WIPING ARTICLE

Abstract

A wiping article that has excellent portability and, when necessary, that can be set to a wet state for use. The wiping article is formed by compressing a sheet material, which has a shape and size that can be used for hand wiping etc., into a small size and receiving it in a pack. The pack (11) has a flat structure, and the inside of the pack is partitioned into at least two chambers (12, 13) by a partition belt. The partition belt can seal liquid (17) in and has strength and structure that lead to breakage of the belt under pressure exceeding a predetermined level. The sheet material (10) is compressed and formed into a shape and size that can be used for hand wiping etc. when the liquid is impregnated into the material to swell and expand it. The sheet material is placed in one (12) of the two chambers of the pack, and the liquid that is impregnated into the sheet material to swell it when the partition belt is broken is placed in the other chamber (13).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wiping article having a configuration in which a sheet material having a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like is compressed compactly and stored in a pack.

BACKGROUND ART

A wash cloth, a wet napkin, a wet towel or the like have various appellations, and there are commercial products used for a common purpose of wiping various parts of a body such as hands or a face or the like, and these products may be considered as the wiping articles of the same family. These products include those produced by impregnating a nonwoven fabric cut into a finite form with moisture content and packaging individually in a plastic film bag, or those formed continuously with perforated lines or the like at a regular pitch and filled in a container so as to allow the same to be pulled out from a port thereof. Since the wiping article of this type is in a state to be ready to use immediately, it is in a large and voluminous packaging form, and hence there is a problem of portability. Also, since the material such as the nonwoven fabric is in a state of being in contact with the moisture content for a long time, there is a problem of expiration date for use and there is also a possibility of alteration.

In contrast, JP-A-11-139463 discloses an invention which a semi-dried tissue and a small bag filled with aqueous liquid are stored in an outer bag, and a hot and steamed state is achieved by breaking the bag by an internal pressure rise when being heated by microwaves. Therefore, in addition to the existence of the problems as described above, there is a problem such that it cannot be used when heating by the microwaves is not possible, and hence it cannot be used in an environment where there is no facility of microwave heating. Also, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3072960 discloses an invention in which a dry wash cloth member is folded and an individually packaged liquid bag filled with water or antiseptic solution is stored therein, and the wash cloth member is squeezed from the outside to break out the water or the antiseptic solution in the bag to moisten the wash cloth member. However, in this configuration, there are problems such that the dry wash cloth member is downsized only to a folded state, it is difficult to know how much extent the water or the liquid has moistened the wash cloth member from the individually packaged liquid bag, and it is troublesome to remove the individually packaged liquid bag.

Therefore, the inventor of this application has developed a wiping article which is superior in portability in which a compactly compressed sheet material and liquid are encapsulated separately in a pack, liquid is supplied to the sheet material to expand the same when in use, so that it is usable as is only by taking out and spread. Since this wiping article is able to be supplied in a wet state when needed, it can be used conveniently for care-giving to aged people, for example, and can also be used for wiping sweat or dirt during outdoor activities. In addition, since it can be used by warming up or cooling down without using a heating facility, ice or the like, it is characterized in that a fresh feeling is provided during summer and a warm feeling is also provided during winter. In order to use it, a user simply breaks a separating band which divides an interior of a pack into two chambers to allow a sheet material in one chamber to be impregnated with liquid in the other chamber to expand the compressed sheet material.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problems that the Invention is to Solve

In view of such reasons as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wiping article which is superior in portability and is able to be brought into a wet state when needed for use. It is another object of the present invention to provide a wiping article which may be taken out and used as is by reliably supplying liquid to a compactly compressed sheet material to cause the same to expand. It is still another object to provide a wiping article which can be used in a warm state or a cold state. It is further object of the present invention to provide a wiping article having a structure such that an interior of a pack is separated by a breakable separating band, in which the separating band is broken adequately and relatively easily to cause a sheet material in one of two separated chambers to be impregnated with liquid in the other chamber and cause the same to be expanded. It is still further object of the present invention to provide a wiping article which is able to be used in a wet state without necessity of a tool or an auxiliary tool at all.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a wiping article having a sheet material of a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like compactly compressed and stored in a pack, in which the pack having a flat structure and an interior divided into at least two chambers by a separating band is used, the separating band has a hermeticity against liquid and has a strength and a structure which is broken to connect the two chambers when a pressure higher than a predetermined level is applied, the sheet material which is compression-molded so as to expand when being impregnated with liquid and assume a shape and a size usable as a hand towel or the like when being spread is used, the sheet material is arranged in one of the two chambers of the above-described pack, and the liquid which causes the sheet material to expand by being impregnated therewith upon breakage of the separating band is arranged in the other one of the two chambers of the above-described pack (the invention described in claim 1).

