VIRUCIDAL WIPE AND METHOD

Abstract: A substantially dry, impregnated wipe having therein iodine and means for retaining the iodine from escape therefrom, the iodine being present in an amount from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the wipe and in are amount sufficient to provide virucidal activity. The iodine is preferably present in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. A flexible paper substrate is preferred, and the most preferred substrate is facial tissue. The iodine retaining means is preferably a suitable stabilizing surfactant present in an amount sufficient to complex the iodine, but preferably not substantially in excess of an amount sufficient to complex the iodine. A highly preferred stabilizing surfactant is polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate, present in weight ratio to iodine of from about 1:3 to about 2:1, and most preferably about 1:2. A method of reducing transmission of respiratory viral infections, which includes providing a substantially dry nasal wipe material of the type described and contacting such material with nasal surfaces in the presence of nasal discharge, and, preferably, thereafter wiping to dry hand surfaces with such material.

Description: VIRUCIDAL WIPE AND METHOD Field of the Invention This invention is related to the control of viral infections such as respiratory viral in ections. In particular, the invention is related to the field of wipes used by persons having viral infections, such as tissues used by persons infected with the common cold. Background of the Invention The common cold is a major worldwide health problem. It has been reported that during a recent year common colds occurred in the united States an average of 3.9 times per person and led to an average restriction in activity of 1.2 days per person. The magnitude of the problem is apparent. Losses in productivity, expenditures for so-called "cold remedies" and doctor visits, compli¬ cations such as sinusitis, and the human misery involved make the common cold a major public health problem. Little progress has been made toward controlling or curing the common cold. Virtually all new products dealing with the common cold are directed toward relieving the symptoms. And, prevention and/or cure of viral respiratory infections by the usual means — vaccination and chemotherapy — seem out of reach at present. ' The large number of respiratory infection virus types makes a respiratory infection virus vaccine appear, at present, to be unlikely at best. Rhinoviruses are the principal common cold viruses. There are about 110 different rhinovirus types alone, as well as the influenza and parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, coronaviruses, and others. Chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis do not offer a practical answer either since, at present, there are no practical agents useful against the common cold. Large doses of ascorbic acid, which have been advocated for both prevention and treatment of the common cold, have not been shown effective; the results of controlled experiments have been equivocal at best. A major obstacle for vaccines or chemical treat¬ ments against the common cold is that, unlike many othe.lr diseases, both virus acquisition and the disease process occur on the respiratory mucosal surfaces. While this fact may make the common cold difficult to prevent and cure, it has ' widely been thought that it makes the common cold very easy to transmit and that transmission occurs in many ways. However, in recent years, considerable evidence has been collected showing that respiratory viral infections are much more difficult to spread than was commonly believed. Various experiments have shown that, generally speaking, only those persons who have relatively severe colds and are shedding rather large amounts of virus seem capable of transmitting their infections to others. Although it is common for physicians and their patients to think of respiratory illnesses as being very contagious, studies have shown that transmission may be surprisingly difficult unless there is considerable intimacy. It was found that inter-family spread was very sporadic, while intra-family dissemination of respiratory viruses was more likely. Substantial data have shown that infection is likely to occur by contact self-inoculation, that is, the transfer of viruses from a person's virus-contaminated fingers to his own nasal or conjunctival surfaces. This is a process which seems more likely to occur in situation in which there is considerable intimacy or prolonged association. Rhinovirus contamination of hands occurs frequently during rhinovirus colds and it has been shown that rhinoviruses survive well on skin and environmental surfaces. Finger-to-nose and finger-to-eye movements are performed frequently, either consciously or unconsciously, by both adults and children, and these actions are capable of initiating infection if the fingers were previously contaminated. Transmission is likely to occur, for example, when a parent grossly soils his hands with nasal effluent while wiping the nose of a child and later contaminates his own nasal ucosa or conjunctiva by self-inoculation. Transmission can also occur if an infected family member contaminates his fingers by contact near or insertion into his nares, and then such contamination either directly