Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
  • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
  • A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H45/00—Folding thin material
  • B65H45/12—Folding articles or webs with application of pressure to define or form crease lines
  • B65H45/24—Interfolding sheets, e.g. cigarette or toilet papers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
  • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
  • A47K2010/3266—Wet wipes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
  • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
  • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
  • A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
  • A47K2010/428—Details of the folds or interfolds of the sheets

Definitions

• the present invention relates to stacks of wet wipes which are provided with an improved interfolding and interleaving configuration, such that each wipe can be readily separated from the wet wipe stack by the consumer.
• Wet wipes are typically premoistened, disposable towelettes which may be utilised in a variety of applications both domestic and industrial and perform a variety of functions.
• Wet wipes are typically used to wipe surfaces both animate and inanimate, and may provide numerous benefits such as cleaning, cleansing, disinfecting, and skin care benefits.
• Wipes are commonly used for human cleansing and wiping such as anal, perineal cleansing and genital cleansing and face and hand cleansing for example as intimate hygiene wipes such as feminine wet wipes.
• Wet wipes may also be used for application of substances to the body including removing and applying of make-up, skin conditioners and medications.
• Another application of wipes is during diaper changes and also for the treatment of adult and baby dermatitis partly caused by the use of diapers and incontinence devices.
• wet wipes are also applicable for wiping and or cleaning other surfaces or for the application of compositions to surfaces, for example kitchen and bathroom surfaces, eyeglasses, shoes and surfaces which require cleaning in industry for example surfaces of machinery or automobiles.
• Wet wipes also include articles used for the cleaning or grooming of pets.
• Wet wipes are commonly constructed of combinations of synthetic and natural fibres, such as polyolefin fibres, viscose fibres and cotton fibres, which are generally moistened with an aqueous composition which contains amongst others surfactants, preservatives, oils and scents.
• the wet wipes are then typically provided in a folded stacked configuration within a covered container such as a tub-like container having a lid.
• the wipes may be provided in tub containers having a dispensing aperture. In both cases this allows easy transportation and storage of the wipes.
• wet wipes are typically folded and either placed one on top of the other or interleaved with an adjacent wipe.
• the exact location of the leading edge of the upper most wipe of the current stack is not easily identifiable, either visually or tacitly. This is because the substrate material of the wipe is typically homogeneous and thus the leading edge of the wipe, particularly when folded, cannot be distinguished from the wipe substrate material on which it rests.
• the leading edge portion of the wipe also has a tendency to adhere to the underlying wipe substrate material on which it rests. Hence even tactile identification of the edge by running or dragging of the fingers across the wipe surface does not immediately result in the identification of the location of the edge.
• leading edge Once the leading edge has been located, it is difficult for the consumer to grasp hold of sufficient substrate material and maintain grasp thereof, in order to separate a single wipe from the stack upon which it rests. The consumer often is only able to grasp a small portion of the leading edge such that a tight grip thereof is not established and hence the wipe easily slips from the fingers of the consumer.
• the adjacent wipe is also at least partially separated from the stack.
• the consumer is required not only to unfold the wipe before commencing with the desired application of the wipe but also, to separated it from the adjacent wipe in the stack and returned this wipe to the stack in the container. This is obviously particularly inconvenient to consumers utilising baby wipes during diaper changes.
• the substrate material may be unevenly distributed in the container, which leads to a number of undesirable effects such as uneven lotion distribution throughout the stack of wipes and within the individual wipes themselves resulting in concentration of the lotion at specific areas within the stack.
• many of the interleaving configurations also result in the formation of ridges and grooves in the substrate material, which both tends to reduce the strength and softness of the wipe in addition to being aesthetically undesirable .
• wet wipe substrate which is suitable for multiple applications such as baby wipes, which are strong, soft and absorbent. It is further desirable to provide a stacking configuration for such wet wipes which faciliates easy, single wipe dispensation from the wipe stack,
• the present invention addresses these problems by providing a stack of wet wipes which have an improved folding and interleaving configuration.
• the present invention hence relates to a wet wipe for wiping parts of the human body such as baby wipes and other surfaces.
• the present invention relates to a stacking configuration for wet wipes so as to facilitate ease of dispensation and separation of a single wipe from the stack of wet wipes, especially for applications utilising a container and dispensing orifice.