The wiping article according to the present invention is, as described above, awash cloth, a wet napkin, a wet towel or the like may be considered to refer to articles having various appellations, and is intended to be used for a common purpose of wiping various parts of a body such as hands or a face or the like. The sheet material is in a compactly compressed state in a state before use, expands when being impregnated with liquid to use, is restored to its original shape when being spread and becomes a wet wiping article. In other words, it assumes a shape and a size which allow usage as the hand towel or the like. As applications when it is restored, usage as a wash cloth, a handkerchief, or a towel is contemplated. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

As the compactly compressed sheet material as described above, a woven fabric formed of fibers of synthetic resin or natural resin or a nonwoven fabric formed of synthetic resin or natural resin is used in a form obtained by cutting a whole cloth of the above-described fabric into a predetermined dimensions and molding the same into a shape having, for example, a diameter of 1 to several centimeters and a height of 0.5 to several centimeters by compression molding means. A square shape like a dice, or a plate shape like a chewing gum may also be applicable, and the size is not limited to the dimensions described above as a matter of course. Since the wiping article obtained by the compactly compressed sheet material is maintained in a compactly compressed state in a dry state as described above, portability is not impaired.

The compactly compressed sheet material as described above is stored in the pack, is caused to expand in the pack for use, and thereafter is taken out from the pack for use. Therefore, the pack should have a configuration which is able to store the compactly compressed sheet material and liquid to be supplied thereto separately. In the present invention, as one of the configurations which satisfy the above-described condition, the pack having a flat structure and the interior divided into at least two chambers by the separating band is used, the separating band is provided so as to have the hermeticity against liquid and to be broken to connect the two chambers when the pressure higher than the predetermined level is applied. As a typical form of the container as described above, there is a flat bag-shaped structure, that is, the pack. The pack can be rolled or bent without problem, and is superior in portability.

The compactly compressed sheet material might cause an accidental swallowing and, if it is accidentally swallowed, it absorbs water content and expands with the elapse of time, so that it cannot be spewed out or, it is dangerous unless it is taken out surgically, and accidents of suffocation, is actually occurred. However, in the present invention, since the compactly compressed sheet material is stored in the pack until a stage of post-expansion and is taken out thereafter, the risk of the accident of suffocation is prevented. Although the liquid is encapsulated in the pack, the liquid is used only for causing the compressed sheet material to expand and hence is absorbed completely by the sheet material in the pack, and hence it is not leaked out even a drop.

As an example of the pack having the above-described flat bag-shaped structure, there is a method in which thermoplastic resin films are used and are bonded strongly along the periphery thereof, and the interior is divided into two chambers by weakly bonding the separating band which divides the pack into two chambers to a midsection (the invention described in claim 2). In order to provide a weakly bonded separating band, there is a method of bonding with thermoplastic resin of a different type which is bonded at a weaker bonding force than the bonding between the thermoplastic resins used in the pack interposed between the thermoplastic resin films which constitute the pack, or a method of bonding the thermoplastic resins of the same type at a lower temperature than the strongly bonded portion. It is also possible to use as described above, and rationalization of the configuration is achieved.

In the present invention, the sheet material having a compactly compressed flat bag-shaped structure is arranged in one of the two chambers in the above-described pack, and the liquid for expanding the sheet material by causing the same to be impregnated therewith by the breakage of the separating band is arranged in the other one of the two chambers in the above-described pack. In other words, the separating band is bonded at a weaker bonding (weak bonding) relatively with respect to the peripheral edge which is bonded strongly (strong bonding) such that the separating band is broken to connect the two chambers when the pressure higher than the predetermined level is applied.