or indirectly reaches the fingers of a healthy family member who thereafter inserts them into his own nares or with them contacts his conjunctivas. The developments over the last several years have led. to a recognition .that the spread of respiratory viral infections may be interruptable more easily than had previously been believed, by eliminating infectious viruses from hands and environmental surfaces to reduce the self-inoculation which otherwise would occur during conscious or unconscious hand movements. It has been noted that infectious viruses could be eliminated from the hands by more frequent hand washing. Frequent hand wash¬ ing could be specifically promoted for those having colds, particularly after coughing, sneezing, or attending to the profuse nasal discharge that may accompany common colds. However, avoiding or significantly reducing the conscious or unconscious hand-to—face motions that are so common presents- a difficult, if not insurmountable, pro¬ blem. Even though, hand washing might be frequent, the normal hand-to-face movements will continue ' to cause the frequent transmission of respiratory viral infections through the spread of virus from the infected person and the sel -inoculation of the healthy person. Brief Summary of the Invention This invention is directed toward reducing the transmission of viral infections, such as respiratory viral infections, and, in particular, achieving such re¬ duction without significantly changing normal behavioral patterns. A substantially dry, flexible, impregnated wipe having virucidal properties against common cold viruses is provided. The virucidal wipe of this invention is impreg¬ nated with iodine and means for retaining the iodine on the wipe. The iodine is present ' in an amount of about 1.0 - 15% by weight of the product and in an amount sufficient to provide virucidal activity. The iodine is preferably present in an amount of about 2 - 5%. A flex¬ ible paper substrate, most preferably facial tissue, is used. The iodine is preferably retained within the wipe with a suitable stabilizing surfactant present in an amoun sufficient to complex the iodine, but preferably not sub¬ stantially in excess of an amount sufficient to complex the iodine. The most highly preferred stabilizing sur- factant is polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate, present in weight ratio to iodine of about 1:3 to 2:1. The virucidal wipe of this invention retains its virucidal properties over substantial periods of time, in spite of the well-known volatility of iodine. With proper pack- aging, as described later, the wipe of this invention can retain- its virucidal properties during normal storage and shelf life. The invention further involves a method of reducing the transmission of respiratory viral infections. This unique method involves the steps of providing a sub¬ stantially dry nasal wipe material of the type described above and contacting such material with nasal surfaces in the presence of nasal discharge. The free iodine encounter ing live viruses kills the viruses and leaves facial areas near the nares substantially free of live viruses so that subsequent contact by the fingers will not lead to trans- mission of the disease. Preferred embodiments of this method include the additional step of wiping to dry hand surfaces with such material. This tends to eliminate live viruses which may have reached the user's hands as he cap¬ tures the nasal secretions. The effectiveness of the virucidal wipe of this invention and of the method of this invention for reducing the transmission of respira ory viral infections has been tested in clinical tests conducted in Antarctica during 1979 and 1980. Objects of the Invention An object of this invention is to provide a dry virucidal wipe for preventing or diminishing virus contam¬ ination of human body surfaces. Another object of this invention is to help re¬ duce the number of occurrences of respiratory viral infec¬ tions such as the common cold. Another object of this invention is to provide a nasal tissue which prevents or reduces the transmission of respiratory viral infections without substantially changing behavioral patterns. Another object of this invention is to provide a nasal tissue which can eliminate or reduce the contam¬ ination of the user's face and hands during the capture of nasal secretions. Another object of this invention is to provide a nasal tissue which prevents the contamination of envi- ronmental surfaces by contact with the hands of a person having a respiratory viral infection. Still another object of this invention is to provide a method for reducing the transmission of respira- tory viral infections which does not require substantial changes in the behavior of infected persons. ■i Another object of this invention is to provide a dry nasal tissue having a virucidal effect when used in the manner in which nasal tissues of the prior art are normally used. . Another object .of this invention is to provide a dry virucidal nasal wipe which maintains its virucidal capability over substantial periods of time. These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing portions and the following detailed specification. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The substrate material used in the virucidal wipe of this invention is a flexible absorbent material of a type suitable for wiping the face and hands. Paper is a preferred substrate material and the most preferred sub¬ strate material is ' facial tissue, which is normally a single- or multiple-ply light basis weight soft creped wadding or air-formed material. Other acceptable materials include spun-bonded and melt-blown nonwovens made from thermoplastic " fibers such as polyolefins. A multiple-ply creped wadding facial tissue is especially preferred because of its strength. An example of a particularly satisfactory material is the three-ply creped wadding used by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, of Neenah, Wisconsin, for its Man-Sized KLEENEX tissues. The virucidal activity of the virucidal wipes of this invention is provided by iodine. The iodine used in making the virucidal wipes may be obtained in its crystal¬ line form, and is available from a number of sources. The substrate may be impregnated with iodine using a method of which will be described hereinafter. Iodine is present in the wipes of this invention in an amount of from about 1.0% to about 15% by weight of the impregnated wipe. The iodine is most preferably pre¬ sent in an amount of from about 2% to about 5% by weight of the impregnated wipe. If the iodine level is below about 1% by weight of the impregnated wipe, the virucidal capabilities of the wipe may be insufficient. Iodine level -in excess of about 15% could tend to stain the skin, cause an irritating pungent odor, or weaken the paper substrate. When iodine is present in an amount within the preferred range of 2 - 5%, the most effective balance of efficacy, stability, cosmetic concerns, and sensory concerns is achieved. An important constituent of the virucidal wipe of this invention is another part of the impregnant — a means for retaining the iodine from escape from the wipe by volatilization. This is of particular importance because of the well-known highly volatile nature of iodine.' The retaining means is preferably a stabilizing surfactant, which serves to complex the iodine and thus hold it in the dry virucidal wipe during storage and prior to use. Several surfactants have been found to perform satisfactorily as the stabilizing surfactant in this invention-. These include: • linoleic diethanolanide, a nonionic surfactant available from Mona Industries, Inc., Patterson, New Jersey, under the trademark MONAMID 15-7OW; the sodium salt of undecyleniσ acid monoethanolamide sulfosuccinate, a nonionic surfactant available from Rewo Chemical, Inc., Mauldin, South Carolina, under the trade¬ mark REWOCID Dl 185; an ethoxylated poly ethysiloxane having nonionic surfactant qualities available from Union Carbide Corporation, New York, New York, under the trade- mark L-77 Silicone; and di allow (diethylenetria ine) ethyleneoxide dimethyl sulfate quaternary, a cationic surfactant available from Sherex Chemical Company, of Dublin, Ohio, under the trademark VARISOFT 222. A highly preferred stabilizing surfactant is polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate, a nonionic surfactant available from ICI Americas, Inc. , Wilmington, Delaware, under the trade¬ mark AKLATONE T. Any surfactant which is acceptable for use on human skin, which serves to complex the iodine but to allow its subsequent release from the complex, and which would not impart undesirable attributes (e.g., stickiness, hardness, or odor) to the substrate would be satisfactory for use in this invention. A -suitable stabilizing sur¬ factant is used in an amount sufficient to complex the iodine and preferably not substantially in excess of an amount sufficient to complex the iodine. The stabilizing surfactant should be chosen and used in an amount such that when the dry wipe is wetted by nasal secretions or otherwise, the wetnes_s releases iodine from the complex thus making it available to kill. rhinoviruses or other infectious viruses in contact there¬ with. The stabilizing surfactant would be used to excess if insufficient amounts of iodine are made available upon wetting to provide the desired virucidal activity or if the virucidal wipe became too slippery in character such that it feels, substantially different than a nasal tissue of the prior art. An excessive amount of surfactant will also tend to make the dry wipe boardy, that is, relatively hard and inflexible. Appropriate amounts of stabilizing surfactant or other stabilizing means will depend upon the surfactant or other means used. The most highly preferred stabilizing surfactant, polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate (AKLATONE T) may be used in a weight ratio to iodine of from about 1:3 to about 2:1. Lesser amounts would be insufficient to adequately complex the iodine and to pre¬ serve it for later virucidal activity. Greater amounts ■ - - would tend to capture the iodine too much, thus inhibiting its later virucidal activity, and/or produce unsatisfactory surface characteristics particularly when the wipe is wet. Other constituents may be included within the impregnant of the virucidal wipe of this invention. For example, small amounts of perfume are preferably included in the impregnant to improve the sensory qualities of the virucidal wipe. A wide variety of commercially available perfumes would be acceptable, and these would be apparent to those skilled in the art and familiar with this inven¬ tion. The virucidal wipe of this invention may be made