• the wet wipe stacking configuration comprises a first assembly of wipes and a second assembly of wipes, each of the wipes comprising a substrate and a liquid composition.
• Each of said wipes extends lengthwise from a first leading end edge to a second trailing end edge and has at least two folds thereby providing, a leading edge panel, a central panel and a trailing edge panel.
• said first assembly of wipes is interleaved said second assembly of wipes, such that at least a portion of said central panel and at least a portion of said trailing edge panel of each of said first assembly of wipes are interleaved between at least a portion of said leading edge panel and at least a portion of said central panel of one wipe of said second assembly of wipes.
• at least a portion of said central panel and at least a portion of said trailing edge panel of each of said second assembly of wipes are interleaved between at least a portion of said leading edge panel and at least a portion of said central panel of one wipe of said first assembly of wipes.
• the wipes are interleaved such that the length of said leading edge panel or said trailing edge panel of each of said first assembly of wipes is no more than 50% of the length of the corresponding central panel, and such that the length of said leading edge panel or said trailing edge panel of each of said second assembly of wipes is no more than 50% of the length of the corresponding central panel.
• Figure 1 Depicts a perspective view of a z-folded wet wipe.
• Figure 2 Is a cross sectional schematic illustration of a stack of folded and interleaved wet wipes in a dispensing container.
• Figure 3a Is a cross sectional illustration taken along line x-x in figure 1 showing a wipe having a leading edge panel 2, a central panel 4 and a trailing edge panel 3 and folded in a Z fold configuration.
• Figure 3b Is a cross sectional illustration of a folded wipe having a lip 36 on the leading edge panel.
• the wet wipe comprises a substrate which is coated or impregnated with a liquid composition.
• the substrate may be woven or nonwoven, foam, sponge, battings, balls, puffs or films, most preferably a nonwoven and may be composed or natural or synthetic fibres or mixtures thereof.
• the fibre compositions are a mixed of hydrophilic fibre material such as viscose, cotton, or flax and a hydrophobic fibre material such as polyethylene tetraphthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP) in a ratio of 20%-80% hydrophilic and 80%-20% hydrophobic material by weight.
• PET polyethylene tetraphthalate
• PP polypropylene
• Two particularly preferred compositions are 50% viscose / 50%PP and 50% viscose / 50 % PET.
• the substrate preferably has a basis weight of at least 20 grrr 2 and preferably less than 150grrr 2 , and most preferably the base weight is in the range of 20 grrr 2 to 70 grrr 2 , more preferably from 50 grrr 2 to 65 grrr 2 .
• the substrate may have any caliper. Typically, when the substrate is made by a hydroentangling process, the average substrate caliper is less than 0.8 mm. More preferably the average caliper of the substrate is from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm. The substrate caliper is measured according to standard EDANA non woven industry methodology, reference method # 30.4-89.
• the bulk density of the substrate is preferably not more than 1.0 g/cm 3 , preferably not more than 0.9 g/cm 3 , most preferably not more than 0.7 g/cm 3 .
• the substrate can have other components or materials added thereto as known in the art.
• the types of additives desirable will be dependent upon the particular end use of the substrate contemplated. For example, in wet wipe products such as moist toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, baby wipes and other similar air laid products, high wet strength is a desirable attribute. Thus, it is often desirable particularly for cellulose based substrates to add chemical substances known in the art as wet strength resins.
• wet strength resins A general dissertation on the types of wet strength resins utilized in the paper art can be found in TAPPI monograph series No. 29, Wet Strength in Paper and Paperboard, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (New York, 1965).
• the substrate may also comprise agents to improve the optical characteristics of the substrate material such as opacifying agents, for example titanium dioxide.
• the substrate may be produced by any methods known in the art.
• nonwoven substrates can be formed by dry forming techniques such as air-laying or wet laying such as on a paper making machine.
• Other nonwoven manufacturing techniques such as melt blown, spun bonded, needle punched and spun laced methods may also be used.
• a preferred method is hydroentangling.
• a stacking configuration for wet wipes is provided, which results in the improved ease of dispensation and separation of a single wipe from the wet wipe stack and easily recognition of the location of the leading edge of each subsequent wipe.
• Figure 1 provides a perspective view of a single folded wet wipe 1.
