| Dispersible alcohol/cleaning wipes via topical or wet-end application of acrylamide or vinylamide/amine polymers -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Dispersible alcohol/cleaning wipes via topical or wet-end application of acrylamide or vinylamide/amine polymersUSPTO Application #: 20060003654Title: Dispersible alcohol/cleaning wipes via topical or wet-end application of acrylamide or vinylamide/amine polymers Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wet wipe product. The wet wipe product comprises a fibrous substrate and a triggerable binder formulation. The triggerable binder formulation is capable of binding the fibers in the fibrous substrate. The triggerable binder formulation may include acrylamide polymers, vinylamide/amine polymers, and mixtures. The triggerable binder formulation is insoluble in a wetting composition comprising an insolubilizing agent but is dispersible in disposal water. (end of abstract) Agent: Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah, WI, US Inventors: Michael Ralph Lostocco, Kelly Dean Branham, Joseph Mitchell, Richard Warren Tanzer USPTO Applicaton #: 20060003654 - Class: 442149000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Fabric (woven, Knitted, Or Nonwoven Textile Or Cloth, Etc.), Coated Or Impregnated Woven, Knit, Or Nonwoven Fabric Which Is Not (a) Associated With Another Preformed Layer Or Fiber Layer Or, (b) With Respect To Woven And Knit, Characterized, Respectively, By A Particular Or Differential Weave Or Knit, Wherein The Coating Or Impregnation Is Neither A Foamed Material Nor A Free Metal Or Alloy Layer, Coating Or Impregnation Intended To Function As An Adhesive To Solid Surfaces Subsequently Associated Therewith The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060003654. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] For many years, the problem of disposability has plagued industries that provide disposable products such as diapers, wet wipes, adult incontinent garments and feminine care products. While much headway has been made in addressing this problem, one of the weak links has been the inability to create an economical coherent fibrous web which will readily dissolve or disintegrate in water but still have sufficient in-use tensile strength. [0002] Binder compositions have been developed which can be more dispersible and are more environmentally responsible than past binder compositions. One class of binder compositions includes polymeric materials having inverse solubility in water. These binder compositions are insoluble in warm water, but are soluble in cold water, such as found in a toilet. It is well known that a number of polymers exhibit cloud points or inverse solubility properties in aqueous media. These polymers include: (1) evaporation retarders; (2) temperature sensitive compositions, which are useful as temperature indicators due to a sharp color change associated with a corresponding temperature change; (3) heat sensitive materials that are opaque at a specific temperature and become transparent when cooled to below the specific temperature; (4) wound dressings with good absorbing characteristics and easy removal; and, (5) materials in flushable personal care products. [0003] Other binders include a class of binders Which are ion-sensitive. In some cases, terpolymers are used as binders for flushable nonwoven webs. The acrylic acid-based terpolymers, which comprise partially neutralized acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, may be used as binders for use in flushable nonwoven webs in some parts of the world. However, because of the presence of a small amount of sodium acrylate in the partially neutralized terpolymer, such binders fail to disperse in water containing more than about 15 ppm Ca.sup.2+ and/or Mg.sup.2+. When placed in water containing more than about 15 ppm Ca.sup.2+ and/or Mg.sup.2+ ions, nonwoven webs using the above-described binders maintain a tensile strength greater than 30 g/in, which negatively affects the "dispersibility" of the nonwoven web. The proposed mechanism for the failure is that each calcium ion binds with two carboxylate groups either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. Intramolecular association causes the terpolymer chain to coil up, which eventually leads to polymer precipitation. Intermolecular association yields crosslinking. Whether intramolecular or intermolecular associations are taking place, the terpolymer is not soluble in water containing more than about 15 ppm Ca.sup.2+ and/or Mg.sup.2+. Due to the strong interaction between calcium ions and the carboxylate groups of the terpolymer, dissociation of the complex is highly unlikely because this association is irreversible. Therefore, the terpolymer that has been exposed to a high Ca.sup.2+ and/or Mg.sup.2+ concentration solution will not disperse in water even if the calcium concentration decreases. This limits the application of the terpolymer as a flushable binder material because most areas across the U.S. have hard water, which contains more