatives) and / or silicone materials such as one or more alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers, including the polysiloxane emollients described in U.S. Patent No. 5,891,126 issued April 6, 1999 to Osborn, III et al. Optionally, a hydrophilic surfactant can be combined with a plastic emollient to improve the wetting of the coated surface. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that liquid hydrocarbon emollients and / or substituted alkyl polysiloxane polymers can be mixed or combined with one or more fatty acid ester emollients derived from fatty acids or alcohols fatty.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the emollient material is in the form of an emollient mixture. Desirably, the emollient mixture comprises a combination of one or more liquid hydrocarbons (eg petrolatum), mineral oil and the like, vegetable fats and animals (eg lanolin, phospholipids and their derivatives) with a silicone material such as one or more of the alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers. More desirably, the emollient mixture comprises a combination of liquid hydrocarbons (for example petrolatum) with dimethicone or with dimethicone and other alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers. In some embodiments of the present invention it is contemplated that mixtures of liquid hydrocarbon emollients and / or substituted alkyl polysiloxane polymers may be mixed with one or more fatty acid ester emollients derived from fatty acids or fatty alcohols. Glycerol cocoate PEG-7 available as Standamul HE (Henkel Corp., from Hoboken, N.J.), may also be considered.

The water-soluble self-emulsifying emollient oils, which are useful in the present moisturizing compositions, include the polyoxyalkoxylated lanolins and the polyoxyalkoxylated fatty alcohols as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,690,821, issued September 1, 1987 to Smith and others. The polyoxyalkoxy chains will desirably comprise mixed propyleneoxy and ethyleneoxy units. The lanolin derivatives will typically comprise about 20-70 such as the lower alkoxy units while the C12-C20 fatty alcohols will be derivatives with about 8-15 units of alkyl or lower. One such useful lanolin derivative is Lanexol AWS (PPG-12 -PEG-50, from Croda Inc., of New York, N.Y). A useful poly (15-20) C2-C3 alkoxylate is PPG-5-Ceteth-20, known as Procetyl AWS (from Croda Inc.).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the emollient material reduces the undesirable tact attributes, if any, of the wetting composition for example, emollient materials, including dimethicone, can reduce the level of tackiness caused by the binder. sensitive to the ion or other components in the wetting composition, thus serving as a tackifier.

Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 25 weight percent emollients based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More specifically, the wetting composition may comprise less than about 5 percent by weight of emollient, and more specifically less than about 2 percent of emollient. More desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.01 weight percent to about 8 weight percent emollients. Even more desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.2 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight of emollients.

In one embodiment, the wetting composition and / or the prewetted cleaning wipes of the present invention comprise an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an oil phase containing at least one emollient oil and at least one emollient wax stabilizer. dispersed in an aqueous phase comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol emollient and at least one organic water-soluble detergent as described in the United States of America patent No. 4,559,157, issued December 17, 1985 to Smith et al., The entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Surface Sensation Modifiers The surface sensing modifiers are used to improve the feel (for example, lubricity) of the skin during the use of the product. Suitable surface sensing modifiers include, but are not limited to, commercial debonders; and softeners, such as softeners used in the art of making tissues including quaternary ammonium compounds with fatty acid side groups, silicones, waxes and the like. Exemplary quaternary ammonium compounds with utility as softeners are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,554,862, issued to Hervey et al. On January 12, 1971; U.S. Patent No. 4,144,122 issued to Emanuelsson et al., on March 13, 1979, U.S. Patent No. 5,573,637 issued to Ampulski et al. on November 12, 1996; and U.S. Patent No. 4,476,323 issued to Hellsten et al. on October 9, 1984, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 percent by weight of the surface sensing modifiers based on the total weight of the composition. moisturizing composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight of the surface sensing modifiers. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 0.05 percent by weight of the surface sensing modifiers.

Fragrances A variety of fragrances can be used in the humidifying composition of the present invention. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent fragrances based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the moisturizing composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent fragrances. Even more desirably, the moisturizing composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent fragrances.

Fragrance Solubilizers In addition, a variety of fragrance solubilizers can be used in the humidifying composition of the present invention. The right fragrance solubilizers include, but are not limited to, polysorbate 20, propylene glycol, ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, ameroxol OE-2 (Amerchol Corp.), BRIJ 78 and BRIJ 98 (ICI surfactants), Arlasolve 200 (from ICI Surfactants) Calfax 16L-35 (from Pilot Chemical Co.), Capmul POE-S (Abitec Corp.), Finsolv SUBSTANTIAL (Finetex), and the like. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent of the fragrance solubilizers based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the moisturizing composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight of fragrance solubilizers. Even more desirably, the moisturizing composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 0.05 percent by weight of fragrance solubilizers.

Opacif i cador s Suitable opacifiers include, but are not limited to, titanium dioxide or other minerals or pigments, and synthetic opacifiers such as REACTOPAQUE® particles (available from Sequa Chemical Inc., of Chester, South Carolina). Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent opacifiers based on the total weight of the composition humidifier More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent opacifiers. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent opacifiers.

PH Control Agents PH control agents suitable for use in the moisturizing compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, malic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, hydroxide potassium, and the like. An appropriate pH range minimizes the amount of skin irritation that results from the moisturizing composition on the skin. Desirably, the pH range of the wetting composition is from about 3.5 to about 6.5. More desirably, the pH range of the wetting composition is from about 4 to about 6. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent of a pH adjuster based on the total weight of the composition. moisturizing composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight of a pH adjuster. Even more desirably, the moisturizing composition contains from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 0.05 percent by weight of a pH adjuster.

Although a variety of moisturizing compositions, formed from one or more of the above-described components, can be used with the wet cleaning cloths of the present invention, in one embodiment, the wetting composition contains the following components, given in percent by weight of the wetting composition as shown in Table 2 given below: Table 2. Components of Moisturizing Composition In another embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition comprises the following components, given in percent by weight of the wetting composition, as shown in Table 3 given below: Table 3. Components of Moisturizing Composition In another embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition comprises the following components, given in percent by weight of the wetting composition, as shown in Table 4 given below: Table 4. Exemplary Wetting Composition It should be noted that the above-described moisturizing compositions of the present invention can be used with any of the ion-sensitive binder compositions described above of the present invention. In addition, the above-described moisturizing compositions of the present invention can be used with any other binder composition, including conventional binder compositions, or with any known absorbent or fibrous substrate, whether dispersible or not.

Resistance properties Unless otherwise specified, the stress test is carried out according to the following protocol. The test of the dry product must be carried out under Tappi conditions (50% relative humidity, 73 ° F) with a procedure similar to that of ASTM-1117-80, section 7. Tension tests are carried out with a constant cross head speed tension tester such as a Thwing Albert 1256-100 tension tester with a 10 -kg RSA-2 load cell. The samples are cut to widths of 7.62 cm (3 inches) and lengths of 15.24 cm (6 inches), and are mounted between the jaws with a measuring length of 10.16 cm (4 inches). The crosshead speed is 30.48 cm (12 inches) per minute. The maximum load (for tensile strength) and elongation at maximum load are measured (for stretching). For tension tests in the transverse direction (CD), the sample is cut in the transverse direction. For the tests of tension in the direction of the machine (MD) the sample is cut in the transverse direction.

Stress tests in the dry state are reported for the tissues taken before the application of the wetting composition. The resistance to dry tension in the machine direction is abbreviated as "MDDT", and the dry tension resistance in the transverse direction is abbreviated as "CDDT". The results can be reported as kg / 3 inches or converted to units of g / inch or g / 2.54 cms.

Based on the dry weight of the cut sample to the appropriate size, an excess amount of the dampening solution (4 percent salt water solution without other additives unless otherwise specified) is applied to achieve a solution aggregate of 250-400 percent. The wetted specimens are then immediately passed through an Atlas laboratory juicer (Atlas Electric Devices Company, Chicago Illinois No. 10404 LW-1, no load) to evenly distribute the solution in the sample and gently remove the excess solution. to achieve an aggregate of 200% final solution. Several repetitions or steps may be necessary to achieve the aggregate goal depending on the sample. The completed pre-moistened samples are then packed in plastic bags to prevent drying before testing.

Wet tension tests in the transverse direction (CDWT) or wet tensile strength in the machine direction (MDWT) are carried out as described above using the pre-moistened sample, after the sample has been balanced by the settlement overnight in a sealed plastic bag.

For tests related to the loss of resistance in a pre-wetted fabric that occur after exposure in a new solution, a container having dimensions of 200 mm by 120 mm and a depth sufficient to contain 1000 milliliters is filled with 700 milliliters of the Selected soaked solution. No more than 108 square inches of sample are soaked in 700 milliliters of soaked solution, depending on the sample size. The pre-moistened samples, which have been balanced overnight, are immersed in the soaking solution and allowed to soak undisturbed for a specified period of time (typically one hour). At the completion of the soaking period, the samples are carefully recovered from the soaking solution, allowing them to drain, and then tested immediately as described above (for example, the sample is immediately mounted on the voltage tester and tested, without having passed through the juicer). In cases with highly dispersible materials, samples often can not be recovered from the soaking solution without breaking. The soak tension values for such samples are recorded as zero for the corresponding solution.

For the wet tension test in the deionized soaked transverse direction, S-CDWT, the sample is immersed in deionized water for one hour and then tested. For the wet tension test in the transverse direction, soaked in hard water, S-CDWT-M (M indicating the divalent metal ions), the sample is immersed in water containing 200 parts per million Ca ++ / Mg ++ in a proportion of 2: 1 prepared of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, soaked for one hour and then tested. For the wet tension test in the transverse direction soaked in medium hard water, MS-CDWT-M, the sample is immersed in water containing 50 parts per million Ca ++ / Mg ++ in a ratio of 2: 1, soaked in a hour and then tested. The test is done with other time increments or soaking solutions should be indicated so to avoid confusion with the S-CDWT or S-CDWT-M tests.

In an embodiment of the present invention, wet wiping cloths are produced using the wetting composition described above in Table 3 and a fibrous material placed by air comprising about 80 weight percent bleached kraft fibers and 20 weight percent of any of the ion sensitive binder compositions described above of the present invention, wherein the percentages by weight are based on weight Total dry nonwoven fabric. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the wiping cloths are produced using the wetting composition described above in Table 3 and an air-laid fibrous material comprising 90 weight percent soft wood fibers and 10 weight percent fiber. ion-sensitive binding compositions comprising terpolymers of acrylic acid or a copolymer essentially free of acrylic acid monomers, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the dry nonwoven fabric. The amount of wetting composition added to the non-woven fabric, relative to the weight of the dry nonwoven fabric in these embodiments, is desirably from about 180 percent to about 240 percent by weight.

