Disposable premoistened cleaning wipes

Abstract

The present invention relates to disposable premoistened cleaning wipes impregnated with a cleaning liquid containing a sophorolipid surfactant. This formulation offers enhanced antibacterial and cleaning effects while minimizing skin irritation and maintaining optimal skin hydration. When compared to wet wipes lacking a sophorolipid surfactant, these wipes demonstrate superior performance in terms of both efficacy and skin-friendly properties.

Description

DISPOSABLE PREMOISTENED CLEANING WIPESFIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to disposable premoistened cleaning wipes having antibacterial effect.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPeople come into contact with many surfaces in their normal everyday lives. The propensity for surfaces to harbor viruses, bacteria, dust, dander, soil, grease, hair, and like materials is well known. As people come into contact with surfaces as they move about, they are exposed to these nefarious materials. Exposure to viruses and bacteria can result in illness. Exposure to dust, dander, and pet hair can cause respiratory distress.One common solution provided to consumers is a premoistened cleaning wipe. Such wipes are commonly single layers of a nonwoven fibrous material, comprising a cleaning composition absorbed in said wipe.Currently, there is a growing consumer demand for wet wipes that not only serve their intended purpose but also effectively combat problematic microorganisms like rhinoviruses, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, without posing any risks to the consumer's health. To meet this demand, manufacturers have started incorporating antimicrobial agents into various consumer products, including wet wipes, to target both transient and resident bacteria on the skin.Human skin is vulnerable to bacterial infections and can be damaged by corrosive chemicals. It is also prone to developing allergic reactions and can erode or wear away under certain conditions.Nevertheless, many of these products containing antimicrobial agents tend to cause skin irritation due to the chemicals used to achieve the antimicrobial effect. For instance, disinfectants employ high levels of alcohol and / or surfactants, which have been known to dry out and irritate the skin tissues. Additionally, some currently available wet wipes use harsh cationic surfactants without the addition of acids. While the surfactant effectively kills many types of bacteria, it is harsh and irritating to the skin.In an attempt to create antimicrobial products, many formulations combine an organic acid with either an anionic or cationic surfactant. Although some organic acids can safely control microorganisms without surfactants, most products relying solely on organic acids have limited efficacy against bacteria and fungi unless used in very high concentrations. However, such high concentrations can render the final product uneconomical and may raise concerns about skin irritation.There is a growing interest for more natural products being milder to the skin, healthier and safer for both people and the environment. Skin safe alternatives to harsh chemicals, such as glycolipid biosurfactants, lead to improved safety, reduced irritation, and enhanced overall wellbeing. Glycolipid biosurfactants are naturally derived compounds that exhibit excellent surface-active properties while being gentle on the skin.Glycolipid biosurfactants include rhamnolipids, sophoroselipids, glucoselipids, cellobioselipids and trehaloselipids. Glycolipid biosurfactants can be produced by either bacterial or yeast fermentation. This is inherently advantageous in that products of fermentation can generally be derived from renewable raw materials and are likely to be biodegradable after use. Sophorolipids are a type of glycolipid biosurfactant derived from yeast fermentation. They offer exceptional cleaning performance and grease removal properties while being safe and gentle on the skin. Sophorolipids have a unique molecular structure that allows them to effectively break down and emulsify grease, oils, and other stubborn substances. Their surfactant properties enable them to penetrate and lift away dirt and grime from various surfaces, including skin, fabrics, and hard surfaces.EP2596089 discloses a laundry detergent composition comprising an effective amount of surfactant system and an enzyme system, characterised in that the surfactant system comprises a biosurfactant, which is a glycolipid surfactant, and at least one lipase enzyme of bacterial origin.There is an ongoing need for disposable cleaning wipes that offer enhanced antibacterial properties while also being gentle on the skin, causing minimal irritation, and preventing skin dryness.