JP2003038383A - Folded and accumulated structure for plural wet wipe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the stack of wet wipes having an improved folded and interposed structure. SOLUTION: A reading edge panel 51x and central panel 52x of the wipe of a second wipe manifold 50 are interposed between a training edge panel 43x and central panel 42x of the wipe of a first wipe manifold 40. A central panel 42y and reading edge panel 41y of the wipe of the first wipe manifold 40 are interposed between a training edge panel 53x and central panel 52x of the wipe of the second wipe manifold 50. The length of the reading edge panels 41x and 51x of the wipe and the length of the training edge panels 43x and 53x of the wipe are set so as to be not more than 50% of the length of the corresponding central panels 42x and 52x.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stack of wet wipes provided with an improved folding and pinching structure so that a customer can immediately separate each wipe from the wet wipe stack.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wet wipes are typically pre-moistened disposable Taolettes used in a variety of applications, both home and industrial, to perform a variety of functions. Wet wipes are typically used to wipe both living and inanimate surfaces and will provide numerous benefits, such as cleaning, cleansing, disinfecting, and skin care benefits.

One application is the use of wet wipes to wipe parts of the human body, especially when no wash water is available, eg when traveling. Wipes are generally used for intimate hygiene wipes, such as, for example, female wet wipes, for human cleansing and wiping, such as anal, perineal cleansing and genital cleansing and face and hand cleansing. used. Wet wipes may be used for the application of substances to the body, including the removal and application of cosmetics, skin conditioners, and pharmaceuticals. Another application of wet wipes is in the treatment of adult and infant dermatitis during replacement of diapers and in part due to the use of diaper and incontinence devices. In addition, wet wipes wipe and / or clean other surfaces, such as kitchen and bathroom surfaces, eyeglasses, shoes, and other surfaces that require industrial cleaning, such as the surfaces of machines and automobiles. Can be applied. Wet wipes also include articles used for cleaning or grooming pets.

Wet wipes are generally composed of a combination of synthetic and natural fibers such as polyolefin fibers, viscose fibers, and cotton fibers, which generally include, among others, surfactants, preservatives, oils, and It is moistened with an aqueous composition containing an aroma. After that, the wet wipe
It is typically provided in a folded and stacked structure in a covered container such as a trough with a lid.
Alternatively, the wipe may be provided in a trough container having a spout. In both cases, this allows easy transport and storage of the wipe.

[0005]

However, a problem with the current stacking of folded wet wipes is the lack of easy dispensing of a single wipe from the stack. This problem is especially acute in situations of use, such as when the customer has an infant while changing diapers. Under such circumstances, the customer needs to be able to pick and separate the wipe from the stack with only one hand. This has not been fully achieved with current products.

The problem of lack of adequate dispensability of wet wipes from stacks and containers is due to several reasons. First, wet wipes are typically folded and
One is placed on top of the other, or adjacent wipes are sandwiched. However, the exact location of the leading edge of the top wipe of the current stack is not easily identified, either visually or tactilely. This is because the wipe substrate material is typically homogeneous and the leading edge of the wipe cannot be distinguished from the wipe substrate material on which it is placed, especially when folded. In addition, the leading edge of the wipe has a tendency to adhere to the underlying wipe substrate material upon which it is placed. Therefore, even tactile identification of an edge by moving or dragging a finger across the surface of the wipe does not immediately result in identifying the position of the edge.

Second, once the position of the leading edge is found, the customer holds firmly on and holds sufficient substrate material to separate a single wipe from the stack in which it was placed. Is difficult to do. The customer often can only grasp a small portion of the leading edge such that the firm grip is not established and the wipe slides easily from the customer's finger.

These problems associated with dispensing wet wipes have been recognized in the prior art. For example, US Pat. No. 5,540,332 describes the dispersibility of wet wipes and the method of making these wipes. Improved distributability is achieved by providing at least a portion of one of the wipe terminations with a non-linear repeating pattern, such as a sinusoidal structure. However, the problem of dispensing a single wet wipe has not been described, nor has it been overcome by the use of non-linear leading edges.

Another solution to the dispensing problem is described in US Pat. No. 4,778,048, which for improved access, dispensing, and equal liquid distribution,
Disclosed is a product comprising a stack of wet wipes tilted over an edge within a container. In a preferred embodiment, each wipe edge has a Gurley stiffness greater than that of the wipe body. However, hard edge preparation is itself an undesirable feature of wet wipes. Wet wipes, especially wet wipes intended to be used on sensitive areas of the skin, such as baby wipes, require some softness. The edges of the cured wipe are, in fact, no longer suitable for use, as recognized in this patent itself,
Therefore, the wipe will have a reduced substrate surface suitable for use. Care must also be taken to reduce or avoid skin contact at this edge, as it may cause irritation. Moreover, edge stiffness does not solve the problem of single wipe distribution.
In addition, the provision of such non-linear edges to non-woven substrates using current manufacturing techniques results in very undesirable edge fraying.