• Figure 2 is a cross sectional illustration of a stack of folded interleaved wipes 23 according to the present invention housed in a container 20.
• the container 20 includes a tub portion 21 and a lid 22, pivotably joined to the tube portion, by for example a hinge mechanism and a dispensing orifice 24.
• the wipes can also be stacked and then packaged in a moisture impervious wrapper, such as a foil or laminated polymeric film wrapper, to provide a refill package for use in refilling such a container.
• the stacking configuration comprises a first and a second assembly of wipes which are interleaved with one another.
• each folded wipe 1 in each assembly extends lengthwise from a first, leading end edge 2, to a second, trailing end edge 3.
• the folded webs also have side edges 4 and 5 which extend lengthwise from the first leading end edge 2 to the second trailing end edge 3.
• Each folded wipe 1 has at least two folds thereby providing three panels.
• a panel is a portion of a wipe extending between two folds, or between a fold and an edge end.
• the first panel fold 6 is generally parallel to the leading edge 2, and generally perpendicular to the side edges 4, 5.
• the first panel fold 6 is spaced lengthwise from the leading edge 2 to provide a leading edge panel 9 extending between the first panel fold 6 and the leading edge 2.
• the second panel fold 7 is generally parallel to, and spaced lengthwise from, the first panel fold 6, thereby providing a central panel 8 joined to the leading edge panel 9, at the first panel fold 6, and extending between the first panel fold 6 and the second panel fold 7.
• the trailing edge panel 10 is joined to the central panel 8 at the second panel fold 7, and extends between the second panel fold 7 and the trailing edge 3.
• the wipes are folded at the first and second panel folds 6 and 7, to provide the corresponding leading edge panel, central panel, and trailing edge panels 9, 8 and 10.
• the wipes can thus be folded into a number of configurations prior to interleaving. This is clearly demonstrated with reference to the respective surfaces of each of the panels as indicated in figure 3.
• each wipe has a first upper surface leading edge panel 30, a second lower surface leading edge panel 31 , a first upper surface trailing edge panel 32, a second lower surface trailing edge panel 33, a first upper surface central panel 34 and a second lower surface central panel 35.
• the leading edge panel and the trailing edge panel may thus be provided by the first panel fold and the second panel fold respectively such that the panel rests on the upper facing surface of the central panel or the lower facing surface of the central panel.
• the leading edge panel 9 is adjacent to and overlies a portion of the upper facing surface of the central panel 8 and the trailing edge panel is adjacent to and underlies a portion of the lower facing surface of the central panel 8 thereby providing a so called reversed Z folded wipe.
• the wipes may be folded so as to provided a Z fold configuration.
• both the leading edge panel and the trailing edge panel of each wipe maybe folded such that they are both adjacent and overlie a portion of the upper surface of the central panel.
• the wipes of the first and second assemblies are folded so as to provide mirror images of one another, for example whereby the first assembly of wipes are folded in a Z fold and the wipes of the second assembly are folded in a reversed Z fold.
• each wipe may also have further additional panels.
• the leading edge panel and or the trailing edge panel may also be provided with an additional fold so as to provide a leading edge panel lip or a trailing edge panel lip as illustrated in Figure 3b.
• Such a lip is formed by providing the leading edge panel or the trailing edge panel with a panel lip fold which is adjacent to and spaced from the leading or trailing edge of the folded substrate to provide a lip extending between the panel lip fold and the end edge.
• the panel lip fold may be folded onto the lower surface of the leading edge panel such that the leading end edge is below the leading edge end panel. This configuration is particularly beneficial in facilitating grasping of the edge.
• leading edge panel may be folded such that the leading end edge rests on the upper surface of the leading edge panel.
• the lip may also be positioned on the upper or lower surface of the trailing edge panel.
• the lip typically extends from the leading or trailing edge from between 4 cm to 0.1 cm, preferably from 2 cm to 0.25cm to the leading edge panel lip fold or the trailing edge panel lip fold.
• the overall dimensions of the substrate material and the panels thereof is dependent on the intended application of the wipe and can be selected accordingly.
• the ratio of the lengths of the leading edge panel to central panel to trailing edge panel is from 1 :2:1 to 1 :5:1 and most preferably the ratio is 1 :3:1. More preferably the ratio of the lengths of the panels of the wipes of the first and second assembly of wipes are identical and most preferably the leading and trailing edge panels are both approximately one quarter the total length of the wipe.
