U.S. patent application number 14/720717 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-24 for sanitary wipe having layered paper types.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kyung Tai Rhee. Invention is credited to Kyung Tai Rhee.
Application Number | 20160338551 14/720717 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57324047 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160338551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rhee; Kyung Tai |
November 24, 2016 |
Sanitary Wipe Having Layered Paper Types
Abstract
A sanitary wipe having an inner moistened towelette. The
moistened towelette is a paper core that is moistened with a first
volume of the liquid that is between 50% and 98% of the volume
needed to saturate the towelette. The moistened towelette is
wrapped in tissue paper, such as the kind traditionally used as
toilet paper. The tissue paper is folded into a first section and a
second section. The moistened towelette is interposed between the
twp sections of tissue paper. As such, the tissue paper touches the
skin when pressed against the skin. The moistened towelette, the
first section of tissue paper and the second section of tissue
paper are all manufactured so that they lose physical integrity
when saturated in water. In this manner, the sanitary wipe
maintains integrity during use, but degrades sufficiently in a
toilet to be flushed.
Inventors: |
Rhee; Kyung Tai; (Little
Silver, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rhee; Kyung Tai |
Little Silver |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57324047 |
Appl. No.: |
14/720717 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/3827 20130101;
B65D 83/0805 20130101; A47K 7/08 20130101; A47K 2010/3266 20130101;
D21H 27/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 7/08 20060101
A47K007/08; B65D 83/08 20060101 B65D083/08 |
Claims
1. A sanitary wipe, comprising: a moistened towelette having a
paper core that is moistened with a liquid, wherein a predetermined
volume of said liquid saturates said paper core, and said paper
core is moistened with a first volume of said liquid that is
between 50% and 98% of said predetermined volume; a first section
of tissue paper; and a second section of tissue paper, wherein said
moistened towelette is interposed between said first section of
tissue paper and said second section of tissue paper.
2. The sanitary wipe according to claim 1, wherein said moistened
towelette, said first section of tissue paper and said second
section of tissue paper all lose physical integrity when submerged
in water.
3. The sanitary wipe according to claim 1, wherein said first
section of tissue paper and said second section of tissue paper are
connected along a common fold.
4. The claim according to claim 1, wherein said moistened towelette
has a thickness that is at least as great as a combined thickness
of both said first section of tissue paper and said second section
of tissue paper.
5. The claim according to claim 1, wherein said paper core contains
cellulosic fibers that are treated with a polyaldehyde polymer
having free aldehyde groups and a water soluble polyhydroxy
polymer.
6. The claim according to claim 1, wherein said first section of
tissue paper and said second section of tissue paper are obtained
from a common square torn away from a roll of commercial toilet
paper.
7. The claim according to claim 1, wherein said first section of
tissue paper and said second section of tissue paper are sized to
completely cover said moistened towelette.
8. A sanitary wipe, comprising: a moistened towelette moistened
with a liquid so that said moistened towelette is between 50% and
98% below a saturation level for said liquid; and a fold of tissue
paper having a first section and a second section joined along a
common fold, wherein said moistened towelette is interposed between
said first section said second section.
9. The sanitary wipe according to claim 8, wherein said moistened
towelette and said fold of tissue paper both lose physical
integrity when submerged in water.
10. The claim according to claim 8, wherein said moistened
towelette has a thickness that is at least as great as a combined
thickness of both said first section and said second section of
said fold of tissue paper.
11. The claim according to claim 8, wherein said moistened
towelette has a paper core that contains cellulosic fibers that are
treated with a polyaldehyde polymer having free aldehyde groups and
a water soluble polyhydroxy polymer.
12. The claim according to claim 8, wherein said fold of tissue
paper is obtained from a common square torn away from a roll of
commercial toilet paper.
13. The claim according to claim 8, wherein said fold of tissue
paper is sized to completely cover said moistened towelette.
14. A sanitary wipe, comprising: a moistened towelette having a
paper core that is moistened with a liquid below a saturation
volume, wherein said moistened towelette loses physical integrity
when exposed to said liquid above said saturation level; and a
wrapping of tissue paper that abuts against said moistened
towelette, wherein said wrapping of tissue paper loses physical
integrity when exposed to said liquid.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] In general, the present invention relates to the structure
of sanitary wipes. More particularly, the present invention relates
to sanitary wipes that are pre-moistened and manufactured from
multiple plies of paper.
