CN1108137C - Folding and stacking configuration for wet wipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wet wipe (1) for wiping surfaces in the home or industry, in addition to being applied to the human body as a skin care product such as baby wipes, make-up removal paper and others. The wet wipes are folded and interleaved with one another (40, 50) to provide an improved stacking configuration whereby each wet wipe can be easily individually removed from the stack of wet wipes by a user.

Description

Folded and stacked configurations of wet wipes

field of invention

The present invention relates to a stack of wet wipes having an improved interfolding and interleaving configuration such that each wipe can be easily removed from the stack of wet wipes by a user.

Background technique

Wet wipes are generally pre-moistened, disposable towelettes that are used in a variety of household and industrial applications and serve a variety of functions. Wet wipes are commonly used to wipe surfaces, both animate and inanimate, while providing a variety of uses such as washing, cleaning, disinfecting, and skin care.

One specific use is the use of wet wipes to wipe parts of a person's body when water for cleaning is not available, such as during travel. Wipes are generally used for cleansing and wiping the human body, such as anal, vaginal and genital cleansing, and facial and hand cleansing, such as internal hygiene products such as feminine wipes. Wet wipes can also apply items to the body, including makeup application and removal, skin care and medications. In addition, other applications of wipes include the use when changing diapers or in the care of dermatitis in adults and infants partially caused by the use of diapers and incontinence products. In addition, wet wipes can also be used to wipe and clean other surfaces, or to apply mixed substances to surfaces, these include kitchen and bathroom surfaces, eyeglasses, shoes and surfaces that need to be cleaned in industry, such as the surfaces of machines and cars. . Wet wipes also include items for cleaning and cleaning up pets.

Wet wipes are usually constructed from a mix of synthetic and natural fibers such as polyolefin, viscose, and cotton fibers, which are usually wetted with an aqueous synthetic substance that includes other surfactants, preservatives, oils, and odors some of the ingredients. Wet wipes are typically placed in a covered container, such as a lidded bucket container, in a folded and stacked configuration. Alternatively, the wipes may be placed in a tub-shaped container with a dispensing opening. In both cases, wet wipes are conveniently transported and stored.

However, a problem with current stacks of folded wet wipes is that it is difficult to easily and individually dispense wet wipes from the stack of wet wipes. This problem is particularly acute in use situations such as where the user is holding a baby to change diapers. In this case, the user needs to pick up the wet wipe with one hand and remove the wet wipe from the stack of wet wipes. With current products, it is difficult to achieve well.

The problem of poorly accomplished dispensing of wet wipes from the wet wipe stack and container is caused by a number of reasons. First, the wet wipe is generally folded and either placed on top of another wet wipe or interleaved with adjacent wet wipes. However, the exact position of the leading edge of the uppermost wet wipe of the current stack is difficult to discern visually or tactilely. This is because the base material of the wipe is generally unitary, so that the leading edge of the wipe, especially when folded, cannot be discerned from the base material of the wipe supporting the leading edge. Additionally, the leading edge of the wipe has a tendency to stick to the underlying wipe substrate material supporting the leading edge. Therefore, even if the edge can be identified by touch by running the hand over or touching the entire surface of the wipe, the location of the edge cannot be immediately determined.

Second, once the leading edge position has been determined, it can be difficult for the user to hold and hold enough matrix material and maintain a grip to separate individual wipes from the stack supporting the individual wipes. The user can usually only grasp a small portion of the leading edge, whereby it is difficult to create a tighter grip and the wipe can easily slip from the user's fingers.

These issues with wet wipe dispensing have been recognized in the art. For example US 5,540,332 proposes a dispensable wet wipe and a method of making such a wipe. This improved separability is achieved by having at least a portion of one end edge of the wipe have a repeating non-linear pattern, such as a sinusoidal wave configuration. However, the problem of dispensing individual wet wipes cannot be solved or overcome by using a non-linear leading edge.

Other solutions to the dispensing problem are described in US 4,778,048, which discloses a product that stacks wet wipes in a container with sloped edges to improve removal, dispensing and even liquid distribution. In a preferred embodiment, the Gurley stiffness of each wipe edge is greater than the stiffness of the wipe body. However, the presence of such rigid edges by itself contributes to undesirable wet wipe characteristics. Wet wipes, especially those intended for use on sensitive areas of the skin, such as those for baby wipes, require a certain level of softness. The hardened wipe edge is no longer usable, as recognized in this patent, and thus the usable substrate surface of the wipe is reduced. Also, care should be taken to minimize or avoid contact of the edge with the skin, as this can cause irritation. Also, the increased stiffness of the edges does not solve the problem of individual wipe dispensing. In addition, processing such non-linear edges on nonwoven substrates using existing manufacturing techniques results in fraying of the substrate edges, which is also detrimental.