• each folded wipe 1 can have an unfolded length of from 10 cm to 30 cm as measured lengthwise from the leading end edge 2 to the trailing end edge 3.
• the spacing between the first panel fold 6 and the second panel fold 7 can be from 2 cm to 7 cm, while the lengths of the leading edge panel 9 and trailing edge panel 10 can be from 2 cm to 7 cm.
• the spacing between the first panel fold 6 and the leading end edge 2 is more preferably from 3 cm to 6 cm, and even more preferably between about 3 cm and 5 cm.
• the spacing between the first panel fold 6 and the second panel fold is more preferably from 3 cm to 12 cm, and even more preferably between about 10 cm and 12 cm.
• the spacing between the second panel fold 7 and the trailing edge is more preferably from 3 cm to 6 cm, and even more preferably between about 3 cm and 5 cm.
• an essential feature of the stacking configuration is that each of the first assembly of folded wipes 40 are interleaved with each of the second assembly of folded wipes 41.
• wipe x of the first assembly of wipes is folded in a reversed Z fold and interleaved between a Z folded wipe x of the second assembly of wipes.
• wipe x of the second assembly of wipes is interleaved between wipe y of the first assembly of wipes and, wipe y of the first assembly of wipes is interleaved with wipe y of the second assembly of wipes and so on.
• At least a portion of said central panel 42x and at least a portion of said trailing edge panel 43x of each of said first assembly of wipes 40 are interleaved with wipe x of the second assembly of wipes between at least a portion of said leading edge panel 51 x and at least a portion of said central panel 52x of each of said second assembly of wipes 50.
• at least a portion of said central panel 52x and at least a portion of said trailing edge panel 53x of each of said second assembly of wipes 50 are interleaved between at least a portion of said leading edge panel 41 y and at least a portion of said central panel 42y of each of said first assembly of wipes 40.
• another essential feature of the stacking configuration is related to the relative lengths of the panels of each of the wipes of the first and second assemblies. Accordingly, it has been found that the length of the leading edge panel or the trailing edge panel of each wipe for example wipes x of said first assembly of wipes, is no more than 50% of the length of the corresponding central panel. Similarly, the length of the leading edge panel or said trailing edge panel of each wipe of said second assembly of wipes, is no more than 50% the length of the corresponding central panel.
• leading and trailing edge panels of each of the first and second assemblies of wipes may be of any length provided that the sum of the length of the leading edge panel and the length of the trailing edge panel of any wipe is not greater than the length of the corresponding central panel of the wipe.
• the lengths of the panels of all of the wipes in each assembly and more preferably the corresponding panels in both first and second assemblies are of substantially identical dimensions.
• the removal of the uppermost wipe, for example wipe x of the first assembly, from the interleaved stack will cause the agitation of the leading edge panel of the adjacent wipe x of the second assembly from the stack.
• This thereby facilitates the identification of the location of the leading edge of the adjacent wipe to the consumer.
• the area of overlap between the leading edge panel of the adjacent wipe (i.e. wipe x of the second assembly of wipes) and the central panel or trailing edge panel of the uppermost wipe, (i.e. wipe x of the first assembly of wipes) ensures that the required amount of length of the substrate material of the wipe x of the second assembly is raised and separated from the stack.
• the area of overlap between the central panel of the adjacent wipe (x of the second assembly) and the trailing edge panel or the central panel of the uppermost wipe (x of first assembly) appear to be of lesser importance.
• the positioning of the first and second panel folds and the relative lengths of the leading and trailing edge panels to the central panel is of critical importance.
• the improved dispensation provided by the present invention may also involve other effects and interactions in addition to or instead of the hypothesis given, and hence no reliance should be placed thereon.
• the interleaving configuration of the present invention particularly the embodiment illustrated in figure 4a, also ensures that the majority of the substrate material of each wipe in the stack is positioned in the horizontal plane. This reduces the tendency of the stack to produce ridges or grooves of substrate material. Moreover, the stacking configuration also reduces the tendency of the liquid composition to become unevenly distributed throughout the stack.
• Figure 4a depicts a most preferred stacking configuration of the present invention.