without any heat processing or unusual processing steps. A preferred method of producing the wipe involves pre- paring an iodine intermediate solution using a fugitive solvent, impregnating a paper or other substrate with such intermediate, and then drying the impregnated substrate to remove the fugitive solvent. The iodine intermediate used in making a pre- ferred embodiment of this invention is prepared by adding resublimed iodine crystals, an acceptable stabilizing sur¬ factant, and a perfume to a fugitive solvent. This mixture is thoroughly stirred, preferably for about 30 minutes, but at least until it is in solution. The substrate material which has been selected for use is then impregnated with this iodine intermediate solution using any of a variety of impregnating methods. Acceptable impregnating methods include printing, dipping and spraying. Such operations are preferably car- ried out on a web of substrate material as it extends over processing equipment between a supply roll and a take-up roll. The impregnated web passes an application point where it is printed, dipped or sprayed with the iodine in¬ termediate solution. If a dipping process is used, the web may thereafter be squeezed to control the amount of impreg¬ nant. The amount of impregnant applied using a printing or spraying step can be controlled directly at the application point. After application of the iodine intermediate, the web is dried. Drying is preferably carried out by allowing the impregnated web to remain for a period of time in a ventilated area before it is wound onto a take-up roll. Good ventilation in the drying area facilitates the removal of fugitive solvent vapors. The dried web of virucidal wipe material is then wound onto a roll and may thereafter be converted to individual wipes or wipe material webs of various sizes and shapes. Ethyl alcohol is a preferred fugitive solvent for use in the production of the virucidal wipe of this invention. Ethyl alcohol dissolves the iodine crystals and stabilizing surfactant easily and vaporizes quickly during the drying step. Other fugitive solvents could be used, including alcohols other than ethanol, diethyl ether, water, glycerol, and mixtures of alcohol and water. Accept¬ able fugitive solvents must adequately dissolve the iodine crystals and other constituents of the iodine intermediate, must be capable of drying in a reasonable period of time, and must be toxicologically acceptable. The drying step may not remove all moisture from the virucidal wipe material. However, the virucidal wipe of this invention should be substantially free of moisture, that is, feel substantially dry (no more than a slight feel of moistness) rather than wet to the user. For example, a virucidal wipe having a water content of about 6% by weight of the wipe, or even more, would feel relatively dry to the touch. The wipe should be perceived by the user to be not substantially different than facial tissues. The amount of moisture which can be in the wipe of this invention is dependent upon the substrate which is used. The virucidal wipe material can be made using ot¬ her methods, and such would be apparent to those skilled in the art who are familiar with this invention. Appropriate methods will be dictated to some extent by the means used to retain the iodine from escaping from the wipe. The virucidal wipe(s) of this invention should be packaged in a container which is substantially imper¬ vious to iodine vapors. Acceptable materials for such packaging include: polyethylene terephthalate polymers, such as those available under the trademark MYLAR (100M30 and 75M30) from Ξ. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Wilm¬ ington, Delaware; various copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride, such as those available under the trademark SARAN from Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich- igan; and a copolymer of acrylonitrile with methylacrylate, such as that available under the trademark BAKEX 210 from Vistron Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio. Other acceptable iodine impervious materials include metal foils, although with certain foils coating would be required to avoid corrosion. As noted above, the virucidal wipes of this in¬ vention may be in various sizes and shapes. And, the packaging for the virucidal wipes of this invention can be in many forms, including flexible film pocket packs, pop- up containers of the type having a slit orifice which seals on itself, coated foil pouches, and any of a variety of covered containers. Regardless of the packaging form, the use of an iodine-impervious material will serve to maintain the virucidal activity of the wipes for extended periods of time. An important aspect of this invention is the establishment of a method for interrupting the normal transmission of respiratory viral infections without sig¬ nificantly modifying the behavioral patterns of infected persons. By using the virucidal wipes of this invention instead of regular facial tissues or handkerchiefs, sub¬ stantial reductions in the number of new respiratory viral infections have been achieved in a controlled population. Infected persons simply use the virucidal wipe of this invention to wipe their noses and to otherwise capture the limited or profuse nasal secretions which occur during the common cold. If the user's hands become wet with such nasal