In addition, a specially designed dispensing container with a dispensing opening is proposed to help the user identify the leading edge. These containers are designed so that during removal of the uppermost wipe, adjacent wipes are lifted from the stack and partially removed from the opening after the uppermost wipe has been removed. Holes protrude. In this way, the position of the uppermost wipe is easy for the user to grasp. However, this arrangement has the disadvantage that too much matrix material of the wipe is exposed through the opening. As a result, the wipes dry out and are no longer suitable for use, so they have to be discarded. EP747,313 proposes a solution to this problem and discloses a multifold tissue, such as a moist tissue, for continuous dispensing from a container opening. In this manner, a maximum of one quarter of the length of adjacent wipes emerges from the dispensing opening. However, such tissue products cannot be used in all wet wipe applications such as baby wipes where the softness and strength of the wet tissue is not satisfactory. In particular, such moist tissues are limited by their tendency to tear during use and are therefore not suitable for use as wet wipes.

Another key source of problems in dispensing individual wet wipes from a stack of wet wipes is the tendency of the wet wipe base material to stick to itself, a factor not addressed in any of the aforementioned prior art. Specifically, this is due to factors such as the compression of the wipe stack during manufacture and storage, the actual weight of the wipe stack itself, the presence of attractive forces in or between the material matrix and the wipe detergent. Thus, when the wipes are folded to form a stack, the matrix material tends to adhere to itself or to the matrix material of adjacent wipes. As a result, the wipes retain their folded configuration once the user lifts the wipes from the stack. Also, the wipe will generally remain at least partially adhered to the adjacent wipe supporting it. Thus, in addition to the separation of the wipe from the stack, adjacent wipes are also at least partially separated from the stack. As a result, the user not only needs to unroll the wipe, but also separates it from the adjacent wipe in the stack and places the adjacent wipe back in the stack in the container before beginning its desired wipe use. This is particularly inconvenient for users who use baby wipes when changing diapers.

The problem of wipe substrate adhesion has been recognized in the prior art. Solutions to this problem have generally been limited to providing interleaved wipes, such as described in JP 08,089,439. Actual interleaving is also known in the prior art with respect to dry tissue paper products disclosed in US 2,772,021 and US 3,330,553. However, it is known that the folded configuration typically used in such dry tissue products cannot be used in wet wipes due to the complex interactions that exist between the matrix material and the detergent in wet wipe products.

Moreover, many of the proposed staggered configurations come with attendant problems. In particular, the problem of substrate adhesion is exacerbated when there is too much overlap of the substrate material between two adjacent wipes, so that the wipes are always removed in pairs, or even though the wipes are removed individually , but after the upper wipe is removed, a larger portion of the adjacent wipe is still exposed through the dispensing opening, causing the wipe to dry out. On the other hand, if the overlapping of adjacent wipes is reduced so that individual wipe dispensing is ensured, there is no discernible separation of the adjacent wipes from the stack, so that the problem of identifying the leading edge arises again.

Also, in addition to the unsatisfactory wipe dispensing, other problems arise with the staggered configurations proposed by the prior art. For example, as a result of the staggered configuration, the matrix material can be unevenly distributed in the container, which can lead to several unfavorable consequences, such as uneven distribution of cleaning agent throughout the stack of wipes and in the individual wipes themselves, resulting in Concentration of cleaning agent in a specific area of the stack. Furthermore, many staggered configurations also result in the formation of ridges and grooves in the matrix material which, in addition to detracting from the aesthetics of the wipe, can result in loss of strength and softness.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a wet wipe substrate suitable for multiple uses, such as baby wipes, which is strong, soft and absorbent. Additionally, there is a need to provide a stack configuration for such wet wipes that facilitates convenient, individual dispensing of wipes from the stack of wipes.

The present invention solves the above problems by providing a stack of wet wipes having an improved folded and interleaved configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wet wipes, such as baby wipes, for wiping parts of the body or other surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stack configuration of wet wipes that facilitates the dispensing and separation of individual wipes from a stack of wet wipes, particularly where containers and dispensing apertures are used. so it is.