than 15 ppm Ca.sup.2+ and/or Mg.sup.2+. [0004] Other binders, while being in contact with an organic solvent, usually as a cleaning agent or a preservative, still require the presence of ions, such as monovalent or divalent metal ions, to establish sufficient stability during use and dispersibility at disposal. As discussed above, the issue of hard water may again apply to such binders. [0005] In some dispersible cleaning or personal care products, such as a water-disintegratable cleansing sheet; i.e., wet wipe, comprising water-dispersible fibers treated with a water-soluble binder having a carboxyl group. The cleansing sheet is treated with a cleansing agent containing 5%-95% of a water-compatible organic solvent and 95%-5% water. The organic solvent is typically propylene glycol. The cleansing sheet retains wet strength and does not disperse in the organic solvent-based cleansing agent, but disperses in water. The cleansing sheets must have higher concentrations of organic solvents as these solvents ensure the in-use wet strength for the cleansing sheets. Without the solvents, the cleansing sheets would have little in-use wet strength and would not be effective as a wet wipe. However, the use of such high amounts of organic solvent results in a greasy after-feel when the cleansing sheet is used, and these organic solvents may cause discomfort and irritation to skin in higher amounts. [0006] There exists a need for dispersible cleaning or personal care products possessing softness, flexibility, three dimensionality, and resiliency; wicking and structural integrity in the presence of aqueous or bodily fluids; and, true fiber dispersion after toilet flushing so that the cleaning or personal care product does not become entangled at obstructions, such as with tree roots or at bends, in sewer pipes. Moreover, there is a need in the art for flushable cleaning or personal care products having water-dispersibility in all areas of the world, including soft and hard water areas. Furthermore, there is a need for water-dispersible binders that do not reduce wettability of the cleaning or personal care product with which they are used and are sprayable for relatively easy and uniform application to and penetration into the cleaning or personal care products. Finally, there is a need for water-dispersible, flushable wet wipes that are stable during storage and retain a desired level of wet strength during use when wetted with the appropriate cleaning, disinfection, or sanitizing wetting composition. Such a cleaning or personal care product is needed at a reasonable cost without compromising product safety and environmental concerns, something that past products have failed to do. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is directed to triggerable binder formulations of acrylamide and vinylamide/amine polymers and polymer formulations, which have been developed to address the above-described problems. As used herein, the term "polymer" is understood to include polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, and higher order polymers. The triggerable binder formulations of the present invention may provide strength in the dry state, but more importantly, may help maintain a desired level of strength of the fibrous substrate in the wet state by solvent triggerability. A controlled concentration of an insolubilizing agent, such as a lower level alcohol, glycol, ketone, or mixtures thereof, in the wetting composition insolubilizes the triggerable binder formulation and allows it to function as an adhesive for the fibers to form or further enhance a fibrous substrate. When the wet wipe is discarded into the wastewater stream, the insolubilizing agent concentration is diluted, the triggerable binder formulation becomes soluble, and the strength of the fibrous substrate drops below a critical level. The triggerable binder formulations of the present invention have a "trigger property," such that the triggerable binder formulations are insoluble in a wetting composition comprising an insolublizing agent of a particular type and concentration, such as alcohol, glycol, ketone, or mixtures thereof at concentrations above about 50% by weight, but are soluble when diluted with water, including hard water having 500 ppm (parts per million) or greater of calcium and magnesium ions. This allows the fibrous substrate to break apart into small pieces and, ultimately, disperse. [0008] Unlike some ion-sensitive polymer formulations, which lose dispersibility in hard water because of ion cross-linking by calcium ions, the triggerable binder formulations of acrylamide and vinylamide/amine polymers and polymer formulations of the present invention are insensitive to calcium and/or magnesium ions at concentrations of a few hundred ppm and are insensitive to pH variations. Consequently, flushable cleaning or personal care products containing the triggerable binder formulations of the present invention maintain dispersibility of the fibrous substrates in hard water or soft water. [0009] The polymers and polymer formulations of