[0003] 2. Prior Art Description
[0004] Rolls of toilet paper have been sold for the better part of
the last two centuries. Typically, toilet paper is made from a
blend of hardwood paper pulp and softwood paper pulp. The softwood
paper pulp has long fibers that provide the paper with tensile
strength. The hardwood paper pulp has short fibers that provide
paper with softness. Many recipes of hardwood pulp and softwood
pulp are used by different manufacturers to provide the toilet
paper with varying degrees of both softness and strength.
[0005] Most paper is designed to hold some physical integrity when
it becomes wet. Toilet paper is the exception. Toilet paper is
specifically designed to lose its physical integrity when it gets
wet. In this manner, it will not clog pipes, sewage processing
equipment, or septic systems after it is flushed. Toilet paper is
created by creping the paper pulp. Creping is a means of
mechanically compacting paper along its length. The result is an
increase in basis weight (mass per unit area) as well as dramatic
changes in many physical properties. Creping is generally
accomplished with a flexible blade, a so-called doctor blade,
against a Yankee dryer. A Yankee dryer is a large diameter drum
that is heated with steam. The drum provides a hot surface for
completing the drying of papermaking webs at the end of the
Papermaking process. At the beginning of the papermaking process,
the paper pulp slurry is washed, processed and bleached. Drying
begins on a foraminous forming carrier, such as a Fourdrinier wire,
where excess water is separated from the pulp slurry. The resulting
fibrous slurry is transferred to a felt or fabric where de-watering
is continued either by mechanically compacting the paper or by
through-drying with hot air. The semi-dry slurry is then
transferred to the surface of the Yankee dryer for the drying to be
completed. The result is a tissue that appears to be true paper.
However, the fibers of the paper have never been pressed together
or otherwise bonded. As such, the resulting paper disintegrates
when made wet. The plys of tissue paper are layered, embossed,
wound and cut into finished rolls of toilet paper.
[0006] Products like paper towels and sanitary wipes are made from
the same basic raw materials as is toilet paper. However, these
products are specifically designed not to disintegrate when wet
with water. This is done by mixing additives to the paper pulp. The
additives include adhesive resins, starches and other water
insoluble fibers, such as cotton linters, rayon, bagasse,
polyolefin and/or polyester. The paper pulp is formed into sheets
that are both pressed and heated. This causes the adhesives and
starches in the pulp to bond to the various fibers. The result is a
paper towel or sanitary wipe that has wood fiber to absorb moisture
and other fibers to maintain integrity. Thus, paper towels and
sanitary wipes are both absorbent and strong. This is typically
desirable, unless a person wants to flush the paper towel or
sanitary wipe into a toilet. Many paper towels and sanitary wipes
are made so strong that they maintain their physical integrity
after being flushed through a toilet. A complete paper towel or
wipe is then present in the sewage.
[0007] In the bathroom, most people use toilet paper to clean
themselves. However, for many people, the use of toilet paper alone
is insufficient. In order to avoid excessive wiping, some people
prefer to use sanitary wipes or wet paper towels. Although a
sanitary wipe or a wet paper towel may clean more of the body using
fewer wipes, they do have disadvantages. First, sanitary wipes and
paper towels are not flushable. Since they do not disintegrate well
in water, they have a tendency to clog toilets. Furthermore, they
cannot be used in homes with septic systems, because the paper does
not break down quickly and can lead to clogs in the drainage field
of the septic system. Additionally, sanitary wipes and paper towels
are used wet for comfort. This often leaves a person wet after use.
The wetness can cause chaffing and other irritations.
[0008] In the prior art, attempts have been made to create a hybrid
product that is part toilet tissue and part wet wipe. Such a hybrid
product is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,097,322 to Osorio, entitled
Paper Product. In the Osorio patent, a wet wipe is held between two
pieces of wax paper. The wax paper is held between toilet tissue.
In order to use the product, the product must first be pulled apart
and the wax paper removed. As such, the product requires a
significant amount of preparation before it can be used. This
severely limits the commercial appeal of the product.
[0009] A need therefore exists for a hybrid product that combines
tissue paper with a more substantial wipe, wherein the product is
ready to use and the product is both flushable and septic tank
appropriate. This need is met by the present invention as described
and clamed below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a sanitary wipe. The sanitary wipe
has an inner moistened towelette. The moistened towelette is a
paper core that is only moistened with a liquid. The paper core is
moistened with a first volume of the liquid that is below volume
needed to completely saturate the core.
[0011] The moistened towelette is wrapped in tissue paper, such as
the kind traditionally used as toilet paper. The tissue paper is
folded into a first section and a second section. The moistened
towelette is either interposed between the first section of tissue
paper and the second section of tissue paper, or is placed in
abutment with the tissue paper. As such, the tissue paper touches
the skin when pressed against the skin.
