Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
  • D06M16/00—Biochemical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. enzymatic
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
  • D06M11/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising
  • D06M11/07—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with halogens; with halogen acids or salts thereof; with oxides or oxyacids of halogens or salts thereof
  • D06M11/09—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with halogens; with halogen acids or salts thereof; with oxides or oxyacids of halogens or salts thereof with free halogens or interhalogen compounds
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
  • D06M13/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
  • D06M13/08—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with non-macromolecular organic compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with halogenated hydrocarbons

Definitions

• This invention is related to the control of viral infections such as respiratory viral infections.
• the invention is related to the field of wipes used by persons having viral infections, such as tissues used by persons infected with the common cold.
• the common cold is a major worldwide health problem. It has been reported that during a recent year common colds occurred in the united States an average of 3.9 times per person and led to an average restriction in activity of 1.2 days per person. The magnitude of the problem is apparent. Losses in productivity, expenditures for so-called "cold remedies" and doctor visits, complications such as sinusitis, and the human misery involved make the common cold a major public health problem.
• Rhinoviruses are the principal common cold viruses. There are about 110 different rhinovirus types alone, as well as the influenza and parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, coronaviruses, and others.
• Rhinovirus contamination of hands occurs frequently during rhinovirus colds and it has been shown that rhinoviruses survive well on skin and environmental surfaces. Finger-to-nose and finger-to-eye movements are performed frequently, either consciously or unconsciously, by both adults and children, and these actions are capable of initiating infection if the fingers were previously contaminated. Transmission is likely to occur, for example, when a parent grossly soils his hands with nasal effluent while wiping the nose of a child and later contaminates his own nasal mucosa or conjunctiva by self-inoculation.
• This invention is directed toward reducing the transmission of viral infections, such as respiratory viral infections, and, in particular, achieving such reduction without significantly changing normal behavioral patterns.
• a substantially dry, flexible, impregnated wipe having virucidal properties against common cold viruses is provided.
• the virucidal wipe of this invention is impregnated with iodine and means for retaining the iodine on the wipe.
• the iodine is present in an amount of about 1.0 - 15% by weight of the product and in an amount sufficient to provide virucidal activity.
• the iodine is preferably present in an amount of about 2 - 5%.
• a flexible paper substrate, most preferably facial tissue, is used.
• the iodine is preferably retained within the wipe with a suitable stabilizing surfactant present in an amount sufficient to complex the iodine, but preferably not substantially in excess of an amount sufficient to complex the iodine.
• the most highly preferred stabilizing surfactant is polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate, present in weight ratio to iodine of about 1:3 to 2:1.
• the virucidal wipe of this invention retains its virucidal properties over substantial periods of time, in spite of the well-known volatility of iodine. With proper packaging, as described later, the wipe of this invention can retain its virucidal properties during normal storage and shelf life.
• the invention further involves a method of reducing the transmission of respiratory viral infections. This unique method involves the steps of providing a substantially dry nasal wipe material of the type described above and contacting such material with nasal surfaces in the presence of nasal discharge.
• the free iodine encountering live viruses kills the viruses and leaves facial areas near the nares substantially free of live viruses so that subsequent contact by the fingers will not lead to transmission of the disease.
• Preferred embodiments of this method include the additional step of wiping to dry hand surfaces with such material. This tends to eliminate live viruses which may have reached the user's hands as he captures the nasal secretions.
• the effectiveness of the virucidal wipe of this invention and of the method of this invention for reducing the transmission of respiratory viral infections has been tested in clinical tests conducted in Antarctica during 1979 and 1980.
• An object of this invention is to provide a dry virucidal wipe for preventing or diminishing virus contamination of human body surfaces. Another object of this invention is to help reduce the number of occurrences of respiratory viral infections such as the common cold.
• Another object of this invention is to provide a nasal tissue which prevents or reduces the transmission of respiratory viral infections without substantially changing behavioral patterns.
