METHODS AND PRODUCTS FOR ENABLING AND ENHANCING HAND WASHING

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present application generally relates to methods and products to enhance and enable hand washing.

Background

[0002] Hand washing, particularly with soap, has long been recognized as a vital step in reducing the risk of infectious disease. Unfortunately, it has been established through behavioural research that in many regions, both in developing and developed nations, few people engage in this highly effective public health practice. Further, hand washing often does not occur when it is most useful such as after using the toilet (especially post defecation) and before ingesting food or otherwise touching the face. Others fail to use soap when handwashing. In most cases, soap is viewed as a scare resource, such that many people view soap as something they should preserve for use in cleaning dishes or for other purposes rather than using for handwashing. Some may feel that touching the soap after defecation would contaminate it for other users or other uses, or may fear that soap is already contaminated by others, and thus there is reluctance to use soap in hand washing even when it is available. Indeed, users all over the world when confronted with a used bar of soap may hesitate to pick up the soap and wash with it, given the fear that someone else with dirty hands has touched it. Liquid soap dispensers are often said to alleviate this particular problem, but the pump dispensing system for typical liquid soaps requires contact with a surface that may again be contaminated from prior use. In many developing world contexts, these pump soap bottles are also too expensive for many; also we have experienced that people do not have a mental model for using these bottles for handwashing and explain they would use the soap to wash the floor. While contactless electronic systems for dispensing soap may help alleviate such concerns, they are expensive and rarely available in homes, in the outdoors, and in many business and institutional settings. There is a need in numerous settings for hand washing soap that can be received without cross contamination and without the need for costly electrical equipment. This is particularly true for settings where bathroom facilities may be outdoors and without electrical power. There is a need for a soap product that is reserved for hand washing and no other activity, for that could also act as a reminder that one should wash their hands where existing alternatives explained above have different connotations. [0003] Further, children may not be motivated to wash hands, may not know how to do it effectively, or may not have easy access to cleansing materials. Thus, there is a need to make washing hands with soap more available, feasible, and effective for children as well as many adults, to assist them in forming this healthful habit. Cleansing with soap and water alone may sometimes be inadequate during the short washing time allocated for hand washing at schools, resulting in a need to not only make hand washing with soap easier to do, but a need to make it more effective in cleansing.

[0004] In spite of the many advances in soaps, detergents, wipes, sinks, plumbing, and related materials, much of the world remains at risk of infection by serious diseases such as pandemic respiratory viruses (e.g., COVID-19) or fecal-orally transmitted diseases due to various barriers and problems related to regular, effective, and convenient hand washing. In developing countries, respiratory health and diarrheal issues are often caused due to pathogens transferred due to a lack of hand hygiene.

[0005] Fortunately, we have found that commercial-grade soap coupled to low-cost, biodegradable materials can be adapted in novel ways to assist those in developing nations as well as those in emergency situations, anyone living in poverty or other conditions which inhibit access to a convenient and effective means for hand washing with soap. These inventive products, methods, and means can simultaneously overcome many of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above.

[0006] Through research conducted in Africa and elsewhere, we have learned that many of the previously proposed or commercialized products for hand washing simply do not meet the needs of many people on this planet. We have learned that there is a need for low-cost, easy-to-use single-use products that are effective in a variety of climates, can be carried conveniently in clothing (such as in a pocket, in a purse or backpack), without becoming unusable, are biodegradable, and overcome certain problems with conventional bar soap or hand sanitizer that may be barriers to hand washing, such as the fear of soap becoming contaminated after use.

[0007] Hand washing products involving dissolvable films have been proposed in the past, but such products do not adequately overcome the problems or barriers cited above. For example, soluble films with cleaning agents or antimicrobials are likely to fail when carried for any length of time by a user. They may lack the strength and resiliency needed to withstand the stresses experienced in a pocket, for example, or may disintegrate when exposed to a small amount of moisture from high humidity or sweat. Even when used immediately with reduced risk of failing before use, they may not provide the scrubbing or cleaning needed for effective hand washing. Further, they may be inadequate for storing and dispensing in outdoor environments where exposure to high humidity or precipitation is likely. [0008] Through our work with communities in Africa and Europe, novel products have been designed and tested that show remarkable potential in overcoming long-standing barriers to one of the most important human needs, the washing of hands, especially after defecation or contact with potentially contaminating surfaces.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

[0010] In an aspect, there is provided a hand washing aid comprising a housing holding a soap-laden water-insoluble tape, the tape comprising an insoluble substrate and provided with a separable individual unit bearing soap.

[0011] Preferably, the tape is provided with a plurality of separable individual units each bearing soap. Preferably the individual units are defined by perforation zones applied to the substrate. Preferably the individual units are tearably separable (or tearable) from one another. Preferably the individual units are tearably separable (or tearable) from one another via perforation zones applied to the substrate. Preferably, a perforation zone is adjacent a handle of the individual unit.

[0012] Optionally, the individual unit is readily separable.

[0013] Preferably, the individual unit bears at least 0.1 g of soap.

[0014] Preferably, the soap is solid soap, yet more preferably the soap is solid sodium soap. Alternatively, the soap may be liquid or semi-liquid soap. The tape may comprise a protective membrane (which is preferably pierceable, preferably by the application of a moderate force, preferably via a finger or fingernail) provided on top of the liquid soap. Such a membrane can confine the soap to the individual units and prevent the soap from being released until the membrane is pierced.

