Multi-layer disposable wipe product

Abstract

Multi-layer disposable wipe product (1) comprising at least a first layer (2) and a second layer (3), wherein both the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) contain cellulose-based fibers and consist entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers, characterized in that an intermediate layer (5) is arranged between the first layer (2) and the second layer (3), the intermediate layer comprising or consisting of a natural material, wherein the natural material has an adhesive effect that can be activated by the action of energy, and wherein the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) are connected to each other by the adhesive effect of the intermediate layer (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-layered disposable wipe product. Wet wipes are, as is well known, non-woven fabrics soaked in a usually liquid preparation containing, among other things, a cleansing and / or moisturizing ingredient. These wipes, impregnated with a cleaning agent, are now used in many areas of personal care, especially baby care, and are very popular because they offer the possibility of quick and convenient cleaning or care without the need for additional water. Typically packaged in handy units of approximately 10 to 200 wipes, wet wipes are also characterized by their portability, and it is primarily for this reason that they have become indispensable in our increasingly mobile society. Compared to conventional body cleansing with reusable and washable materials to which cleansing agents are applied, such as washcloths or wash mitts, the use of disposable wipes impregnated with a cleaning agent offers the advantage that they are disposed of after use. This advantage also applies to the use of impregnated disposable wipes for cleaning surfaces, which can be used instead of reusable and washable materials, for example, for cleaning sanitary fixtures and floors. When using reusable and washable cleaning cloths, it's possible to forget to wash them thoroughly and instead simply rinse them under running water, leaving germs on the surface where they can spread. Even if a reusable cloth isn't washed immediately, germs present on its surface can spread if, for example, it's stored in the washing machine until the next wash cycle. In this way, the cloth intended for cleaning can actually pose a risk of spreading contamination or even become a source of contamination. This problem is addressed in the prior art by providing disposable wipe products, which are intended, for example, for cleaning or disinfecting surfaces and may be pre-moistened with an antimicrobial impregnating agent, or which may be impregnated with a suitable and skin-friendly impregnating agent for the body cleaning of, for example, babies and toddlers. It is known that corresponding pre-moistened disposable wipe products can comprise several layers of nonwoven fabric, which are generally of different compositions. This ensures, on the one hand, sufficient stability of the wipe product and, on the other hand, with layers of differently composed nonwoven fabrics, can, with appropriate selection of the nonwovens, guarantee that, for example, a first layer offers good liquid absorption while a second layer offers good liquid release. Even disposable wipes not impregnated with a staining agent often have a multi-layered structure, in which the different layers usually exhibit different properties due to their varying compositions. These dry wipes can be moistened or soaked with water or another suitable staining agent by the user before use, as needed. WO 02 / 36339 A2 describes a multi-layered, pre-moistened wiping cloth, at least two layers of which contain a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers. The wiping cloth comprises at least one cleaning layer and one layer that serves as a liquid reservoir. A similar approach for a multi-layered disposable floor wipe is pursued in EP 1 212 478 A1. Antimicrobial properties are imparted to the floor wipes by the addition of preferably silver particles. US Patent 4298649 A describes a multi-layered floor cleaning cloth made of several layers of polypropylene with varying appearances, containing surfactants. A disadvantage of this solution is that, due to the high plastic content, the floor cleaning cloth is not environmentally friendly as a disposable item. Even conventional, multi-layered wet wipes intended for body cleansing and care contain a plastic component that allows the individual layers to be welded together. While the aforementioned advantage of avoiding contamination when using disposable wipes is offset by the disadvantage of a high environmental impact. This is because, as intended, these disposable wipes are discarded in large quantities, resulting in a significant amount of plastic waste that must be disposed of. Multi-layered fabric products without plastic content are also known, but have the difficulty that the individual layers cannot be bonded together by thermal treatment, but must be bonded together in another way and by an additional step. For example, DE 10 2021 122 041 B1 describes a floor cleaning cloth with an abrasive strip, the individual layers of which, as well as the abrasive strip, consist entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers. The layers are joined mechanically, in particular by micro-entangling, i.e., by means of ultrasound-generated movements of the fibers contained in the individual layers. Furthermore, WO 2024 / 037967 A1 describes a process for manufacturing a multi-layered cloth product comprising at least one cleaning layer and one core layer, each consisting entirely of natural materials without any plastic content, wherein the cleaning layer and the core layer are joined together by means of water jet bonding. EP 1 729 955 B1 describes a laminate comprising a non-fibrous adhesive layer as a bonding layer between two substrates. The adhesive layer is formed from a polymer material, in particular an elastomer such as a polyamide, a polyester, or a mixture thereof. However, due to the high or exclusive plastic content of the adhesive layer, the laminate does not exhibit good environmental compatibility. Object of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative multi-layer disposable wipe product that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages known from the prior art and is characterized in particular by improved environmental compatibility and a simplified manufacturing process. General description of the invention The invention solves this problem with the features of the claims and in particular with a multi-layer disposable wipe product comprising at least a first layer and a second layer, wherein both the first layer and the second layer contain cellulose-based fibers and consist entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers, and wherein an intermediate