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a disposable cleaning wipe that meets the above-mentioned shortcomings and eliminates the disadvantages.The present invention is a wet wipe made of a non-woven material impregnated with a liquid cleaning composition for cleaning the skin of infants, children and adults, said liquid cleaning composition comprising a glycolipid biosurfactant.In the present invention, said liquid cleaning composition comprises between 1% to 2% by weight of said liquid cleaning composition of glycolipid biosurfactant, said cleaning composition releasably absorbed in said wipe, wherein said glycolipid biosurfactant is a sophorolipid surfactant.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a disposable cleaning wipe for cleaning the skin of babies, children and adults. Said cleaning wipe comprises a non-woven material impregnated with a liquid cleaning composition, wherein said liquid cleaning composition comprises a glycolipid biosurfactant.According to the present invention, the liquid cleaning composition comprises between 1% to 2% by weight of said liquid cleaning composition of glycolipid biosurfactant, said liquid cleaning composition releasably absorbed in said wipe, wherein said glycolipid biosurfactant is a sophorolipid surfactant.According to present invention, incorporating sophorolipids in the specified ratio into the liquid cleaning composition provides several advantages concerning skin safety. Firstly, it has a low potential for skin irritation and sensitization compared to harsh chemicals, deliver desirable cleansing performance without compromising skin health and hydration. This makes the disposable cleaning wipes of the present invention suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or those prone to allergic reactions. The gentle nature of sophorolipid biosurfactants helps maintain the skin's natural balance and reduces the risk of adverse skin reactions.Additionally, sophorolipids are known for their biodegradability and environmentally friendly nature. They readily biodegrade into non-toxic byproducts, minimizing their impact on ecosystems. This makes them a sustainable choice for cleaning applications, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally conscious products.According to the present invention, the cleaning wipe impregnated with a liquid solution comprising between 1% to 2% by weight of said liquid cleaning composition of sophorolipid surfactant provides improved antibacterial properties and cleaning-emulsified efficacy without excessive skin irritation or loss of hydration when compared to wet wipes free from a sophorolipid surfactant.According to the present invention, the liquid cleaning composition contains a preservative agent or agents. Said preservative agent or agents are selected from phenoxyethanol, dehydroacetic acid, ethylhexyl glycerine, gluconolactone, benzyl alcohol, organic acids, and the like, or salts thereof, such as benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, levulinic acid, anisic acid and dehydroacetic acid, or combinations thereof. Preferably, said preservative agent or agents are selected from phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, ethylhexylglycerin or combinations thereof.The liquid cleaning composition according to the invention comprises an emollient agent or agents. The emollient agent or agents are selected from monopropylene glycol, glycerine, lanolin, PEG 75 lanolin, methyl glucet 20 benzoate, C12-C15 alkyl benzoate, ethoxylated cetyl stearyl alcohol, or combinations thereof.The liquid cleaning composition according to the invention comprises a large proportion of water. The water content of the liquid cleaning composition is at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%.The liquid cleaning composition according to the present invention may optionally include one or more of the following: acid regulators, metal chelating agents, surfactants, antimicrobial agents, and perfumes. For example, it may contain PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil, triethanolamine, EDTA, NaCl, citric acid, panthenol, propylene glycol, glycerin, lanolin, betaine, benzyldimethylammonium chloride