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AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsStephanie M. Martin, John Gavin MacDonald, Bao Trong Do
Estimating the term…
A wipe that includes a bacteriostatic agent that contains cations having an affinity for the negatively charged cell walls of bacteria is provided. The affinity of the bacteriostatic agent for the bacteria allows the wipe to capture bacteria, thereby removing them from a surface and also inhibiting their spread to other surfaces that may contact the wipe. Of particular advantage, the bacteriostatic agent may help protect against the spread or infection of pathogens without the use of chemicals, such as antiseptics or antibiotics. Still further, the wipe of the present invention also contains a solvatochromatic indicator that undergoes a color change in the presence of a broad spectrum of bacteria. Thus, when the wipe captures bacteria, the indicator undergoes a color change that signals to the user that the wipe is functioning properly. The lack of a color change may likewise provide the user with the assurance that the area is generally free of bacteria and clean.
A wipe for use in removing bacteria from a surface, the wipe comprising a bacteriostatic agent and a solvatochromatic indicator, wherein the bacteriostatic agent contains cations that have an affinity for the negatively charged cell walls of the bacteria, further wherein the solvatochromatic indicator undergoes a detectable color change in the presence of the bacteria.
A method for indicating the removal of bacteria from a surface, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.