Thus, the wet wipe stack configuration includes a first assembly of wipes and a second assembly of wipes, each of said wipes including a substrate and a liquid mixture. Each of said wipes extends lengthwise from a first leading end edge to a second trailing end edge, and each said wipe has at least two folds, thereby forming a leading edge panel, a central panel and a trailing edge edge piece.

According to the invention, said first assembly of wipes is interleaved with said second assembly of wipes such that at least a portion of said central panel and said trailing edge panel of each wipe of said first assembly of wipes At least a portion of is interleaved between at least a portion of said leading edge panel and at least a portion of said central panel of a wipe of said second assembly of wipes. Similarly, at least a portion of said central panel and at least a portion of said trailing edge panel of each wipe of said second assembly of wipes are interleaved between said wipes of a wipe of said first assembly of wipes. Leading between at least a portion of the edge panels and at least a portion of the central panel. In addition, the wipes are staggered such that the length of either the leading edge panel or the length of the trailing edge panel of each of the first assembly of wipes is no greater than 50% of the length of the corresponding central panel, and each of the first assembly of wipes The length of the leading edge piece or the length of the trailing edge piece of the two components is not more than 50% of the length of the corresponding central piece.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a Z-folded wet wipe;

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a stack of folded and interleaved wet wipes in a dispensing container;

Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along line x-x in Figure 1, showing a wipe with a leading edge panel 2, a central panel 4 and a trailing edge panel 3 folded into a Z-fold configuration;

Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of a folded wipe having a lip 36 on the leading edge panel;

Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are cross-sectional views showing four embodiments of folded and interleaved configurations for wet wipes according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

According to the present invention, wet wipes comprise a substrate coated or impregnated with a liquid mixture. The substrate can be woven or nonwoven, foam, sponge, batting, pellets, puff or film, more preferably nonwoven, natural or synthetic fibers or composites or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fiber component is a mixture of hydrophilic fibers such as viscose, cotton, or linen and hydrophobic fiber materials such as polyethylene terephthalate polyester (PET) or polypropylene (PP), Its weight ratio is 20%-80% of hydrophilic fibers and 80%-20% of hydrophobic fibers. Two particularly effective ingredient combinations are 50% viscose/50% PP and 50% viscose/50% PET. The unit weight of the substrate is preferably at least 20g/m ² , and preferably less than 150g/m ² ; more preferably, the unit weight is between 20g/m ² and 70g/m ² , most preferably the unit weight is 50g/m 2 m ² to 65 g/m ² . The substrate can be of any thickness. Typically, when the substrate is formed by a winding process, the average thickness of the substrate is less than about 0.8 mm. More preferably, the average thickness of the matrix is between 0.1mm and 0.4mm. Specific thicknesses are measured according to standard EDANA Nonwoven Industry Method, Reference Method #30.4-89. The bulk density of the matrix is preferably not greater than 1.0 g/cm ³ , more preferably not greater than 0.9 g/cm ³ , and most preferably not greater than 0.7 g/cm ³ .

In addition to the fibers used to make the substrate, the matrix also includes other ingredients and materials known in the art that are added to the matrix. The choice of such additives depends on the specific end use the substrate is intended to achieve. For example, in wet wipe products such as moistened toilet tissue, paper towels, facial wipes, baby wipes and other similar airlaid products, higher wet strength is a more desirable characteristic. Therefore, the addition of chemistries known in the art, such as wet strength resins, to cellulose-based matrices is particularly desirable. A report on the types of wet strength resins used in papermaking technology can be found in TAPPI Monthly, Serial No. 29, "Wet Strength of Paper and Board", Pulp and Paper Technical Association (New york, 1965). In addition to wet strength additives, it may also be desirable to include certain dry strength additives known in the art and fuzz control additives such as starch binders. Furthermore, the matrix may also comprise agents, such as opacifiers, which modify the optical properties of the matrix material, such as titanium dioxide.

According to the present invention, the substrate can be produced by any method known in the art. For example, the nonwoven substrate can be processed by dry forming techniques such as airlaid or wetlaid techniques such as on a paper machine. In addition, other nonwoven manufacturing techniques such as melt blown, spun bonded, stamped and spun laced can be used. The preferred method is hydroentanglement.