The separating band may be weakly bonded as a whole, but it may be bonded weakly only partly and bonded strongly in other parts. Referring to the example shown in the drawing, the pack has a form of a kanji character “day” in Japanese (which is a FIG. 8 in seven-segment numeral display) and the lateral line in the midsection corresponds to the separating band. The weakly bonded part is provided partly or entirely over the separating band in the midsection.

The wiping article according to the present invention may have a configuration having a pack structure which is hard to be broken by using thermoplastic resin films and forming a strongly bonded portion along the peripheral edge of a pack as the pack for storing the sheet material, and a breaking force inducing portion extending inward from the strongly bonded portion on the peripheral edge of the pack, in which the interior of the pack is separated into two chambers by providing a separating band which is broken relatively easily provided on the above-described breaking force inducing portion or between the breaking force inducing portion and the peripheral edge of the pack by forming a weakly bonded portion which is weaker than the above-described strongly bonded portion, one of the chambers in which the breaking force inducing portion is provided is filled with liquid for expanding the sheet material by causing the same to be impregnated therewith by the breakage of the separating band, the other chamber includes the compressed sheet material which expands when being impregnated with the liquid and assumes a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like arranged therein (the invention described in claim 3).

The separating band may be provided over the entire width of the midsection of the pack, or may be provided only partly. In other words, the separating band may be provided together with the strongly bonded portion and may be provided only with the weakly bonded portion. The separating band is formed, for example, as a structure portion which is breakable upon application of a pressure by an impact blow. Therefore, the pack structure which is not breakable means, for example, a structure which is not breakable by a pressure of the level which is able to break the separating band.

The present invention includes the following means in order to concentrate the breaking force to the above-described separating band to connect the above-described two chambers by the application of a pressure higher than a predetermined level. As one of the means, the pack having the above-described bag-shaped structure has an unbreakable pack structure by using the thermoplastic resin film and strongly bonding the peripheral edge thereof and the breaking force inducing portion extending inward from the strongly bonded portion of the peripheral edge of the pack. The breaking force inducing portion may be provided on the strongly bonded portion and may be provided on the weakly bonded portion. In addition, it may take a form of extending inward from both left and right of the peripheral edge of the pack or may take a form of extending inward from one of the left and right of the peripheral edge of the pack.

The breaking force inducing portion may be considered to be part of a portion which divides the interior of the pack into two chambers. The breaking force inducing portion induces an external force to the separating band as an easy-breaking portion to prevent the breaking force from dispersing, and induces the breaking force to concentrate thereto. Accordingly, the liquid filled in one of the two chambers is reliably supplied to the compactly compressed sheet material arranged in the other chamber. The separating band having a width which is not uniform and varied to have a narrow portion and a wide portion also constitute the breaking force inducing portion.

Although the above-described breaking force introducing portion may take various different modes, basically, the breaking force inducing portion has a configuration of being extended inward from the strongly bonded portion of the peripheral edge of the pack. Preferably, the breaking force inducing portion extends inward from the strongly bonded portion of the peripheral edge of the pack and has an inclined portion inclining toward an easy-breaking portion (the invention described in claim 4). In other words, a structure which is able to induce the external force applied to the pack to the separating band corresponds to the inclined portion in the present invention. Therefore, the inclined portion in the present invention does not necessarily have to be a linear inclination. For example, a curved portion is also included in the inclination, and a stepped portion corresponds to the inclination in the present invention.

Although the breaking force inducing portion extends inward from the strongly bonded portion of the peripheral edge of the pack, it may take a form of extending inward from both left and right sides of the pack, and may take a form of extending inward from one of the left and right. The structures shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is substantially symmetric having the easy-breaking portion positioned at a center and the inclined portions on the left and right thereof (the invention described in claim 5). However, the structures shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, and so on includes the inclined portion only on one side of the easy-breaking portion. The width of the easy-breaking portion located at a distal end of the inclined portion may be determined arbitrarily. When the weak bonding force on the easy-breaking portion is constant, the smaller the width is, the easier the breakage becomes because the external force is concentrated, and hence if the weak bonding force is weakened, a width of a certain width or more may be required as a commodity product.