Desirably the wet cleaning cloths of the present invention possess a wet tensile strength in use (CDWT) of at least 100 g / inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g / inch after having soaked in water having a concentration of Ca + and / or Mg2 + ions of about 50 parts per million for about 1 hour (MS-CDWT-M). More desirably, cleaning cloths wet ones have a wet tensile strength in use of at least 300 g / inch (CDWT), and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g / inch after being soaked in water having an ion concentration Ca2 + and / or Mg2 + of about 50 parts per million for about one hour (MS-CDWT-M) In a further embodiment, the wet cleaning cloths desirably possess a wet tensile strength in use of at least 200 grams / inch (CDWT) and a tensile strength of less than about 20 grams / inch after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca2 + and Mg2 + ions of about 200 parts per million for about 1 hour (MS-) CDWT-M). Even more desirably, wet cleaning cloths have a wet tensile strength in the use of at least 300 grams / inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 20 grams / inch after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+ ions of about 200 parts per million for about 1 hour (S-CDWT-M).

Desirably the wet cleaning cloths treated with the binder material of the present invention including the terpolymer of acrylic acid possess a wet tensile strength in the use of at least 100 grams / inch for a sample with a width of 2.54 cm ( 1 inch) in the direction transverse to the machine when soak with 10 percent to 400 percent by weight of solution of wet cleaning cloths containing more than 0.3 percent by weight concentration of monovalent ion (NaCl) and a tensile strength of less than about 30 grams / inch after having soaked in deionized water for about an hour. More desirably, the wet cleaning cloths treated with the binder material of the present invention including the acrylic acid terpolymer have a tensile strength in use of at least 200 grams / inch for a sample with a width of 2.54 cm (one inch) in the direction transverse to the machine when soaked with 10% to 400% by weight of solution of wet cleaning cloths containing more than 0.3% by weight concentration of monovalent ion (NaCl) and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g / inch after soaking in deionized water for about 1 hour.

In a further embodiment, the wet cleaning cloths treated with the binder material of the present invention including the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion possesses a tensile strength in the use of at least 200 grams per inch for a sample of 2.54 cm (1 inch) wide in the cross machine direction when soaked with 10% to 400% by weight of a solution of wet cleaning cloths containing more than 1% by weight monovalent ion concentration (NaCl) and a tensile strength of less than about 30 grams / inch after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+ ions of about 50 parts per million for about 1 hour. Even more desirably, the wet cleaning cloths treated with the binder material of the present invention including the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion possesses a tensile strength in use of at least 200 grams / inch for a 2.54 cm sample (1 inch) width in the cross-machine direction when soaked with 10% to 400% by weight of a solution of wet cleaning cloths containing more than 1% by weight monovalent ion concentration (NaCl) and a resistance at the tension of less than about 30 grams / inch after being soaked in water, having a concentration of Ca 2+ and / or Mg 2+ ions of about 200 parts per million for about 1 hour.

Products with higher base weights or wet strengths than those with disposable wet cleaning wipes with water discharge may have a relatively higher wet tensile strength. For example, such products as pre-moistened towels or hard surface cleaning wipes have base weights of about 70 grams per square meter, such as from 80 grams per square meter to 150 grams per square meter. Such products may have test values of wet tension in the transverse direction of 500 grams / inch or greater, with values of wet tension tests in the transverse direction -S of about 150 grams / inch or less, more specifically about 100 grams / inch or less , and more specifically around 50 grams / inch or less, with similar possible ranges for S-CDWT-M.

Dispersability Previous efforts to measure the dispersibility of fabrics, either dry or pre-wet, have commonly relied on systems in which the fabric was exposed to the cut while in water, such as by measuring the time for a fabric to break while which is being stirred by a mechanical mixer. Constant exposure to cutting offers an unrealistic and over-optimistic test for products designed to be discarded with flushing in a toilet, where the cut level is weak and extremely short. Once the product has passed through the narrow part of the toilet and entered the septic tank the cutoff rates may be negligible. In addition, the product may not be completely moistened with the water in the toilet bowl when it is discharged with water discharge, or rather, there may not be adequate time for the product's wetting composition to be replaced with the water in the toilet. the toilet bowl when the momentary cut of discharging with discharge of water is applied. Therefore, prior measurements of dispersibility may suggest that a product is dispersible when in fact it may be poorly suited for a septic system.

For a realistic assessment of dispersibility, it is believed that a relatively static measure is necessary to better simulate the low cut that real products will experience once they have been completely moistened with toilet water. Therefore, a test method for dispersibility has been developed which does not rest on the cut and which provides an improved means to assess the suitability of a product for a septic system. In this method, the tensile strength of a product is measured in its original wetted form (the measurement of the wet tension test in the transverse direction described above) and after the product has been soaked in a second solution by a hour (either the S-CDWT 0 S-CDWT-M test). The second solution can be either deionized water for the determination of the value of "deionized dispersibility" or hard water (according to the test S-CDWT-M) for the determination of the "hard water dispersibility" value. In any case the dispersibility is defined as (1 minus the ratio of the wet tensile strength in the transverse direction in the second solution divided by the wet tensile strength in the transverse direction to the original) * 100%. Therefore, if the pre-wetted cleaning cloth loses 75% of its wet tensile strength in the transverse direction after soaking in hard water for 1 hour, the hard water dispersibility is (1-0.25) * 100% = 75% . The articles of the present invention may have a deionized dispersibility of 80% or greater, more specifically of 90% or greater, specifically still of 95% or greater, and may have a deionized dispersibility of about 100%. The articles of the present invention may have a hard water dispersibility of 70% or greater, more specifically 80% or greater, specifically still around 90% or greater, and may have a deionized dispersibility of about 100%.

Method for Making Wet Wipes The pre-moistened wiping cloths of the present invention can be made in several ways. In one embodiment, the ion-sensitive polymer composition is applied to a fibrous substrate as part of an aqueous solution or suspension, where subsequent drying is necessary to remove the water and promote bonding of the fibers. In particular, during drying, the binder migrates to the crossing points of the fibers and becomes activated as a binder in those regions, thereby providing a acceptable resistance to the substrate. For example, the following steps can be applied: 1. Provide an absorbent substrate that is not highly bonded (eg, a material placed by unattached air, a tissue of tissue, a carded fabric, a pulp of fluff, etc.) 2. Applying an ion-sensitive polymer composition to the substrate, typically in the form of a suspension, a liquid or a foam. 3. Apply a coagglutinating polymer to the substrate. 4. Dry the substrate to promote substrate binding. The substrate can be dried so that the maximum substrate temperature does not exceed 160 ° C, or 140 ° C or 120 ° C, or 110 ° C or 100 ° C. In one embodiment the substrate temperature does not exceed 80 ° C or 60 ° C.

Apply a moisturizing composition to the substrate. 6. Place the moistened substrate in roll form or in a pile and pack the product.

The coagglutinating polymer application can be done simultaneously with the application of the binder composition by pre-mixing the two, or the co-binder polymer can be added before or after the binder is applied. The other steps are desirably carried out in the order shown above.

The application of the ion-sensitive polymer composition to the substrate can be by means of spraying; by application of foam; by immersion in a bath; by curtain coating; by coating and dosing with a rolled wire rod; by passing the substrate through a flooded pressure point; by contact with a pre-moistened roller with the binder solution; by pressing the substrate against a deformable carrier containing the ion sensitive polymer composition such as a sponge or felt to effect transfer into the substrate; by printing such as engraving, ink jet or flexographic printing, or any other means known in the art.

In the use of the foams to apply a binder or a co-binder polymer, the mixture is foamed, typically with a foaming agent and sprayed evenly onto the substrate, after which the vacuum is applied to pull the foam through the substrate. Any method of known foam application can be used, including that of U.S. Patent No. 4,018,647, "Process for impregnating a wet fiber fabric with a foamed heat-sensitive latex binder", issued April 19 from 1977 to Wietsma, whose entirety is incorporated here by reference. Wiestma discloses a method wherein a foamed latex is sensitized to heat by the addition of a heat sensitizer such as functional siloxane compounds including siloxane oxyalkylene block copolymers and organopolysiloxanes. Specific examples of the applicable heat sensitizers and their use thereof for heat sensitization of latexes are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,255,140; 3,255,141; 3,483,240 and 3,484,394, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The use of the heat sensitizer is said to result in a product that has a very soft textile feel compared to previous methods of applying foamed latex binders.

The amount of heat sensitizer to be added will depend, among others, on the type of latex used, the desired coagulation temperature, the speed of the machine and the temperatures in the drying section of the machine, and generally, it will be in the range of about 0.05 or about 3% by weight, calculated as dry matter on the dry weight of the latex; but also the larger quantities or Minors can be used. The heat sensitizer may be added in such an amount that the latex will coagulate well below the boiling point of the water, for example a temperature in the range of 35 ° C to 95 ° C or from about 35 ° C to 65 ° C. ° C.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a drying step after the application of the binder solution and before the application of the wetting composition improves the bonding of a fibrous substrate by driving the binder to the crossing points of the binder. fiber when moisture is expelled, thus promoting the efficient use of the binder. However, in an alternate method, the drying step listed above is omitted, and the ion sensitive polymer composition is applied to the substrate followed by the application of the wetting composition without significant intermediate drying. In one version of this method the ion sensitive polymer composition selectively adheres to the fibers, allowing excess water to be removed in an optional compression step without a significant loss of the binder from the substrate. In another version, no significant water removal occurs before the application of wetting composition. In yet another alternate method, the ion-sensitive polymer composition and the wetting composition are applied simultaneously, optionally with the addition Subsequent salt or other activating compounds to activate or further activate the binder.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be considered in any way as imposing limitations on the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is clearly understood that several other additions must be made as modifications of equivalents thereof which after reading the description given here, may suggest themselves to those experts in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and / or scope of the appended claims.