Alternatively, it has also been proposed to provide a specially designed dispensing container with a dispensing orifice to assist the customer in identifying the leading edge.
These containers are designed such that during the removal operation of the top wipe from the container, when the top wipe is removed, the adjacent wipes are lifted from the stack and partially protrude from the orifice. . In this way, the top wipe is positioned so that it is easily gripped by the customer. However, the disadvantage of such an approach is that the overlying base material of adjacent wipes is exposed from the orifice. Therefore, the wipes become dry and unusable and must be disposed of. EP74
7313 proposes a means of addressing this problem and discloses multiple folded paper such as wet tissue paper for continuous disposal from the orifice of the container. In this way, at most one quarter of the length of adjacent wipes is exposed from the dispensing orifice. However, such paper tissue products cannot be used in all wet wipe applications, such as baby wipes, because moistened tissue paper is not satisfactory in terms of flexibility or strength. In particular, such moistened tissues tend to shred during use and are therefore not suitable for use as wet wipes.

Another important contributing factor to the problem of dispensing a single wet wipe from a wet wipe stack that is not addressed by any of the above-mentioned prior art is:
It tends to adhere to the wipe substrate material itself. In particular, this is due to the compression of the wipe stack during manufacture and storage, the actual weight of the wipe's own stack, and the presence of an attractive force intermediate between the substrate material and the lotion of the wipe. As a result, when the wipes are folded back to form a stack, the substrate material tends to adhere to itself and to the substrate material of adjacent wipes. Therefore, once the customer lifts the wipe from the stack, the wipe tends to retain its folded structure. Moreover, the wipe typically remains at least partially adhered to the adjacent wipe on which it is placed. Therefore, in addition to the wipe removal operation from the stack, adjacent wipes are at least partially separated from the stack. As a result, the customer is not only required to deploy the wipe before initiating the desired application of the wipe, but also separates it from adjacent wipes in the stack,
It is required to return this wipe to the stack in the container. This is obviously particularly inconvenient for customers who use baby wipes when changing diapers.

The problem of adhesion of wipe substrates has been recognized in the prior art. Attempts to solve this problem have typically been in the preparation of interleaved wipes, for the example described in JP08089439. In fact, pinching is described in US Pat. No. 2,772,021 and US Pat. No. 333.
It is known in the prior art for dry tissue products as disclosed in 0553. However, it is known that the fold structure commonly used in dry tissue products cannot be reapplied to wet wipes because of the complex interactions that exist between the substrate material and the lotion in wet wipe products.

Further, many of the proposed sandwich structures have problems associated therewith. Especially when the degree of overlap of the substrate material between adjacent wipes as a result of pinching is large, the problem of substrate adhesion is always only exacerbated so that the wipes are completely separated in pairs. Even if the wipes were dispensed one by one, after removing the upper wipe, a significant portion of the adjacent wipes would remain exposed from the dispensing orifice and the wipes would dry. On the other hand, if the overlap between adjacent wipes is minimized so that the distribution of a single wipe is minimized, the adjacent wipes will not discernably separate from the stack, leading to the problem of leading edge identification. Appears again.

In addition to poor wipe distribution, other problems with prior art pinching structures will also occur. For example, as a result of the sandwich structure, the substrate material is non-uniformly disposed in the container, which causes some undesired effects such as non-uniform lotion distribution throughout the stack of wipes and within the individual wipes themselves. It may lead to an effect and result in the concentration of lotion in specific areas within the stack. Moreover, many of the sandwiched structures result in the formation of ridges and grooves in the substrate material, both of which tend to be aesthetically undesirable as well as reduce strength and flexibility.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a wet wipe substrate suitable for many applications such as strong, flexible, absorbent baby wipes. further,
It would be desirable to provide a stacking structure for such wet wipes that facilitates easy dispensing of a single wipe from the wipe stack.

The present invention addresses these problems by providing a stack of wet wipes having an improved folding and pinching structure.

[0017]

The present invention, therefore, comprises
The present invention relates to a wet wipe for wiping a part of a human body as well as other surfaces such as a baby wipe. In particular, the present invention relates to a wet wipe stacking structure that facilitates ease of dispensing and separating a single wipe from a stack of wet wipes, especially for applications using containers and dispensing orifices.

