Saline nose wipe and methods of manufacture and use
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 matrix for removing mucus from in or around a nose comprising:
providing an absorbent matrix of mechanically bonded fibers, wherein the matrix has an absorbent capacity of approximately 1 to 5 grams of aqueous solution per 1 gram of matrix,
impregnating into the matrix biologically compatible alcohol-free aqueous solution comprising an inorganic salt appropriate to be applied into nasal passages in a concentration of 0.1 to 9 grams per 100 grams of solution, a preservative, and an emollient, wherein the solution is impregnated into the matrix in an amount less than approximately 80 percent of the absorbent capacity of the matrix such that the matrix has unused absorbent capacity but the amount is sufficient to apply the solution to a surface.
2. 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.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the absorbent matrix includes cotton.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the inorganic salt includes one or more of: sodium chloride and potassium chloride.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the preservative includes a chelating agent.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the chelating agent includes one or more of: tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), disodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, and dipotassium EDTA.
7. A disposable composition for removing mucus from in or around a nose comprising:
an absorbent matrix of mechanically bonded fibers having an absorbent capacity of approximately 1 to 5 grams of solution per 1 gram of matrix, and
an aqueous mucus-dissolving biologically compatible alcohol-free solution appropriate for application into nasal passages impregnated into the matrix, the amount of solution impregnated into the matrix being less than approximately 80 percent of the absorbent capacity of 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.
8. The composition of claim 7 wherein the solution further comprises an emollient, a preservative, and a surfactant.
9. The composition of claim 7 wherein the inorganic salt includes one or more of: sodium chloride and potassium chloride.
10. The composition of claim 8 wherein the emollient includes glycerin.
11. The composition of claim 8 wherein the preservative includes a chelating agent.
12. The composition of claim 11 wherein the chelating agent includes one or more of: tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), disodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, and dipotassium EDTA.
13. The composition of claim 7 further comprising one or more of: aloe vera, lavender, chamomile, and an herbal additive.
14. The composition of claim 7 wherein the absorbent matrix is a fabric base having a basis weight of approximately 10 to 100 grams per square meter.