As used herein, the "thickness" of a fabric is measured with a 7.62 cm (3 inch) acrylic plastic disc connected to the shaft of a Mitutoyo digimatic indicator (from Mitutoyo Corporation, 31-19, Shiba 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108, Japan) and which delivers a net charge of 0.05 pounds per square inch to the sample being measured. The Mitutoyo Digimatic indicator is set to zero when the disk rests on a flat surface. When a sample having a size at least as large as the acrylic disk is placed under the disk, a thickness reading can be obtained from the digital reading of the indicator. When the water-dispensable substrates of the present invention can have any suitable thickness, such as from about 0. 1 mm to 5 mm. For wet wiping cloths, the thicknesses can be in the range of 0.2 millimeters to about 1 millimeter, more specifically from about 0.3 millimeters to about 0.7 millimeters. The thickness can be controlled, for example, by applying the compaction rolls during or after tissue formation by pressing after the binder or wetting composition has been applied, or by controlling the winding tension when a good roll is formed.

The use of the platelet method to measure the thickness gives an average thickness at the macroscopic level. The local thickness may vary, especially if the product has been etched or otherwise given a three-dimensional texture.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Acrylic Acrylic Terpolymer Modified with Sulfonate Anion Acrylic acid (43.3 grams, 0.60 mols), AMPS (10.7 g, 0.052 mol), butyl acrylate (35.2 g, 0.27 mols), and 2-ethylexyl acrylate (20 g, 0.11 mols) were dissolved in a mixture of 55 grams of acetone / water (70/30). One initiator, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) (0.51 g, 3.1 x 10"3 mol) was dissolved in 20 milliliters of acetone.The monomer solution was deoxygenated by bubbling N2 through the solution through 20 minutes. To a 3-neck, 1000-milliliter round bottom bottle equipped with a condenser, two additional funnels and a magnetic stirrer, 120 grams of an acetone / water mixture (70/30) was added. The solvent was heated to gentle reflux under nitrogen. The monomers and the initiator were added simultaneously from the additional funnels over a period of 2 hours. The polymerization was allowed to proceed for two additional hours, at the end of which, the addition funnels and the condenser were replaced with a distillation head and a mechanical stirrer rod to remove the acetone. A stable stream of N2 was maintained during distillation while the temperature was gradually increased from about 65 ° C to about 90 ° C. When the distillation was completed, 400 grams of deionized water was added to reduce the viscosity of the polymer solution. A cloudy but uniform solution was obtained.

A total of 9 polymers (Samples 1-9) were synthesized using the procedure described above. NaOH (2.1 grams, 0.052 mols) in 20 milliliters of water were added at room temperature to neutralize the AMPS component in the samples. The compositions of Samples 1-9 are summarized in Table 5 below.

All percentages are given in percent per mole.

Table 5. Acrylic acid terpolymers modified with sulfonate anion EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of an Acrylic Acid Terpolymer A terpolymer of acrylic acid was produced using the polymerization process outlined in Example 2 of U.S. Patent No. 5,312,883. The following monomers were used: acrylic acid (50 g, 0.69 mol), butyl acrylate (25 g, 0.20 mol) and 2-ethylexyl acrylate (25 g, 0.14 mol). The polymer was neutralized with 0.1 mol of sodium hydroxide.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of the Ion-Sensitive Polymer Formula The polymers prepared in Table 5, Sample 9 and Example 2 mentioned above, were combined with Dur-O-Set RB to form the ion-sensitive polymer formulas of the present invention. The polymer formulas were prepared as shown in Table 6 given below.

Table 6. Ion-Sensitive Polymer Formulas EXAMPLE 4 Solubility of Ion-Sensitive Polymer Formula The sensitivity of the polymer formulas of Example 3 to the divalent cations present in hard water was measured. Samples 1-10 of Example 3 are placed in a number of CaCl 2 solutions with a Ca 2+ concentration ranging from < 10 to 200 ppm. After soaking for one hour, the solubility of each polymer was noted. The solubility results are given below in Table 7.

Table 7. Solubility Results In each case the set film of the NaAMPS-containing mixture is more soluble than the film containing the acrylic acid terpolymer, especially with increasing calcium ion concentration.

EXAMPLE 5 Agglutination Resistance Test of Polymer Formulas With and Without Cross Linkage For pilot scale trials we use pulped base air laid sheets (CF 405 or NB 416 Weyerhaeuser pulp form) together with 2-5% bico fibers. The bico fibers were either type-255 (from KoSa Fibers of Salisbury, North Carolina) with an activated polyethylene sheath and a core of polyester or Danakion fibers (from Fiber Visions of Varde, Denmark) with a polyethylene sheath and a polypropylene core. Both kinds of bico fibers were 2-3 denier were cut to a length of 6 millimeters. The binder formulas were applied by spraying solutions of 12 to 15% by weight on both sides of the base sheet above. The resistances of the base sheets under various conditions are reported after subtracting the base strength of the fabric due to the bico fibers. Table 8 reports the resistances of the base sheets with different formulas in 0.4% by weight NaCl (CDWT) as well as after soaking for one hour in deionized water (S-CDWT): Table 8. Stress Resistance BW: Base Weight CDWT: Wet tension resistance in cross machine direction.

S-CDWT: Wet tensile strength in cross-machine direction after soaking for one hour in deionized water.

All the above-mentioned codes would be better moistened on the first discharge in relation to a binder formula containing 100 percent terpolymer of acrylic acid Also the binder formulas which contain the EVA, spray better than 100% acrylic acid terpolymer, leading to a much improved binder distribution and penetration on the substrate. Significantly those formulas that were not cross-linked; for example Samples 5, 11 and 12, had a wet tensile strength in the transverse direction to the machine after soaking less than 30 grams per inch.

EXAMPLE 6 The binder formulas are prepared having the compositions shown in Table 9 given below. Binder formulas at 12 percent solids weight are sprayed on both sides of the fabric placed by air. The fabric placed by air is based on the pulp (CF 405 of Weyerhaeuser). Table 9 shows the strength of the base sheet in a solution of 0.9 percent NaCl (resistance to wet tension in the cross machine direction) and after a one hour soak in deionized water (resistance to wet tension in the direction transverse to the machine after soaking). The effect on the resistance after the aging of the samples in the salt solution over a period of up to 16 weeks is also shown. A condom, such as Mackstat H66, is added to the samples to avoid the growth of mold on the base sheets as they age in the salt solution.

Table 9. Stress Resistance of the Base Sheet The results of Table 9 indicate that the tissue does not lose the initial properties even after extensive aging in the salt solution in use when the Dur-O-Set RB is used as the EVA. If the crosslinkable agent is present in the EVA, a lower dispersibility results after the aging of the samples for a few weeks.

EXAMPLE 7 Figure 1 shows the strength properties of the modified terpolymer NaAMPS, which is also dispersible in hard water (up to 200 parts per million solution). of Ca ++ / Mg ++). A base sheet based on 75 weight percent of NaAMPS modified acrylic acid terpolymer (SSB) and 25 weight percent EVA (Dur-O-Set® RB) exhibits very good strength during use (in a solution of 1.5% or 4.0% NaCl) and disperses in very hard water. The SSB-4 was dispersed in hard water in 10 minutes. The SSB-5 was dispersed in hard water in 3 hours. The NaAMPS-SSB is more viscous in relation to the Lion-SSB.

The voltage results for Examples 5 to 7 were obtained with an MTS voltage test device, the MTS 500 / S unit (from MTS Systems, Research Park, Carolina North) used the Test orksMark 3.10 for the computer program Windows Instead of the normal 7.62 cm (3 inch) strip for the test, a 2.54 cm (1 inch) wide strip, cut to 15.24 cm (6 inches) in length, was used. The measured length between the rubber-coated jaws of the test device was 7.62 cm (3 inches). the test was operated at the specified crosshead speed of 30.48 cm (12 inches) per minute. The MTS device with the modified test procedure generally gives results comparable to the previously described tension test protocol using 7.62 cm (3 inches) in width with the samples and the Thwing-Albert tester.

EXAMPLE 8 The addition of the co-binder polymer to the ion-sensitive polymer reduces the cutting viscosity of the blended polymer compared to the cut-off viscosity of the ion-sensitive polymer alone. Table 10 illustrates the effect of the addition of various co-binder polymers to an acrylic acid terpolymer (SSB-2) according to the present invention.

Table 10. Effect of the Addition of Various Coagglutinating Polymers to SSB-2 Table 10 shows that the addition of Rhoplex® NW 1715K, Rovene® 4817 and Dur-O-Set® RB significantly reduces the cutting viscosity of the acrylic acid terpolymer SSB-2 alone.

The reduction in viscosity is not due to a mere dilution of SSB-2, because the addition of sodium polyacrylate resulted in a significant increase in the cut viscosity of SSB-2.

EXAMPLE 9 The dried solid bars were prepared from Rhoplex® NW 1715K, Rovene® 4817 and Dur-O-Set® RB. The bars were prepared by pouring a quantity of the polymer into a rectangular silicone mold, an open rectangular silicone mold one centimeter wide, 4 centimeters long and 3 millimeters deep. The polymer in the mold was then heated at 60 ° C overnight. The polymer dried in the mold was then placed in a container with 30 milliliters of deionized water at about 23 ° C and allowed to settle for one hour. None of these bars were dispersed in the deionized water.

The bar samples were then prepared from the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate (NaAMPS + SSB) mixed separately with Rhoplex® NW 1715K, Rovene® 4817 and Dur-O-Set® RB. The polymer blends were made from 75% by weight terpolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion and 25 percent by weight of the co-binder polymers. The bar samples were prepared in the same manner as described above. The Bar samples were then added to the deionized water. Each one of the bar samples made from the following polymer blends (eg, NaAMPS + SSB / Rhoplex NW 1715K, NaAMPS + SSB / Rovene 4817 and NaAMPS + SSB / Dur-O-Set RB, was dispersed in the water deionized in one hour.

EXAMPLE 10 A substrate in the form of a fabric placed by air was prepared on a commercial air laying machine having a width of 1.68 m (66.5 inches). A trainer placed by air Dan Web with two forming heads was used to produce the substrates having base weights of around 60 grams per square meter. Weyerhaeuser CF405 bleached softwood kraft fibers in the form of pulp sheet were used and fibrillated in a hammer mill, and then formed into a fabric placed by air on a moving wire at a speed of 200 to 300 feet per minute. The newly formed tissue was densified by the heated compaction rollers and transferred to a second wire, where the fabric was wetted with a spray of water spray applying an aggregate level of moisture of 5% estimated immediately before a second compaction roller heated to further densify the fabric. The tissue was then transferred to an oven wire and sprayed on the upper side with a mixture of ion-sensitive polymer on the exposed surface of the fabric, applying 10% solids of the ion-sensitive polymer formula in relation to the dry fiber mass of the fabric.

