Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
  • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D21H21/00—Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
  • D21H21/14—Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties characterised by function or properties in or on the paper
  • D21H21/36—Biocidal agents, e.g. fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal agents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N25/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of application, e.g. seed treatment or sequential application; Substances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests
  • A01N25/34—Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
  • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
  • D04H1/58—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
  • D04H1/587—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives characterised by the bonding agents used
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
  • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
  • D04H1/58—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
  • D04H1/64—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives the bonding agent being applied in wet state, e.g. chemical agents in dispersions or solutions
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to wet wipers and, more particularly, to an antimicrobially active wet wiper, to a meth ⁇ od of making the wiper, and to a method of enhancing the anti ⁇ microbial activity of the wet wiper.
• wet wiper products require antimicrobial properties to destroy or inhibit the growth of various microorganisms, bacte ⁇ ria, yeasts, and molds.
• the most universally common method of achieving this control is by the use of chemical antimicrobial agents dispersed or dissolved in the liquid phase of the wet wiper. This method is generally satisfactory from an antimicrobial efficacy standpoint, but has some inherent disad ⁇ vantages•
• the present invention achieves these goals and pro ⁇ vides advantages over previous wet wipers.
• the present inven ⁇ tion is an antimicrobially active wiper that overcomes the sig ⁇ nificant and inherent disadvantages present in previous wet wipers.
• the wet wiper of the present invention has an anti ⁇ microbial agent that is substantive to the fibers and the binder of the non-woven web when the web is either wet or dry. This antimicrobial agent will not leave harmful residues on the user's skin.
• the wet wiper of the present invention is main ⁇ tained in a liquid containing a second antimicrobial agent that acts as a preservative.
• the antimicrobially active wet wiper of the present invention has an antimicrobially active non-woven web.
• the web comprises (i) bonded fiber, (ii) a binder in an amount effective to bind the fibers, and (iii) a first antimicrobial agent that is substantive to the fibers and to the binder when the web is either wet or dry. This web is maintained in a wet condition in a liquid containing a second antimicrobial agent until use.
• the present invention also provides a method for mak ⁇ ing an antimicrobially active, wet wiper.
• an unbonded fibrous web is formed.
• An uncured binder and a first antimicrobial agent are then applied throughout the unbonded fibrous web.
• the first antimicrobial agent is substantive to the fibers of the web and to the binder when the web is either wet or dry.
• the binder is cured to bind the fibers together to form an antimicrobially active, non-woven web.
• the web is stored in a liquid containing a second antimicrobial agent to maintain the web in a wet condition until use.
• the substantive or first antimicrobial agent is an organo-silicon quaternary ammonium salt, such as a silyl-quaternary ammonium salt.
• Particularly preferred substan ⁇ tive antimicrobial agents are 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldidecyl- ethyl ammonium salt and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl- octadecyldimethyl ammonium salt.
• the second antimicrobial agent that is present in the liquid is a naturally occurring organic acid capable of exhibiting antimicrobial prop ⁇ erties, such as sorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, or combi ⁇ nations thereof.
• the wet wiper has an antimicrobially active non-woven web.
• This non-woven web includes bonded fibers and a binder in an amount effective to bind the fibers.
• the preferred fibers are cellulosic fibers and, more preferably, wood pulp fibers.
• the cellulosic fibers, such as wood pulp fibers can be chemically treated prior to the formation of the web or fabric, if desired.
• wood pulp fibers include various mechanical and chemical pulp fibers, such as cedar fibers, Southern pine fibers, spruce fibers, and hemlock fibers.
• the particular fibers may be specifically selected to enhance properties such as texture (soft, wooly or fluffy), porosity, caliper, brightness, strength, and so on.
• the fibers can be a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, or synthetic fibers alone, depending upon the final attributes sought and the method of forming the web.
• the weight of the fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, used to form the unbonded fibrous web can vary depending upon the ultimate non-woven web that is produced. Typically, the weight of the fibers forming the web will vary within the range of about 5 lbs. per 3000 ft 2 to about 60 lbs. per 3000 ft 2 .
• Various web or fabric forming techniques known in the art can be effectively used to form the unbonded fibers.
• the web can be formed by nonwoven techniques, such as air-laying the web or wet-laying the web.
• One type of apparatus for air forming fibers is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,292,271 to Buob et al.
• Other non-woven manufacturing techniques such as melt blown, spunbonded, needle punched, and spun laced, may also be used.
• a preferred binder is a polymeric binder, such as a latex binder.
• Acceptable latex binders include aerylate emulsions, butadiene-styrene emulsions, ethylene vinyl acetate emulsions and acrylonitrile-butadiene emulsions.
