Wiper with use indicator

Abstract

Disposable cleaning wipes having a use indicator are provided that are suitable for use in home and industrial cleaning applications. The cleaning wipes comprise cellulosic fibers, an antimicrobial agent and an indicator complex, the indicator complex including (i) a colored compound selected from the group consisting of a phthalocyanine compound, an ultramarine compound, and an iron oxide compound, and (ii) a cationic agent. The indicator complex is releasably attached, by ionic bonding, to a discrete region of the fibrous sheet. The anti-microbial compound is also attached, by ionic bonding, to the fibrous sheet. Thus, in use, the indicator complex is released by the fibrous sheet commensurate with the release of antimicrobial agent. The release and loss of the indicator complex provides the user with an indication of when the antimicrobial agent within the fibrous sheet is substantially depleted and the cleaning wipe should be replaced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning article comprising:
 a fibrous sheet comprising cellulosic fibers, said fibrous sheet having opposed first and second outer surfaces;   a cationic antimicrobial agent releasably attached to said cellulosic fiber;   a complex comprising a dye and said antimicrobial agent and wherein said complex is stable against oxidation and reduction having an ORP of between 0 and 1.61 V; and   wherein said complex forms a graphic and is present on less than about 25% of the area of the first outer surface of said sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning article of  claim 1  wherein said dye comprises a phthalocyanine compound and/or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning article of  claim 1  wherein said dye is selected from the group consisting of metallophthalocyanines, ultramarines, iron oxides, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning article of  claim 1  wherein said dye comprises a metallophthalocyanine. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning article of  claim 1  wherein said complex is water insoluble. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning article of  claim 1  wherein said antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, biguanide compounds, chitosan, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning article of  claim 5  wherein the antimicrobial agent is ionically bonded to the cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning article of  claim 1  wherein said fibrous sheet comprises at least 50% by weight cellulosic fibers, on a dry basis. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning article of  claim 8  wherein said fibrous sheet comprises between 5% and 45% by weight polyolefin fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning articles of  claim 8  wherein said cationic antimicrobial agent is present on at least 50% of the area of the first outer surface of said sheet. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning article comprising:
 a fibrous sheet comprising cellulosic fibers;   a first region of the fibrous sheet having a complex formed by (i) a colored compound selected from the group consisting of a phthalocyanine compound, an ultramarine compound, an iron oxide compound, and/or a derivative thereof, and (ii) a cationic agent, wherein said complex is releasably attached to said cellulosic fibers by ionic bonding and further wherein said first region comprises less than about 45% of the area of said fibrous sheet;   a second region of the fibrous sheet having a cationic antimicrobial agent releasably attached to said cellulosic fiber by ionic bonding and being substantially free of colored compounds selected from the group consisting of a phthalocyanine compound, an ultramarine compound, an iron oxide compound, and/or a derivative thereof, said second region comprising greater than about 55% of the area of said fibrous sheet.   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning article of  claim 11  wherein said phthalocyanine compound comprises a metallophthalocyanine. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning article of  claim 12  wherein said metallophthalocyanine is copper (II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid tetra sodium salt. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning article of  claim 11  wherein said antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium, biguanide compounds, and chitosan. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning article of  claim 11  wherein the cationic agent is selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium and biguanide compounds. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning article of  claim 11  wherein said fibrous sheet comprises at least 50% by weight cellulosic fibers, on a dry basis. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning article of  claim 16  wherein said fibrous sheet comprises between about 5% and about 45% by weight polyolefin fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning articles of  claim 17  wherein said cellulosic fibers are selected from the group consisting of hardwood and softwood pulps.