Therefore, the wet wipe stacking structure of the present invention comprises a first wipe assembly and a second wipe assembly, each wipe of the first wipe assembly and the second wipe assembly. The wipes are alternately arranged, continuously combined, and vertically stacked. Each of the plurality of wipes comprises a substrate and a liquid composition, each of the plurality of wipes having at least two folds thereby providing a leading edge panel, a center panel and a trailing edge panel, The center panel has an upper side and a lower side, the leading edge panel is adjacent to and lies on a portion of the upper side of the center panel, and the trailing edge panel is the lower side of the center panel. Lying underneath adjacent to part of the side. At least a portion of the leading edge panel and at least a portion of the central panel of each wipe of the second wipe assembly include at least one of the trailing edge panels of each wipe of the first wipe assembly. And a part of the central panel. At least a portion of the central panel and at least a portion of the leading edge panel of each wipe of the first wipe assembly is at least one of the trailing edge panels of each wipe of the second wipe assembly. And a part of the central panel. Each wipe of the first wipe assembly has a first panel fold and a second panel fold, and each wipe of the second wipe assembly is a first wipe.
A panel fold and a second panel fold, wherein the second panel fold of each wipe of the first wipe assembly is directly with the first panel fold of each wipe of the second wipe assembly. Out of contact, the second panel fold of each wipe of the second wipe assembly is not in direct contact with the first panel fold of each wipe of the first wipe assembly.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a wet wipe comprises a substrate coated or impregnated with a liquid composition. The substrate may be a woven or non-woven foam, sponge, ball, puff, or film, most preferably non-woven, and may be composed of natural or synthetic fibers or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fiber blend is a hydrophilic fiber material such as viscose, cotton, or flax and polyethylene terephthalate (PE).
T) or a hydrophobic fiber material such as polypropylene (PP) in a ratio of 20% to 80% by weight of hydrophilic and 80% to 20% by weight of hydrophobic material. Two particularly preferred formulations are 50% viscose / 50% P.
P and 50% viscose / 50% PET. Substrate preferably, and at least 20 gm ^-2 and preferably has a basis weight of less than 150 gm ^-2, more preferably the basis weight is in the range of 20 gm ^-2 to 70gm ^-2, most preferably 50gm ^-2 To 65 gm ^-2
Within the range of. The substrate may have any caliper. Typically, when the substrate is made by a hydroentangling process, the average thickness of the substrate is less than 0.8 mm. More preferably, the average thickness of the substrate is 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm. Substrate thickness is measured by standard EDANA nonwoven industrial methodology, reference method # 30.4-89. The bulk density of the substrate is preferably 1.0 g / cm ³ or less, preferably 0.9 g / cm ³ or less, and most preferably 0.7 g / cm ³ or less.

In addition to the fibers used to make the substrate, the substrate can have other components or materials added to it, as is known in the art. The type of additive desired will depend on the end use of the substrate being considered. For example, damp toilet paper,
High wet strength is a desirable attribute in wet wipe products such as paper towels, decorative paper, baby wipes, and other similar air laid products. Therefore, especially for cellulosic substrates, it is often desirable to add chemicals known in the art, such as wet strength resins.

A general paper on the types of wet strength resins used in paper technology is TAPPI Monograph Series No. 29, Wet Strength in Paper and Pa.
perboard, Technical Association of Pulp and Paper I
ndustry (New York, 1965). In addition to the wet strength resin, it is also desirable to include certain dry strength and lint control additives known in the art such as starch binders. In addition, the substrate may contain agents that improve the optical properties of the substrate material, such as opacifiers such as titanium dioxide.

According to the present invention, the substrate may be manufactured by any method known in the art. For example, the non-woven substrate may be formed by dry molding techniques such as vapor deposition or wet deposition such as is done on a paper machine. Other non-woven manufacturing techniques such as meltblowing, spunbonding, needlepunching, and spunlacing may also be used. The preferred method is hydroentangling.

In accordance with the present invention, a wet wipe stacking structure is provided which provides improved ease of dispensing and separating a single wipe from a wet wipe stack and ease of positioning the leading edge of each subsequent wipe. Resulting in easy identification and easy gripping.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a wet wipe 1 folded in a single layer.
FIG. FIG. 2 shows a folded and sandwiched wipe 23 according to the invention housed in a container 20.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a stack of FIG. The container 20 includes a tub 21, a lid 22 rotatably joined to the tub by, for example, a hinge mechanism, and a distribution orifice 24. In an alternative embodiment, the wipes are stacked and then packaged in a moisture impermeable wrapper, such as a foil or laminated polymeric film wrapper, to provide a refillable package used to refill the container. obtain.

According to the invention, the stacking structure comprises first and second wipe assemblies interleaved with each other.
1-3b, 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 web also has side edges 4 and 5 extending longitudinally 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. As used herein, the panel is the portion of the wipe that extends between two folds or between the fold and the 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 line 6 is longitudinally spaced from the leading edge 2 and the first panel fold line 6 is
And a leading edge panel 9 extending between the leading edge 2 and the leading edge 2. The second panel fold 7 is
In general, they are parallel to the first panel folds 6 and are longitudinally spaced apart so that they are joined to the leading edge panel 9 at the first panel folds 6 and the first panel folds 6 and the second panel folds 7 There is provided a central panel 8 extending between 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 present invention, the wipe is folded over at the first and second panel folds 6 and 7 to provide a leading edge panel, a center panel, and a trailing edge panel 9, 8 and 10. The wipe can be folded into several structures prior to pinching. This is clearly demonstrated for each surface of each panel, as suggested in Figure 3a.