• An especially effective latex binder is ethylene vinyl acetate, which is sold under the trademark AIRFLEX A-410 by Air Products, Inc. of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
• the binder can also include a mixture of anionic and nonionic binders, such as the ethylene vinyl acetate binder sold under the trademark AIRFLEX A-106 by Air Products, Inc. and the ethylene acetate binder sold under the trademark HA-8 by Rohm & Haas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• anionic and nonionic binders such as the ethylene vinyl acetate binder sold under the trademark AIRFLEX A-106 by Air Products, Inc. and the ethylene acetate binder sold under the trademark HA-8 by Rohm & Haas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• the amount of the binder that is to be applied to the fibers depends, in part, upon the type of fibers, such as cellu ⁇ losic, and the type of the first antimicrobial agent being used in the non-woven web. Typically, the amount of the binder applied to the fibers varies within the range of about 5% to about 30% of total web weight. Similarly, the amount of solids in the binder, as applied to the web, especially in a latex binder, depends, inter alia, on the weight of the fibers in the non-woven web. Generally, latex binders having from about 5% to about 25% application solids content are used.
• binder is applied to the fibers by various techniques known in the art, such as spraying, foaming, or padding.
• the non-woven web of the wet wiper has a first antimicrobial agent that is substantive to the fibers and to the binder when the web is either wet or dry.
• the first antimicrobial agent is prefer ⁇ ably uniformly distributed on the fibers.
• the first or substan ⁇ tive antimicrobial agent is selected to be substantive to both the fibers of the web and to the binder when the web is either wet or dry.
• an antimicrobial agent is substan ⁇ tive to the fibers and the binder if the antimicrobial agent attaches directly to the fibers of the web and to the binder without the need for an adhesive substance. Consequently, sub ⁇ stantive antimicrobial agents do not substantially diffuse from either the fibers or the binder used to bind the fibers together.
• the first antimicrobial agent is selected to be sub ⁇ stantive to the binder in addition to being substantive to the fibers of the non-woven web. Hence, such an antimicrobial agent attaches directly to the binder and the fibers of the non-woven web without the need for an adhesive substance. Likewise, the ionic character of the binder is carefully chosen so that the antimicrobial active agent is usually substantially inert with respect to the binder to prevent ionic interaction of the anti ⁇ microbial agent and the binder.
• Preferred first or substantive antimicrobial agents to be applied to the fibers and binder of the non-woven web are organo-silicon quaternary ammonium salts, such as a silyl- quaternary ammonium salt.
• Preferred organo-silicon quaternary ammonium salts are 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldidecylmethyl ammo ⁇ nium salts, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldidecylmethyl ammonium chloride, and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyloctadecyl- dimethyl ammonium salts, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl- octadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride.
• organo-silicon quaternary ammonium salts useful as the first or substantive antimicrobial agent in the present invention are sold under the trademarks SIQUAT 1977 by Sanitized, Inc. and DOW CORNING 5700 by the Dow Chemical Co.
• Another substantive antimicrobial agent that is not an organo-silicon quaternary ammonium salt is N-(2-methyl-l-napthyl maleimide) sold under the trademark Vinyzene 129 by Morton Thioxol, Ventron Division.
• the first antimicrobial agent is preferably applied to thes fibers of the non-woven web prior to or simultaneously with the application of the binder.
• the amount of the first antimicrobial active agent is typically in the range of about 0.25% to about 3% of the total web weight.
• a particularly preferred amount of the sub ⁇ stantive or first antimicrobial agent is about 1% to about 2% of the total web weight.
• the first antimicrobial agent is preferably about 0.5% to about 10% of the binder volume and, most preferably, about 3.5% of the binder volume.
• the first antimicrobial agents can be prepared by var ⁇ ious techniques known in the art.
• U.S. Patent Nos. 4,406,892 to Eudy, 4,282,366 to Eudy, 4,394,378 to Klein, and 4,408,996 to Baldwin describe various organo-silicon quaternary ammonium compounds, especially silyl quaternary ammonium com ⁇ pounds, and methods of preparing these compounds.
• the uncured binder and the first antimicrobial agent are applied to the unbonded fibers in a manner that allows the binder and the first antimicrobial agent to be present throughout the unbonded fibrous web and, hence, substantially uniformly distributed on the fibers. Accordingly, substantially all of the unbonded fibers of the web are to be contacted with the uncured binder and the first antimicrobial agent during this application process.
• Various application methods and apparatus known in the art, can be readily selected by the skilled artisan.
• the uncured binder and the first antimicrobial agent are sprayed onto unbound fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, that have been airlaid on a foraminous support.
• the uncured binder and the first antimicrobial agent can be con ⁇ tained in a bath through which the unbonded fibers pass.
• Other methods and apparatus include foaming and printing.
• the binder material is then cured to bind the fibers together to form an antimicrobial, non-woven web.
• an antimicrobially active, non-woven web has bonded fibers; a binder sub ⁇ stantially uniformly distributed on the fibers, the binder being present in an amount effective to bind the fibers; and a first antimicrobial agent being substantive to the fibers and to the binder when the web is either wet or dry.