secretions, the virucidal wipe materials of this in¬ vention can be used to remove such wetness. The virucidal wipe of this invention kills live viruses within the contacted areas of the nares, on the areas around the nose, and on the hands, and thus breaks what is now believed to be a primary chain of transmission of respiratory viral infections. A high percentage of nasal discharge is water; such water releases iodine in the virucidal wipe making it available to kill viruses in such discharge and on contacted areas. In the preferred embodi¬ ments which use a stabilizing surfactant, the iodine is freed from its complex to perform its virucidal function. O ce the virucidal wipe is discarded, such as into a waste- basket, it will continue to kill live viruses captured by the wipe, thus reducing a reservoir of infectious particles and lowering the possibility of transmission by later contact. The following are examples of specific virucidal wipes in accordance with this invention: Example I An iodine intermediate is made using the proced¬ ures outlined above to solubilize the following: Resublimed iodine crystals 727.2 g ARLATONE T (polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate) 363.6 g Perfume 72.7 g Ethyl alcohol (absolute) 17.0 kg. About 90% of this solution is used to impregnate 5500 feet of a three-ply creped wadding facial tissue of 12-inch width using a printing process. This web is thereafter air-dryed and converted into acceptable lengths to provide virucidal wipes. The resulting wipe has an iodine content of about 3% by weight and a stabilizing surfactant content of about - y : 1.5%. The dry wipe has approximately the same softness and surface characteristics as a facial tissue of the prior art and exhibits good virucidal activity to interrupt the sprea of respiratory viral infections. Example II An iodine intermediate is made by stirring the following to solution: Resublimed iodine crystals 0.2 g ARLATONΞ T 0.1 g Perfume 0.01 g Diethyl Ether 99.69 g. Five individual 11 x 12 inch three-ply creped wadding facia tissues are dipped into and"absorb essentially all of this intermediate and are thereafter air-dried. The resulting wipes have about 1% iodine and about 0.5% stabilizing sur- factant. These wipes exhibit some virucidal activity, but are less effective than the wipes of Example I. Example III An iodine intermediate is made using the mixing procedures of Example II and the following constituents: Resublimed iodine crystals 0.4 g ARLATONE T 1.2 g Perfume 0.02 g Ethyl alcohol 98.38 g. This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate material of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having an iodine content of about 2% and stabilizing sur¬ factant content of about 6%. These wipes exhibit virucidal characteristics, but their surface characteristics are some- what marginal. Example IV An iodine intermediate is made using the mixing procedures of Example II and the following constituents: Resublimed iodine crystals 4.0 g ARLATONE T 2.0 g Perfume 0.4 g Ethyl alcohol • 93.6 g. This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate mater¬ ial of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having an iodine content of about 15% and a stabi¬ lizing surfactant content of about 7.5%. The wipes ex¬ hibit excellent virucidal qualities, but staining of the skin is possible and there is a pungent odor which some might consider unacceptable. Example V An iodine intermediate is made using the mixing procedures of Example II and the following constituents: Resublimed iodine crystals 0.4 g MONAMID 15-70W (linoleic diethanolamide) 0.4g Perfume 0.04 g Water 99.16 g. This intermediate is impregnated into a heavy, single-ply creped wadding facial tissue substrate to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 2% iodine and about 2% stabilizing surfactant. Drying takes a longer period since the fugitive solvent is water. The wipes exhibit good virucidal and surface qualities. Example VI An iodine intermediate is made using the mixing procedures of Example II and the following constituents: Resublimed iodine crystals 0.6 g REWOCID Dϋ-185 (the sodium salt of undecylenic acid ono- ethanolamide) 0.6 g ' Perfume 0.06 g Ethyl alcohol 98.74 g. This intermediate is impregnated into a two-ply air-formed facial tissue substrate to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 3% iodine and about 3% stabil¬ izing surfactant. They have good virucidal and surface qualities. Example VII An iodine intermediate is made using the mixing procedures of Example II and the following constituents: Resublimed iodine crystals 0.8 g . L-77 Silicone (an ethoxylated • ~ polymethylsiloxane from Union Carbide Corporation) 0.8 g Perfume 0.08 g Ethyl alcohol 98.32 g. This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate mater¬ ial of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 4% iodine and about 4% stabilizing surfactant. These wipes have good virucidal and surface qualities. Example VIII An iodine intermediate is made using the mixing procedures of Example II and the following constituents: Resublimed iodine crystals 0.6 g VARISOFT 222 (ditallow (diethy- lenetriamine) ethoxyleneoxide dimethyl sulfate quaternary) 0.6 g Perfume 0.06 g Ethyl alcohol 98.74 g. This intermediate is impregnated into soft woven cotton cloth material to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 