Claims
- 1. A method of preparing a packaged towelette having enhanced wet strength while maintained in wet condition in a sealed container package and while during use until flushed in water, comprising:
- (a) forming a polyvinyl alcohol binder in a web of nonwoven fibers to form a polyvinyl alcohol impregnated towelette, wherein said polyvinyl alcohol binder consists of enhanced flushability polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of from 80-95%;
- (b) packaging said impregnated towelette in an impervious closed container; and
- (c) maintaining said polyvinyl alcohol binder in a gel-like form in a wet condition in said container by contact with a non-alkaline aqueous solution of boric acid having a concentration of at least 3% by weight up to its limit of solubility, thereby temporarily insolubilizing said polyvinyl alcohol binder until flushed in water.
- 2. A method of preparing a packaged towelette having enhanced wet strength while maintained in wet condition in a sealed container package and while during use until flushed in water, comprising:
- (a) forming a polyvinyl alcohol binder in a web of nonwoven fibers to form a polyvinyl alcohol impregnated towelette, wherein said polyvinyl alcohol binder consists of enhanced flushability polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of from 80-95%;
- (b) packaging said impregnated towelette in an impervious closed container; and
- (c) maintaining said polyvinyl alcohol binder in a gel-like form in a wet condition in said container by contact with a non-alkaline aqueous solution of a soluble salt selected from the group consisting of sodium sulfate and potassium citrate, said soluble salt solution having a concentration of at least 3% by weight, thereby temporarily insolubilizing said polyvinyl alcohol binder until flushed in water.
- 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said solution of soluble salt consists essentially of sodium sulfate at a concentration of 7-20% by weight.
- 4. A method according to claim 1 or 3 wherein said polyvinyl alcohol binder has a low to medium viscosity.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 870,552, filed Jan. 18, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,849, issued Mar. 31, 1981.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
870552 |
Jan 1978 |
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