In FIG. 3a, each wipe has a first upper leading edge panel 30, a second lower leading edge panel 31, a first upper trailing edge panel 32, a second lower trailing edge panel 33, It has a first top center panel 34 and a second bottom center panel 35. The leading edge panel and the trailing edge panel may be provided such that the panel leans on the upper surface of the central panel or on the lower surface of the central panel by the first panel fold and the second panel fold, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3a, the leading edge panel 9 is the central panel 8
Adjacent to and lying on a portion of the upper side of
The trailing edge panel is adjacent to and underlies the underside of the central panel 8 and thereby provides a so-called inverted Z-folded wipe. Alternatively, the wipe may be folded to provide a Z-folded structure. Further alternatively, both the leading edge panel and the trailing edge panel of each wipe may be folded such that they are adjacent to and overlie a portion of the top surface of the central panel. Preferably, the wipes of the first and second assemblies are folded to provide a mirror image of each other-eg, the wipes of the first assembly are folded in a Z shape and the wipes of the second assembly are folded. Are folded into an inverted Z shape.

Further, in addition to the leading edge panel, center panel, and trailing edge panel described herein above, each wipe may have additional panels. In particular, the leading edge panel and / or the trailing edge panel may be provided with additional folds to provide a leading edge panel lip or trailing edge panel lip as shown in Figure 3b. Such lips provide leading edge or trailing edge panels with panel lip folds adjacent to and spaced from the leading or trailing edge of the folded substrate, with panel folds and end edges. Formed by providing a lip extending between. The panel lip fold may be folded over the underside of the leading edge panel such that the leading end edge is below the leading edge panel. This structure is particularly advantageous for facilitating edge gripping. Alternatively, the leading edge panel may be folded such that the leading end edge leans against the top surface of the leading edge panel. Also, the lip may be located on the upper or lower surface of the trailing edge panel.
The lip is typically 4 cm to 0.1 cm, preferably 2 cm to 0.25 cm from the leading or trailing edge to the leading edge panel lip fold or trailing edge panel lip fold.
cm extended.

According to the invention, the overall dimensions of the substrate material and its panel depend on the intended application of the wipe,
It can be selected accordingly. Preferably, the length ratio of leading edge panel to center panel to trailing edge panel is from 1: 2: 1 to 1: 5: 1, most preferably the ratio is 1: 3: 1. More preferably, the ratio of the panel lengths of the wipes of the first and second wipe assemblies is the same, and most preferably the leading and trailing edge panels are both about one quarter of the total length of the wipes. . In a non-limiting illustrative example in which the wipe may be used as a baby wipe, each folded wipe 1 has a length measured from the leading end edge 2 to the trailing end edge 3 in the longitudinal direction: It may have an unfolded length of 10 cm to 30 cm. For each folded wipe 1, the gap between the first panel fold 6 and the second panel fold 7 can be between 2 cm and 7 cm,
On the other hand, the length of the leading edge panel 9 and the trailing edge panel 10 may be 2 cm to 7 cm. In a preferred embodiment, the gap between the first panel crease 6 and the leading end edge 2 is more preferably 3 cm to 6 cm, even more preferably about 3 cm.
The gap between the first panel fold 6 and the second panel fold 7, which is between 5 cm and 5 cm, is more preferably between 3 cm and 12 cm, even more preferably between about 10 cm and 12 cm.
cm. The gap between the second panel fold 7 and the trailing end edge is more preferably 3 cm to 6 c.
m, and more preferably about 3 cm to 5 cm.

According to the invention, and also in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c
And 4d (FIGS. 4c and 4d are reference examples), the essential features of the stacking structure are:
That is, each of the folded wipe assembly 40 of FIG. 2 is sandwiched by each of the second folded wipe assembly 50.

For example, the wipe x of the second wipe assembly is folded in a Z shape and is sandwiched between the wipes x folded in the inverted Z shape of the first wipe assembly. Similarly, the wipe y of the first wipe set is sandwiched between the wipes x of the second wipe set, and the wipe y of the first wipe set y
Are sandwiched by the wipes y of the second wipe assembly. In this method, starting with a wipe x of a second assembly, at least a portion of the central panel 52x and at least a portion of the leading edge panel 51x of each of the second wipe assembly 50 are Each trailing edge panel 43 of each wipe assembly 40 of
The wipes x of the first wipe assembly are sandwiched between at least a portion of x and at least a portion of the central panel 42x. Similarly, at least a portion of the central panel 42y and at least a portion of the leading edge panel 41y of each of the first wipe assemblies 40,
Each second wipe assembly 50 is sandwiched between at least a portion of the trailing edge panel 53x and at least a portion of the central panel 52x.