• Another object of this invention is to provide a nasal tissue which can eliminate or reduce the contamination of the user's face and hands during the capture of nasal secretions.
• Another object of this invention is to provide a nasal tissue which prevents the contamination of envi ronmental surfaces by contact with the hands of a person having a respiratory viral infection.
• the substrate material used in the virucidal wipe of this invention is a flexible absorbent material of a type suitable for wiping the face and hands.
• Paper is a preferred substrate material and the most preferred substrate material is facial tissue, which is normally a single- or multiple-ply light basis weight soft creped wadding or air-formed material.
• Other acceptable materials include spun-bonded and melt-blown nonwovens made from thermoplastic fibers such as polyolefins.
• a multiple-ply creped wadding facial tissue is especially preferred because of its strength.
• An example of a particularly satisfactory material is the three-ply creped wadding used by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, of Neenah, Wisconsin, for its Man-Sized KLEENEX tissues.
• the virucidal activity of the virucidal wipes of this invention is provided by iodine.
• the iodine used in making the virucidal wipes may be obtained in its crystalline form, and is available from a number of sources.
• the substrate may be impregnated with iodine using a method of which will be described hereinafter.
• Iodine is present in the wipes of this invention in an amount of from about 1.0% to about 15% by weight of the impregnated wipe.
• the iodine is most preferably present in an amount of from about 2% to about 5% by weight of the impregnated wipe. If the iodine level is below about 1% by weight of the impregnated wipe, the virucidal capabilities of the wipe may be insufficient. Iodine level in excess of about 15% could tend to stain the skin, cause an irritating pungent odor, or weaken the paper substrate.
• iodine is present in an amount within the preferred range of 2 - 5%, the most effective balance of efficacy, stability, cosmetic concerns, and sensory concerns is achieved.
• An important constituent of the virucidal wipe of this invention is another part of the impregnant -- a means for retaining the iodine from escape from the wipe by volatilization. This is of particular importance because of the well-known highly volatile nature of iodine.
• the retaining means is preferably a stabilizing surfactant, which serves to complex the iodine and thus hold it in the dry virucidal wipe during storage and prior to use.
• linoleic diethanolanide a nonionic surfactant available from Mona Industries, Inc., Patterson, New Jersey, under the trademark MONAMID 15-7OW
• the sodium salt of undecyleni ⁇ acid monoethanolamide sulfosuccinate a nonionic surfactant available from Rewo Chemical, Inc., Mauldin, South Carolina, under the trademark REWOCID DU-185
• an ethoxylated polymethysiloxane having nonionic surfactant qualities available from Union Carbide Corporation, New York, New York, under the trademark L-77 Silicone
• ditallow (diethylenetriamine) ethyleneoxide dimethyl sulfate quaternary a cationic surfactant available from Sherex Chemical Company, of Dublin, Ohio, under the trademark VARISOFT 222.
• a highly preferred stabilizing surfactant is polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol
• Any surfactant which is acceptable for use on human skin, which serves to complex the iodine but to allow its subsequent release from the complex, and which would not impart undesirable attributes (e.g., stickiness, hardness, or odor) to the substrate would be satisfactory for use in this invention.
• a -suitable stabilizing surfactant is used in an amount sufficient to complex the iodine and preferably not substantially in excess of an amount sufficient to complex the iodine.
• the stabilizing surfactant should be chosen and used in an amount such that when the dry wipe is wetted by nasal secretions or otherwise, the wetness releases iodine from the complex thus making it available to kill. rhinoviruses or other infectious viruses in contact therewith.
• the stabilizing surfactant would be used to excess if insufficient amounts of iodine are made available upon wetting to provide the desired virucidal activity or if the virucidal wipe became too slippery in character such that it feels, substantially different than a nasal tissue of the prior art.
• stabilizing surfactant or other stabilizing means will depend upon the surfactant or other means used.