In the wiping article in the pack configured as described above, heating means for heating the sheet material which is expanded by the impregnation with the liquid is provided in the pack in parallel, so that the sheet material may be warmed up for use (the invention described in claim 6). As the heating means, using a warmer employing an oxidative effect of iron powder, which is referred to as a disposable warmer or a throwaway warmer, is most preferable in terms of the price, the safety, and the user-friendliness.

It is also possible to employ cooling means for cooling the sheet material which is expanded by being impregnated with the liquid in parallel in the pack, so that the sheet material may be cooled down for use (the invention described in claim 7). As the cooling means, using a commercially available keep cool member filled with a chemical substance is most preferable in terms of the price, the safety, and the user-friendliness.

The liquid used in the present invention may be of any type such as various types of water, water solution containing a component for antiseptic or refreshing purpose, non-water solution and others may be used. When the liquid is colored or have a color, the state of impregnation is known from the coloring. Although it is paradox, the sheet material may be expanded without using the liquid in the pack.

Since the present invention is configured and acts as described above, the invention achieves an advantage such that the wiping article which is compact and is superior in portability, is able to be maintained in the dry state until the time of use, and is able to be expanded when necessary for use in a wet state is provided. Also, the present invention has an advantage that the wiping article having the structure such that the interior of the pack is separated into two chambers by the breakable separating band, in which the separating band is broken adequately and relatively easily to cause the sheet material in one of the two divided portions in the interior to be impregnated with the liquid in the other portion and cause the same to be expanded is provided, since the breaking force inducing portion is formed and the easy-breaking portion formed of the separating band is arranged at the distal end portion of the above-described breaking force inducing portion. Also, according to the present invention, since the separating band is reliably broken by, for example, applying an impact blow on the one chamber of the pack in which the liquid is encapsulated, the wiping article which is usable in a wet state without necessity of a tool or an auxiliary tool at all is provided. In addition, it may be used in a warm state by using the heating means in parallel, and may be used in a cold state by using the cooling means in parallel. Also, according to the present invention, since the sheet material is stored in the pack and is not taken out therefrom until it is expanded by the impregnation with the liquid although it is in a compactly compressed state, the accidental swallowing of the same in the compactly compressed state is prevented. In addition, by forming the sheet material into a shape to be adhered to the face, it is usable as a pack material for cosmetic use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first example of an embodiment of a wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the article in FIG. 1 in a state in use.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a principal portion of the wiping article according to the present invention, in which A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIIA-IIIA in FIG. 1, and B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIIB-IIIB in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing showing the first example of the wiping article according to the present invention in an expanded state.

FIG. 5 shows a second example of the embodiment of the invention, in which A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a pack is pressurized to break a separating band, and B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which liquid is permeated and a wet wiping article is obtained.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third example of the embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a change in shape of the article in FIG. 6 before and after the breakage of the separating band in which A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before use, and B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in use.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fourth example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the article in FIG. 8 in a state in use.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a principal portion of the wiping article according to the present invention, in which A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XA-XA in FIG. 8, and B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XB-XB in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory drawing showing the wiping article according to the present invention in an expanded state.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a fifth example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a sixth example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a seventh example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an eighth example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a ninth example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a tenth example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing an eleventh example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a twelfth example of the embodiment of the wiping article according to the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to embodiments shown in the drawings, a wiping article according to the present invention will be described more in detail. FIG. 1 shows an appearance of the wiping article according to the present invention relating to a first example in which a wiping article 11 of a flat bag-shaped structure having a rectangular shape is formed by using thermoplastic resin and bonding four peripheral edges to each other.

Reference numeral 10 designates a compactly compression-molded sheet material which assumes a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like when it is spread. The compactly compressed sheet material 10 is formed by cutting a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric formed of fibers of synthetic resin or natural resin in which ultrafine metal powder having an antibacterial property such as silver or zinc dispersed therein into predetermined dimensions and molding the same into a shape having, for example, a diameter of 2.5 cm and a height of 2 cm by compression molding means, which assumes a size and shape of about 25×25 cm² when it absorbs water and expands. Other sizes of the compactly compressed sheet material 10 may be employed in addition to the examples shown above according to the object and application. See FIG. 4.