According to the invention, another essential feature of the stacking structure relates to the relative length of the wipe panels of each of the first and second assemblies. Therefore,
The length of the leading edge panel or trailing edge panel of each wipe, eg, wipe x of the first wipe assembly, is 5 times the length of the corresponding center panel.
It is 0% or less. Similarly, the length of the leading edge or trailing edge panel of each wipe of the second wipe assembly is less than or equal to 50% of the length of the corresponding center panel. Therefore, if the sum of the length of the leading edge panel of any wipe and the length of the trailing edge panel is less than or equal to the length of the corresponding central panel of wipes, the leading edge of each of the first and second wipe assemblies is And the trailing edge panel can be of any length. However, preferably the length of all wipe panels of each assembly is
More preferably the corresponding panels in both the first and second assemblage are of substantially the same size.

Wet wipes stacked as described hereinabove provide better dispensability than prior art stacked wipes. Without wishing to be bound by theory, improved distribution is a combination of a particular sandwiched fold structure between the first and second wipe assemblies and a particular area of overlap between the wipe panels. It has been found to be related to alignment.

By using the interleaved structure described above, removal of the top wipe from the interleaved stack, eg, wipe x of the first aggregate, is accomplished by the leading edge of adjacent wipe x of the second aggregate. It will cause agitation from the stack of panels and center panel. This is especially because the wavy leading edges of adjacent wipes tend to remain located on the central panel, thereby providing a thicker portion for the customer to grip, thus leading edges of adjacent wipes. Helps customers identify their location. further,
The overlapping area between the leading edge panel of an adjacent wipe (ie, the wipe x of the second wipe set) and the center panel or trailing edge panel of the top wipe (ie, the wipe x of the first wipe set) is , To ensure that the required length of substrate material of the second assembly wipe x is lifted and separated from the stack. The overlap area between the center panel of an adjacent wipe (x of the second assembly) and the trailing edge panel or center panel of the top wipe (x of the first assembly) appears to be less important. Seems to be. Therefore, the first
And the location of the second panel fold and the relative lengths of the leading and trailing edge panels with respect to the center panel are critically important. However, the improved distributiveness provided by the present invention may be accompanied by other effects and interactions in addition to or instead of the given hypothesis and should therefore not be relied upon.

Further, in addition to improved distributability, the sandwich structure of the present invention, and in particular the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4a, ensures that the majority of the substrate material for each wipe in the stack lies in a horizontal plane. Assure. This reduces the tendency of the stack to create ridges and grooves in the substrate material. Moreover, the sandwich structure also reduces the tendency of the liquid composition to become unevenly distributed across the stack.

In the following, further details of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.
4b, 4c and 4d will be described with reference to the respective aspects in order.

FIG. 4a depicts the most preferred stacking structure of the present invention. The structure comprises a first collection 40 of wipes folded into an inverted Z-shaped structure, which comprises Z
It is sandwiched by a second group of wipes folded into a shape-folded structure. This causes a portion of the central panel 42x (42y) of each wipe of the first assembly 40 to substantially cover one surface of the leading edge panel 51x (51y) of each wipe of the second assembly 50. All are in contact with a portion of the leading edge panel 51x (51y) of each wipe of the second assembly 50 such that they are all in contact with a portion of the central panel 42x (42y) of the first assembly 40. . In this aspect, each leading edge panel 4 of the first wipe assembly 40.
1x (41y) and trailing edge panel 43x
(43y) are both corresponding central panels 42x
It is 50% or less of the length of (42y) and the lengths are substantially equal. Similarly, the second collection 50 of the wipes.
Each leading edge panel 51x (51
y) and trailing edge panel 53x (53y)
Are less than or equal to 50% of the length of their corresponding central panels 52x (52y) and are substantially equal in length. Further, the leading edge panel 41x (41y), trailing edge panel 43x (43y), and center panel 42x (4) of each wipe of the first assembly 40.
2y) has a length corresponding to the corresponding leading edge panel 51x (51y), trailing edge panel 53x (53y), and center panel 52 of the second wipe assembly 50.
The length is substantially equal to the length of x (52y). In particular, in the present embodiment depicted in FIG. 4a, the leading edge of each of the first wipe assembly and each of the second wipe assembly is approximately one-quarter of the total length of each of the wipes. .