[0012] The moistened towelette, the first section of tissue paper
and the second section of tissue paper are all manufactured so that
they lose physical integrity when saturated in water. In this
manner, the sanitary wipe maintains integrity during use, but
degrades sufficiently in a toilet to be flushed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following description of exemplary
embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
sanitary wipe;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows the exemplary embodiment of the sanitary wipe
packaged in a disposable wrapping;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a method of forming a first configuration of a
sanitary wipe from packaged wipes and toilet tissue; and
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a method of forming a second configuration of a
sanitary wipe from packaged wipes and toilet tissue.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Although the present invention sanitary wipe can be embodied
in many ways, only two embodiments of the sanitary wipe are shown.
The illustrated embodiments are selected for the purposes of
description and explanation. The illustrated embodiments, however,
are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when
interpreting the scope of the claims when filed.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with both FIG. 2 and FIG.
3, a sanitary wipe 10 is shown. The sanitary wipe 10 has two
primary components. The primary components include a moistened
towelette 12 and a fold of tissue paper 14. The moistened towelette
12 is sized to fit within the fold of the tissue paper 14, so that
the moistened towelette 12 is interposed between a first section 16
of tissue paper and a second section 18 of tissue paper. The area
of each section of tissue paper 16, 18 is at least as large as the
area of the moistened towelette 12 that it abuts.
[0022] The fold of tissue paper 14 is preferably made from
traditional toilet tissue paper 20 that is manufactured in the
traditional manner. The fold of tissue paper 14 is therefore soft,
absorbent and looses physical integrity if exposed to excessive
water. The fold of tissue paper 14 is rapidly biodegradable and
septic system safe.
[0023] The moistened towelette 12 is thicker, stronger and capable
of absorbing more moisture than the fold of tissue paper 14
surrounding it. The moistened towelette 12 is preferably as least
as thick as the combined thickness of the two sections 16, 18
present in the fold of tissue paper 14. The moistened towelette 12
is moistened with a fluid. The fluid can be water. However, an
aqueous solution 19 of mostly water is preferred. The aqueous
solution 19 can contain glycol and other additives that inhibit
evaporation. Furthermore, lubricants and antimicrobials can also be
added.
[0024] The moistened towelette 12 is only partially moistened. For
the purposes of this description, the moistened towelette 12 would
be saturated at the point where it could absorb no more water
without that water collecting and dripping from the lowest point of
the towelette. "Moistened" is herein meant to mean containing a
volume of water between 50% and 98% its saturation level. It will
therefore be understood that the moistened towelette 12 can absorb
more water than it currently holds without dripping. Accordingly,
the moistened towelette 12 will feel only damp to the touch.
[0025] Since the moistened towelette 12 is not completely
saturated, it is capable of absorbing more moisture. It will not
surrender moisture to the surrounding environment unless it is
squeezed or otherwise compressed. As such, in an unused state, the
moistened towelette 12 does not transfer much moisture to the
surrounding fold of tissue paper 14. The small amount of moisture
that is transferred, due to surface-to-surface contact, is minimal
and is insufficient to affect the physical integrity of the fold of
tissue paper 14. Rather, the fold of tissue paper 14 feels only
slightly damp, as if the fold of tissue paper 14 were in a highly
humid environment.
[0026] When the sanitary wipe 10 is pressed against the body, the
fold of tissue paper 14 is pressed against the moistened towelette
12. Furthermore, the moistened towelette 12 is partially compressed
between the hand and body. As the moistened towelette 12 is
compressed, its absorptive capacity changes. Like the squeezing of
a sponge, the compressed moistened towelette experiences a reduced
absorptive capacity. The moistened towelette 12, therefore, sheds
water into the surrounding fold of tissue paper 14. This moistens
the fold of tissue paper 14 and makes the sanitary wipe 10 highly
effective in cleaning the body. However, the moisture level is not
excessive and does not cause any significant wetting of the
body.