In the example shown in the drawing, as the thermoplastic resin used for a pack 11P, a doubled structure formed by bonding films is employed, so that prevention of an unlikely event such as leakage of the liquid is achieved. The pack 11P shown in the drawing is strongly bonded to each other along peripheral edges thereof and the interior thereof is divided into two chambers 12, 13 by bonding a separating band for dividing the pack into two chambers weakly to a midsection thereof. Reference numeral 14 designates a strongly bonded portion and reference numeral 15 designates a weakly bonded portion.

In this embodiment, the separating band is provided at the weakly bonded portion 15 so as to divide the pack 11P formed by using a polyester film as the thermoplastic resin into two chambers in a substantially midsection thereof. In order to do so, in the example shown in the drawing, bonding is achieved with nylon as thermoplastic resin of a different type which is bonded at a weaker bonding force than the bonding force between the thermoplastic resins used in the pack 11P interposed between the thermoplastic resin films which constitute the pack 11P (see FIG. 3).

As is clear from FIG. 3, the separating band at the weakly bonded portion 15 is provided only in the midsection of a separating band material 16 in the direction of lateral cross section. In the case shown in the drawing, since the entire part of the separating band in the widthwise direction is the weakly bonded portion 15, it is intended that breakage occurs at a portion of the weakly bonded portion 15 when any one of the two chambers 12, 13 of the pack 11P is pressed strongly.

The compactly compressed sheet material 10 is arranged in one chamber 12 of the two chambers of the above-described pack 11P and liquid 17 of a quantity which is sufficient for causing the sheet material 10 to be impregnated and expanded therewith by breakage of the separating band is arranged in the other chamber 13 of the two chambers of the above-described pack. As the liquid 17, water, water solution containing water as a main component or liquid having a component having a specific application such as antiseptic solution may be used. In this case, it is necessary that the liquid 17 is a stable component in relation with the construction materials of the pack, the construction materials of the separating band or the like as a matter of course.

In the wiping article 11 configured as described above, a configuration in which heating means 18 for heating the sheet material 10 is also provided on the wiping article 11, and the sheet material 10 expanded by impregnating with the liquid 17 is warmed up for use as shown in FIG. 5 may also be employed in parallel. As the heating means 18, a warmer employing an oxidative effect of iron powder, which is referred to as a disposable warmer or a throwaway warmer, is used.

It is also possible to provide cooling means 19 for cooling down the sheet material 10 on the wiping article 11 in parallel instead of the heating means 18 in FIG. 5 and cool down the sheet material 10 for use. As the cooling means 19, a keeping cool member filled with a chemical substance referred to as a cooling pack or a freezing point so-and-so (for example, “Hiekko” which is an instantaneous cooling pack manufactured by Sankei Shoji Co., Ltd.) may be used.

In order to use the wiping article according to the present invention having a configuration in which the sheet material 10 is arranged in one chamber 12 of the two chambers of the pack 11P and the liquid 17 is arranged in the other chamber 13, the pack 11P is pressurized to break the separating band at the weakly bonded portion 15. As a result of the breakage of the separating band, the liquid 17 passes from the above-described one chamber 12 through a breaking portion 21, and the sheet material 10 is impregnated therewith and hence is expanded so that a wiping article 20 is obtained, and when the expansion is completed, the liquid 17 is completely absorbed so that a wet napkin is obtained. It is a state shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5B.

Therefore, when the pack 11P is opened from a cutting notch 22 and the expanded wet wiping article 20 is taken out, it is ready to use as is. When the heating means 18 and the cooling means 19 are used in parallel, it is warmed up by kneading the heating means 18 to bring about a heated state and bringing the same into contact with the wet wiping article 20 or, alternatively, is cooled down by beating up the cooling means 19 to bring about a cooled state and bringing the same into contact with the wet wiping article 20 for use.

Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a third example of the wiping article according to the present invention is described. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a pack 31 includes four chambers 32L, 32R, 33L, 33R. The construction materials of the pack 31 are the same as the first example, and the pack 31 has a structure divided into front and rear two chambers 32, 33 with the intermediary of an intermediate film 34 between the front and rear films and closed at four peripheries and, in addition, the front and rear films and the intermediate film 34 are provided with the separating bands respectively thereon as the weakly bonded portions 15 in the midsections thereof, so that the front chamber is divided into left and right two chambers 32L, 32R and the rear chamber is divided into left and right two chambers 33L, 33R. Portions other than the separating bands at the weakly bonded portions 15 have a strength which cannot be broken during normal handling.

The sheet material 10 is arranged in the front left chamber 32L of the pack 31 configured as described above, the liquid 17 for expansion is encapsulated in the front right chamber 32R, the heating means 18 or the cooling means 19 is arranged in the rear left chamber 33L, and the reaction aiding agent of the heating means or the reaction aiding agent of the cooling means are arranged in the rear right chamber 33R respectively. Then when the front right chamber 32R is pressurized and the separating bands of the weakly bonded portions 15 are broken, the sheet material 10 is impregnated with the liquid 17 and assumes the expanded article 20 (FIG. 7B). When the rear right chamber 33R is pressurized, the reaction aiding agent causes the heating means 18 to react beyond the broken separating bands, and warms up the expanded sheet material 20 with the intermediary of the intermediate film 34. The heating means 18 and the reaction aiding agent may be, for example, a combination of iron powder and salted water, and the cooling means 19 and the reaction aiding agent may be, for example, a combination of ammonium nitrate and urea.

A fourth example of the wiping article according to the present invention will further be described below in detail. FIG. 8 shows an example of a wiping article 110 according to the present invention in which a pack 111 having a flat bag-shaped structure having a rectangular shape is formed by using thermoplastic resin and bonding four peripheral edges strongly to each other.

Reference numeral 112 designates a compactly compression-molded sheet material which assumes a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like when it is spread. The compactly compression-molded sheet material 112 is formed by using a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric of fibers of synthetic resin or natural resin, dispersing ultrafine metal powder having an antibacterial property such as silver or zinc therein, cutting an original sheet into predetermined dimensions, and molding the same into a size having, for example, a diameter of 2.5 cm and a height of 2 cm by the compression molding means, which assumes a size of about 23×48 cm when it is spread after expansion. As the compactly compression-molded sheet material 112, those having other sizes and shapes may be employed according to the object and application.

In the example shown in the drawing, as the thermoplastic resin used for the pack 111, a doubled structure formed by bonding films is employed for providing a non-breakable pack structure, so that prevention of an unlikely event such as leakage of the liquid from the pack 111 is achieved. The pack 111 shown in the drawing is formed by strongly bonding a peripheral edge 113, and includes breaking force inducing portions 115 including strongly bonded portions 114 extending inward from the strongly bonded portions 114 on the peripheral edge of the pack in the midsection as in the same manner as the example described above. Also by providing a separating band 117 which is breakable by an impact blow by forming a weakly bonded portion 116 which is weaker than the strongly bonded portion 114 between the above-described breaking force inducing portions, thereby separating the interior of the pack into two chambers 118, 119.

In the embodiment represented by the fourth example in FIG. 8, the pack 111 is formed by using polyester film, which is thermoplastic resin, and the pack 111 is formed with the breaking force inducing portions 115, 115 in lateral symmetry including the strongly bonded portions 114 extending inward from both left and right sides of the peripheral edge. The above-described breaking force inducing portions 115, 115 are formed with inclined portions 120, 120 inclining toward the center of the pack on the side of the one chamber 118 filled with liquid. The above-described inclined portions 120 each have a linear steep inclination and the width of the separating band 117 which is set to a relatively wide width is determined between distal end portions thereof.