The mixture of ion-sensitive polymer formula comprised water as the carrier with 12 percent binder solids, wherein the binder comprised 75% SSB-4 as the ion-sensitive polymer formula and 25% Rhoplex® NW latex emulsion -1715K (from Rohm and Haas Corporation) as the co-agglutinating polymer.

The spray was applied with a series of Quick Veejet® nozzles, no. 730077, manufactured by Spraying Systems Company (of Wheaton, Illinois) operating at 95 pounds per square inch. A sudden spraying on the fabric provided 13 such nozzles on centers of 13.97 cm (5.5 inches) with a tip to wire distance of 20.32 cm (8 inches). This arrangement gave 100% overlap of the spray cones for the ion-sensitive polymer formula solution of this test.

After the fabric was sprayed, it was taken to an oven with a continuous flow of air around 225 ° C to dry the binder solution. The tissue was then transferred to the underside of another furnace wire, on which it passed over another sudden spray where it was applied the polymer formula solution more sensitive to the ion to the lower side of the fabric to add another 10 percent solids in relation to the dried fiber mass of the fabric. The fabric then passed through two successive drying units where drying through air with air at about 225 ° C completed the drying of the fabric. The pressure difference across the tissue was approximately 25.4 cm (10 inches) of water. The length of the three dryer sections, from the first to the third, respectively, was around 9, 10 and 6 feet.

The thickness of the fabric after drying was 1.14 millimeters (this number, like other physical properties reported here, can vary depending on the fibers, the base weight and others). The tensile strength in the machine direction (MDDT) of the fabric was measured at 4.59 kilograms / 3 inches. The dry tensile strength in the transverse direction (CDDT) of the fabric was measured at 3.82 kilograms / 3 inches with a cross-directional stretch of 8.98%.

The dried and treated fabric was then cut to 1.52 m (60 inches) in width, tracked and then cut into rolls of 10.16 cm (4 inches) in width, which were then treated with a moisturizing composition and formed into rolls no cores suitable for use as a cloth Pre-moistened bathroom cleaner. The wetting composition was uniformly sprayed onto one side of the fabric 10.16 cm (4 inches) in width prior to tracing the fabric in rolls suitably sized for use. The wetting composition was 4 weight percent NaCl in deionized water.

Wet tension in the transverse direction (CDWT) at 4 percent by weight of salt water was measured at 0.76 kilograms / 3 inches. The wet tensile strength in the soaked transverse direction was effectively 0, as was the stretch in the soaked transverse direction, meaning that the sheet was completely dispersible.

EXAMPLE 11 The sheet formed was identical to that of Example 10 except that the fibers in the fabric formed by air were 75% kraft of soft wood and 25% of PET fibers. The thickness of the cloth after drying was 1.35 millimeters. The machine direction dry stress (MDDT) of the fabric strength was measured at 3.87 kilograms / 3 inches. The resistance to dry tension in the transverse direction (CDDT) of fabric strength was measured at 2.84 kilograms / 3 inches with a stretch to the transverse direction of 11.31%. The wet tension of the transverse direction (CDWT) at 4% solution Saline was measured at 0.82 kilograms / 3 inches. The wet tensile strength in the soaked transverse direction was effectively 0, as was the stretch in the soaked transverse direction.

EXAMPLE 12 Additional examples were conducted in relation to Example 10, except that the Rovene latex emulsion was used as a co-binder polymer and the basis weight and fiber composition varied as shown in Table 11. Tension resistance Wet in the soaked transverse direction was all 0, indicating a complete loss of tensile strength. Other results are shown in Table 11, where Pulp / PET designates the proportion of softwood to synthetic fibers in the substrate. The BW is the basis weight in grams per square meter, TH is the thickness in millimeters, and S-CDWT-M is the wet tension test of the transverse direction soaked one hour for a sample soaked in water containing 200 parts per million of Ca ++ / Mg ++ in a ratio of 2: 1.

Table 11. Measures for Examples 3A-3F S-CDWT-M values of non-zero (wet tension soaked in hard water) are non-zero for two tests with 25% PET fibers, suggesting that higher amounts of synthetic fibers may begin to compromise water dispersibility .

EXAMPLE 13 A pre-wetted cleaning cloth was made similar to that of Example 10, except that the coagglutinating polymer was a modified Elite® latex emulsion essentially free of cross-linking agents provided by National Starch. The base weight of the fabric was 61.35, the thickness of 1.21 millimeters, the MDDT of 5.09 kilograms / 3 inches, the stretch in the machine direction of 7.89%, the CDDT of 3. 90 kilograms / 3 inches, the stretch in the transverse direction of 9.50%, the CDWT in 4% salt water 0.78 kilograms / 3 inches, the CDWT stretch of 32.96%, and the residual resistances after one hour in both the deionized water (S-CDWT) and hard water (S-CDWT-M) were 0 kilograms / 3 inches.

EXAMPLE 14 Addition of Particles The prewet cleaning wipes comprising the base sheet of Example 10 were prepared with a wetting composition comprising a particulate solution. The particles were selected from the following products marketed by Presperse, Inc. (of Piscataway, New Jersey).

Table 12. Presperse, Inc. particles, selected for use in pre-moistened cleaning cloths For each type of particle in Table 12, five 1000 gram loads of the wetting composition were prepared with particle concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10% by weight. Each load was prepared by adding the appropriate amount of filtered and deionized water to a weighted beaker of 1.15 liters (for the 5 loads, the amounts of water were, respectively, 926.3 grams, 921.3 grams, 911 grams, 881 grams and 831 grams. grams). A 6.35 cm (2.5 inch) magnetic stirring rod stirred the contents of the vessel while it resided on a Thermolyne Cimarec 2 agitator, with the stirring speed set to a maximum to provide a strong central apex in each of the 5 vessels. Each load comprised 4 percent by weight of sodium chloride, added to water, as 40 grams of salt; 1 percent by weight (10 grams) Amisoft ECS22-P acylglutamate surfactant (from Ajinomoto, Tokyo, Japan); 0.5 percent by weight (5 grams) of silicone emulsion DC (Dow Corning) added to the salt water and the surfactant; 1 percent by weight (10 grams) of Mackstat H 66 condom (from Mclntyre Group, Chicago, Illinois); and 0.05 percent by weight (0.5 grams) of fragrance first mixed in 0.25 percent by weight (2.5 grams) of polysorbate 20, and then mixing the solution comprising the previous ingredients; and the respective amount of powder (from 0.5 to 10, percent by weight or from 5 grams to 100 grams). The powder was added to the solution as it was stirred and allowed to moisten and suspend over a period of about 30 minutes after the addition of the powder. Some additional agitation by hand was necessary for some of the powders to promote mixing. Once the powder was dispersed in the liquid, the pH was adjusted to 5.0 by adding malic acid, prepared at 50 percent strength by weight in water. The pH was measured with a Model Parmer Cole 59002-00 pH / mV / ° C meter. meter, with an electrode Model 59002-72 KK8.

Each of the particle suspensions was then added to the dried air-laid base sheets which had been treated with the NaAMPS binder and a co-binder polymer according to Example 13. The aggregate level was 200% with the spray application on one side of the fabric. The moistened tissue was then sealed in plastic to settle overnight. Examination of the pre-wetted cleaning cloths treated with the particulate suspensions as the wetting composition revealed that the particles generally remain on the wet cleaning cloth without the need for additional thickeners or polymeric retention aids. The squeezing of the pre-wetted wipes, for example, gave a mostly clear fluid apparently essentially devoid of particles, in contrast to the milky slurries used to moisten the wipers. Generally, no visible residue appeared leaving on hands after the use of cleaning cloths. The particles also generally improved opacity and appeared slightly to provide improvements in touch property (reduced touch, better rheological sensation).

EXAMPLE 15 The role of the ungelled starch particles in the wetting composition of the present invention was investigated as a means to reduce the tackiness and improve the surface feel for a pre-wetted cleaning cloth. Five humidifying compositions containing tapioca starch were prepared according to the formulas in Table 13. The tissues placed by air of softwood according to Example 10 were moistened with the humidifying composition with 300 percent aggregate level.

(QS means "sufficient amount" to achieve the desired pH).

Table 13. Formulas for Five Humidifying Compositions Containing Starch The pre-moistened cleaning cloths comprising the starch exhibited a reduced tack when handled with the human hand that the cloths did similar pre-moistened without the starch. The cleaning cloths that contained the starch also felt softer.

EXAMPLE 16 The additional prewetted wipes were prepared using the wetting compositions shown in Table 14, one of which comprised starch as an additive and the other of which comprised botanicals. The humidifying composition was added to a fibrous substrate placed by air comprising an ion sensitive binder. The humidifying composition was added at aggregate levels of 300 and 200% by weight, respectively.

Table 14. Formulas for two Humidifying Compositions EXAMPLE 17 Specifications Binders A variety of ion sensitive binders were prepared comprising acrylic acid (AA), butacrylic acid (BA), 2-ethylhexyl-acrylic acid, and AMPS, with the per hundred mole and molecular weights shown in Table 15: Table 15. Ion Sensitive Binders Comprising AMPS Percent of Monomer Monomers: These binders were prepared according to the methods of Example 1, but were scaled as a loading process capable of producing several hundred gallons per charge.

EXAMPLE 18 Typical Wetting Solution A moisturizing composition was prepared by combining the following ingredients according to the percentage by specific weight: 92.88% by weight of deionized water, 4% by weight of NaCl, 1% by weight of Mackstat H-66 condom (from Mclntyre Group, of Chicago Illinois), 1% by weight of acyl glutamate anionic surfactant CS22 (Amisoft Corporation of Tokyo, Japan), 0.5% by weight of silicone emulsion DC 1785 (Dow Corning), 0.25% by weight of Solulan L-575 (Lanolin PEG-75, available from Amerchol, a division of Union Carbide), 0.05% by weight of fragrance Dragoco 0/708768 (Dragoco, S.A., by Cuautitlan Izcalli, D.F., Mexico, Mexico), 0.25% by weight of polysorbate 20, and about 0.07% by weight of 50% by weight of malic acid solution to bring the pH to 5.0.

EXAMPLE 19 A Treated Substrate A substrate placed by air was made with the equipment described for example 10. The basis weight was 65 grams per square meter and the fibers were 100% Weyerhaeuser CF405 kraft pulp of soft bleached wood. The binder solution had 12.8% by weight of binding solids, 75% by weight of which were Code H SSB of Table 15 and 25% by weight of latex co-binder Dur-O-Set RB (from National Starch). The binder solution was sprayed onto the fabric as described in Example 1, with the dryer air temperature at 215 ° C for all three oven sections.