the present invention are useful as triggerable binder formulations and structural components for air-laid and wet-laid fibrous substrates, such as nonwoven fabrics, for applications, such as cleaning, hard surface cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, and personal care products. The polymers and polymer formulations of the present invention are particularly useful as triggerable binder formulations for flushable cleaning and personal care products, particularly wet wipes for personal use, such as cleaning or treating skin, make-up removal, nail polish removal, medical care, and also wipes for use in hard surface cleaning, automotive care, including wipes comprising cleaning agents, disinfectants, and the like. The flushable cleaning or personal care products maintain integrity or wet strength during storage and use, and break apart or disperse after disposal in the toilet when the alcohol concentration falls below a critical level. Suitable fibrous substrates for treatment with the triggerable binder formulations of the present invention include, but are not limited to tissue, such as creped or uncreped tissue, coform products, hydroentangled webs, airlaid mats, fluff pulp, nonwoven webs, and composites thereof. Methods for producing uncreped tissues and molded three-dimensional tissue webs of use in the present invention may be found in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,234, issued to Chen et al. on Aug. 20, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,686, issued to Chiu et al. on Jul. 4, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,412, issued to S. J. Sudall et al. on Mar. 21, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,248, issued to Wendt et al. on Sep. 30, 1997; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,551, issued to Farrington et al. on Mar. 4, 1997; the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference to the extent they are non-contradictory herewith. The molded tissue structures of the above patents may be especially helpful in providing good cleaning in a wet wipe. Good cleaning may also be promoted by providing a degree of texture in the fibrous substrates as well by embossing, molding, wetting and through-air drying on a textured fabric, and the like. The acrylamide and vinylamide/amine polymers and polymer formulations of the present invention are particularly useful as triggerable binder formulations for fibrous substrates because the acrylamide and vinylamide/amine polymers and polymer formulations are substantive to the fibers. [0010] Air-laid material may be formed by metering an airflow containing the fibers and other optional materials, in substantially dry condition, onto a typically horizontally moving wire forming screen. Suitable systems and apparatus for air-laying mixtures of fibers and thermoplastic material are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,724, issued to Persson on Jun. 12, 1979 and reissued on Dec. 25, 1984 as Re. U.S. Pat. No. 31,775; U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,113, issued to Persson on Jul. 14, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,289, issued to Day on Apr. 28, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,649, issued to Jacobsen et al. on Oct. 5, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,687, issued to Hosler, et al. on Oct. 12, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,278, issued to Kroyer, et al. on Jan. 22, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,806, issued to Johnson 4 on Dec. 9; 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,409, issued to Nistri, et al. on Mar. 17, 1987; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,980, issued to Farley on Feb. 16, 1988; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,810, issued to Laursen et al. on Feb. 3, 1987, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference to the extent that they are non-contradictory herewith. [0011] The present invention also discloses how to make water-dispersible fibrous substrates, including wet wipes, which are stable in wetting compositions having an insolubilizing content, such as alcohol, glycol, ketone, or mixtures thereof, using the above-described unique polymers and polymer formulations as triggerable binder compositions. The resultant treated fibrous substrates are flushable and water-dispersible due to the tailored sensitivity for insolubilizing agents, which can be triggered regardless of the hardness of water found in toilets throughout the United States and the world. [0012] The present invention further discloses a suitable wetting composition for wet wipes. Wet wipes employing the polymers and polymer formulations as triggerable binder formulations of the present invention are stable during storage and retain a desired level of in-use tensile strength during use and are wetted with a wetting composition or cleaning agent comprising an insolubilizing agent, such as a lower level alcohol, glycol, ketone, or mixtures thereof. [0013] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS [0014] The present invention is practiced using triggerable binder formulations comprising acrylamide and vinylamide/amine polymers or polymer formulations. The triggerable binder formulations are an insolubilizing agent-sensitive acrylamide and vinylamide/amine polymer and polymer formulations. In order to be an effective insolubilizing agent-sensitive or triggerable polymer or polymer formulation for use in flushable or water-dispersible cleaning or personal care products, the triggerable binder formulations may be: (1) functional, i.e., maintain wet strength of the fibrous substrate under controlled conditions and dissolve or disperse in a reasonable period of time in soft or hard water, such as found in toilets and sinks around the world, thereby allowing the fibrous substrate dissolve or disperse; (2) safe (not toxic); and, (3) relatively economical. In addition to the foregoing factors, the insolubilizing agent-sensitive or triggerable binder formulations when used as a binder material for a fibrous substrate, such as a nonwoven fabric for use in a pre-moistened wipe or wet wipe (hereinafter referred to as wet wipe), may be: (4) processable on a commercial basis; i.e., may be applied relatively quickly on a large scale basis, such as by spraying, coating, printing, and the like; (5) provide acceptable levels of sheet or fibrous substrate wettability; (6) provide acceptable levels of sheet or fibrous substrate stiffness; and, (7) reduced tackiness of the fibrous substrate or the product that the fibrous substrate is incorporated into. The wetting composition with which the wet wipes of the present invention are treated may provide some of the foregoing advantages, and, in addition, may provide: (8) improved tactile properties; and, (9) cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing properties. The insolubilizing agent-sensitive or triggerable binder formulations of the present invention and products made therewith, especially wet wipes comprising particular wetting compositions set forth below, may meet many or all of the above criteria. Of course, it is not necessary for all of the advantages of the embodiments of the present invention to be met to fall within the scope of the present invention. Alcohol Triggerable Acrylamide and Vinylamide/amine Polymers and Polymer Formulations [0015] The insolubilizing agent-sensitive or triggerable binder formulations of the present invention comprise acrylamide and vinylamide/amine polymers and polymer formulations. The insolubilizing agent-sensitive or triggerable binder polymers may function as adhesives for tissue, airlaid pulp, wetlaid pulp, and other fibrous substrates and provide sufficient in-use tensile strength (typically about 300 g/in. or greater; about 500 g/in. or greater; or, about 1,000 g/in. or greater) when wetted with a wetting composition. The fibrous substrates may also be dispersible in tap water (including hard water up to 500 ppm or greater as metal ion), typically losing most of their in-use tensile strength between about 30 to about 75 g/in. in about 24 hours or less. Such insolublizing agent-sensitive or triggerable binder formulations generally have the following structures: The R.sub.1 moiety may be hydrogen or methyl. The R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 moieties may be independently hydrogen, methyl, or mixtures thereof. The Z moiety may be --O--, --COO--, --CONH--, --NHCO--, --NH2, --NHR, and --NR.sub.2. The R.sub.3 moiety may be hydrogen, or any C.sub.1 or higher alkyl group or aryl group, including methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, ethylhexyl, and the like. The R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 moieties may be independently hydrogen, methyl, or mixtures thereof. The R.sub.3 moiety may be hydrogen, or any C.sub.1 or higher alkyl group or aryl group, including methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, ethylhexyl, and the like. The R.sub.1 moiety may be hydrogen or methyl. The R.sub.3 moiety may be hydrogen, or any C.sub.1 or higher alkyl group or aryl group, including methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, ethylhexyl, and the like. The R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 moieties may be independently hydrogen, methyl, or mixtures thereof. The Z moiety may be --O--, --COO--, --CONH--, --NHCO--, --NH2, --NHR, and --NR.sub.2. The R.sub.3 moiety may be hydrogen, or any C.sub.1 or higher alkyl group or aryl group, including methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, ethylhexyl, and the like. The R.sub.1 moieties may be independently hydrogen, methyl, or mixtures thereof. Polyacrylamide Polymers and Polymer Formulations [0016] Polyacrylamide polymers and polymer formulations may be anionic, neutral, amphoteric, or positive in charge. Polymethacrylamide and other analogs may also be utilized. The presence of additional hydrophilic or charged groups may enhance solubility, dispersibility, and other properties of the polymers and polymer formulations. [0017] Examples of anionic