In the example shown in the drawing, nylon films as thermoplastic resins 121, 121 of different types, which are bonded at a weaker bonding force than the bonding force between the thermoplastic resins used in the pack 111, are interposed between the thermoplastic resin films which constitute the pack 111, and are bonded to each other at an arbitrary width, so that the separating band 117 is formed (see FIG. 10). Bonding of the thermoplastic resins 121, 121 corresponds to the formation of the separating band 117 and, the bonding width, which affects the bonding force, may be set to an arbitrary bonding width, whether narrow or wide. Bonding between the thermoplastic resin (nylon films) 121, 121 of a different type and the thermoplastic resins used for the pack 111 (polyester films) is strong bonding.

Then, the compactly compressed sheet material 112 is arranged in the one chamber 119 of the two chambers of the pack 111 and liquid 122 of a quantity which is sufficient for causing the above-described material 112 to be impregnated and expanded therewith by breakage of the separating band 117 is arranged in the other chamber 118 of the two chambers of the above-described pack. As the liquid 122, water, water solution containing water as a main component or liquid having a component having a specific application such as antiseptic solution may be used. In this case, it is necessary that the liquid 122 is a stable component in relation with the construction materials of the pack, the construction materials of the separating band or the like as a matter of course.

In order to use the wiping article 110 according to the present invention configured as described above, the user bangs for example his or her first on the one chamber 118 which includes the liquid 122 encapsulated therein in FIG. 8. When this striking force is applied to the pack 111, the pressure in association with the impact blow induces the liquid 122 as incompressible liquid to the separating band 117 along the inclined portions 120 of the breaking force inducing portions 115 and, consequently, the separating band 117 cannot resist the intensive pressure any longer and breakage is resulted finally. When the separating band 117 is broken, the liquid 122 flows from the one chamber 118 through a breaking portion 123 into the other chamber 119, and the compactly compressed sheet material 112 is impregnated therewith and is expanded (see FIG. 8).

When the encapsulated liquid 122 is absorbed by expanding the compactly compressed sheet material 112 completely and does not remain any more in the interior of the pack 111, the pack may be opened to take out the sheet material. Then, the pack 111 is opened from a cutting notch 124, and a wet and expanded sheet material 112′ is taken out therefrom and spread as shown in FIG. 11, so that it is ready to use as is.

The breaking force inducing portions 115 may assume various modes as shown from FIG. 12 onward. Basically, the breaking force inducing portion has a configuration of being extended inward from the strongly bonded portion of the peripheral edge of the pack. An example shown in FIG. 12, having the same structure as that shown in FIG. 8, is a fifth example having the separating band 117 having the breaking portion 123 with a wide opening width and, in contrast, a sixth example in FIG. 13 is an example having the same breaking force inducing portions 115 and the inclined portions 120 as in FIG. 8 and FIG. 12, but the substantially V-shaped separating band 117 being formed entirely of the weakly bonded portion 116 and having a small opening width. The sixth example shown in FIG. 13 has a breaking portion 123′ having a narrow opening width. In such a case, since the strength of concentration of the pressure may be further increased, the thickness of the breaking portion 123′ at the distal ends of the breaking force inducing portions 115, 115 may be increased to control the breaking property.

A seventh example in FIG. 14 includes breaking force inducing portions 125, 125 having a constant width, is provided with inclined portions 126, 126 which are inclined steeply on the inner sides thereof, and has the separating band 117 which has a potential to form a wide breaking portion 127 at the distal ends thereof. In contrast, an example shown in FIG. 15 is an eighth example provided with a breaking portion 127′ having a narrow opening width at the distal ends of the breaking force inducing portions 125, 125 having a constant width and being formed entirely of the weakly bonded portion 116 like in the example shown in FIG. 14, so that the separating band 117 is formed. In these examples, although the pressure is abruptly increased at the midsection of the pack, the position to provide the breaking portion is not necessarily the midsection.

An example in FIG. 16 is a ninth example which is provided with a breaking force inducing portions 129, the insides of which are defined by a gentle inclined portion 128, and the separating band 117 which has a potential to form a breaking portion 130 having a width of a middle extent between the distal end thereof and the peripheral edge of the pack. An example in FIG. 17 is a tenth example including the breaking force inducing portions 129, the insides of which are defined by the gentle inclined portion 128 on one side thereof, and the separating band 117 which has a potential to form the breaking portion 130 having a width of a middle extent between itself and a strongly bonded portion 131 provided on the other side.