• the configuration comprises a first assembly of wipes 40 folded in a Z configuration interleaved with a second assembly of wipes folded in a reversed Z fold configuration.
• a portion of the central panel 42x (42y) of each wipe of the first assembly 40 is in contact with a portion of the leading edge panel 51 x (52x) of each wipe of the second assembly 50, such that substantially all of one of the surfaces of the leading edge panel 51 x (51 y) of each of the wipes of the second assembly 50 is in contact with a portion of the central panel 42x (42y) of each of the wipes of the first assembly 40.
• leading edge panel 41x (41 y) and the trailing edge panel 43x (43y) of each of said first assembly of wipes 40 are both no more than 50% the length of said corresponding central panel 42x (42y) and are substantially equal in length.
• leading edge panel 51x (51 y) and the trailing edge panel 53x (53y) of each of said second assembly 50 of said wipes are both not more than 50% the length of said corresponding central panel 52x (52y) and are substantially equal in length.
• the lengths of the leading edge panel 41 x (41 y), the trailing edge panel 43x (43y) and the central panel 42x (42y) of the each of the wipes of the first assembly 40 are substantially equal in length to the lengths of the corresponding leading edge panel 51 x (51 y), trailing edge panel 53x (53y) and central panel 52x (52y) of the second assembly of wipes 50.
• the leading edge of each of said first assembly of wipes and each of said second assembly of wipes is approximately a quarter of the total length of each of said wipes.
• FIG. 4b The embodiment depicted in Figure 4b, is identical to that of 4a in terms of length of the respective panels.
• the wipes of both the first and second assemblies are folded such that the leading edge panel and the trailing edge panel of the wipes is adjacent to the upper surface of the central panel of the corresponding wipe prior to interleaving.
• a portion of the central panel 42x (42y) of each wipe of the first assembly 40 is in contact with a portion of the central panel 52x (52y) of each of the wipes of the second assembly 50 and a portion of the trailing edge panel 53x (53y) of the wipes of the second assembly being in contact with the leading edge panel 41 y of the wipes of the first assembly 40.
• each wipe of the second assembly is in contact with a portion of the leading edge panel 41 y of each wipe of the first assembly and a portion of the central panel 52x of each wipe of the second assembly is in contact with a portion of the central panel 42y of each wipe of the first assembly of wipes.
• the embodiments according to figure 4c and 4d depict a stacking configuration wherein the wipes of the first assembly 40, are folded in a Z configuration and are interleaved with a second assembly of wipes 50 folded in a reversed Z fold.
• the lengths of the leading and trailing edge panel of the wipes of each of the respective assemblies are not equal.
• the length of the trailing edge panel of the wipes of both the first and second assemblies is over 50% the length of the central panel and is in fact about 60% the length of the central panel of each of the wipes of both the first and second assemblies. Consequently, the length of the leading edge panel of each of the wipes of both first and second assemblies is less than 50% the length of the central panel and is about 30%.
• the length of the leading edge panel of each of the wipes of both the first and second assemblies is over 50% and is about 60% of the length of the central panel of each of the wipes of both the first and second assemblies.
• the length of the trailing edge panel of each of the wipes is less than 50%, and is about 30% of the length of the central panel.
• the second panel fold 44x of each of the wipes of the first assembly should not be in direct contact with the first panel fold 54x of each of the adjacent wipes of the second assembly of wipes.
• the second panel fold 55x of each of the wipes of the second assembly should not be contact with the first panel fold 44y of the adjacent wipes of the first assembly.
• leading edge or panel with a visual and or tactile indicator.
• Such indicators further assist in the location of the leading edge itself by the consumer.
• Visual indicators may be provided for example in the form of a thin coloured strip or band printed on the surface of the leading edge panel in the vicinity of the edge itself.
• a particularly preferred means for providing an edge indicator is by the use of a non linear edge such as a repeating sine wave or a repeating zig-zag pattern.
• a non linear edge such as a repeating sine wave or a repeating zig-zag pattern.
• Such non linear patterns may extend partially along the length of the edge in a continuous or intermittent manner or more preferably extend substantially along the entire length of the edge of the wipe.
• the provision of such an edge provides both a visual and tactile edge location indicator. Such mechanisms further promote ease of dispensation of the wipes.
• the substrate material is typically impregnated or coated with a liquid composition.
