Wiper containing a controlled-release anti-microbial agent
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsRalph L. Anderson, Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims38
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.