The present invention provides a stack configuration of wet wipes that allows for easier dispensing of wipes, easier separation of individual wipes from the stack of wet wipes, and easier positioning of the leading edge of the next wipe.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a single folded wet wipe 1 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a stack of folded and staggered wipes 23 according to the present invention contained in a container 20 . The container 23 comprises a bucket portion 21 and a lid 22 pivotally connected to the bucket portion, for example by a hinge mechanism, and a dispensing aperture 24 . In an alternative embodiment, the wipes may also be stacked and packaged in a moisture impermeable package, such as aluminum foil or laminated polymeric film packaging, as a refill package to replenish such a container with wipes.

According to the present invention, the stacked configuration includes first and second wipe assemblies interleaved with each other. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , the folded wipe 1 in each wipe assembly extends longitudinally from a first leading edge 2 to a second trailing edge 3 . The folded web also includes sides 4 and 5 extending longitudinally from the leading end edge 2 to the trailing end edge 3 . Each folded wipe 1 comprises at least two folds to form three panels. Here, a flap refers to the portion of the wipe that extends between two creases, or between a crease and an edge end.

The first sheet fold 6 is generally parallel to the leading edge 2 and perpendicular to the sides 4,5. The first panel fold 6 is spaced longitudinally from the leading edge to form 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 the first panel fold 6 and is longitudinally spaced therefrom, thereby forming a central panel 8 connected to the leading edge panel 9 at the first panel fold 6, the central panel 8 at the It extends between the first fold 6 and the second 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 end edge 3 . According to the invention, the wipe is folded at the first 6 and second 7 sheet folds to form corresponding leading edge panels 9 , central panel 8 and trailing edge panel 10 . Thus, the wipes can be folded into several configurations before being interleaved. These configurations are clearly shown with reference to the respective surfaces of each sheet shown in FIG. 3 .

In Fig. 3a, each wipe has a first upper surface 30 of a leading edge panel, a second lower surface 31 of a leading edge panel, a first upper surface 32 of a trailing edge panel, a second lower surface 33 of a trailing edge panel, a central A first upper surface 34 of the sheet and a second lower surface 35 of the central sheet. The leading and trailing edge panels may thus be formed by the first and second panel folds, respectively, such that the panels rest on either the upwardly facing surface of the central panel or the downwardly facing surface of the central panel. As shown by way of example in Figures 1 and 3a, the leading edge sheet 9 is adjacent to the upward facing surface of the central sheet 8 and covers a part of the upward facing surface of the central sheet 8, and the leading edge sheet 9 is adjacent to the facing upward surface of the central sheet 8. The lower surface is adjacent and underlies a portion of the downwardly facing surface of the central sheet 8, thereby forming a so-called reverse z-fold wipe. Alternatively, the wipe can be folded to form a zigzag configuration. In another embodiment, the leading and trailing edge panels of each wipe are folded so that they are both adjacent to and cover a portion of the upper surface of the central sheet. Preferably, the first and second components of the wipe are folded to form configurations that are mirror images of each other, for example the first component of the wipe is folded into a zigzag configuration and the second component of the wipe The components are folded into an inverted zigzag configuration.

Furthermore, each wipe may have additional panels in addition to the leading edge panel, central panel and trailing edge panel described above. Specifically, the leading edge piece and/or the trailing edge piece can also form additional creases to form a leading edge piece lip or a trailing edge piece lip, as shown in FIG. 3b. Such a lip is formed by providing a leading or trailing edge piece with a lip crease adjacent to but spaced from the leading or trailing edge of the folded base, to form a crease that extends between the lip crease and the end edge. This structure is particularly advantageous for facilitating grip on the edges. Alternatively, the leading edge sheet may be folded so that the leading edge rests on the upper surface of the leading edge sheet. Alternatively, the lip can also be provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the trailing edge piece. Typically, the lip extends from the leading or trailing edge to the leading or trailing edge lip crease of about 4 cm to 0.1 cm, preferably about 2 cm to 0.25 cm.

According to the invention, the overall dimensions of the base material and of the panels thereon depend on the intended use of the wipe and can be selected accordingly. Preferably, the ratio of the length of the leading edge piece:central piece:trailing edge piece can be chosen in the range of 1:2:1 to 1:5:1, most preferably 1:3:1. More preferably, the ratio of the lengths of the panels of the first and second components of the wipe is the same, and most preferably the leading and trailing edge panels are each approximately one quarter of the total length of the wipe. In one non-limiting example for use as a baby wipe, each folded wipe 1 may have an unfolded length of about 10 cm to 30 cm, measured longitudinally from the leading edge 2 to the trailing edge 3 . For each folded wipe 1, the spacing between the first fold 6 and the second fold 7 is about 2 cm to 7 cm, while the length of the leading edge 9 and trailing edge 7 is about 2 cm to 7 cm between. In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the first sheet crease 6 and the leading edge 2 is more preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm, more preferably between 3 cm and 5 cm. The spacing between the first panel fold 6 and the second panel fold is preferably between 3 cm and 12 cm, more preferably between about 10 cm and 12 cm. The spacing between the second sheet crease 7 and the trailing edge is preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm, more preferably between about 3 cm and 5 cm.