or similar ingredients.The liquid cleaning composition according to the present invention can contain optional additional components such as an alkaline agent or a pH adjusting agent. The liquid cleaning composition according to the present invention may comprise citric acid. According to the present invention, the liquid cleaning composition can comprise citric acid in an amount of between 0.1% to 1% by weight of said liquid cleaning composition. Examples of the alkaline agent include alkali metal salts, including hydroxides of alkali metals such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. The liquid cleaning composition according to the present invention may comprise sodium chloride as tonicity adjusting agent.The nonwoven wipes material in the present invention may be prepared from fibers or filaments of synthetic or natural origin. Said synthetic fiber may consist of fibers or filaments of synthetic origin such as polyolefin, polypropylene, polyethyleneetheraphthalate, polyamide, polyester, viscose, polyacrylic, PVC, cellulose acetate, polyethylene. The natural fiber in question can be cotton, bamboo, linen, hemp, jute, sisal, coconut fiber.The natural or synthetic fiber used in the present invention may be staple or continuous fibers. The synthetic continuous fiber may be spunbond, spunbond meltblown blend, and other suitable continuous synthetic fibers. Synthetic staple fiber can be spunlace and other staple synthetic fiber. The natural continuous fiber may consist of flax, bamboo, jute, hemp, sisal and similar cellulosic fibers, and the staple natural fiber cotton, bamboo and similar staple cellulosic fibers. Continuous or staple fibers can be used individually or as a mixture.In one embodiment of the present invention, the wipes (1) are in the Z-fold configuration and are joined to at least one adjacent wipe. In another embodiment of the present invention, the nonwoven wipes (1) can have an area of 50 cm² to 1000 cm² in Z-folded state. In an example of the present invention, a wet wipe (1) with an area of 304 cm² is obtained.Commercially available wet wipes (1) are often prepared using spunlace staple fiber, which consists of fiber fibers believed to increase surface-to-surface adhesion between adjacent wipes. The basis weights of nonwoven materials of commercially available wet wipes 1 suitable for use in the present invention can range from 30 gsm to 90 gsm, preferably in the range from 35 gsm to 50 gsm.The cleaning wet wipe according to the invention is used for cleaning the body of people who use baby diapers, diapers, panty type diapers, adult diapers, sanitary napkins, absorbent diapers. The aforementioned wet wipes can be used for hand and face cleaning, make-up removal, genital area cleaning, body cleaning and patient care.The cleaning wet wipes of the present invention are sensitive to the skin, thus providing skin-compatible cleaning.The cleaning wet wipe of the present invention is in a closed package and said package may contain one or more wet wipes.The following examples are given to illustrate the practice of the present invention, and the invention is not limited to these examples.EXAMPLES45 gsm polyester-viscose blend spunlace nonwoven material made in 160 mm × 190 mm (304 cm²) dimensions is impregnated with the liquids given in the following examples:Example 1: 2% Sophorolipid containing newborn lotionExample 2: 2% Sophorolipid containing baby lotionExample 3: 2% Sophorolipid containing baby lotion (alternative)Example 4: 1% Sophorolipid containing baby lotionExample 5: 1% Sophorolipid containing newborn lotionExample 6: Sophorolipid free newborn lotionExample 7: Sophorolipid free baby lotionTable 1: Contents of Wet Wipes Made of a Non-Woven Impregnated with a Liquid Cleaning Composition for Examples 1-7Ingredient Amount (% by weight)Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7Sodium Benzoate – – 0.5 – – – –Mixture of Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid – – – – 1 1 –Monopropilen Glikol – 1 0.1 1 – – 1Fenoksietanol, Etilheksilgliserin karışimi – 0.8 – 0.8 – – 0.8Parfüm – 0.5 0.3 0.5 – – 0.5PEG-40 Hidrojene Hint Yağı – 0.5 1.0 0.5 – – 0.5Gliserin – – – – – – –Pantenol, Propilen Glikol karışimi – – – – – – –Lanolin – – – – – – –Sitrik Asit – 0.03 0.4 0.03 – – 0.03EDTA 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15NaCl 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.6 0.2Trietanolamin 0.03 – – – 0.03 0.03 –Sodium Hydroxide – – 0.1 – – – –Sophorolipid 