3% iodine and about 3% stabilizing surfactant. The wipes have-good virucidal qualities. Example IX An iodine intermediate is made using the mixing procedures of Example II and the following constituents: Resublimed iodine crystals 1.1 g ARLATONΞ T 0.55 g Perfume 0.1 g Ethyl alcohol 98.25 g. • This intermediate is impregnated into the substrate mater¬ ial of Example I to the extent which after drying yields wipes having about 5% iodine and about 2.5% stabilizing sur¬ factant. These wipes exhibit excellent virucidal and sur¬ face characteristics. While in the foregoing specification this inven¬ tion has been described in relation to certain perferred embodiments and many details have been set forth for pur¬ pose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled - 17 - in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described here¬ in can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. As a new article of manufacture a flexible wipe having impregnated therein iodine and means for retaining the iodine from escape therefrom, the iodine being present in an amount of from about 1.0% to about 15% by weight of said arti¬ cle and in an amount sufficient to provide virucidal activity, said article being substantially free of moisture before use. 2. The article of claim 1 wherein the iodine is present in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 3. The article of claim 1 wherein the flexible wipe is paper. 4. The article of claim 3 wherein the flexible wipe is facial tissue. 5. The article of claim 1 wherein the iodine retain¬ ing means comprises a suitable stabilizing surfactant in an amount sufficient to complex the iodine. 6. The article of claim 5 wherein the surfactant is not substantially in excess of an amount sufficient to complex the iodine. 7. The article of claim 6 wherein the iodine is pre¬ sent in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 8. The article of claim 6 wherein the flexible wipe is paper. 9. The article of claim 8 wherein the flexible wipe is facial tissue. 10. The article of claim 6 wherein the surfactant is polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate and is present in a weight ratio to iodine of from about 1:3 to about 2:1. 11. The article of claim 10 wherein the ratio of the surfactant to the iodine is about 1:2. 12. The article of claim 11 wherein the iodine is present in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 13. The article of claim 11 wherein the flexible wipe is paper. 14. The article of claim 13 wherein the flexible wipe is facial tissue. 15. The article of claim 14 wherein the iodine is present in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 16. A method of reducing transmission of respiratory viral infections comprising: providing a substantially dry nasal wipe material having impregnated therein iodine and means for retaining the iodine from escape therefrom, the iodine being present in an amount of from about 1.0% to about 15% by weight of said wipe material and in an amount sufficient to provide virucidal activity, said wipe material being substan¬ tially free of moisture before use; and contacting said wipe material with nasal surfaces in the presence of nasal discharge. 17. The method of claim 16 including the subsequent step of wiping to dry hand surfaces with said wipe material. 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the iodine is present in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 19. -The method of claim 16 wherein the flexible sub¬ strate is paper. 20. The * method of claim 19 wherein the flexible sub¬ strate is facial tissue. 21. The method of claim 16 wherein the iodine retain¬ ing means comprises a suitable stabilizing surfactant in an amount sufficient to complex the iodine. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the surfactant is not substantially in excess of an amount sufficient to complex the iodine. 23. .The method of claim 22 including the subsequent step of wiping to " dry hand surfaces with said wipe. 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the iodine is pre¬ sent in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the flexible sub¬ strate is paper. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the flexible sub¬ strate is facial tissue. 27. The method of claim 22 wherein the surfactant is polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol septaoleate and is present in a weight ratio to iodine of from about 1:3 to about 2:1. 28. The method of claim 27 including the subsequent step of wiping to dry hand surfaces with said wipe. 29. The method of claim 27 wherein the ratio of the surfactant to the iodine is about 1:2. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the iodine is present in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 31. The method of claim 29 wherein the flexible sub¬ strate is paper. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the flexible sub- - strate is facial tissue. 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the iodine is pre¬ sent in an amount of from about 2% to about 5%. 34. The method of claim 31 including the subsequent step of wiping to dry hand surfaces with said wipe material.

Inventors: DICK ELLIOT C, MAHL MEARL C, WALTER GEORGE R
Applicants: JOHNSON & SON INC S C
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A61L15
IPC codes: A47K7, A61L2, D06M11, D06M13, D06M16