According to the invention and with reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, the essential feature of the stacked configuration is that each first assembly 40 of folded wipes is interleaved with each second assembly 41 of folded wipes.

For example, wipe x of the first assembly of wipes is folded in a reverse Z configuration and interleaved between the zigzag folded wipes x of the second assembly of wipes. Similarly, wipe x of the second assembly of wipes is staggered between wipe y of the first assembly of wipes, and wipe y of the first assembly of wipes is staggered between wipe y of the second assembly of wipes wait. Like this, starting from the wipe x of the first assembly, at least a part of said central panel 42x and at least a part of said trailing edge panel 43x of each wipe of the first assembly of wipes 40 are within the second assembly of wipes 50. Between at least a portion of said leading edge panel 51x and at least a portion of said central panel 52x of each wipe is interleaved with wipes x of the second assembly of wipes. Similarly, at least a portion of said central panel 52x and at least a portion of said trailing edge panel 53x of each of the wipes of the second assembly of wipes 50 are positioned between said guides of each of the wipes of the first assembly of wipes 40. At least a part of the edge piece 41y and at least a part of the central piece 42y are interlaced.

Another essential feature of the stacked configuration according to the invention relates to the relative lengths of the sheets of each wipe of the first and second assemblies. It has been found that the length of each wipe (eg wipe x of the first assembly of wipes) should not exceed 50% of the length of the corresponding central panel. Similarly, the length of the leading and trailing edge panels of each wipe of the second assembly of wipes should be no greater than 50% of the length of the corresponding central panel. Accordingly, the leading and trailing edge panels of each of the wipes' first and second assemblies of wipes may have any length that satisfies the condition that the leading edge panels of any wipe have the same length as the trailing edge panel. The sum of the lengths of the edge panels is not greater than the length of the corresponding central panel of the wipe. Preferably, however, the lengths of the panels of all wipes in each assembly, more preferably the corresponding panels in the first and second assemblies, are approximately the same size.

Wet wipes stacked as described above have superior dispensing performance compared to wipes stacked according to the prior art. Without being bound by theory, it has been found that the dispensing performance of this reselection is related to two factors, one being the specific interfold configuration between the first and second components of the wipe, and the other being the The specific area of overlap between the individual sheets of the towel.

By using the staggered configuration described above, removal of the uppermost wipe (eg, wipe x of the first assembly) from the staggered stack will cause the leading edge pieces of adjacent wipes x of the second assembly to be agitated from the stack. This facilitates the user's identification of the position of the leading edge of adjacent wipes. Furthermore, it has been found that the leading edge sheet of an adjacent wipe (i.e., wipe x of the second assembly of wipes) and the central sheet or trailing edge of the uppermost wipe (i.e., wipe x of the first assembly of wipes) The overlapping area between the sheets ensures that the base material of the second component wipe x is lifted by the required amount of length and separated from the stack. In the overlapping area between the central panel of the adjacent wipe (wipe x of the second assembly) and the trailing edge panel or the central panel of the uppermost wipe (ie wipe x of the first assembly of wipes) then see It doesn't seem very important. Therefore, the location of the first and second panel creases and the relative lengths of the leading and trailing edge panels to the central panel are of particular importance. However, the improved fractionation effect obtained by the present invention may also involve other effects or interactions in addition to the above-given hypothesis, or not because of the above-mentioned hypothesis, but due to other effects or interactions, so it should not be dealt with. This is too dependent.

In addition to improving dispensing, the staggered configuration of the present invention, particularly in the embodiment shown in Figure 4a, also ensures that the majority of the matrix material of each wipe in the stack lies in the horizontal plane. This reduces the tendency to create ridges or grooves of the base material in the stack. Furthermore, this stack configuration reduces the tendency of the liquid mixture to be unevenly distributed throughout the stack.

Further details of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to Examples 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d.

