The present invention relates to a disposable wash cloth comprising two absorbing layers which are mutually separated by a plastic sheet, and in which one of the layers is moistened with a detergent and/or a disinfectant substance, and in which the other of the layers may be dry or moistened.

Varying types of this kind of disposable wash cloth are known. Thus, a type is known which comprises only one absorbing layer which is moist¬ ened with a disinfectant liquid (refresher cloth). Alternatively, wash cloths are known which exclusively comprise one or more absorbing layers that may optionally contain disinfectant or scented dry sub¬ stances.

In WO No. 90/07297, a sanitary "gauntlet" is described, which compri¬ ses a first double layer of plastic film forming a rectangular shape. This rectangular "gauntlet" is hot-welded along both of the long sides and along the one short side. The user may then conveniently insert his hand into the gauntlet through the opening formed at the last short side. On one or both outer sides of this "gauntlet" a layer of a substance is applied, preferably a mixture of cotton fibres and vis¬ cose fibres which are drenched with a cleaning and/or a disinfectant liquid. On top of this substance a second rectangular layer of plastic film is placed which is hot-welded to the first layer along the edges so that the layer with the liquid-drenched substance is enclosed by the first and second layer of plastic film. In use, the second layer of plastic film which covers the cleaning substance is removed first, whereupon cleaning of the relevant area can be carried out. Thus, the fact that the gauntlet is not ready for immediate use may be disadvan¬ tageous if a smudge suddenly occurs which needs to be cleaned up quickly.

It is the object of the invention to eliminate the disadvantage of the known above-mentioned disposable wash cloths and to combine the advan¬ tages of the absorbing wash cloths with the advantages of the wash cloths moistened with cleaning and disinfectant liquids.

According to the invention this is obtained with a disposable wash

cloth which is characterized in that the first absorbing layer of the wash cloth is exposed for the user and is intended for being torn off easily, together with the plastic sheet, that the hereby exposed second layer is moistened with a disinfectant liquid and is hermetic- ally enclosed between two plastic sheets, and that the wash cloth fur¬ ther comprises at least a third absorbing layer.

The wash cloth according to the invention, wherein at least the first absorbing layer is exposed, allows for immediate use thereof. Further- more, after removal of a plastic sheet and the attached first absorb¬ ing layer it is possible to carry out a disinfecting cleaning of the wiped area with the second layer, and a final wipe optionally combined with the application of powder and deodorant with the third layer.

According to an advantageous embodiment the third absorbing layer is also hermetically enclosed between two plastic sheets and impregnated with talcum powder or like liquid-absorbing substances and perhaps a scented substance for use after the absorbing layer and the disinfec¬ tant layer. This is especially advantageous for persons with heavy perspiration.

By letting a part of the edges of a plastic sheet end with two straps it will be possible to use the disposable wash cloth as a bib.

The disposable wash cloth according to the invention is intended for use in several connections; e.g. for the washing of children, elderly people, handicapped or bedridden, or for normal everyday use by people incommoded by perspiration or other bodily secretions, and for use in the hospital sector where hygiene is imperative, especially where sterility is required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will now be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a disposable wash cloth according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a disposa¬ ble wash cloth,

Fig. 3 shows a view of the disposable wash cloth provided with two straps for use as a bib, and Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of an embodiment which corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 illustrates a disposable wash cloth with a first absorbing layer 1 which is exposed for the user, and which is attached to a plastic sheet 4 by means of an adhesive 5. A second layer 2 which is moistened with a disinfectant liquid is attached to a second plastic sheet 6, also by means of an adhesive 7. Alternatively, the layer 2 may be loosely placed between the plastic sheets 4 and 6. A third layer 3 is attached to the second plastic sheet 6 by an adhesive 8 on the opposite side of where the second layer 2 is attached. Outside the extension of the second layer 2, the plastic sheets 4 and 6 are ad- hered, welded or in any other way attached to each other. The plastic sheets 4 and 6 are provided with flaps 10 and 11 in order to ease separation of the two plastic sheets.

During use of the disposable wash cloth, the exposed, absorbing layer 1 is used first for wiping the area to be cleaned. After this first layer has removed the major impurities, the plastic sheet 4 is torn off from the plastic sheet 6 by the flaps 10 and 11. The plastic sheet 4 and the now used layer 1 are discarded. Thereby, the second layer 2 is exposed which, as mentioned, is moistened with a disinfectant li- quid. Subsequently, the smudged area is cleaned with the second layer in order to ensure that the area is both sufficiently and properly clean from a hygienic point of view. Finally, the third layer 3 is used for final wiping of the now cleaned area.

This third layer 3 may be impregnated with additional disinfectant substances, talcum powder and/or like substances. However, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, these substances must not be volatile sub¬ stances as the third layer is not enclosed in plastic sheets.

Fig. 2 illustrates a further embodiment in which some of the elements are identical with the elements of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Except for the second layer 2, the third layer 3 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is also hermetically enclosed between two plastic sheets 6 and 12. The plastic sheet 12 is attached to the plastic sheet

6 by means of an adhesive 13, welding or in another way. Like the sheets 4 and 6 the plastic sheet 12 is provided with one or several flaps 14 in order to facilitate the separation of the two sheets 6 and 12. The third layer 3 may be adhered either to the plastic sheet 6 as shown in Fig. 2, or to the plastic sheet 12.

During use of the disposable wash cloth, the exposed, absorbing layer 1 (as the one in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1) is used first for initial cleaning of the smudged area; afterwards, the plastic sheet 4 is torn off from the sheet 6 using flaps 10 and 11, so that the second layer 2 may be used; finally, the plastic sheets 6 and 12 are separa¬ ted using flaps 11 and 14 for exposure of and subsequent wiping with the third layer 3. If the third layer is attached to the plastic sheet 12, the plastic sheet 6 and the second layer 2 are discarded.

It is an advantage of the above-mentioned embodiment that the third layer may be impregnated with disinfectant substances, talcum powder and/or like substances, which may be volatile as the hermetic enclo¬ sure ensures that the substances do not evaporate from the third layer.

It is a further advantage that it will be possible to keep both the second and the third layer sterile as both are hermetically enclosed.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which a part of the edge on one of the plastic sheets 4, 6, or 12 form two straps 15 which can be tied around the neck of a user. Hereby, the wash cloth may be used as a bib. This wash cloth may have the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. Fig. 3 illustrates an example of how the sectional view in Fig. 1 may have been taken. It is also shown how the sectional view shown in Fig. 4 is taken.

Fig. 4 illustrates the disposable wash cloth in an embodiment corres¬ ponding to the one in Fig. 1, but in Fig. 4 the wash cloth is not shown in a sectional view. It illustrates how the plastic sheets 4 and 6 are joined along the entire edge and are provided with flaps 10 and 11.

For the three embodiments shown, the three layers 1, 2, and 3 will

preferably be made of paper pulp in order to keep the production costs for the wash cloth low. If preferred for special applications, the layers of the wash cloth may, however, be made of any other natural or artificial material suitable for absorption.

The plastic sheets are preferably manufactured from steam impermeable plastic so that the substances, of which the second layer 2 and op¬ tionally the third layer 3 are moistened with, do not diffuse out through the plastic in case evaporation occurs.

If one of the sheets also is impregnated with a scented substance and the scent is not retained by the steam impermeable plastic, the plas¬ tic film may be combined with aluminium foil or the like with a higher degree of impermeability than the plastic.