• a liquid composition refers to any composition which is in a liquid form when the wipe is in contact with the surface.
• the composition may be aqueous, alcohol based or an emulsion, either a water- in-oil or an oil-in-water or a multiple emulsion, preferably the emulsion is a oil-in-water emulsion.
• the emulsion may also comprise a lipid phase which can be broken by the application of minimal pressure for example by wiping the skin.
• the composition will comprise from 2% to 50% by weight of said composition of actives and from 50% to 98% water, preferably de- ionised or distilled. Of the active component, preferably 2% to 20% are present in the oil phase and the remainder are present in the aqueous phase.
• the wet wipes are provided with an emulsion composition
• a oil phase in the range of 1 % to 20%, preferably 2% to 10%, by weight of the composition.
• the oil based phase is derived from natural resources such as from vegetable or animal oils or may be synthetic or any mixtures thereof.
• Suitable vegetable and animal oils for use herein include waxes such as beeswax, lanolin, candelilla, and oils such as glycerine esters and glycerine ethers, fatty acid alcohols, fatty acid esters and fatty acid ethers such as caprylic and capric triglycerides and octylpalmitate.
• Suitable mineral oils include petroleum based oils such as paraffin and petroleum jelly.
• Synthetic oils for use herein include ethylenic polymers for example polyethylene wax or silicone based oils.
• Suitable silicon oils include polydimethylsiloxanes, volatile cyclo- methicones, dimethiconols, siloxysilicates and amino- and phenyl derivatives of siloxanes and mixtures thereof.
• Examples include dimethicone (Dow Corning 200 Fluids), cyclomethicone and dimethiconol (Dow Corning 1401 Fluid), cetyl dimethicone (Dow Corning 2502 Fluid), dimethicone and trimethylsiloxysilicate (Dow Corning 593 Fluid), cyclomethicone (Dow Corning 244, 245, 344 or 345 Fluid), phenyl trimethicone (Dow Corning 556 Fluid), or combinations thereof.
• the oil-in-water emulsions typically require emulsifying agents.
• the emulsifying agents which may be used in the present invention are preferably capable of primary emulsification of oil-in-water emulsions.
• the emulsifying agent is present in the range of 0.02% to 5.0%, preferably 0.02% to 3.0%, by weight of the composition.
• the emulsifying agent is a polymeric type of emulsifying agent such as a copolymer of C10-C30 alkyl acrylates and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methylacrylic acid or one of their simple esters cross linked with an allyl ether of sucrose or an allyl ether of pentaerythritol.
• the emulsifying agents which are thus useful in the present invention include Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20 or Pemulen TR1 and TR2 which are available from B.F. Goodrich company of the USA.
• emulsifying agents such as ethoxylated fatty alcohols, glycerine esters of fatty acids, soaps, sugar derived agents are also suitable for use herein.
• Other useful emulsifying agents include those disclosed in detail in EP-A-328 355.
• the composition may comprise a stability agent or preservative.
• Stability agents suitable for use herein include phenoxyethanol preferably present in the range of from 0.1 to 1.0%, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, benzalkonium chloride, and disodium salt ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (hereinafter referred to as EDTA) or other EDTA salts (sequestrenes).
• EDTA disodium salt ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid
• Sequestrene is a series of complexing agents and metal complexes general of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid and salts.
• the total quantity of stability agents should be in the range of 0.1 % to 4.0% by weight of the composition.
• the composition of the present invention may further comprise from 0.02% to 5.0% by weight of said composition of an emollient or moisturiser.
• the emollient is water soluble and includes polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, glycerin, and also water soluble lanolin derivatives.
• the delivered viscosity should be less than 500 mPas, preferably in the range of 300 to more than 100 mPas and most preferably in the range of 180 to 120 mPas.
• the composition is applied to at least one surface of the substrate material.
• the composition can be applied at any time during the manufacture of the wet wipe.
• the composition can be applied to the substrate after the substrate has been dried.
• Any variety of application methods that evenly distribute lubricious materials having a molten or liquid consistency can be used. Suitable methods include spraying, printing, (e. g. flexographic printing), coating (e. g. gravure coating or flood coating) extrusion whereby the composition is forced through tubes in contact with the substrate whilst the substrate passes across the tube or combinations of these application techniques.
• spraying the composition on a rotating surface such as calender roll that then transfers the composition to the surface of the substrate.