Figure 4a shows the most preferred stack configuration of the present invention. This configuration includes a first assembly of wipes 40 folded in a zigzag configuration interleaved with a second assembly of wipes folded in an inverse zigzag configuration. Thus, 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 51x (52x) of each wipe of the second assembly 50, so that substantially the second assembly All of one surface of the leading edge panel 51x (51y) of each wipe of the first assembly 40 is in contact with a portion of the central panel 42x (42y) of each wipe of the first assembly 40. In this embodiment, neither the leading edge panel 41yx (41y) nor the trailing edge panel 43x (43y) of each said first wipe assembly 40 exceeds 50% of the length of said corresponding central panel 42x (42y) , and both are approximately equal in length. Correspondingly, the leading edge piece 51x (51y) and the trailing edge piece 53x (53y) of each of the wipes of the second assembly 50 are not greater than 50% of the length of the corresponding central piece 52x (52y) , and both are approximately equal in length. And, the leading edge sheet 41x (41y) of each wipe of first assembly 40, the length of trailing edge sheet 43x (43y) and central sheet 42x (42y) and the corresponding length of each wipe of second assembly 50. The lengths of the leading edge piece 51x (51y), the trailing edge piece 53x (53y) and the central piece 52x (52y) are approximately equal to each other. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4a, the leading edge of each wipe of the first assembly and the leading edge of each wipe of the second assembly are approximately four quarters of the total length of each wipe. one-third.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4b is identical to the embodiment shown in Figure 4a with respect to the length of the individual pieces. However, in this embodiment, the wipes of the first and second assemblies are folded in such a way that, prior to interleaving, the leading and trailing edge panels of the wipes are in contact with the lower surface of the central panel of the corresponding wipes. adjacent. Thus, after interfolding according to the present invention, 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 wipe of the second assembly 50 , and the trailing edge piece 53x (53y) of each wipe of the second assembly is in contact with the leading edge piece 41y of each wipe of the first assembly 40. Similarly, a portion of the trailing edge panel 53x of each wipe of the second assembly is in contact with a portion of the leading edge panel 41y of each wipe of the first assembly, and the central panel of each wipe of the second assembly A portion of 52x is in contact with a portion of the central panel 42y of each wipe of the first assembly.

The embodiment according to Figures 4c and 4d shows a stacked configuration in which the wipes of the first assembly 40 are folded in a zigzag configuration and interleaved with the second assembly 50 folded in the reverse zigzag configuration. However, in these embodiments, the leading and trailing edge panels of the wipes of each assembly are not equal in length. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4c, the lengths of the trailing edge panels of the wipes of the first and second assemblies are both greater than 50% of the length of the central sheet, and substantially approximately each of the wipes of the first and second assemblies. 60% of the length of the central piece of the towel. As a result, the length of the leading edge panel of each of the wipes of the first and second assemblies is less than 50%, in fact about 30%, of the length of the central panel. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4d, the length of the leading edge panel of each of the wipes of the first and second assemblies is greater than 50% of the length of the central panel and approximately 60% of the central piece length. As a result, the length of the trailing edge panels of each wipe is less than 50%, about 30%, of the length of the central panel.

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 4a, the second fold 44x of each wipe of the first assembly should not be adjacent to each of the second assembly of wipes. The first crease of the wipe 54x is in direct contact. Similarly, the second fold 55x of each wipe of the second assembly should not be in contact with the first fold 44y of an adjacent wipe belonging to the first assembly. Preferably there is a distance of at least 1 mm between the crease lines, more preferably a distance of between 1 mm and 5 mm, most preferably a distance of between 1 mm and 3 mm. The reason for this is that it is believed that contact between two adjacent folds of two adjacent wipes (wipe x of the second assembly and wipe x of the first assembly) will prevent the uppermost wipe from Adjacent wipes separate and cause too much matrix material on adjacent wipes to separate from the stack.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, it is also preferred to form a leading edge or tab with a visual or tactile indication. This at least helps to further assist the user in locating the position of the leading edge itself. The visual indication can be achieved by printing a light colored strip or band on the surface of the leading edge sheet in the vicinity of the edge itself.

A particularly preferred method for providing an edge indication is to use a non-linear edge such as a repeating sinusoidal waveform or a repeating sawtooth pattern. This non-linear pattern may extend in continuous or discontinuous fashion along part of the length of the edge, or more preferably along substantially the entire length of the edge of the wipe. Such edges provide not only visual indications but also tactile indications. This structure further promotes the ease of dispensing.