EXAMPLE 20 A Substrate Treated A substrate placed by air was made according to Example 10,. except that the base weight was 63 grams per square meter and the oven temperature was 227 ° C. The reel speed was 197 feet per minute. The thickness of the dried fabric was 1.30 millimeters.

The MDDT was 5.55 kilograms / 3 inches, the CCDT was 4.83 kilograms / 3 inches, the CDWT (in 4% NaCl solution) was 1.07 kilograms / 3 inches, and the S-CDWT as well as the S-CDWT -M (1 hour of soaking tests) gave or kilograms / 3 inches.

Some of the dried fabric was cut into slits at 10.79 cm (4.25 inches) wide and treated with a humidifying composition at 225% aggregate, comprising 4% NaCl in deionized water without surfactant. The moistened fabric was drilled with a perf-blade operating at a depth of 1.77 mm (0.070 inches) to drill each 11.43 cm (4.5 inches). The perforated fabric was wound into a coreless roll with 100 perforated sheets per roll (approximately 37.5 feet per roll) and placed in a white plastic cartridge for subsequent use in a dispenser for the pre-moistened cleaning cloths.

EXAMPLE 21 A portion of the treated and dried fabric of Example 20 was wetted with the wetting composition of Example 18 and converted to a perforated roll form to be used as pre-moistened cleaning cloths to be dispensed from a bathroom spout.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 22 A conventional air-laid substrate adhesively bonded with a basis weight of 60.1 grams per square meter was created using the methods described in Example 10. Dur-O-Set E-646 (from National Starch) was used with the wood pulp (CF405). The substrate was moistened with a 4% NaCl solution and tested using the methods described. The binder was completely the crosslinked self-bondable Dur-O-Set E-646 compound; no salt-sensitive binder was applied. The mass of binding solids was 17% of the mass of the substrate. The dry thickness of the fabric was 1.4 millimeters, and the CDWT value was 1.3 kilograms / 3 inches, while the S-CDWT was 1.2 kilograms and the S_CDWT-M was 1.15 kilograms, indicating that the fabric maintained almost all its resistance after soaking, and suggesting that the cross-linked latex provided the majority of the tensile strength of the fabric and that the latex joints did not essentially weaken in the water.

EXAMPLE 23 A variety of binder / co-binder combinations were prepared, as described below, using the salt-sensitive binders of Table 15 and the co-binders as shown in Table 16 which are not cross-linked.

Table 16. Latex Coaglutinants that are Not Cross-Linked Self-Linking Using the methods described in Example 10, the substrates placed by air were made of kraft fibers bleached The substrate was moistened with a 4% NaCl solution and tested using the methods described. All substrates were composed of wood pulp (CF405) and binders. The results are shown in Table 17, where the binder mixture consistently comprised 75% of a salt-sensitive binder selected from Table 15 and 25% of a co-binder selected from Table 16. The binder / co-binder column refers to to the binder and co-binders listed in Tables 15 and 16, respectively. For example, "A / 1" refers to a mixture of SSB Code A in Table 15 and co-binder 1 of Table 16.

Table 17. Stress Data for several Bonding Systems As seen in Table 17, almost all substrates have lost more than 80% of their tensile strength after soaking in deionized water for 1 hour (S-CDWT). The substrates have lost more than 60% of their resistance (S-CDWT-M) after soaking for 1 hour in a solution of 200 parts per million divalent cations (Ca ++ / Mg ++ 2: 1). In particular, for the runs shown in Table 17, the samples completely lost their strength in 1 hour in the solution at 200 parts per million when the molecular weight of the salt-sensitive binder was less than 1,200,000. After 3 hours of soaking time in the divalent cation solution of 200 parts per million, SSBs with high molecular weight generally had lost more of their strength, but may still have a non-zero tensile strength.

For comparison, Comparative Example 22 lost less than 15% of its strength after soaking for 1 hour in either deionized water or 200 parts per million divalent ion solution. All substrates in Table 17 lost more resistance to stress in the soaking than Comparative Example 22.

EXAMPLE 24 The coagglutinators different from Table 16 were mixed with the salt-responsive binder Code F of Table 15. The binder mixture was then applied using the methods described in Example 10 to create the substrates placed by air listed in Table 18. In each case, 20% binder solids were applied to the substrate in a mixture of 75% SSB / 25% co-binder.

Table 18. Stress Data for several Coaglutinant Systems Under similar run conditions, all three coagglutinators functioned comparably. All substrates had lost their tensile strength (S-CDWT-M) in the divalent cation solution of 200 parts per million independent of coagglutin type.

EXAMPLE 25 Peel strength measurements required to unwind the product from the outer layers of a coreless roll of the prewetted cleaning wipes suitable for use as a paper product for wet toilet were made. The product was made according to Example 10 with an aggregate level of 200% wetting composition. The tissue Drying was cut into slits at a width of 10.79 cm (4.25 inches) and treated with a humidifying composition at 200% aggregate, comprising 4% NaCl in water deionized with surfactants, silicone, and lanolin as listed in Table 19 for the humidifying composition Q, R, and S. The moistened fabric was carried out with a perf-blade operating to perforate each 11.43 cm (4.5 inches). The perforated fabric was wound into a coreless roll with 100 perforated sheets per roll (approximately 37.5 feet per roll) and sealed in a plastic cartridge for subsequent use in a dispenser for the pre-moistened cleaning cloths.

Table 19. Other Additives in Three Humidifying Compositions The roll rested freely on a plastic tube with a rounded bottom with ribs that held the roll in place with minimal friction when the roll was unrolled by pulling it vertically upward onto the tail end of the roll. Adjacent layers adhered to each other so that some force was required to separate the layers. The necessary peeling strength was less of the weight of the roll and appeared to be substantially greater than the frictional resistance offered by the tube when the roll is flipped, evidenced in part by the angle between the fabric and the roll at the point of separation. Without any peeling force, the angle between the fabric being pulled up and a normal line to the roll at the point of separation would be 90 °, but on unwinding the wet roll with the salt-sensitive binder, the angle was essentially less than 90 °, therefore imparting a peeling force to separate the fabric.

The peeling force was measured with an MTS Sintech l / G test machine with a Testworks 3.10 computer program. All tests were done in a laboratory conditioned under standard Tappi conditions. A 11.43 cm (4.5 inch) wide gripper with rubber surfaces grabbed the tail of a roll, with the position of the roll directly below the gripper so that the tail remained vertical as it was unrolled from the roll if there was no force peeled causing the left to wrap a part of the roll and deflect from the vertical. The handle was attached to the crosshead, which pulled the tissue upward at a speed of 100 centimeters / minute. The peeling force was mediated by a 50 N load cell. The average load to pull 18 sheets away from the roll was recorded by averaging two runs in which 4 sheets were each separated and two runs in which 5 sheets each were separated. Only the first 18 sheets of the roll were used in the measurement. The average peel strength for the two rolls per condition (for a global average taken on a total of 36 sheets) was reported in Table 20 given below.

Table 20. Peeling Strength in Grams to Remove a Wound from a Rolled Wet Roll The peeling forces for a roll having a width of between 7 and 15 centimeters (the width of the rolls tested in Table 20 is 10.8 centimeters) are desirably less than 500 grams, more specifically less than 300 grams, more specifically from less than 200 grams, more specifically still less than about 160 grams, more specifically less than about 120 grams, with an exemplary range of from about 50 grams to about 350 grams, or from around 80 grams to around 200 grams. More generally, the peeling force per 10.16 cm (4 inches) of width of a wet roll can be any of the aforementioned range values.

EXAMPLE 26 Additional samples were prepared according to Example 24 given above, except that 15% by weight of the fiber mixture consisted of 6 millimeters of crimped PET fibers (KoSa). Different coagglutinants from Table 16 were mixed with the salt-sensitive binder Code F of Table 15. The binder mixture was then applied using the methods described in Example 10 to create the substrates placed by air whose properties are listed in the Table. 21. In each case, 20% binder solids were applied to the substrate in a mixture of 75% SSB / 25% co-binder. The properties of these substrates were measured after wetting with a 4% NaCl solution. All three coaglutinants worked comparably. All substrates had lost their tensile strength in a divalent cation solution of 200 parts per million regardless of the type of co-binder. Compared to the parallel results in Example 24, the incorporation of the synthetic fibers imparted an improvement in light to modest resistance (CDWT) and a modest increase in dry volume.

Table 21. Data for Substrates with PET Fibers and several Coagglutinants EXAMPLE 27 Additional examples were carried out according to Example 26 with increasing amounts of synthetic fiber being added to the fiber mixture. Any one 6 millimeter curly PET fiber (KoSa) or a 6 millimeter Lyocell fiber, curled 2.4 dtex was used as noted in Table 22 below. The binder mixture was a constant mixture of 75% SSB and 25% co-binder.

Table 22. Data for Substrates with PET Fibers and several Coagglutinants The DCWT tensions of non-zero at 200 parts per million divalent cation are non-zero for those test combinations with 25% synthetic fibers (PET or Lyocell), suggesting that higher amounts may begin to compromise water dispersibility .

EXAMPLE 28 The substrates shown in Table 23 were all made according to the methods of Example 10 and prepared according to the methods described in Example 23. All substrates of Table 23 were formed from air-laid pulp (CF405). All the binder mixtures were 75% SSB and 25% co-binder. The dry thickness of the sheets was controlled by adjusting the level of fabric compaction by the two rolls of compaction before the first application of binder spraying. The SBB Codes O and Q of Table 15 were used.

Table 23. Data for Substrates with PET Fibers and several Coaglutinantes It appears that compaction of the dry fabric before application of the binder can significantly increase the wet strength of the final sheet without sacrificing dispersibility. This unexpected level of strength increase can allow equivalent wet stresses to be achieved in a variety of combinations including base weight reduction and / or percent binder in leaf reductions.

EXAMPLE 29 All substrates were prepared according to the methods described in Example 27. All substrates were composed of the fiber mixture noted in the Table 24 with 20 percent binder in the sheet and the Dur-O-Set RB serving as the co-binder. The synthetic fibers were curled and either 6 millimeter PET (KoSa) or 6 or 8 millimeter Lyocell with 1.7 or 2.4 dtex (Accordis).