• the composition can be applied either to one surface of the substrate or both surfaces, preferably both surfaces.
• the preferred application method is extrusion coating.
• the composition can also be applied non uniformly to the surfaces of the substrate.
• non uniform it is meant that for example the amount, pattern of distribution of the composition can vary over the surface of the substrate.
• some of the surface of the substrate can have greater or lesser amounts of composition, including portions of the surface that do not have any composition on it.
• the composition is typically applied in an amount of from about 0.5 g to 10 g per gram of substrate, preferably from 1.0 g to 5 g per gram of substrate, most preferably from 2 g to 4 g per gram of dry substrate.
• the composition can be applied to the substrate at any point after it has been dried.
• the composition can be applied to the substrate prior to calendering or after calendering and prior to being wound up onto a parent roll.
• the application will be carried out on a substrate unwound from a roll having a width equal to a substantial number of wipes it is intended to produce. The substrate with the composition applied thereto is then subsequently severed to produce individual wipes.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
• Body Washing Hand Wipes And Brushes (AREA)
• Sanitary Thin Papers (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
• Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)
• Cosmetics (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)
• Cell Electrode Carriers And Collectors (AREA)
• Hybrid Cells (AREA)
• Cell Separators (AREA)
• Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)

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• 1997
  • 1997-05-23 AT AT97108388T patent/ATE221748T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1997-05-23 DE DE69714572T patent/DE69714572T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-05-23 EP EP97108388A patent/EP0879575B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-05-23 ES ES97108388T patent/ES2181947T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1998
  • 1998-05-18 HU HU0003669A patent/HUP0003669A3/hu unknown
  • 1998-05-18 IL IL13307298A patent/IL133072A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-05-18 JP JP55049798A patent/JP3359345B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-18 CN CN98807135A patent/CN1108137C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-05-18 TR TR2000/00105T patent/TR200000105T2/xx unknown
  • 1998-05-18 AU AU75779/98A patent/AU7577998A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-05-18 KR KR1019997010889A patent/KR100363640B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-05-18 BR BR9811704-1A patent/BR9811704A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-05-18 CA CA002290569A patent/CA2290569C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-05-18 WO PCT/US1998/010162 patent/WO1998052453A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-05-22 PE PE1998000408A patent/PE90599A1/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-05-22 ZA ZA984373A patent/ZA984373B/xx unknown
  • 1998-05-22 MY MYPI98002277A patent/MY133545A/en unknown
  • 1998-05-22 ZA ZA984372A patent/ZA984372B/xx unknown
  • 1998-05-22 AR ARP980102386A patent/AR012739A1/es unknown
  • 1998-05-22 PE PE1998000407A patent/PE88799A1/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-05-22 AR ARP980102385A patent/AR012738A1/es unknown
  • 1998-05-23 EG EG56298A patent/EG21256A/xx active
  • 1998-05-26 EP EP98924872A patent/EP0983013B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-26 CA CA002289477A patent/CA2289477C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-05-26 AT AT98924872T patent/ATE229296T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-05-26 ES ES98924872T patent/ES2184271T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-26 WO PCT/US1998/010603 patent/WO1998052454A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-05-26 BR BR9812616-4A patent/BR9812616A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-05-26 DE DE69810104T patent/DE69810104T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-26 AU AU76941/98A patent/AU7694198A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-05-26 CN CN98805403A patent/CN1257413A/zh active Pending
  • 1998-05-26 CO CO98029476A patent/CO4700380A1/es unknown
  • 1998-05-26 KR KR1019997010739A patent/KR20010012777A/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-05-26 JP JP50737698A patent/JP3359344B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-06-03 TW TW087108713A patent/TW401371B/zh active
  • 1998-06-03 TW TW087108714A patent/TW372928B/zh active
• 1999
  • 1999-04-09 HK HK99101453A patent/HK1016445A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-11-22 NO NO995714A patent/NO995714L/no not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2002
  • 2002-04-17 JP JP2002115324A patent/JP4405134B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-04-17 JP JP2002115332A patent/JP2003038383A/ja active Pending
  • 2002-05-14 CN CN02119374A patent/CN1380239A/zh active Pending
  • 2002-09-16 CN CN02143192A patent/CN1432332A/zh active Pending

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