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4b is similar to that of FIG. 4a with respect to the length of each panel. However, in this aspect, the wipes of both the first and second assemblage are such that the leading edge panel and the trailing edge panel of the wipes are adjacent to the upper surface of the central panel of the corresponding wipes prior to sandwiching. Can be folded. Therefore, after folding in accordance with the present invention, a portion of the central panel 42x (42y) of each wipe of the first assembly 40 is separated from the central panel 52x (52y) of each wipe of the second assembly 50. A portion of the trailing edge panel 53x (53y) of the wipe of the second set is in contact with a portion thereof and a leading edge panel 41y of the wipe of the first set 40 is in contact therewith. Similarly, a portion of the trailing edge panel 53x of each wipe of the second aggregate contacts a portion of the leading edge panel 41y of each wipe of the first aggregate, and each of the second aggregates respectively. Wipe central panel 52
A portion of x is in contact with a portion of central panel 42y of each wipe of the first set of wipes.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 4c and 4d relates to a reference example of the present invention, in which the wipes of the first assembly 40 are folded into an inverted Z-shaped structure, and the wipes of the Z-shaped folded one. It shows a stacking structure sandwiched between two aggregates 50. However, in these embodiments, the leading edge panel and trailing edge panel of each wipe of each assembly are not equal in length. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 4c, the leading edge panel length of the wipes of both the first and second assemblage is greater than 50% of the length of the central panel, and in practice It is about 60% of the length of the central panel of each wipe of both of the two assemblies. As a result, the trailing edge panel length of each wipe of both the first and second assemblage is less than 50% of the length of the central panel, about 30%. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 4d, the length of the trailing edge panel of both the first and second assembly wipes is 50% of the length of the central panel.
Is about 60% of the length of the central panel of each wipe of both the first and second assemblies. Similarly, the length of the leading edge panel of each wipe is less than 50% of the length of the central panel, about 30%.
Is.

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to the present invention,
For example, as depicted in FIG. 4a, the second panel fold 45x of each wipe of the first wipe should not directly contact the first panel fold 54x of each adjacent wipe of the second wipe set. Absent. Similarly, the second panel fold 55x of each wipe of the second set is aligned with the first panel fold 44y of the adjacent wipe of the first set.
Should not be in direct contact with. Preferably between the fold lines at least 1 mm, preferably 1 mm to 5 mm,
Most preferably there should be a distance of 1 mm to 3 mm. This is the result of two adjacent wipes (x in the second collection).
And the contact between two adjacent folds in y) of the first assembly impedes the ability of the top wipe to be separated from the adjacent wipe, causing too much substrate material of the adjacent wipe to separate from the stack. It is believed that.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the leading edge or panel is visually and / or
Alternatively, it is also preferable to provide a tactile indicator. Such indicators further aid the customer in locating the leading edge. Visual indicators may be provided, for example, in the form of colored strips or bands printed on the surface of the leading edge panel near the edges.

A particularly preferred means of providing an edge indicator is through the use of non-linear edges such as repeating sinusoids or repeating zigzag patterns. Such non-linear pattern may extend partially or continuously or discontinuously along the length of the edge, more preferably substantially along the entire length of the edge of the wipe. . Such edge measures provide visual and tactile edge position indicator. Such a mechanism further facilitates ease of dispensing the wipe.

According to the invention, the substrate material is typically impregnated or coated with the liquid composition. An advantage of the present invention is that its stacking structure allows a variety of compositions to be used with the substrate material without significantly affecting the distribution mechanism. this is,
Not only is it useful to allow the properties of the composition to be varied, but addition of the composition throughout the stack
It also allows for the composition to vary to prevent settling to the bottom of the stack. According to the invention, the term liquid composition means any composition which is in liquid form when the wipe is in contact with the surface. Typically, the composition may be aqueous, alcoholic, or an emulsion such as a water-in-oil or oil-in-water system or a complex emulsion, preferably the emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion. The emulsion may comprise a liquid phase that can be broken by the application of minimal pressure, such as by wiping the skin. Typically, the composition will contain from 2% to 50% by weight of the active species of said composition.
It contains 0% to 98% by weight of water, which water is preferably deionized or distilled. Of the active ingredient, preferably 2% to 20% is present in the oil phase and the remainder in the aqueous phase.