[0027] The moistened towelette 12 can be a section of a traditional
paper towel that is both cut to the appropriate size and moistened
to the appropriate degree. However, traditional paper towels do not
degrade well in septic systems. The preferred material for the
moistened towelette 12 is a paper towel that is made without the
use of synthetic fibers and without the use of adhesives and
binders that are not water soluble. The preferred moistened
towelette 12 is degrades when saturated, yet is stable when only
moistened. The moistened towelette 12 has an initial wet strength
sufficient for use in the moistened condition, yet which is also
temporary. The moistened towelette has a paper core 22. The
preferred composition of the paper core 22 of the moistened
towelette 12 is a paper core 22 that contains cellulosic fibers
that are treated with a polyaldehyde polymer having free aldehyde
groups and a water soluble polyhydroxy polymer, especially
polysaccharides having cis-hydroxyl groups in at least a portion of
the main polymeric chain. The polymers form bonds joining the
fibers when the paper core 22 product is dried. The initial wet
strength obtained with the combined use of these materials is
significantly greater than that obtained by use of either the
polyaldehyde or a polyhydroxy polymer alone. The wet strength is
maintained when the paper core 22 is only moistened and not fully
saturated. Once submerged in water, such as in a toilet, the bonds
are overwhelmed and dissolve away in the free water. The wet
strength of the paper core 22 decays at a rate that is rapid enough
to enable the paper core 22 to be flushed under conditions of
normal use.
[0028] The preferred polyaldehyde polymers are cationic. For
example, the polyaldehyde may be a cationic, aldehyde
functionalized starch or a cationic, aldehyde functionalized
polyacrylamide. Preferred polysaccharides include those derived
from one or more sugars, such as mannose, galactose, allose,
altrose, gulose, talose, ribose, and lyxose. Economically preferred
polysaccharides are guar gum, locust bean gum and ionic derivatives
thereof. The polysaccharide is preferably a neutral polysaccharide
or a charge balanced mixture of polysaccharides.
[0029] The sanitary wipes 10 can be packaged for sale either in a
complete prepackaged form, or in bulk form. Referring to FIG. 4, a
prepackaged form is shown. The sanitary wipe 10 is held in a sealed
package 24 that is torn open to remove the sanitary wipe 10. The
package 24 is preferably internally lined with wax or otherwise
made in a manner that prevents moisture from evaporating from the
sanitary wipe 10.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of packaging
and selling the sanitary wipe 10 is shown. In this embodiment, the
moistened towelettes 12 are packaged in bulk in a larger container
26. The moistened towelettes 12 may have end folds 28 or cut tabs
to assist in the lifting of a single moistened towelette 12 from
the container 26. Each moistened towelette 12 has a length L1 and a
width W1. The preferred length L1 is approximately 4.5 inches,
which corresponds to the width of a standard roll of toilet paper
in the United States. The preferred width W1 of the moistened
towelette 12 is between 2 and 21/4 inches, which is approximately
half the width of a standard roll of toilet paper.
[0031] The container 26 of moistened towelettes 12 is used in
conjunction with a perforated roll of toilet paper 30. The
perforated roll of toilet paper 30 is perforated into squares 32.
An individual square 32 is removed from the perforated roll of
toilet paper 20. The individual square 32 is folded in half. This
creates the needed fold of tissue paper 14. A moistened towelette
12 is then removed from the container 26. The moistened towelette
26 is placed in the fold of tissue paper 14, therein completing the
sanitary wipe 10. The sanitary wipe 10 is then ready for use.
Packaging the moistened towelettes separately from the tissue paper
is particularly useful when traveling, camping or otherwise away
from a secure bathroom facility with storage facilities.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, another alternate embodiment of
packaging and selling the sanitary wipe 10 is shown. In this
embodiment, the moistened towelettes 12 are again packaged in bulk
in a larger container 26. Each moistened towelette 12 again has a
length L1 and a width W1. The preferred length L1 is approximately
4.5 inches, which corresponds to the width of a standard roll of
toilet paper in the United States. The preferred width W1 of the
moistened towelette 12 is between 2 and 21/4 inches, which is
approximately half the width of a standard roll of toilet
paper.
[0033] The container 26 of moistened towelettes 12 is used in
conjunction with a perforated roll of toilet paper 30. The
perforated roll of toilet paper 30 is perforated into squares 32.
Two or more of the squares 32 are removed from the perforated roll
of toilet paper 30. The individual squares 32 are folded into a
size that approximates the dimensions of the moistened towelette
12. A moistened towelette 12 is then removed from the container 26.
The moistened towelette 26 is placed against the tissue paper 14,
therein completing a sanitary wipe. In this configuration, the
moistened towelette 12 remains exposed on one side, should a person
decide to apply the towelette 12 directly to the skin.
[0034] It will be understood that the embodiments of the present
invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary
and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to
those embodiments. For instance, the sanitary wipe can be made in
shapes other than rectangular by altering the shape of the
moistened towelette and the fold of tissue paper. All such
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the
present invention as defined by the claims.
* * * * *