• the most highly preferred stabilizing surfactant polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate (AKLATONE T) may be used in a weight ratio to iodine of from about 1:3 to about 2:1. Lesser amounts would be insufficient to adequately complex the iodine and to preserve it for later virucidal activity. Greater amounts would tend to capture the iodine too much, thus inhibiting its later virucidal activity, and/or produce unsatisfactory surface characteristics particularly when the wipe is wet.
• perfumes may be included within the impregnant of the virucidal wipe of this invention.
• small amounts of perfume are preferably included in the impregnant to improve the sensory qualities of the virucidal wipe.
• a wide variety of commercially available perfumes would be acceptable, and these would be apparent to those skilled in the art and familiar with this invention.
• the virucidal wipe of this invention may be made without any heat processing or unusual processing steps.
• a preferred method of producing the wipe involves preparing an iodine intermediate solution using a fugitive solvent, impregnating a paper or other substrate with such intermediate, and then drying the impregnated substrate to remove the fugitive solvent.
• the iodine intermediate used in making a preferred embodiment of this invention is prepared by adding resublimed iodine crystals, an acceptable stabilizing surfactant, and a perfume to a fugitive solvent. This mixture is thoroughly stirred, preferably for about 30 minutes, but at least until it is in solution. The substrate material which has been selected for use is then impregnated with this iodine intermediate solution using any of a variety of impregnating methods.
• Acceptable impregnating methods include printing, dipping and spraying. Such operations are preferably carried out on a web of substrate material as it extends over processing equipment between a supply roll and a take-up roll.
• the impregnated web passes an application point where it is printed, dipped or sprayed with the iodine intermediate solution. If a dipping process is used, the web may thereafter be squeezed to control the amount of impregnant.
• the amount of impregnant applied using a printing or spraying step can be controlled directly at the application point. After application of the iodine intermediate, the web is dried.
• Drying is preferably carried out by allowing the impregnated web to remain for a period of time in a ventilated area before it is wound onto a take-up roll. Good ventilation in the drying area facilitates the removal of fugitive solvent vapors.
• the dried web of virucidal wipe material is then wound onto a roll and may thereafter be converted to individual wipes or wipe material webs of various sizes and shapes.
• Ethyl alcohol is a preferred fugitive solvent for use in the production of the virucidal wipe of this invention. Ethyl alcohol dissolves the iodine crystals and stabilizing surfactant easily and vaporizes quickly during the drying step.
• fugitive solvents could be used, including alcohols other than ethanol, diethyl ether, water, glycerol, and mixtures of alcohol and water. Acceptable fugitive solvents must adequately dissolve the iodine crystals and other constituents of the iodine intermediate, must be capable of drying in a reasonable period of time, and must be toxicologically acceptable.
• the drying step may not remove all moisture from the virucidal wipe material.
• the virucidal wipe of this invention should be substantially free of moisture, that is, feel substantially dry (no more than a slight feel of moistness) rather than wet to the user.
• a virucidal wipe having a water content of about 6% by weight of the wipe, or even more would feel relatively dry to the touch.
• the wipe should be perceived by the user to be not substantially different than facial tissues.
• the amount of moisture which can be in the wipe of this invention is dependent upon the substrate which is used.
• the virucidal wipe material can be made using other methods, and such would be apparent to those skilled in the art who are familiar with this invention. Appropriate methods will be dictated to some extent by the means used to retain the iodine from escaping from the wipe.
• the virucidal wipe(s) of this invention should be packaged in a container which is substantially impervious to iodine vapors. Acceptable materials for such packaging include: polyethylene terephthalate polymers, such as those available under the trademark MYLAR (100M30 and 75M30) from E. I.
• DuPont de Nemours & Company Wilmington, Delaware; various copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride, such as those available under the trademark SARAN from Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan; and a copolymer of acrylonitrile with methylacrylate, such as that available under the trademark BAKEX 210 from Vistron Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio.
• Other acceptable iodine impervious materials include metal foils, although with certain foils coating would be required to avoid corrosion.
• the virucidal wipes of this invention may be in various sizes and shapes.