• the anti ⁇ microbially active, non-woven web is stored in a liquid contain ⁇ ing a second antimicrobial agent to maintain the web in a wet condition in the liquid until use.
• the liquid has a second antimicrobial agent in it, typically mild, naturally occurring selected organic acids.
• the storage liquid for the wet wiper preferably is water and, most preferably, pure water having as its only ingre ⁇ pub ⁇ pub ⁇ .
• a storage liquid containing the second antimicrobial agent is safe for skin con ⁇ tact and a highly effective antimicrobial control that kills a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
• the preferred mild naturally occurring organic acids are edible and, typi ⁇ cally, are found in or extracted from foodstuffs, thereby also decreasing any likelihood of adverse allergenic skin reaction of the user.
• the second antimicrobial agent is preferably an organ ⁇ ic acid that is capable of exhibiting antimicrobial properties.
• SUBSTITUTESHEET The skilled artisan can select appropriate antimicrobial organic acids that are compatible with the first or substantive anti ⁇ microbial agent and that can be safely used in the liquid stor ⁇ age of the wet wiper without providing an irritating or harmful residue on the user's skin.
• Preferred naturally occurring or ⁇ ganic acids include citric acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, and combinations thereof.
• An additional mild, but not naturally oc ⁇ curring, organic acid that may be used is ethylenediamine- tetraaceti ⁇ acid.
• the organic acid is present in the liquid in the range of about 0.05 wt% to about 2.0 wt% of the; t ⁇ ta5L liquid and, most preferably, in the range of about 0.3 wt% to about 1.5 wt% of the total liquid.
• An especially preferred antimicrobial agent for the storage liquid is a mixture of sorbic acid and citric acid.
• this mixture has about 0.01% to about 0.20% weight sorbic acid and about 0.1% to about 0.5% weight citric acid, the weight percents being based upon the liquid.
• An example of an especially effective second antimicrobial agent mixture is 0.075% weight sorbic acid and 0.375% weight citric acid.
• the criteria for proper selection of the antimicrobial agent include substantivity, antimicrobial activity, and safety, such that the wet wiper is safe for use on human skin and eyes.
• the criteria are antimicrobial activity and mild so as to be safe for use on human skin and eyes and, preferably, naturally occurring. It may also be desirable that the liquid load antimicrobial agents are edible, in case the wet wiper is used for wiping the face or mouth.
• the method of the present invention produces an anti ⁇ microbially active, wet wiper.
• the present method forms an unbonded fibrous web.
• An uncured binder and a first antimicrobial agent are then applied throughout the unbonded fibrous web, with the first antimicrobial agent being substan ⁇ tive to both the fibers of the web and to the binder when the web is either wet or dry.
• the binder is cured to bind the fibers together to form an antimicrobially active, non-woven
• SUBSTITUTESHEET web The web is then stored in a liquid containing a second antimicrobial agent to maintain the web in a wet condition until use.
• An antimicrobially active, non-woven web was prepared. Unbonded cellulosic fibers were air-laid to produce an unbonded cellulosic fiber web of 30 pounds per ream. An uncured latex binder having 4.2% of antimicrobial agent based on latex solids was applied throughout the cellulosic web to bring the final, bonded, treated web basis weight to 45 pounds per ream. The binder was then cured to bind the cellulosic fibers together to form an antimicrobial active, non-woven web. The web was then cut into several pieces that were stored in different storage liquids.
• Web A was stored in a liquid consisting of water that did not contain any antimicrobial agent.
• Web B was stored in a liquid consisting of water containing 0.075% weight sorbic acid.
• Web.C was stored in a liquid of water containing 0.375% weight citric acid.
• Web D was stored in a liquid of water containing 0.075% weight sorbic acid and 0.375% weight citric acid.
• each wet wiper was tested to determine its antimicrobial activity. Specifically, each wet wiper was tested to determine its effect on reduction and inhibition of five United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) anti ⁇ microbial preservative effectiveness challenge organisms, plus the addition of Pseudomonas capacia, a likely contaminant in wet wipers.
• U.S.P. United States Pharmacopeia
• Pseudomonas capacia a likely contaminant in wet wipers.
• Each wet wiper was subjected to Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coliformi C a, and (LPseudomonas _c__e___p__a__c___i__a__ with total inoc- ulation levels of 10 to 10 microorganisms/ml. Subsequent total plate counts were taken at intervals of 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes for bacteria, and 1, 4, 8, and 24 hours for fungi. The results are provided in Table 1. TABLE NO . 1

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Dentistry (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Plant Pathology (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• Microbiology (AREA)
• Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
• Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
• Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

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Cited By (14)

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• 1987
  • 1987-04-23 CA CA000535390A patent/CA1274771A/en not_active Expired
  • 1987-04-23 WO PCT/US1987/000918 patent/WO1987006470A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1987-04-23 JP JP62503003A patent/JPS63500991A/ja active Granted
  • 1987-04-23 EP EP19870903507 patent/EP0265509A4/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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