Saline nose wipe and methods of manufacture and use

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a wet wipe or sheet that is suitable for contacting the skin and removing mucus from the skin. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wet wipe having an aqueous saline component suitable for dissolving and removing mucus in combination with the fabric matrix of the wet wipe. Typically, the fabric matrix of the wet wipe has a capacity of about 125 grams of solution per square meter, and it is impregnated with the aqueous saline solution to a level at or below approximately 80% of the absorbent capacity of the matrix.

1 . A method of manufacturing a composition, comprising:
 providing an absorbent matrix of mechanically bonded fibers,   impregnating into the matrix an aqueous solution comprising an inorganic salt in a concentration of 0.1 to 9 grams per 100 grams of solution.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution is alcohol free. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution includes a preservative. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution includes an emollient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix has an absorbent capacity of approximately 1 to 5 grams of aqueous solution per 1 gram of matrix. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein impregnating into the matrix comprises impregnating into the matrix the aqueous solution in an amount less than approximately 80 percent of the absorbent capacity of the matrix. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent matrix is a fabric having a basis weight of approximately 10 to 100 grams per square meter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent matrix includes cotton. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inorganic salt includes one or more of:
 sodium chloride and potassium chloride. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the preservative includes a chelating agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the chelating agent includes one or more of:
 tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), disodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, and dipotassium EDTA. 
 
     
     
         12 . A disposable composition comprising:
 an absorbent matrix of mechanically bonded fibers, and   an aqueous solution impregnated into the matrix, the solution comprising an inorganic salt in a concentration of approximately 0.1 to 9 grams per 100 grams of solution.   
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the solution further comprises an emollient, a preservative, and a surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the inorganic salt includes one or more of:
 sodium chloride and potassium chloride. 
 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the emollient includes glycerin. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the preservative includes a chelating agent. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16  wherein the chelating agent includes one or more of:
 tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), disodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, and dipotassium EDTA. 
 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12  further comprising one or more of: aloe vera, lavender, chamomile, and an herbal additive. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the absorbent matrix is a fabric base having a basis weight of approximately 10 to 100 grams per square meter. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the aqueous solution is alcohol free. 
     
     
         21 . A method of manufacturing a composition, comprising:
 providing an absorbent matrix of mechanically bonded fibers,   impregnating into the matrix an aqueous solution comprising an inorganic salt in a concentration of 0.1 to 9 grams per 100 grams of solution, such that the matrix has unused absorbent capacity but the amount is sufficient to apply the solution to a surface.   
     
     
         22 . A disposable composition comprising:
 an absorbent matrix of mechanically bonded fibers, and   an aqueous solution impregnated into the matrix, such that the matrix has unused absorbent capacity but the amount is sufficient to apply the solution to a surface, the solution comprising an inorganic salt in a concentration of approximately 0.1 to 9 grams per 100 grams of solution.