Wiper containing a controlled-release anti-microbial agent

• US 6,916,480 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Clark, James W., Anderson, Ralph L., Radwanski, Fred R.
• Primary Examiner(s): VENKAT, JYOTHSNA A
• Application Number:
  US09/745,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 424/402, 424/404
• US Class Current: 424/404
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/232 layered or coated
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/238 Metals or alloys, e.g. oligodynamic metals
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/049 Cleaning or scouring pads; Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3953 Inorganic bleaching agents C11D3/3951 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/48 Medical, disinfecting agents, disinfecting, antibacterial, germicidal or antimicrobial compositions
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 15/263 of unsaturated carboxylic acids; Salts or esters thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 16/00 Biochemical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. enzymatic
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 23/08 Processes in which the treating agent is applied in powder or granular form adhesives for multi-layer textile fabrics D06M17/00

Abstract

A wiper having a controlled release anti-microbial agent therein for providing anti-microbial cleansing of surfaces is provided. The wiper is formed from an absorbent base web to which an anti-microbial formulation is adhered. The formulation includes an anti-microbial agent that is capable of being controllably released from the wiper. In some embodiments, a polymer mixture may be employed to control the rate of release of the anti-microbial agent. Various anti-microbial agents, such as metal ions and organic compounds may be employed.

Claims

1. A method of forming an anti-microbial wiper capable of providing a liquid anti-microbial solution after multiple rinse cycles, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a controlled release anti-microbial formulation comprising an anti-microbial agent and a polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, styrene butadiene polymers, vinyl chloride polymers, methacrylate polymers, acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof, wherein said polymer is cross-linkable;

adhering said formulation to an absorbent web containing fibers; and

cross-linking said polymer;

wherein said web retains liquid after each rinse cycle, and wherein said formulation releases sufficient anti-microbial agent into the retained liquid after each of at least five normal rinse cycles so that the retained liquid is an anti-microbial solution and said retained liquid is capable of disinfecting a hard surface that is wiped with said anti-microbial wiper.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said cross-linked polymer is capable of swelling upon exposure to water such that the degree of swelling of said cross-linked polymer at least partially controls said release of said anti-microbial agent.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said polymer is a carboxylated acrylic latex.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises a source of anti-microbial metal ions.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises a source of ions of a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, zinc, mercury, antimony, lead, bismuth, cadmium, chromium and thallium.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said metal comprises silver.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises a source of free chlorine.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises calcium hypochlorite particles.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises a quaternary ammonium compound.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound comprises alkyl aryl benzonium chloride.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said antimicrobial formulation further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of a cross-linking agent, a catalyst, a thickener, a plasticizer, a defoamer, a colorant, a visual sensor, a pigment, composite particles, a viscosity modifier, a stabilizer, a surfactant, and combinations thereof.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the adhering of said anti-microbial formulation comprises spraying the formulation onto said web.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the adhering of said formulation onto said web comprises a process chosen from the group consisting of printing, blade applying, coating, droplet throwing, print creping, saturating, and foam applying.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said web has at least two surfaces, said formulation being applied to said at least one of said two surfaces of said web in a pre-selected pattern.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein said formulation covers from about 10% to about 60% of said at least one surface of said web.

16. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein said formulation covers from about 20% to about 40% of said at least one surface of said web.

17. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein said formulation covers from about 10% to about 60% of both surfaces of said web.

18. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said polymer is cross-linked after said formulation has been applied to said web.

19. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of creping said at least one surface of said web to soften said web after said formulation has been applied to said web.

20. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said fibers of said web comprise pulp fibers.

21. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said fibers of said web comprise synthetic fibers.

22. A method of forming an anti-microbial wiper for disinfecting hard surfaces comprising the steps of:

providing a cloth-like absorbent base web containing fibers and capable of retaining liquid after a rinse cycle, said absorbent web having two outer surfaces;

adhering an anti-microbial formulation to said absorbent web, said anti-microbial formulation comprising an anti-microbial agent and a polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, styrene butadiene polymers, vinyl chloride polymers, methacrylate polymers, acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof, wherein said polymer is cross-linkable; and

cross-linking said polymer;

wherein said anti-microbial agent is capable of activation when said absorbent web is contacted with a liquid, said activation including the release of a portion of said anti-microbial agent into the retained liquid to form an anti-microbial solution, said cross-linked polymer being capable of controlling the rate of release of the anti-microbial agent from the anti-microbial formulation so that said anti-microbial solution is formed after at least five rinse cycles and said retained liquid is capable of disinfecting a hard surface that is wiped with said anti-microbial wiper.

23. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein said antimicrobial formulation further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of a cross-linking agent, a catalyst, a thickener, a plasticizer, a defoamer, a colorant, a visual sensor, a pigment, composite particles, a viscosity modifier, a stabilizer, a surfactant, and combinations thereof.

24. A wiper capable of providing liquid anti-microbial solution after numerous rinse cycles comprising:

a controlled release anti-microbial formulation comprising an anti-microbial agent and a polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, styrene butadiene polymers, vinyl chloride polymers, methacrylate polymers, acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof, wherein said polymer is cross-linked, which formulation is adhered to

an absorbent web which retains liquid after each rinse cycle,

wherein said formulation releases sufficient anti-microbial agent into the retained liquid after each of at least five normal rinse cycles so that the retained liquid is an anti-microbial solution and said retained liquid is capable of disinfecting a hard surface that is wiped with said anti-microbial wiper.

25. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said polymer comprises a carboxylated acrylic latex.

26. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said anti-microbial agent comprises a source of metal ions where the metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, zinc, mercury, antimony, lead, bismuth, cadmium, chromium and thallium.

27. A wiper as defined in claim 26, wherein said metal comprises silver.

28. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises a source of free chlorine.

29. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises a source of chlorine dioxide.

30. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises calcium hypochlorite particles.

31. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said anti-microbial formulation comprises a quaternary ammonium compound.

32. A wiper as defined in claim 31, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound comprises alkyl aryl benzonium chloride.

33. A wiper s defined in claim 24, wherein said antimicrobial formulation further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of a cross-linking agent, a catalyst, a thickener, a plasticizer, a defoamer, a colorant, a visual sensor, a pigment, composite particles, a viscosity modifier, a stabilizer, a surfactant, and combinations thereof.

34. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said formulation covers from about 10% to about 60% of said at least one surface of said web.

35. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said formulation covers from about 20% to about 40% of said at least one surface of said web.

36. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said formulation covers from about 10% to about 60% of both surfaces of said web.

37. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said fibers of said web compose pulp fibers.

38. A wiper as defined in claim 24, wherein said fibers of said web comprise synthetic fibers.