According to the invention, the base material is usually impregnated or coated with the liquid mixture. An advantage of the present invention is that the stacked configuration allows various mixtures to be used in the wipes without significantly affecting the dispensing characteristics. This is useful not only to allow the properties of the mixture to be varied, but also to allow the application of the mixture to be varied throughout the stack to counteract deposition of the liquid mixture at the bottom of the stack. According to the invention, the term liquid mixture refers to any mixture which is in a liquid state when the wipe is in contact with a surface. Generally, the mixture can be an aqueous solution, an alcohol solution or an emulsion, and the emulsion can be a water-in-oil emulsion, or an oil-in-water emulsion or a multi-component emulsion, preferably an oil-containing aqueous phase emulsion. The emulsion may also include a lipid phase which breaks down when a little pressure is applied, for example by rubbing the skin. Typically, the mixture comprises from 2% to 50% by weight of said active ingredient, and from 50% to 98% of water, preferably deionized or distilled. And in the active ingredient, preferably 2% to 20% are in the oil phase, while the rest are in the water phase.

According to the invention, the wet wipes have an emulsion mixture comprising from 1% to 20%, preferably from 2% to 10%, by weight of the oily phase. More preferably, the oleaginous phase is extracted from natural sources such as vegetable oil or animal oil or a composite, mixture of both. Suitable vegetable oils and animal oils for use herein include oils such as beeswax, lanolin, wax wood, such as glycerides and glyceryl ethers, fatty acid alcohols, fatty acid esters, and fatty acid ethers such as caprylic and capric triglycerides and caprylic palmitate . Suitable mineral oils include petroleum based oils such as paraffin and petroleum jelly. Synthetic oils as used herein include vinyl polymers such as polyethylene waxes or silicone based oils. Suitable silicone oils include dimethicones, volatile cyclomethicones, dimethiconols, siloxysilicates and amino and phenyl siloxane derivatives , or a mixture of the above substances. 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 Methylsiloxane (Dow Corning 445 Fluid), or a mixture of the above.

Oil-in-water emulsions usually require an emulsifier. Emulsifiers which may be employed in the present invention are preferably capable of primary emulsification of oil-in-water emulsions. The emulsifier presently comprises from 0.02% to 5.0% by weight, preferably from 0.02% to 3.0% by weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier is a polymeric type of emulsifier, such as C10-C30 alkyl acrylate and one or more acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or the above-mentioned acids cross-linked with saccharyl ether or pentaerythritol propyl ether A copolymer of a single lipid in an acid. Emulsifiers thus useful in the present invention include Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20 or Pemulen TR1 and TR2, which are commercially available from B.F. Goodrich Company, USA. However, other known emulsifiers such as ethoxylated fatty alcohols, glycerides of fatty acids, soaps, sugar derivatizing agents can also be used here. Other emulsifiers which may be used include those disclosed in EP-A-328355.

According to the invention, the mixture may also comprise stabilizers and preservatives. Stabilizers suitable for use herein include phenoxyethanol (preferably 0.1 to 1.0%), potassium benzoate, sodium sorbate, dimethylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, hydroxybenzoate Butyl benzoate, phenyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (hereinafter referred to as EDTA), or other EDTA salts (sequestrenes). Sequestrene is a complexing agent and metal complex of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium acid and salts. The total amount of stabilizers should range from 0.1% to 4.0% by weight of the mixture.

The mixtures of the present invention also include emollients and humectants in an amount of from 0.02% to 5.0% by weight of the mixture. Preferably, the emollient is water soluble and includes polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, glycerin and water soluble lanolin derivatives.

Other optional ingredients that may be used in the present invention include antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, skin care ingredients, oil soluble cleansers, water soluble actives or purifiers (preferably nonionic or amphoteric), pH adjusters, Spices, flavors, etc.

When producing wet wipes according to the invention, the mixture is applied to at least one surface of a matrix material. The mixture can be applied at any point during the manufacture of the wet wipe. Preferably, the mixture can be applied to the substrate after the substrate has dried. Various methods of applying the lubricating material having a molten or liquid consistency can be evenly distributed. Suitable methods include, spraying, printing, (e.g. flexographic printing), coating (e.g. gravure coating or flood coating), extrusion (i.e. the mixture is forced through a tube in contact with the substrate while substrate through these tubes), or a combination of these application techniques. For example, the mixture is sprayed onto a rotating surface such as calender rolls, and the mixture is then conveyed to the surface of the substrate. The mixture can be applied to one surface of the substrate or to both surfaces simultaneously, preferably both surfaces. The preferred method is extrusion coating.