layer comprising or consisting of a natural material is arranged between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the natural material has an adhesive effect that can be activated by the action of energy, and wherein the first layer and the second layer are connected to each other by the adhesive effect of the intermediate layer. The cellulose-based fibers contained in the first and second layers include natural cellulose fibers such as cotton, bast fibers such as hemp and flax, and man-made cellulose fibers (regenerated cellulose fibers) such as viscose and lyocell. For the purposes of the present invention, a "natural material" is understood to be a material of natural origin that, in particular, does not contain any plastic. The natural material is a natural adhesive whose adhesive effect develops at elevated temperatures, since the adhesive denatures at elevated temperatures, especially in a range between 60 and 200 °C. Preferably, the natural material is selected from the group comprising collagen, castor bean, castor oil, PLA and resin-bonded cellulose acetate fibers, as well as any mixtures of two or more of these materials. Preferably, the natural material is contained in the intermediate layer to a weight of at least 60 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, at least 95 wt.% or 100 wt.%. A multi-layered disposable wipe product according to the invention, consisting of the aforementioned first and second layers as well as an intermediate layer made of natural material, consists exclusively of natural-based materials and therefore exhibits excellent environmental compatibility. However, disposable wipe products according to the invention in which only the predominant part of the intermediate layer, particularly in the weight proportions specified above, consists of the natural material, also exhibit significantly better environmental compatibility compared to wipe products known from the prior art in which the individual layers of the wipe product comprise plastic and / or a possible bonding layer consists entirely of plastic. In embodiments where only the predominant part of the intermediate layer consists of the natural material, it preferably contains additives that facilitate the processing of the natural material into a nonwoven fabric and give it flexibility. According to one embodiment, the disposable wipe product according to the invention also has a third layer, which also consists entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers and which is connected to the first layer or to the second layer by means of a further intermediate layer. The intermediate layer also comprises or consists of a natural material that exhibits an energy-activated adhesive effect and which can optionally be the same material as the material of the intermediate layer between the first and second layers. In particular, the natural material contained in the intermediate layer between the first and third layers or between the second and third layers is also selected from the group consisting of collagen, castor bean, castor oil, PLA and resin-bonded cellulose acetate fibers, as well as any mixtures of two or more of these materials.Depending on its arrangement, the third layer is connected to the first or second layer by the adhesive effect of the intermediate layer. Optionally, the disposable wipe product according to the invention can also comprise one or more further layers, which consist entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers, and which are each connected to the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, or any other of the further layers by means of a further intermediate layer, wherein each intermediate layer comprises or consists of a natural material, the natural material having an adhesive effect that can be activated by the application of energy. All intermediate layers contained in a disposable wipe product according to the invention can consist of the same material or, alternatively, of different materials, in which case the different materials each have an adhesive effect that can be activated by the application of energy.Preferably, all intermediate layers contained in a disposable wipe product according to the invention independently contain or consist of a natural material selected from the group comprising collagen, castor bean, castor oil, PLA and resin-bonded cellulose acetate fibers, as well as any mixtures of two or more of these materials. Optionally, the intermediate layers each have a basis weight of 3 to 8 g / m². The adhesive force obtained after activation of the adhesive effect to bond the individual layers of the multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention is preferably 1 to 4 Newtons. According to the invention, the first layer, the second layer, the optional third layer, and any further optional layers contain natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers. "Natural fibers" are understood to mean all fibers of natural origin that can be used directly without further chemical conversion reactions. "Regenerated fibers," on the other hand, are fibers that are produced from naturally occurring, renewable raw materials via chemical processes. Like natural fibers, however, regenerated fibers also consist of 100% natural material. Preferably, the natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers contained in the first layer, the second layer, the optional third layer and optional further layers of the disposable cloth product according to the invention are selected independently of one another from the group comprising or consisting of viscose fibers, modal fibers, lyocell fibers, cellulose fibers, cupro fibers, cotton fibers, jute fibers, hemp fibers and flax fibers as well as any mixtures thereof. A preferred biopolymer included in the first layer, the second layer, the optional third layer, or optional further layers is PLA. According to a preferred embodiment, the natural material comprising or consisting of the intermediate layer(s) arranged between the first layer and the second layer and / or between the first layer and the third layer and / or between one of the aforementioned layers and a further layer is selected from the group consisting of collagen, castor bean, castor oil, PLA and resin-bonded cellulose acetate fibers, as well as any mixtures of two or more of these materials. Optionally, the disposable wipe product according to the invention has an abrasive strip arranged on the first layer, on the second layer or on the optional third layer, wherein an intermediate layer comprising or consisting of a natural material is arranged between the abrasive strip and the layer on which it is arranged, wherein the natural material has an adhesive effect that can be activated by the action of energy, and wherein the abrasive strip is connected to the first, second or third layer by the adhesive effect of the intermediate layer. The first, second, optional third, and each optional further layer of a disposable wipe product according to the invention each contain, independently of one another, preferably at least 50 wt.