An example in FIG. 18 is an eleventh example provided with the breaking force inducing portions 125, 125 each having a constant width as in the example shown in FIG. 14, includes a pair of curved portions as inclined portions 132 in the midsection thereof, and the separating band 117 which has a potential to form the wide breaking portion 133. An example in FIG. 19 is a twelfth example having a curved portion on one side as the inclined portion 132 and the position thereof is arranged asymmetry between the distal end portion of the breaking force inducing portion 125 having a constant width and the peripheral edge of the pack.

The wiping article 110 according to the present invention shown from FIG. 8 onward may also employ the heating means or the cooling means in parallel. In this case, as described above, it is warmed up by kneading the heating means to bring about a heated state and bringing the same into contact with the wet wiping article 110 or, alternatively, is cooled down by beating up the cooling means to bring about a cooled state and bringing the same into contact with the wet wiping article 110 for use.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In addition to the application as the wiping article for wiping hands or a face, the wiping article according to the present invention has a potential to be used for wiping sweat during sports, wiping the body for care-giving to aged people, or ablution in a medical site. Also, even when the cleanliness is hardly expected as an accident side, it is effective for treating with high level of sanitary conditions. In addition, it is also possible to form the sheet material into a shape which allows adhesion to the face and use the same as a pack material for cosmetic use.

Claims

1. A wiping article having a sheet material of a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like compactly compressed and stored in a pack, wherein the pack having a flat structure and an interior divided into at least two chambers by a separating band is used, the separating band has a hermeticity against liquid and has a strength and a structure which is broken to connect the two chambers when a pressure higher than a predetermined level is applied, the sheet material which is compression-molded so as to expand when being impregnated with liquid and assume a shape and a size usable as a hand towel or the like when being spread is used, the sheet material is arranged in one of the two chambers of the pack, and the liquid which causes the sheet material to expand by being impregnated therewith upon breakage of the separating band is arranged in the other one of the two chambers of the pack.

2. The wiping article according to claim 1, wherein the pack is formed by using thermoplastic resin films and bonding strongly along the periphery thereof, and the interior thereof is divided into two chambers by weakly bonding the separating band which divides the pack into two chambers to a midsection, and thermoplastic resin of a different type or the same type which is bonded at a weaker bonding force than the bonding between the thermoplastic resins used in the pack is interposed between the thermoplastic resin films which constitute the pack in order to provide a weakly bonded separating band.

3. A wiping article having a sheet material having a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like and being compactly compressed and stored in a pack, wherein the pack for storing the sheet material includes a pack structure which is hard to be broken by using thermoplastic resin films and forming a strongly bonded portion along the peripheral edge of the pack and a breaking force inducing portion extending inward from the strongly bonded portion on the peripheral edge of the pack, and wherein the interior of the pack is separated into two chambers by providing a separating band which is broken relatively easily provided on the breaking force inducing portion or between the breaking force inducing portion and the peripheral edge of the pack by forming a weakly bonded portion which is weaker than the strongly bonded portion, one of the chambers in which the breaking force inducing portion is provided is filled with liquid for expanding the sheet material by causing the same to be impregnated therewith by the breakage of the separating band, and the other chamber includes the compressed sheet material which expands when being impregnated with the liquid and assumes a shape and a size which allow usage as a hand towel or the like arranged therein.

4. The wiping article according to claim 3, wherein the breaking force inducing portion extends inward from the strongly bonded portion of the peripheral edge of the pack toward the separating band and has an inclined portion inclining toward an easy-breaking portion.

5. The wiping article according to claim 3, wherein the breaking force inducing portion includes a structure substantially symmetric having the easy-breaking portion positioned at a center and the inclined portions on the left and right thereof.

6. The wiping article according to claim 1, wherein heating means for heating the sheet material expanded by being impregnated with the liquid is provided in the pack in parallel for enabling the sheet material to be warmed up for use.

7. The wiping article according to claim 1, wherein cooling means for cooling the sheet material expanded by being impregnated with the liquid is provided in the pack in parallel for enabling the sheet material to be cooled down for use.