• the packaging for the virucidal wipes of this invention can be in many forms, including flexible film pocket packs, pop,up containers of the type having a slit orifice which seals on itself, coated foil pouches, and any of a variety of covered containers. Regardless of the packaging form, the use of an iodine-impervious material will serve to maintain the virucidal activity of the wipes for extended periods of time.
• An important aspect of this invention is the establishment of a method for interrupting the normal transmission of respiratory viral infections without significantly modifying the behavioral patterns of infected persons.
• the virucidal wipes of this invention instead of regular facial tissues or handkerchiefs, substantial reductions in the number of new respiratory viral infections have been achieved in a controlled population.
• Infected persons simply use the virucidal wipe of this invention to wipe their noses and to otherwise capture the limited or profuse nasal secretions which occur during the common cold. If the user's hands become wet with such nasal secretions, the virucidal wipe materials of this invention can be used to remove such wetness.
• the virucidal wipe of this invention kills live viruses within the contacted areas of the nares, on the areas around the nose, and on the hands, and thus breaks what is now believed to be a primary chain of transmission of respiratory viral infections.
• a high percentage of nasal discharge is water; such water releases iodine in the virucidal wipe making it available to kill viruses in such discharge and on contacted areas.
• the iodine is freed from its complex to perform its virucidal function. Once the virucidal wipe is discarded, such as into a wastebasket, it will continue to kill live viruses captured by the wipe, thus reducing a reservoir of infectious particles and lowering the possibility of transmission by later contact.
• ARLATONE T polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate
• This solution is used to impregnate 5500 feet of a three-ply creped wadding facial tissue of 12-inch width, using a printing process.
• This web is thereafter air-dryed and converted into acceptable lengths to provide virucidal wipes.
• the resulting wipe has an iodine content of about 3% by weight and a stabilizing surfactant content of about 1.5%.
• the dry wipe has approximately the same softness and surface characteristics as a facial tissue of the prior art and exhibits good virucidal activity to interrupt the spread of respiratory viral infections.
• This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate material of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having an iodine content of about 2% and stabilizing surfactant content of about 6% . These wipes exhibit virucidal characteristics, but their surface characteristics are some what marginal.
• This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate material of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having an iodine content of about 15% and a stabilizing surfactant content of about 7.5%.
• the wipes exhibit excellent virucidal qualities, but staining of the skin is possible and there is a pungent odor which some might consider unacceptable.
• This intermediate is impregnated into a heavy, single-ply creped wadding facial tissue substrate to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 2% iodine and about 2% stabilizing surfactant. Drying takes a longer period since the fugitive solvent is water. The wipes exhibit good virucidal and surface qualities.
• REWOCID DU-185 (the sodium salt of undecylenic acid monoethanolamide) 0.6 g Perfume 0.06 g
• This intermediate is impregnated into a two-ply air-formed facial tissue substrate to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 3% iodine and about 3% stabilizing surfactant. They have good virucidal and surface qualities.
• Example VIII This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate material of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 4% iodine and about 4% stabilizing surfactant. These wipes have good virucidal and surface qualities.
• Example VIII
• Resublimed iodine crystals 0.6 g VARISOFT 222 (ditallow (diethylenetriamine) ethoxyleneoxide dimethyl sulfate quaternary) 0.6 g Perfume 0.06 g
• This intermediate is impregnated into soft woven cotton cloth material to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 3% iodine and about 3% stabilizing surfactant.
• the wipes have -good virucidal qualities.
• This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate material of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 5% iodine and about 2.5% stabilizing surfactant. These wipes exhibit excellent virucidal and surface characteristics.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Microbiology (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)

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Cited By (5)

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Citations (14)

• 1981
  • 1981-10-26 AU AU78031/81A patent/AU7803181A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1981-10-26 JP JP50346981A patent/JPS57501814A/ja active Pending
  • 1981-10-26 WO PCT/US1981/001430 patent/WO1982001469A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (14)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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