Wiping article which exhibits differential wet extensibility...

Details Wiping article which exhibits differential wet extensibility... Wiping article which exhibits differential wet extensibility...

1999-01-14

2001-01-30

Edwards, Newton (Department: 1774)

Stock material or miscellaneous articles

Structurally defined web or sheet

Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond

C428S211100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06180214

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to disposable wiping articles, towelettes, paper toweling, and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to disposable wipes having a plurality of wet extensible regions of increased caliper and texture when wetted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Disposable wiping articles are well known in the art. Such wiping articles typically have a substrate which includes one or more materials or layers. The substrate can be pre-moistened with a wetting agent prior to use, or alternatively, can be combined with a liquid at the point of use of the article. Pre-moistened wiping articles are also referred to as “wet wipes” and “towelettes.”
Desirable features of such wiping articles include texture, caliper (thickness) and bulk (volume per unit weight). A relatively high value of texture is desirable for aiding in cleaning of surfaces. Wipe structures that result in increased texture upon wetting are particularly beneficial. Such structures may be achieved by utilizing multiple layers having differential wet extensibility. One such structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,735 issued Sep. 4, 1984 to Trokhan. However, increased texture does not necessarily produce increased caliper. Relatively high values of caliper and bulk are desirable for providing volume in the article for receiving and containing liquids.
Other methods of increasing texture by employing the principle of differential extensible layers are known, including the use of plastic webs as a relatively inextensible layer joined to creped paper. Nonwovens may also be joined to creped paper, the nonwoven serving as the constraining ply. In general, all that is necessary is one web which serves as a constraining ply, selectively joined to at least one other wet-extensible web. Upon wetting, unbonded portions of the wet-extensible web are deformed out of the plane of the wipe, thereby increasing caliper and texture. While these structures may provide desired caliper, bulk, and texture, they all require the use of at least two webs or plies with different extensibility properties to be joined into a multi-ply wipe.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a disposable wiping article which provides improved texture and bulk while not requiring the use of multiple plies.
Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a disposable wiping article exhibiting the property of increased bulk and texture upon wetting while not requiring the use of a constraining ply.
Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a disposable wiping article which is reinforced for added wet and dry durability through the use of a polymer network.
Further, it would be desirable to provide a disposable wiping article comprising two or more plies, each of which exhibit the property of increased bulk and texture upon wetting while not requiring the use of a constraining ply.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a disposable wiping article (wipe). The wiping article may be single-layer (single-ply), or multi-layer (multi-ply). At least one layer (the only layer in a single-layer wiping article) is a primary layer and is wet extensible. A discontinuous coating is applied to selected portions of the wet extensible primary layer and cured to form a constraining component which inhibits wet extension of the primary layer in the plane of the primary layer. As a result, the primary layer deforms, such as by buckling or puckering, in the Z-direction (perpendicular to the plane of the primary layer), resulting in increased caliper, bulk, and texture. In one embodiment, more than one primary layer may be used in a single wiping article.
By applying a discontinuous coating to selected portions of the primary layer in a predetermined pattern, a plurality of uncoated regions are formed. In particular a continuous network pattern can be formed. The uncoated regions of the primary layer can each include a circular area
2002
(
FIG. 1
) inscribed within the bonding pattern wherein the diameter D of the inscribed circular area is at least 0.1 inch, more preferably at least about 0.2 inch, and most preferably at least about 0.4 inch. The diameter is preferably less than about 3.0 inches, and in one embodiment is less than about 2.0 inches.
The primary layer preferably can have a wet extensibility of at least about 4 percent, more preferably at least about 10 percent, more preferably at least about 20 percent, and still more preferably at least about 25 percent as measured using the “Wet Extensibility Test” provided below. The primary layer can be foreshortened, e.g., by creping, to provide the desired wet extensibility. In one embodiment, the primary layer comprises a wet laid, apertured paper web which is foreshortened at least about 30 percent, for example by dry creping.
The constraining component can be a hot melt adhesive, and is preferably an ethylene vinyl acetate (hereinafter EVA) hot melt adhesive (one suitable adhesive is a hot melt commercially available as H1382-01 from Ato-Findley Adhesives of Wauwatosa, Wis.). The adhesive provides the function of a constraining ply while allowing substantial variations in pattern and appearance. The continuous network also provides additional strength to the primary layer, as well as any additional layers.
The article may comprise additional webs or components which do not effect the functionality of the primary web or the constraining component. In one embodiment, the article comprises a high internal phase inverse emulsion.
The article can comprise a wetting agent prior to use of the article, which provides wetting of the primary layer. The wetting agent can be an aqueous lotion.
Alternatively, the article can comprise a relatively dry article which may or may not be wetted in use.


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