Table 24. Data for substrates with various fibers and binders The examples in Table 24 suggest that the length of synthetic fiber, the molecular weight of SSB and the compaction of tissue in combination may affect the Product dispersibility as indicated by its S-CDWT-M value. All substrates comprised of the 6 or 8 millimeter synthetic fibers were dispersible with the lower molecular weight SSB. As the molecular weight was increased, the 8-millimeter Lyocell substrate began to retain some of its resistance after soaking for one hour in a divalent cation solution, the substrate, however, was dispersible in DI water. Densifying the dry fabric before binder application can also impact the dispersibility of a substrate containing synthetic fiber (Codes 3015 and 3016). Both Code 3015 and Code 3016 were completely dispersible in the DI water. The sheet dispersibility can be handled by choosing the lower molecular weight SSBs in combination with the synthetic fibers and the dry tissue densification.

EXAMPLE 30 The substrates listed in Table 25 were prepared, wetted with 4 percent of a NaCl solution, and tested according to the methods described in Example 29. Each substrate comprised of the annotated fiber blend and 20 percent of the binder with the SSB / co-binder mixture noted in Table 25. The Dur-O-Set RB was the co-binder used in all the samples listed in Table 25. All codes used 100% softwood fiber except for the last , Code 2813, which comprised 15 per 100 percent PET fiber (6 mm curled fiber obtained from KoSa). The basis weight was generally kept constant at around 60 grams per square meter. The thickness of the fabric placed by air was controlled by adjusting the level of the fabric compaction by the two compaction rollers before the first application of binder spraying. The stiffness in the dry transverse direction of the substrates selected in Table 25 was measured using a Handle-o-meter and reported as stiffness.

Table 25. Data for substrates with various binder mixtures With the percentage of the salt-sensitive binder in the mixture being reduced from 100% to 55%, there is only a modest decrease in the CDWT at a constant dry volume. At 65% compositions of salt sensitive binder in the binder mixture, the substrate begins to retain a greater part of its moisture resistance after soaking for one hour in 200 parts per million of the divalent cation solution. As the fabric is densified before the first binder application and as the percentage of the salt-sensitive binder in the mixture is reduced to 65% or less, a greater amount of strength is retained after soaking in the DI water or in the water. divalent cation solution of 200 parts per million per one hour compared to the other compositions at a higher dry volume. These examples suggest that increasing the coaglutinant content with or without additional tissue densification may begin to compromise the dispersibility of the substrate.

The results in Table 25 also show significant increases in CDWT as the thickness of the dry tissue is compressed before the application of the binder. Codes 3007 to 3010 showed that CDWT is increased as a function of decreased dry volume without a loss of substrate dispersibility at constant binding conditions.

Based on the results of Handle-O-Meter (stiffness), it seems that as the percentage of the salt-sensitive binder in the mixture is decreased, the stiffness in the transverse direction of the substrate decreases.

EXAMPLE 31 The substrates listed in Table 26 were prepared according to the method described in Examples 10 and 23. Each substrate comprised pulp (CF405) and 20% binder. The binder had the SSB / co-binder mixture given in Table 26. The Dur-O-Set RB was the co-agglutinant. The substrate was converted into a roll form and moistened with solution Q of Table 19 (Solution D). The peel strength measurements required to unwind the product from the outer layers of the coreless roll of the prewetted wiping cloths were made according to the method described in Example 25. The results of these tests were recorded in Table 26 given below. or Table 26. Peel strength results for coreless rolls.

In this case, decreasing the percentage of the salt-sensitive binder in the mixture decreased the peel strength.

EXAMPLE 32 The mixtures were made as in Example 10 using mixtures of 75/25 SSB binder (see Table 15) and co-binder Dur-O-Set RB (co-binder 1 of Table 16) according to the information in Table 27 given below. The stress results of Table 27 show good dispersibility over a range of product conditions.

Table 27. Stress Results for a range of binders and base sheet properties The samples reported in Table 27 demonstrated some of the ranges of binder content, base weight and fabric thickness over which such dispersible substrates can be made.

EXAMPLE 33 Samples were generally made as in Example 10 using 75/25 blends of SSB binder (see Table 15) and co-binder (see Table 16) as noted in Table 28. All substrates contained 6 millimeters of curled 2.4 dtex Lyocell (Accordis) such as 15% of the fiber blend with 85% softwood pulp (CF405). All substrates comprised 19% binder and 81% binder mixture.

Table 28. Tension results for a range of binders and base sheet properties In Table 28, all samples lost at least 75% of their moisture resistance after soaking in the divalent cation solution of 200 parts per million by 1 hour (S-CDWT-M). The main differences in these samples are in the composition of SSB, as shown in Table 15.

The salt-sensitive binders L and E have the same composition, but different molecular weights, than the salt-sensitive binders W and AB (see Table 15). The salt-sensitive binders W and AB have the same composition but different molecular weights. The W / 1 and AB / 2 treated substrates appear to be less dispersible than the L / 1 and E / 2 treated substrates independently of the coagglutinant. The reduction in molecular weight of the salt-sensitive binder can be used to render the substrate more dispersible as shown by the AB / 1 substrate. 0 the change of The composition of the salt sensitive binder can be used to make the substrate more dispersible as demonstrated by L / I and E / 2. Therefore, by modifying the molecular composition of the salt-sensitive binder or its molecular weight, completely dispersible mixtures can be made. Alternatively, by selecting a different co-binder chemistry to be more compatible with the salt-sensitive binder, fully dispersible binder mixtures can be made as demonstrated by substrates AB / 2 and AB / 1.

EXAMPLE 34 A latex emulsion comprising about 6% crosslinked NMA linker, AirFlex 105 (from Air Products., Of Allentown, Pennsylvania) was combined with SSB Code H of Table 15 at a ratio of 75 parts of SSB to 25 parts of latex solids and was forged into eight bars with dimensions of 1 centimeter by 4 centimeters by 3 millimeters as described in Example 9. 4 bars were prepared by drying in air at 60 ° C overnight, while the other four bars were dried at 167 ° C for 3 hours. Two bars of each set were then each placed in 30 milliliters of 4% NaCl solution and allowed to settle for one hour, after which the solubility was determined gravimetrically. The bars of both games (both drying conditions) were essentially and completely insoluble in the salt water solution. The remaining bars of each set were placed in 30 milliliters of hard water containing 200 parts per million of calcium and magnesium ions at a ratio of 2: 1 to about 23 ° C and were allowed to settle for one hour. The two bars were dried at 167 ° C and placed in hard water and were essentially completely insoluble (0% soluble). The two bars were dried at 60 ° C and placed in hard water and were 54% and 53% soluble respectively, which was unexpectedly low since the latex must be cross-linked essentially for drying at this temperature. However, some coagulation occurred when the latex was mixed with the SSB, suggesting a possible compatibility problem between the two mixtures, and therefore the solubility may be impaired, or some coagulated particles may not have passed through the filter paper. It is also possible that some of the cross-linked NMA linker in the Airflex latex may have promoted cross-linking or gelation of the mixture. Although it is believed that a more compatible latex emulsion will give a higher solubility, coagglutinants are also believed to be relatively low in crosslinking agents (eg, less than 6%, specifically less than 2%, more specifically less than 1%, and more specifically less than 0.3% crosslinker on a solid mass basis) they can be useful to maintain the high solubility of the dried polymer mixture.

Figure 1 shows the results of wet tension for the base sheets placed by air treated where the tests have been carried out in different solutions of salt water or hard water. Base sheets placed by air were prepared according to Example 10 and were provided with 20% aggregate of salt sensitive binding compositions marked as Code X, Code Y, and Code Z. Code X is a binder polymer comprising 60% acrylic acid, 10.5% 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 24.5% butyl acrylate, and 5% NaAMPS, polymerized according to Example 1 with a molecular weight of 1.3 million, corresponding to Code B in Table 15. The Y Code is similar but with a molecular weight of around 550,000, corresponding to Code D in Table 15. The Z Code is similar but has 62% Acrylic acid and 8.5% of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate as the monomers, with a molecular weight of about 1.2 million, corresponding to Code G in Table 15. All the binders were mixed with co-binder Dur-O-Set RB in a proportion of 75:25. The treated fabrics were dried, as in Example 10, and then wetted with either a 4% or 1.5% NaCl solution. The wet tension test was carried out according to the CDWT protocol with the exceptions described in the Example 5 (for example, a 2.54 cm (one inch) wide strip and an MTS tension tester were used).

The soaked transverse direction stress tests were carried out on samples prepared with the 4% solution. The four columns shown for each code (some of which are not visible due to zero values), correspond to the results of the four different tests. The first two columns are the CDWT values "as is" for the fabric in either the 4% or 1.5% NaCl solution.

The third and fourth columns are the results of S-CDWT-M (soaked in hard water) at 1 and 3 hours for each tissue that had been moistened with the 4% solution.

The results showed good resistance to both 1. 5% NaCl and 4% NaCl, with an excellent loss of strength for the fabrics treated with the Code 'Y (Dispersibility in Hard Water of 100%), good loss of strength for the Z Code, and residual resistance still present for Code X. The comparison of Code X to Code Y suggests that a reduction in molecular weight can promote the dispersibility of the salt-sensitive binder.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing how wet tensile strength (reported as CDWT in grams or 2.54 centimeters over a range of soaking times) can change over time to be soaked 68 grams per square meter of fabrics placed by air of soft wood comprising the ion sensitive binders are soaked in solutions comprising calcium ions. The wetted fabrics were prepared with 20% binder by weight comprising 85% acrylic acid terpolymer SSB-3b Lion (Tokyo, Japan), and 15% co-binder Dur-O-Set RB (National Starch). After drying, the fabrics were moistened with a solution containing 0.9% NaCl, 0.5% CDM phospholipid (Mona), and 0.5% Mackstat H-66 and exhibited a wet strength of about 400 grams per inch (or of grams / 2.54 centimeters). The solution aggregate was 250% based on the dry weight of the fabric. The treated fabrics were then soaked in water free of NaCl containing calcium ions at levels of 0, 13, 29 and 109 parts per million, giving the four curves shown in Figure 2, for resistance to tension versus time. At 109 parts per million calcium ions there is essentially no loss in strength. Resistances over 100 grams / inch are maintained in calcium ions of 29 parts per million. It appears that even a small amount of calcium ions in the water will interfere with a dispersibility of the fabric treated with the Lion SSB-3b product. Figure 3 compares two data sets with the product Lion SSB-3b taken from Figure 2 (marked as Code 3300) with a binder sensitive to the sulfonated salt mixed with the polymer Dur-O-Set RB in a ratio of 75 / 25 The established data marked as Code 2102 refers to a fabric of 65 grams per square meter containing the sulfonated salt sensitive binder, which corresponds to SSB Code H in Table 15. The fabric was moistened with the solution described in FIG. Table 4. The solution aggregate was 225 percent based on the dry weight of the tissue. This binder formula exhibited a rapid drop in tensile strength-thus a good shot-when immersed in hard water even at a calcium ion concentration of 257 parts per million. Thus, the sulfonated salt sensitive binders in the present invention show a dramatic improvement in their ability to be dispersed in hard water relative to the above acrylic acid base terpolymers.