%, at least 60 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, at least 95 wt.%, or 100 wt.% cellulose-based fibers. Optionally, the cellulose-based fibers are DRC (double re-crepe) cellulose, in particular with a basis weight of 115 g / m². Cellulose fibers are characterized by an excellent storage capacity for impregnating agents. Therefore, a layer with a high cellulose fiber content is well suited as a liquid reservoir for impregnating agents. DRC cellulose, in particular, is characterized not only by its excellent storage capacity for liquids but also by its extraordinary stability in the wet state. Alternatively, the first, second, optional third, and optional further layers can also consist independently of one another of 100% viscose (nonwoven material), in particular with a basis weight of approximately 100 g / m². As a further alternative, each of the aforementioned layers can also consist independently of the other layers of binder-free airlaid cellulose or airlaid with biodegradable binders, in particular with a basis weight of 135 g / m². As a further alternative, each of the aforementioned layers can also consist independently of the other layers of compressed cellulose, in particular with a basis weight of 160 g / m². Optionally, the multi-layered disposable wipe product according to the invention is impregnated with an impregnating agent, which preferably contains at least one compound with antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, the impregnating agent can contain all ingredients found in conventional impregnating agents, in particular water, oil, preservatives, surfactants, emulsifiers, skin-conditioning ingredients, moisturizing ingredients, and any combination thereof.In this embodiment, the multi-layer disposable wipe product according to the invention is preferably selected from the group comprising or consisting of facial cleansing wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, moist toilet paper, baby wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, cleaning wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, disinfectant wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, floor wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, household wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, all-purpose wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent for the disinfection, cleaning and / or care of medical probes, electronic devices, windows, furniture and / or vehicles. In the context of the present invention, the term "impregnated" is used synonymously with "soaked" and means that at least one layer of the multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention has been provided with an impregnating agent. The term "impregnated" also includes soaking followed by drying. According to a preferred embodiment, the multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention has the following layers and compositions: First layer: 70% hemp / 30% lyocell Second layer: 100% cellulose Third layer: 100% viscose According to a further preferred embodiment, the multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention has the following layers and compositions: First layer: 30% hemp / 70% viscose Second layer: 100% cellulose Third layer: 100% viscose According to a further preferred embodiment, the multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention has the following layers and compositions: First layer: 70% hemp / 30% viscose Second layer: 100% cellulose Third layer: 100% viscose According to a further preferred embodiment, the multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention has the following layers and compositions: First layer: 100% mesh material (pulp / lyocell) Second layer: 100% cellulose Third layer: 100% viscose According to a further preferred embodiment, the multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention has the following layers and compositions: First layer: 50% hemp / 50% lyocell Second layer: 100% cellulose Third layer: 100% viscose Detailed description of the invention The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention, - Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention, and - Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a multilayer disposable wipe product according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a multi-layer disposable wipe product 1 according to the invention. This is produced by unrolling a first layer 2 and a second layer 3 with an intermediate layer 5 arranged between them from a roll and arranging them on top of each other. The first layer 2 and the second layer 3 each contain cellulose-based fibers and consist entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers. The intermediate layer 5 comprises or consists of a natural material that exhibits an adhesive effect that can be activated by the application of energy. The eight arrows, arranged in pairs facing each other, are intended to indicate the effects of elevated temperature and, optionally, pressure. The elevated temperature activates the adhesive properties of the natural material contained in the intermediate layer 5, causing the superimposed layers 2, 3, and 5 to bond together. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a multilayer disposable wipe product 1 according to the invention. In addition to the components already shown in Figure 1, the multilayer disposable wipe product in this embodiment contains a third layer 4, which contains cellulose-based fibers and consists entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers. To connect the third layer 4 with the second layer 3, an intermediate layer 5 is arranged between them, which comprises or consists of a natural material that has an adhesive effect that can be activated by the action of energy. The individual layers are joined together as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 by applying increased temperature and optionally pressure. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of a multilayer disposable wipe product 1 according to the invention. In addition to the components already shown in Figure 2, the multilayer disposable wipe product 1 in this embodiment contains a further layer in the form of an abrasive strip 6, which is bonded to the third layer 4 by means of an intermediate layer 5, which comprises or consists of a natural material having an adhesive effect that can be activated by the application of energy, under the influence of elevated temperature and optionally pressure. The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the examples, as well as in the claims and figures, can be essential for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature WO 02 / 36339 A2