According to the present invention, a wet wipe is provided with an emulsion composition containing an oil phase in the range of 1% to 20% by weight of the composition, preferably 2% to 10%. Advantageously, the oily phase may be obtained from natural sources, such as from vegetable or animal oils, or synthetic or mixtures thereof. Suitable vegetable and animal oils used herein include waxes such as beeswax, lanolin, candelilla, and glycerin esters and glycerin ethers such as capryl and caprin triglyceride and octyl palmitate, fatty acid alcohols, fatty acid esters, and fatty acid ethers. Including with oil. Suitable mineral oils include mineral oil-based oils such as paraffin and petroleum jelly. The synthetic oil used here is, for example,
Includes ethylene-based polymers such as polyethylene wax and silicone-based oils. A suitable silicone oil is
Polydimethylsiloxane, volatile cyclomethicones (methicones), and dimethiconols
, Siloxysilicates, amino- and phenyl derivatives of siloxanes, and mixtures thereof. Examples are Dimethicone (Dow Corning 200 Fluids), Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone (Dow Corning 1401 Fluid), Cetyl Dimethicone (Dow Corning 2502 Fluid), Dimethicone and Trimethylsiloxysilicate (Dow Cornin).
g 593 Fluid), cyclomethicone (Dow Corning 244,2
45,344, or 345 Fluid), phenyltrimethicone (Dow Corning 556 Fluid), or a combination thereof. Oil-in-water emulsions typically require an emulsifier. The emulsifiers that may be used in the present invention are preferably primarily emulsifiable for primary emulsification of oil-in-water emulsions. The emulsifier is present in the range 0.02% to 5.0% by weight of the composition, preferably 0.02% to 3.0%.

In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier is C10.
~ Polymeric types such as copolymers of C30 alkyl acrylates with one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methylacrylic acid, or their simple esters crosslinked with allyl ethers of saccharose or allyl ethers of pentaerythritol. Is an emulsifier. Emulsifiers useful in the present invention are Ceteareth-12, C
ete areth-20, or Pemulen TR1 and TR2, which are commercially available from BF Goodrich, USA. However, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, glycerin esters of fatty acids, soaps, sugar inducers (sugar
Other known emulsifiers such as derived agents) are also suitable for use herein. Other useful emulsifiers are EP-A-3
28 355 in detail.

According to the invention, the composition may contain stabilizers or preservatives. Suitable stabilizers for use herein are phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, ethyl paraben, butyl paraben, preferably present in the range 0.1 to 1.0%. , Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, benzalkonium chloride, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (hereinafter EDTA
Disodium salt or other EDTA salt (Sequ
estrene) is included. Sequestrene is a complexing agent and metal complex, typically of the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and salt series. The total amount of stabilizer is from 0.1% to 4.% by weight of the composition.
It should be in the range of 0% by weight.

The composition of the present invention comprises 0.02 of the above composition.
% To 5.0% by weight of emollients or moisturizers (mo
isturiser) may be further contained. Preferably, the emollient is water soluble and comprises polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, glycerin, and water soluble lanolin derivatives.

Further, optional ingredients which may be used in the present invention include antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, skin protective agents, oily cleansing agents, preferably nonionic or amphoteric water-soluble surfactants or detergents, pH. Modifier, fragrance (perfum
e) and fragrances are included.

In order for the emulsion to provide good cleaning performance for wet wipes, the derived viscosity is less than 500 mPas, preferably 300-10.
Within the range of more than 0 mPas, most preferably 18
It is in the range of 0 to 120 mPas.

In preparing a wet wipe product according to the present invention, the composition is applied to at least one surface of a substrate material. The composition may be applied at any time during the manufacture of wet wipes. Preferably, the composition may be applied to the substrate after the substrate has dried. Any application method that evenly distributes a slimy material having a molten or liquid consistency can be used. Suitable methods include spraying, printing (eg flexographic printing), coating (eg gravure coating or flow coating), extruding the composition through the tube and contacting the substrate while the substrate traverses the tube.
ion) or a combination of these coating techniques. Spraying the composition onto a rotating surface, such as a calendar roll, then transfers the composition to the surface of the substrate. The composition may be applied to one or both surfaces of the substrate, preferably to both surfaces. The preferred application method is extrusion coating.

The composition may be applied unevenly to the surface of the substrate. Inhomogeneous means, for example, that the amount or distribution pattern of the composition can vary across the surface of the substrate.
For example, some of the surface of the substrate may have higher or lower amounts of the composition, including surface portions that do not have any composition. The composition is typically applied in an amount of about 0.5 g to 10 g per gram of substrate, preferably 1.0 g to 5 g per gram of substrate, and most preferably 2 g to 4 g per gram of dried substrate.

Preferably, the composition can be applied to the substrate at any time after it has been dried. For example, the composition may be applied prior to calendering, or after calendering and before being wound onto a parent roll. Typically, application will be performed on a substrate unrolled from a roll having a width equal to the substantial number of wipes intended to be manufactured. Substrates coated with the composition are then sequentially cut to produce individual wipes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wet wipe folded in a Z shape.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stack of wet wipes folded and sandwiched in a dispensing container.

3a is a XX of FIG. 1 showing a folded wipe of a Z-shaped structure having a leading edge panel 9, a central panel 8 and a trailing edge panel 10. FIG.
It is sectional drawing which followed the line.

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

FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the folding and pinching structure of the wet wipe according to the present invention.

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view showing one aspect of a wet wipe folding and pinching structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 4c is a cross-sectional view showing one aspect of a structure for folding and sandwiching a wet wipe according to a reference example of the present invention.