The voltage results for the data in the Figures 2 and 3 were obtained with MTS voltage test devices, the MTS 500 / S unit (from MTS Systems, Research Park, North Carolina) using the TestWorksbrand 3.10 for the Windows computer program. Instead of the normal 7.62 cm (3 inches) strip for the test, a 2.54 cm (1 inch) wide strip, cut to 15.24 cm (6 inches) in length, was used. The measured length between the rubber-coated jaws of the test device was 7.62 cm (3 inches). The test was operated at the specified crosshead speed of 30.48 cm (12 inches) per minute.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing refers to only certain described embodiments of the present invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A wet cleaning cloth having a tensile strength in the use of more than about 100 grams per inch, wherein the cleaning cloth has a tensile strength of less than about 50 grams per inch after soaking in water. the key having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

2. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 150 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 100 grams per inch. 50 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

3. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 200 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 100 grams per inch. 50 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

4. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 100 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 100 grams per inch. 20 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

5. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 200 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 100 grams per inch. 20 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

6. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 300 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 300 grams per inch. 20 grams per inch after of the water soaked in the tap having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

7. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 100 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 100 grams per inch. 10 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

8. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 150 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 100 grams per inch. 10 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

9. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 200 grams per inch, and a resistance to tension of less than about 10 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

10. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 300 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 300 grams per inch. 10 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

11. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 100 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 100 grams per inch. 30 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 50 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

12. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more of about 200 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 30 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 50 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions per around an hour.

13. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in use of more than about 300 grams per inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 300 grams per inch. 30 grams per inch after soaking in tap water having a concentration of less than about 50 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

14. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the wet cleaning cloth comprises a sheet of fabric saturated with a wetting composition, wherein the fabric sheet comprises the fibrous material and an ion-sensitive binder, and wherein the wetting composition contains less than about 10% by weight of organic solvents.

15. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the composition humidifier contains less than about 4% by weight of organic solvents.

16. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the wetting composition contains less than about 1% by weight of organic solvents.

17. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the wetting composition is essentially free of organic solvents.

18. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises an activating compound at a concentration of at least 1 percent by weight based on the weight of the wetting composition.

19. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that the activating compound comprises a monovalent salt and a concentration of at least 1 percent by weight based on the weight of the wetting composition is present.

20. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the compound Activator is present at a concentration of from about 1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight based on the weight of the wetting composition.

21. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that the activating compound is present at a concentration of from about 1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent based on the weight of the wetting composition.

22. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the activating compound is present at a concentration of about 4 percent by weight.

23. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that the activating compound is sodium chloride.

24. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the ion-sensitive binder comprises at least one of a polymer sensitive to the ion and a co-binder.

25. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that the polymer ion sensitive is formed of (a) at least one acrylic acid and a methacrylic acid, and (b) one or more alkyl acrylates.

26. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that the ion sensitive polymer is formed of one or more monomers selected from acrylic acid; 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS); the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS); butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

27. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that the co-binder is selected from poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate), not crosslinkable, poly (styrene-butadiene) not crosslinkable, and poly (styrene-acrylic) not cross-linked.

28. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the co-binder is a crosslinked non-crosslinkable poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate).

29. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride as the activating compound; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more condoms; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more surfactants; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more emollients; up to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more fragrance solubilizers; Y up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more pH adjusters.

30. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride, as the activating compound; from about 0 to about 2 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, iodopropynylbutylcarbamate (IPBC), and dimethyloldimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin; from more than 0 to about 2 percent by weight of surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and triethanolamine (TEA) sulfonate dodecylbenzene; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of an emollient comprising lanolin PEG-75; from more than 0 to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; from more than 0 to about 0.5 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y from more than 0 to about 0.2 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid.

31. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: about 92.88 percent by weight of deionized water; about 4.00 percent by weight of sodium chloride as an activating compound; about 1.00 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, IPBC, and DMDM hydantoin; about 1.00 percent by weight of a surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; about 0.50 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and sulfonate dodecylbenzene TEA; about 0.25 percent by weight of an emollient comprising lanolin PEG-75; about 0.05 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; about 0.25 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y about 0.07 percent by weight of a pH adju comprising malic acid.

32. A cleaning cloth comprising a sheet of fabric saturated with a wetting composition, wherein the fabric sheet comprises a fibrous material and a sensitive binder to the ion, and wherein the wetting composition contains less than about 10% by weight of organic solvents; wherein the wet cleaning cloth has a tensile strength in the use of more than about 100 grams / inch, and a tensile strength of less than about 30 grams / inch after soaking in water of the tap having a concentration of less than about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions for about one hour.

33. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more layers of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric, or a combination thereof.

34. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more layers of a non-woven fabric.

35. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises fibers having a length of about 15 millimeters or less.

36. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the material fibrous comprises natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a combination thereof.

37. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more fibers containing cotton, linen, jute, hemp, wool, wood pulp, viscose rayon, cupramonium rayon, cellulose acetate , polye, polyamide and polyacrylic.

38. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises wood pulp.

39. A damp cleaning cloth comprising: a fibrous material; a binder composition for bonding said fibrous material to an integral fabric, said binder composition comprises a terpolymer of modified acrylic acid of sulfonate anion and a poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) not crosslinkable in which the binder composition is insoluble in a a neutral salt solution containing at least about 1 percent by weight of salt, said salt comprising one or more monovalent ions; and where the binder composition it is soluble in water containing up to about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions; Y a wetting composition containing at least about 1 percent by weight of an activating compound.

40. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

41. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million about 150 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

42. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million about 100 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

43. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million about 50 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

44. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing less than about 10 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

45. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing from about 1 percent by weight to about 5.0 percent by weight of salt.

46. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing from about 1 percent by weight to about 3.0 percent by weight of salt.

47. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the ions multivalents comprise Ca2 + ions, Mg2 + ions, Zn2 + ions, or a combination thereof.

48. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the monovalent ions comprise Na + ions, Li + ions, K + ions, NH 4 + ions, or a combination thereof.

49. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion comprises (a) at least one acrylic acid and a methacrylic acid, and (b) one or more alkyl acrylates .

50. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion is formed of acrylic acid; 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS) or a combination thereof; butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

51. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion is formed of acrylic acid; AMPS; NaAMPS; butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

52. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate is formed from about 35 to less than 80 mole percent of acrylic acid; from more than 0 to about 20 percent mol of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS), or a combination thereof; from more than 0 to about 65 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from more than 0 to about 45 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

53. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 52, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified sulfonate anion comprises from about 50 to less than 67 percent mol of acrylic acid; from more than 0 to about 10 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from about 7 to about 15 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

54. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 53, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate comprises from about 57 to less than 66 percent mol of acrylic acid; from about 1 to about 6 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from about 7 to about 13 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

55. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 54, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion comprises from about 60 mol% acrylic acid; to about 5 mol% of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; about 24.5% mol of butyl acrylate; and about 10.5 mol% of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

56. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the binder composition comprises from about 65 to about 75% by weight of the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion and from about 35 to about 25 percent by weight of the poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) not crosslinkable.

57. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 56, characterized in that the composition binder comprises about 75 percent by weight of the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion and about 25 percent by weight of the poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) not crosslinkable.

58. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more layers of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric or a combination thereof.

59. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 58, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more layers of a non-woven fabric.

60. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 58, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises fibers having a length of about 15 millimeters or less.

61. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a combination thereof.

62. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 61, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more fibers containing cotton, linen, jute, hemp, wool, wood pulp, viscose rayon, cupramonium rayon, cellulose acetate , polyester, polyamide, and polyacrylic.

63. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises wood pulp.

64. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride as the activating compound; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more condoms; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more surfactants; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more emollients; up to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more fragrance solubilizers; Y up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more pH adjusters.

65. The humidifying composition, as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the humidifying composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride, as the activating compound; from about 0 to about 2 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), and dimethyloldimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin; from more than 0 to about 2 percent by weight of a surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and triethanolamine (TEA) sulfonate dodecylbenzene; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of an emollient comprising PEG-75 lanolin; from more than 0 to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; from more than 0 to about 0.5 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y from more than 0 to about 0.2 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid.

66. The humidifying composition, as claimed in clause 65, characterized in that the humidifying composition comprises: about 92.88 percent by weight of deionized water; about 4.00 percent by weight of sodium chloride as an activating compound; about 1.00 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, IPBC, and DMDM hydantoin; about 1.00 percent by weight of a surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; about 0.50 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and sulfonate dodecylbenzene TEA; about 0.25 percent by weight of an emollient comprising lanolin PEG-75; about 0.05 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; about 0.25 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y about 0.07 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid.

67. A damp cleaning cloth comprising: a fibrous material; a binder composition for binding said fibrous material into an integral fabric, said binder composition comprising (a) a first polymer formed of acrylic acid; 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS) or a combination thereof, butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and (b) a second polymer comprising a crosslinked non-crosslinkable poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate); Y a wetting composition containing at least about 1 percent by weight of an activating compound.

68. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the first polymer is formed from about 35 to less than 80 percent mole of acrylic acid; from more than about 0 to about 20 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS or a combination thereof; from more than 0 to about 65 percent mole of butyl acrylate, and from more than 0 to about 45 percent mole of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

69. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 68, characterized in that the first polymer comprises from about 50 to less than 67 percent mol of acrylic acid; from more than 0 to about 10 percent mole AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from about 7 to about 15 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

70. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 69, characterized in that the first polymer comprises from about 57 to less than 66 percent mol of acrylic acid; from about 1 to about 6 percent mol / AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from about 7 to about 13 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

71. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 70, characterized in that the first polymer comprises about 60 mol% acrylic acid; about 5 mol% of AMPS, NaAMPS or a combination thereof; about 24.5% mol of butyl acrylate, and about 10.5% mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

72. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the first polymer is present in an amount of from about 65 to about 75 percent by weight, and the second polymer is present in an amount of from about from 35 to 25 percent by weight.

73. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 72, characterized in that the first polymer is present in an amount of from about 75 percent by weight and the second polymer is present in an amount of from about 25 percent by weight .

74. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the first polymer comprises about 60 mol% acrylic acid; to about 5 mol% of 7AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; about 24.5% mol of butyl acrylate; and about 10.5 mol% of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and is present in an amount of about 75% by weight; the second polymer is present in an amount of about 25% by weight; and the The wetting composition contains about 4 percent by weight of the activating compound.

75. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises wood pulp.

76. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride as the activating compound; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more condoms; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more surfactants; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more emollients; up to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more fragrance solubilizers; Y up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more pH adjusters.

77. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 76, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride, as the activating compound; from more than 0 to about 2 percent by weight of one or more condoms comprising glycerin, iodopropinyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), and dimethyloldimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin; from more than 0 to about 2 percent by weight of surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and triethanolamine (TEA) sulfonate dodecylbenzene; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of an emollient comprising lanolin PEG-75; from more than 0 to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; from more than 0 to about 0.5 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y from more than 0 to about 0.2 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid.

78. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 77, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: about 92.88 percent by weight of deionized water; about 4.00 percent by weight of sodium chloride as an activating compound; about 1.00 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, IPBC, and DMDM hydantoin; about 1.00 percent by weight of a surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; about 0.50 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and sulfonate dodecylbenzene TEA; about 0.25 percent by weight of an emollient comprising lanolin PEG-75; about 0.05 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; about 0.25 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y about 0.07 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid.

79. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises fibers having a length of about 15 millimeters or less.

80. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a combination thereof.

81. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 80, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more fibers containing cotton, linen, jute, hemp, wool, wood pulp, viscose rayon, cupramonium rayon, cellulose acetate , polyester, polyamide and polyacrylic.

82. The wet cleaning cloth, as claimed in clause 67, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises wood pulp.

83. A damp cleaning cloth comprising: a fabric comprising: from about 78 to about 83 percent by weight of wood pulp having a fiber length of less than about 15 millimeters; Y about 22 to about 17 percent by weight of a binder composition applied thereto and dried thereon, wherein the binder composition comprises from about 65 about 75 percent by weight of a terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate comprising about 60 percent mol of acrylic acid, about 5 percent mol of NaAMPS, about 24.5 percent mol of butyl acrylate, and about 10.5 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; and from about 25 to about 35 percent by weight of a non-crosslinkable poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate); Y a moisturizing composition comprising: about 92.88 percent by weight of deionized water; about 4.00 percent by weight of sodium chloride; about 1.00 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, IPBC, and DMDM hydantoin; about 1.00 percent by weight of a surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; about 0.50 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and sulfonate dodecylbenzene TEA; about 0.25 percent by weight of an emollient comprising lanolin PEG-75; about 0.05 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; about 0.25 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y about 0.07 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid;

84. A cleaning cloth comprising: a fibrous material; a binder composition for attaching said fibrous material to an integral fabric, said binder composition comprises a terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion and a poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) crosslinkable in which the binder composition is insoluble in a solution of neutral salt water containing at least about 1 percent by weight of sodium chloride; and wherein the binder composition is soluble in water which is essentially free of sodium ions and contains 50 parts per million of calcium and magnesium ions in a ratio of 2: 1 and a wetting composition containing at least about 1 percent by weight of an activating compound.

85. A method for making a wet cleaning cloth comprising: form a tissue of fibrous material; applying a binder composition on said fabric, wherein the binder composition comprises a terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate and a poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) not crosslinkable, wherein the binder composition is insoluble in a solution of neutral salt that contains at least about 1 percent by weight of salt, said salt comprises one or more monovalent ions wherein the binder composition is soluble in water containing up to about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions; Y applying a moisturizing composition containing at least about 1 percent by weight of an activating compound on the fabric.

86. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million to about 200 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

87. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million to about 150 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

88. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million to about 100 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

89. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing from about 15 parts per million to about 50 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

90. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition is soluble in water containing less than about 10 parts per million of one or more multivalent ions.

91. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing from about 1 percent by weight to about 5.0 percent by weight of salt.

92. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing from about 1 percent by weight to about 3.0 percent by weight of salt.

93. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the multivalent ions they comprise Ca 2+ ions, Mg 2+ ions, Zn 2+ or a combination thereof.

94. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the monovalent ions comprise Na + ions, Li + ions, K + ions, NH 4 + ions or a combination thereof.

95. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate comprises (a) at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and (b) one or more of alkyl acrylates .

96. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate is formed of acrylic acid; 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS) or a combination thereof; butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

97. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate is formed of acrylic acid; AMPS; NaAMPS butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

98. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate is formed from about 35 to less than 80 percent mol of acrylic acid; from more than 0 to about 20 percent mole of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS), or a combination of them; from more than 0 to about 65 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from more than 0 to about 45 percent mole of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

99. The method, as claimed in clause 98, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate comprises from about 50 to less than 67 percent mol of acrylic acid; from more than 0 to about 10 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof, from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate, and from about 7 to about 15 percent mol 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

100. The method, as claimed in clause 99, characterized in that the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with anion sulfonate comprises from about 57 to less than 66 percent mol of acrylic acid; from about 1 to about 6 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from about 7 to about 13 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

101. The method, as claimed in clause 100, characterized in that the acrylic acid terpolymer modified with anion sulfonate comprises from about 60 percent mole of acrylic acid, to about 56 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS or a combination of the same; to about 24.5 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and about 10.5 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

102. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the binder composition comprises from about 65 to about 75 percent by weight of a terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion and from about 35 to about 25 percent by weight of the poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) not crosslinkable.

103. The method, as claimed in clause 102, characterized in that the binder composition comprises about 75 percent by weight of the terpolymer of acrylic acid modified with sulfonate anion and about percent by weight of the poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) not crosslinkable.

104. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more layers of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric, or a combination thereof.

105. The method, as claimed in clause 104, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more layers of a non-woven fabric.

106. The method, as claimed in clause 104, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises fibers having a length of about 15 millimeters or less.

107. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof.

108. The method, as claimed in clause 107, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises one or more fibers containing cotton, linen, jute, hemp, wool, wood pulp, viscose rayon, cupramonium rayon, cellulose acetate, polyester, polyamide, and polyacrylic.

109. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises wood pulp.

110. The method, as claimed in clause 85, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride, as the activating compound; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more condoms; up to about 2 percent by weight of one or more surfactants; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions; up to about 1 percent by weight of one or more emollients; up to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more fragrance solubilizers; Y up to about 0.5 percent by weight of one or more pH adjusters.

111. The method, as claimed in clause 110, characterized in that the moisturizing composition comprises: around 86 to about 98 percent by weight of deionized water; about 1 to about 6 percent by weight of sodium chloride, as the activating compound; from more than 0 to about 2 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), and dimethyloldimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin; from more than O to about 2 percent by weight of a surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and triethanolamine (TEA) sulfonate dodecylbenzene; from more than 0 to about 1 percent by weight of an emollient comprising PEG-75 lanolin; from more than 0 to about 0.3 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; from more than 0 to about 0.5 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y from more than 0 to about 0.2 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid.

112. The method, as claimed in clause 111, characterized in that the wetting composition comprises: about 92.88 percent by weight of deionized water; about 4.00 percent by weight of sodium chloride as an activating compound; about 1.00 percent by weight of one or more preservatives comprising glycerin, IPBC, and DMDM hydantoin; about 1.00 percent by weight of a surfactant comprising acyl glutamate; about 0.50 percent by weight of one or more silicone emulsions comprising dimethiconol and sulfonate dodecylbenzene TEA; about 0.25 percent by weight of an emollient comprising lanolin PEG-75; about 0.05 percent by weight of one or more fragrances; about 0.25 percent by weight of a fragrance solubilizer comprising polysorbate 20; Y about 0.07 percent by weight of a pH adjuster comprising malic acid.

113. A method for making a wet cleaning cloth comprising: form a tissue of fibrous material; applying a binder composition on the fabric, said binder composition comprises (a) a first polymer formed of acrylic acid; 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NaAMPS) or a combination thereof; butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; and (b) a second polymer comprising a crosslinked non-crosslinkable poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate); Y applying a moisturizing composition containing at least about 1 percent by weight of an activating compound on the fabric.

114. The method, as claimed in clause 113, characterized in that the first polymer is formed from about 35 to less than 80 percent mol of acrylic acid; from more than 0 to about 20 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from more than 0 to about 65 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from more than 0 to about 45 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

115. The method, as claimed in clause 114, characterized in that the first polymer comprises from about 50 to less than 67 percent mol of acrylic acid; from more than 0 to about 10 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from about 7 to about 15 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

116. The method, as claimed in clause 115, characterized in that the first polymer comprises from about 57 to less than 66 percent mol of acrylic acid; from about 1 to about 6 percent mole of 7AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; from about 15 to about 28 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and from about 7 to about 13 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

117. The method, as claimed in clause 116, characterized in that the first polymer comprises about 60 mole percent of acrylic acid; about 5 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS or a combination thereof; about 24.5 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and around 10. 5 percent mol of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

118. The method, as claimed in clause 113, characterized in that the first polymer is present in an amount of from about 65 to about 75 percent, and the second polymer is present in an amount of from about 35 to 25 percent by weight.

119. The method, as claimed in clause 118, characterized in that the first polymer is present in an amount of about 75 percent by weight and the second polymer is present in an amount of about 25 percent by weight.

120. The method, as claimed in clause 113, characterized in that the first polymer comprises about 60 mole percent of acrylic acid; about 5 percent mole of AMPS, NaAMPS, or a combination thereof; about 24.5 percent mole of butyl acrylate; and about 10.5 percent mole of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate is present in an amount of about 75 percent by weight; the second polymer is present in an amount of about 25 percent by weight; and the wetting composition contains about 4 percent by weight of the activating compound.

121. The method, as claimed in clause 113, characterized in that the fibrous material comprises wood pulp. i 228 i R E S U M E N The present invention is directed to water dispersible and ion sensitive polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method for making water dispersible and ion sensitive polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and fabrics comprising water-dispersible and ion-sensitive binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products. PA / a / 2002 \ \ O Q \