The mixture can also be applied unevenly to the surface of the substrate. Inhomogeneous application means, for example, that the pattern of the mixture distribution and the mixture quality vary over the surface of the substrate. For example, the surface of the substrate may have more or less mixture, or even no mixture at all on parts of the surface. The mixture is generally applied in an amount of 0.5 g to 10 g per gram of substrate, preferably 1 g to 5 g per gram of substrate, most preferably 2 g to 4 g per gram of substrate.

Preferably, the mixture can be applied to the substrate at any point after the substrate has dried. For example, the mixture may be applied to the substrate at a time such as before or after calendering, or before being wound onto master rolls. Typically, the mixture is applied on a substrate unrolled from a roll, the substrate having a width equal to the width of the plurality of wipes to be manufactured. The substrate to which the mixture is applied is then used to make individual wipes.

Claims (13)

1. stacking configuration that is used for wet wipes, described configuration comprises wiping cloth first assembly and wiping cloth second assembly,

Each described wiping cloth comprises matrix and liquid mixture, and each described wiping cloth extends to second at length direction from the first leading end edge and pulls end margin, and each described wiping cloth has two folding lines, forms the leading edge embolium thus, central plate and pull edge piece;

It is characterized in that described wiping cloth first assembly and described wiping cloth second assembly are staggeredly placed, make

At least a portion of the described central plate of each wiping cloth of described wiping cloth first assembly and described at least a portion that pulls edge piece are staggeredly placed between at least a portion of at least a portion of the described leading edge embolium of a wiping cloth of described wiping cloth second assembly and described central plate

At least a portion of the described central plate of each wiping cloth of described wiping cloth second assembly and described at least a portion that pulls edge piece are staggeredly placed between at least a portion of at least a portion of the described leading edge embolium of a wiping cloth of described wiping cloth first assembly and described central plate

The length of the described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth first assembly or the described length that pulls edge piece are not more than 50% of corresponding central plate length,

The length of the described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth second assembly or the described length that pulls edge piece are not more than 50% of corresponding central plate length.

2. stacking configuration according to claim 1, the length and the described length that pulls edge piece that it is characterized in that the described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth first assembly all are not more than 50% of corresponding central plate length, and the length of the described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth second assembly and the described length that pulls edge piece all are not more than 50% of corresponding central plate length.

3. according to claim 1 or 2 described stacking configurations, it is characterized in that the described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth first assembly and the described length that pulls edge piece about equally, the described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth second assembly and the described length that pulls edge piece are about equally.

4. stacking configuration according to claim 3, it is characterized in that the length of described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth first assembly and each described wiping cloth second assembly described leading edge embolium length about equally.

5. stacking configuration according to claim 4, the length ratio that it is characterized in that the described leading edge embolium and the central plate of each wiping cloth and pull edge piece is 1: 2: 1 to 1: 5: 1.

6. stacking configuration according to claim 4 is characterized in that the length of the described leading edge embolium of each described wiping cloth first assembly and described wiping cloth second assembly is about 1/4th of each described wiping cloth total length.

7. stacking configuration according to claim 6 it is characterized in that each wiping cloth of described first assembly is folded into Z word folding configuration, and each wiping cloth of described second assembly is folded into anti-Z word folding configuration.

8. stacking configuration according to claim 1 and 2, it is characterized in that each wiping cloth of described wiping cloth first assembly and each wiping cloth of described wiping cloth second assembly have first folding line and second folding line, wherein the distance between second folding line of a wiping cloth of first folding line of each wiping cloth of first assembly and second assembly is between the 1mm to 5mm;

Wherein the distance between first folding line of a wiping cloth of second folding line of each wiping cloth of first assembly and second assembly is between the 1mm to 5mm

9. stacking configuration according to claim 1 is characterized in that described wiping cloth is placed in the container, and described container has branch and takes away the hole.

10. stacking configuration according to claim 1 is characterized in that described matrix is a non-woven material.

11. stacking configuration according to claim 1 is characterized in that described matrix comprises from the polyethylene terephthalate, the hydrophobic fibre of selecting in polypropylene or its mixture.

12. stacking configuration according to claim 1 is characterized in that described matrix comprises from cotton, viscose rayon, flax, the perhaps hydrophilic fibre of selecting in its mixture.

13. stacking configuration according to claim 1 is characterized in that described liquid mixture is an oil-in-water emulsion, the described dried base of every gram is applied with the described emulsion of 0.5g to 10g on the described wet wipes.

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