FIG. 4d is a cross-sectional view showing one aspect of a structure for folding and sandwiching a wet wipe according to a reference example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Wet Wipe 6 First Panel Fold 7 Second Panel Fold 8 Center Panel 9 Leading Edge Panel 10 Trailing Edge Panel 20 Container 24 Dispensing Orifice 40 First Wipe Assembly 50 Second Wipe Assembly 41x, 41y First Wipe Assembly wipe leading edge panels 42x, 42y First wipe assembly wipe center panels 43x, 43y First wipe assembly wipe trailing edge panels 51x, 51y Second wipe assembly leading edge panels 52x, 52y Central panel of wipes of second wipe assembly 53x, 53y Trailing edge panel of wipes of second wipe assembly 44y First panel fold of wipes of first wipe assembly 45x Wipe of first wipe assembly 2nd panel fold line 54x 2nd Y First panel fold 55x of wipe assembly, second panel fold of wipe of second wipe assembly

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (71) Applicant 592043805             ONE PROCTER & GANBL             E PLAZA, CINCINNATI,             OHIO, UNITED STATES             OF AMERICA (72) Inventor Hill, Simon David Julian             Germany, Day-65189 Bees             Baden Albinenstrasse 13 F-term (reference) 3E014 LA06 LA07 LA08 LA09

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A stacked structure of a plurality of wet wipes housed in a container having a dispensing orifice, said structure comprising a first wipe assembly and a second wipe assembly, said first wipe assembly comprising: Of the wipe assembly and the wipes of the second wipe assembly are alternately arranged and continuously combined and stacked in the up-down direction, and the wipe is upward from the container via the distribution orifice. And each of the plurality of wipes comprises a substrate and a liquid composition, each of the plurality of wipes having at least two folds thereby providing a leading edge panel, a center panel and a trailing edge panel. And at least a portion of the leading edge panel and less than the central panel of each wipe of the second wipe assembly. At least a portion of the wipes of the first wipe assembly is sandwiched between at least a portion of the trailing edge panel and at least a portion of the central panel of each wipe of the first wipe assembly, At least a portion of the central panel and at least a portion of the leading edge panel of each wipe include at least a portion of the trailing edge panel and at least one of the central panel of each wipe of the second wipe assembly. The length of the leading edge panel and the length of the trailing edge panel of each wipe of the first wipe assembly are sandwiched between the length of the corresponding central panel. 50% or less, the length of the leading edge panel of each wipe of the second wipe assembly And the length of the trailing edge panel is 50% or less of the length of the corresponding center panel. 2. The length of the leading edge panel and the length of the trailing edge panel of each wipe of the first wipe assembly are substantially equal, and the length of the trailing edge panel is substantially equal to the length of the second wipe assembly. The stack of wet wipes of claim 1, wherein the length of the leading edge panel and the length of the trailing edge panel of each wipe are substantially equal. 3. The leading edge panel of each wipe of the first wipe assembly is substantially equal in length to the leading edge panel of each wipe of the second wipe assembly. 2. A stack structure of a plurality of wet wipes according to 2. 4. The ratio of the length of the leading edge panel to the length of the center panel to the length of the trailing edge panel in each wipe is between 1: 2: 1 and 1: 2.
Stack structure of a plurality of wet wipes according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a ratio of 5: 1. 5. The leading edge panel of each wipe of the first wipe assembly and each wipe of the second wipe assembly is approximately one quarter of the total length of each of the plurality of wipes. The stack structure of a plurality of wet wipes according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The center panel has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the leading edge panel is adjacent to and overlies a portion of the upper surface of the central panel,
6. The wet wipe stacking structure of claim 1, wherein the trailing edge panel lies adjacent to and underlies a portion of the lower surface of the central panel. 7. The wipes of each of the first wipe assemblies are folded into an inverted Z-shape structure, and the wipes of each of the second wipe assembly are folded into a Z-shape structure. 7. The stack structure of a plurality of wet wipes according to any one of 6 above. 8. The center panel has upper and lower sides, and the leading edge panel and the trailing edge panel lie adjacent and over a portion of the upper side of the central panel. Item 7. A stacked structure of wet wipes according to any one of items 1 to 5. 9. The stack structure of a plurality of wet wipes according to claim 1, wherein the base body is non-woven. 10. The stack structure of a plurality of wet wipes according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a hydrophobic fiber selected from polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, or a mixture thereof. 11. The stack structure of a plurality of wet wipes according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises hydrophilic fibers selected from cotton, viscose, flax, or a mixture thereof. . 12. The liquid composition is an oil-in-water emulsion and the wet wipe comprises 0.5 to 10 g of the emulsion per gram dry weight of the substrate. Stacked structure of multiple wet wipes as described in.