or acidic monomers that may copolymerized into the backbone of the polymers and polymer formulations may include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and their salts, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1 propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and its salts, vinyl sulfonic acid and their salts, other sulfonate monomers such as potassium (3-sulfopropyl) acrylate, sodium styrene sulfonate, and phosphonate/phosphonic acids monomers. Useful neutral monomers include ones such as N-isopropyl acrylamide and other acrylamide derivatives, 2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate, vinyl pyrrolidone, methylvinyl ether, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) acrylate or methacrylates. Useful amphoteric or zwitterionic monomers include N,N-Dimethyl-N-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)-N-(3-sulfopropyl- ) ammonium betaine, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-methacrylamidopropyl)-N-(3-sulfoprop- yl) ammonium betaine, 1-(3-Sulfopropyl)-2-vinylpyridinium betaine, N-(3-carboxypropyl)-N-methacrylamido-ethyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium betaine, and 4-vinylpiperidinium ethanecarboxy betaine. Useful cationic monomers include [2-(acryloxy)ethyl] trimethyl ammonium chloride (ADAMQUAT), [2-(methacryloxy)ethyl] trimethyl ammonium chloride (MADQUAT), (3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride, N,N-diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, [2-(acryloxy)ethyl] dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, (2-(methacryloxy)ethyl) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, [2-(acryloxy)ethyl] dimethyl ammonium chloride, and [2-(methacryloxy)ethyl] dimethyl ammonium chloride. Precursor monomers such as vinylpyridine, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, which may be polymerized and quaternized through post-polymerization reactions may be used in the present invention. Monomers or quaternization reagents which provide different counter-ions such as bromide, iodide, or methyl sulfate are further alternatives applicable to the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, certain water-insoluble monomers may be used to lower the Tg of the polyacrylamide polymers or polymer formulations or to provide other useful properties, wherein the insolubility in the presence of an insolubilizing agent is not compromised or solubility in water is not compromised. Such water-insoluble monomers may include lower level acrylates, such as methyl, ethyl or butyl acrylates, substituted acrylamides, alkyl vinyl ethers, or other vinyl monomers. Preparation of Polyvinylamide/amines Polymers and Polymer Formulations [0018] Polyvinylamide/amine polymers or polymer formulations are typically produced by free radical polymerization of N-vinylamide monomers with degree of cationicity controlled by post-polymerization hydrolysis and pH. Such N-vinylamide monomers may include N-vinylformamide, N-vinylacetamide, and other N-vinyl alkylamides. Co-polymerization products of the N-vinylamide monomers with other monomers such as those described above may be useful in the present invention. One embodiment of the present invention may be the co-polymerization product of the N-vinylamide monomer with a vinyl ester monomer, such as vinyl acetate. Hydrolysis may yield co-polymers of vinylamine/amide monomers with vinyl alcohol monomers. The hydrolyzed polymer or polymer formulation may be highly reactive with a host of functional chemistries, resulting in the potential for unique combinations of properties in a water soluble polymer. Examples of said functional chemistries may include cyclic esters, epoxides, isocyanantes, carboxylates, organic (i.e. alkyl) halides, aldehydes, etc., wherein the insolubility in the presence of an insolubilizing agent is not compromised or solubility in water is not compromised. [0019] Cyclic amide polymers or polymer formulations, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinylcaprolactam, may also be useful in the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Dispersible alcohol/cleaning wipes via topical or wet-end application of acrylamide or vinylamide/amine polymers Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dispersible alcohol/cleaning wipes via topical or wet-end application of acrylamide or vinylamide/amine polymers patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dispersible alcohol/cleaning wipes via topical or wet-end application of acrylamide or vinylamide/amine polymers or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Synthetic fabric which mimics a dried grass fabric Next Patent Application: Through air dryer fabric Industry Class: Fabric (woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.) ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dispersible alcohol/cleaning wipes via topical or wet-end application of acrylamide or vinylamide/amine polymers patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.52428 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
||