[0008] EP 1 212 478 A1

[0009] US 4298649 A

[0010] DE 10 2021 122 041 B1

[0013] WO 2024 / 037967 A1

[0014] EP 1 729 955 B1

[0015]

Claims

Multi-layer disposable wipe product (1) comprising at least a first layer (2) and a second layer (3), wherein both the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) contain cellulose-based fibers and consist entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers, characterized in that an intermediate layer (5) is arranged between the first layer (2) and the second layer (3), the intermediate layer comprising or consisting of a natural material, wherein the natural material has an adhesive effect that can be activated by the action of energy, and wherein the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) are connected to each other by the adhesive effect of the intermediate layer (5). Multi-layer disposable wipe product (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a third layer (4) which also consists entirely of natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers and / or one or more biopolymers and which is connected to the first layer (2) or to the second layer (3) by means of an intermediate layer (5), wherein the intermediate layer (5) comprises or consists of a natural material, wherein the natural material has an adhesive effect that can be activated by the action of energy, and wherein the third layer (4) is connected to the first layer (2) or the second layer (3) by the adhesive effect of the intermediate layer. Multi-layer disposable wipe product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the natural fibers and / or regenerated fibers contained in the first layer (2), in the second layer (3) and in the optional third layer (4) are independently selected from the group comprising or consisting of viscose fibers, modal fibers, lyocell fibers, cellulose fibers, cupro fibers, cotton fibers, jute fibers, hemp fibers and flax fibers, as well as any mixtures thereof. Multilayer disposable wipe product (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the natural material comprising or comprising the intermediate layer(s) (5) arranged between the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) and / or the intermediate layer(s) (5) arranged between the first layer (2) and the third layer (4) and / or the intermediate layer(s) (4) is selected from the group comprising collagen, castor bean, castor oil, PLA and resin-bonded cellulose acetate fibers, as well as any mixtures of two or more of these materials. Multilayer disposable wipe product (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an abrasive strip (6) arranged on the first layer (2), on the second layer (3) or on the optional third layer (4), wherein an intermediate layer (5) comprising or consisting of a natural material is arranged between the abrasive strip (6) and the layer on which it is arranged, wherein the natural material has an adhesive effect that can be activated by the action of energy, and wherein the abrasive strip (6) is connected to the first, second or third layer (2, 3, 4) by the adhesive effect of the intermediate layer (5). Multi-layer disposable wipe product (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disposable wipe product is impregnated with an impregnating agent and is one of: facial cleansing wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, moist toilet paper, baby wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, cleaning wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, disinfectant wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, floor wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, household wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, all-purpose wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent, wipes impregnated with an impregnating agent for the disinfection, cleaning and / or care of medical probes, electronic devices, windows, furniture and / or vehicles.

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