This invention refers to a disposable wipe suitable for cleaning and disinfection of toilet seats. The wipe which is the object of this invention is made from soluble cellulose which is dispersible in water and is impregnated with a cleansing and disinfectant solution. The cleansing wipe for toilets is characterised in that it includes a cellulose layer which is impregnated with surfactants and a synergistic biocide mixture
This invention refers to a disposable wipe for cleaning and disinfection of toilet seats.
The wipe which is the object of this invention is made from soluble cellulose which is dispersible in water and is impregnated with a cleansing and disinfectant solution.
The cleansing wipe for toilets is characterised in that it includes a cellulose layer which is impregnated with surfactants and a synergistic biocide mixture.
The problem deriving from the use of public toilets is well known. Even in cases in which toilets are adequately cleaned and maintained, the high number of users means that there may be problems with lack of cleanliness and the existence of germs and bacteria.
It would be convenient for there to be an appropriate means which would permit those users who so require or desire, to carry an element, which was of a small size and therefore easy to transport, which would make it possible to clean the toilet seat prior to using it.
This invention resolves the aforementioned problem by means of a disposable wipe, which is easy for the user to carry and which can be disposed of following use in the actual toilet, and which is impregnated with a substance which cleans and disinfects the surface on which the wipe will be used.
The cleansing wipe which is the object of the invention is indicated for cleaning toilets, particularly the seats thereof.
The wipe is made from soluble paper and is dispersible in water and is also impregnated with a cleansing and disinfectant solution. In this way the user may use the wipe to clean and disinfect the toilet seat and subsequently dispose of it in the toilet, as it is biodegradable in water.
This wipe is particularly useful on those occasions when the user is obliged to use a public toilet, thus ensuring the removal of any germs and bacteria.
The invention is characterised by the fact that it comprises a cellulose layer with an appropriate weight which ensures that it does not tear during the cleaning operation, and which also enables it to be disposed of in the toilet. The wipe should also have sufficient absorption of the cleansing and bactericidal solution with which it is impregnated.
It is important that the impregnation has the lowest possible surface tension in order to ensure that the surface to be cleaned is dampened. This fact is optimised according to the mixture of surfactants and solvents with low molecular weight.
The impregnation of the wipe consists of:
In addition, the impregnation may include water and perfume.
In an example of a preferred embodiment, the wipe may include non-ionic surfactants, preferably from the family of ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a concentration between 1% and 15% with a chain of between c 8 and c20 and ethoxylated with between 5 and 10 moles of ethylene oxide.
It may include, more specifically, for the purpose of more effective cleansing, a concentration of between 1% and 5% of a chain between c12 and c18 and ethoxylated with between 6 and 9 moles of ethylene oxide.
However, in another example of an embodiment the cleansing wipe could consist of an impregnation based on anionic surfactants preferably with a concentration between 1 and 15%, and preferably chosen from among sodium lauryl sulphate, magnesium lauryl sulphate, magnesium lauryl ether sulphate, calcium lauryl sulphate, calcium lauryl ether sulphate, amonic lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl ether sulphate, or mixtures of the foregoing.
In addition, more specifically and also for more effective cleansing, the anionic surfactants could include a concentration of between 1 and 5% chosen from among those mentioned above, or mixtures thereof.
The invention also includes those embodiments which consist of a mixture of non-ionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants in such a way that the percentage of the addition of both is between 1% and 15%, and preferably between 1% and 5%.
In addition, the mixture of short chain alcohols, would include ethanol or isopropanol or a mixture of both.
The weight should be appropriate for permitting an adequate consistency of the wipe so that it does not tear during use and which, furthermore, has sufficient absorption, however, said weight should be low enough to ensure that it can be disposed of in the toilet. For this purpose the weight of the layer of an example of an embodiment could be between 10g/m2 and 80g/m2. More specifically, the weight may be within a range of 40g/m2 and 60g/m2.
The impregnation should be adequate for the wipe to be sufficiently wet to permit the requisite cleaning and disinfection; however, it should also enable rapid drying of the surface to be cleaned, as it has to be used immediately by the user. The rapid drying process would also be related to the absorption capacity of the wipe. In order to achieve the adequate degree of impregnation, each cellulose layer could be impregnated with between 1g and 5 g of product, preferably between 2.5g and 4g.
The wipe may have, for example, a size of 200m x 200m which would permit it to carry out its function correctly, as well as being easily disposed of in the toilet and also easily carried by the user.
In another example of an embodiment, the wipe may have a form similar to a glove or a mitt, or it may be joined to an element having such form.
It is considered that the essential elements of the invention conform to claim 1, as well as the particular modes of embodiment resulting from dependent claims 2 to 15, which are incorporated by reference in this description.