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 – –Su 96.22 94.82 95.15 95.82 97.22 98.22 96.82The liquid-impregnated non-woven materials can be individually placed or grouped together in liquid-tight sealed packaging. The non-woven materials may be folded or individually interlocked to allow sequential removal. The packaging may have a closable lid.TESTSAssessment of The Growth of The S. Aureus In The Presence Of The Wet Wipe SolutionsGrowth of S. aureus in the wet wipe solution after 4 hours contact time was assessed using the suspension method under aseptic conditions at ambient room temperature (25 °C) as in modified version of EN1276 standard. In brief, the test method involves mixing 1 ml of the test bacteria S. aureus (0.5 MacFarland) with 1 ml of interfering substance (0.3 g / L albumin) and then adding 8 ml of test wet wipe solutions. After the required contact time, 1 ml is removed and added to 8 ml of the neutralizer and 1 ml of sterile distilled water. Following 5 minute neutralization period, 1 ml is plated onto Tryptone Soya Agar, incubated at 37 °C for 24 h and the colonies present on the agars were counted.images / 80ed1348ed22c6c127bd7eae4145ae7c51c13f3e8d8026e1ea280775fa187738.jpgFigure 1. S. aureus survival in wet wipe solutions of Ex. 6, Ex. 5 and Ex. 1 (Results as Log10 CFU / ml)images / a777cb9345211adfd7c980c446b623ac4a8fa7f3e85b403aa9d95f55225d8e2c.jpgFigure 2. S. aureus survival in wet wipe solutions of Ex. 7, Ex. 4 and Ex. 2 (Results as Log10 CFU / ml)The antibacterial effect of wet wipe solutions of Ex. 5, Ex. 1, Ex. 4, and Ex. 2 containing 1% and 2% sophorolipid is considerably greater, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, when compared to sophorolipid-free formulations of Ex. 6 and Ex. 7.Assessment of HydrationThe measured skin parameters were evaluated by descriptive analysis at T0 (baseline) and T5min.images / e89241e2ae47874a4383c28a4c11e2b7b7f1367eee7327aef625670f55017cc9.jpgFigure 3. Assessment of Hydration in wet wipe solutions of Ex. 6 and Ex. 5It is shown that skin hydration is sufficient in 2% Sophorolipid containing newborn wet wipe solutions (Ex. 1) and in 1% Sophorolipid containing newborn wet wipe solutions (Ex. 5) when compared to a sophorolipid-free formulation (Ex. 6).

Claims

CLAIMS1.A premoistened cleaning wipe comprising: a liquid cleaning composition comprising between 1% to 2% by weight of said liquid cleaning composition of glycolipid biosurfactant, said cleaning composition absorbed in said wipe, wherein said glycolipid biosurfactant is a sophorolipid surfactant.2.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 1, wherein the liquid cleaning composition comprises a preservative(s).3.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 2, wherein said preservative(s) comprises phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, levulinic acid, anisic acid, ethylhexylglycerin, gluconolactone, benzyl alcohol, organic acids, or their salts, or combinations thereof.4.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 1, wherein said liquid cleaning composition comprises citric acid.5.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 1, wherein said liquid cleaning composition comprises sodium hydroxide.6.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 1, wherein said liquid cleaning composition comprises sodium chloride.7.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to preceding claims, wherein said cleaning composition has a pH of from 3 to 7, preferably a pH of from 4 to 6.8.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 1, wherein said liquid cleaning composition optionally contains emollient substance(s).9.A premoistened cleaning wipe comprising a liquid cleaning composition containing emollient substance(s) according to claim 8, wherein said emollient substance(s) comprise(s) monopropylene glycol, glycerin, lanolin, PEG 75 lanolin, methyl glucose 20 benzoate, C12-C15 alkyl benzoate, or ethoxylated cetyl stearyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof.10.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 1, wherein said liquid cleaning composition optionally contains acid regulating agent(s), metal chelating agent(s), surfactants, antimicrobial agent(s), and fragrance.11.A premoistened cleaning wipe according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning wipe is used for cleaning the body of people who use baby diapers, diapers, panty type diapers, adult diapers, sanitary napkins, absorbent diapers.