[0015] The individual unit may comprise both a soaped portion and an unsoaped portion. The soaped portion preferably has a surface area of from 40% to 90% of the total surface area of the individual unit. [0016] The individual unit may further comprise a handle (for grasping by a user). Preferably the handle is such that it is suitable for grasping. For example, the handle may be a protruded and/or apertured region; and/or a region of the individual unit with a greater grip. Preferably, the handle is an apertured region. The aperture is preferably at least 5 mm in width. The aperture is preferably such that it is suitable for grasping and/or for hanging the unit (e.g., for storage or easy access in the context of use). The unsoaped portion is preferably adjacent to or surrounds the handle.

[0017] The individual unit may comprise an apertured region, preferably wherein the aperture is at least 5 mm in width. The apertured region (aperture) may be as aforementioned and/or as described herein.

[0018] The handle may comprise an apertured region. The apertured region (aperture) may be as aforementioned and/or as described herein.

[0019] The handle may protrude from the substrate. Preferably, at least part of the protruded handle has a smaller width than a main body of the substrate.

[0020] The substrate may be textured to provide friction between the substrate and a user’s skin. This may provide improved cleaning functionality.

[0021] Preferably, a side (surface) of the individual unit is substantially unsoaped (does not bear soap). Soap is preferably provided on only one side of the substrate. This may provide additional options for storage or access in the context of use.

[0022] The substrate may be configured to attach to a user’s skin when wet. This may provide additional options for carrying the unit.

[0023] The substrate may be wettable, preferably hydrophilic

[0024] The tape is optionally provided in the form of a wound roll of tape.

[0025] The tape may be in the form of individual tape sub-units (or tape-like units) extending from a spine to which the tape sub-units are attached. The housing may be a booklet cover. Multiple individual tape sub-units may be exposed so that they can be selected for removal from the spine. [0026] The tape sub-units may be attached to the spine via a perforation zone; and/or via at least one of an adhesive, staples, embossing, fiber entanglement, and hydroentanglement.

[0027] The hand washing aid may comprise one or more sheets of a (preferably fibrous) substrate that has been coated and/or impregnated with soap and cut to define the sides of individual tape-like units.

[0028] Preferably, the substrate or the soap or the tape has a Surface Depth of at least 0.05 mm; and/or an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.05 mm; and/or an Average Surface Roughness value of at least 0.1 mm.

[0029] The substrate may be biodegradable. The substrate may be a paper. The substrate may primarily comprise one of: bamboo, milkweed fibers, hemp, linen, flax, or bagasse.

[0030] The substrate may be a fibrous substrate. The substrate may comprise at least one of papermaking fibers and/or cotton.

[0031] The basis weight of the substrate may be between 10 and 100 gsm. The basis weight of the soap may be between 10 to 200 gsm. Preferably the basis weight of the soap is greater or equal to the basis weight of the substrate, yet more preferably the basis weight of the soap is from 1 to 10 times the basis weight of the substrate.

[0032] The individual unit preferably has a linear dimension of at least 3 cm, yet more preferably the individual unit is from 2 cm to 8 cm wide and/or from 4 cm to 10 cm long.

[0033] The housing may be configured to contain at least 50 individual units, and preferably between 50 and 1000 individual units.

[0034] The substrate is optionally flexible. The housing is preferably water-resistant.

[0035] The substrate may be water dispersible or non-dispersible in water. Preferably, the substrate is non-dispersible in water. Thus, the substrate may keep its structure during use, and degrade (optionally biodegrade) long (typically weeks or months) after use, thereby enhancing the utility of the hand washing aid. [0036] Optionally, the tape is arranged in the housing such that the individual units are stacked on top of each other (in a vertical or horizontal direction, or a combination thereof). Separating (optionally by a pulling motion from a user) one (preferably an outermost) individual unit may reveal a further individual unit. Preferably, the tape is arranged such that the soaped area (or portion) of an individual unit is in contact only with the unsoaped area (or portion) of the adjacent unit(s) and vice versa, in order to reduce the chance of individual unit functionality loss due to water exposure that can cause multiple units to adhere.

[0037] The substrate may comprise a woven fabric and/or be a fibrous substrate.

[0038] Optionally, the soap may be provided with a colorant configured to indicate the amount of soap remaining in the substrate.

[0039] The substrate preferably has a sufficient stiffness to not bend under its own weight.

[0040] The individual unit may comprise one or more additives for enhancing friction.

[0041] In a further aspect, there is provided a soap-laden water-insoluble tape, the tape comprising a water-insoluble substrate and provided with a separable individual unit bearing soap. The soap-laden water-insoluble tape may be as aforementioned.

[0042] The soap-laden water-insoluble tape is preferably used for hand washing.

[0043] In a further aspect, there is provided a method of making a hand washing aid comprising: (1) providing a water-insoluble substrate; (2) defining an individual unit along the substrate; and (3) applying soap to the surface area of the individual unit.

[0044] The step of defining an individual unit preferably comprises defining a plurality of individual units; and the step of applying soap preferably comprises applying soap to the surface area of each individual unit. The step of defining a plurality of individual units yet more preferably comprises creating perforation zones at the boundaries between individual units, such that one individual unit can be separated from the adjacent material via manual tearing along a perforation zone.

[0045] The method may further comprise (4) mounting the tape in a housing, the housing comprising an opening for dispensing one or more individual units such that users can grasp and remove one or more individual units at a time for hand washing; wherein the housing is preferably a water-resistant container.

[0046] The individual units are optionally interconnected to a spine and the housing is optionally a booklet cover.

[0047] Optionally, the tape is arranged in the housing such that the individual units are stacked on top of each other (in a vertical or horizontal direction, or a combination thereof). Separating (optionally by a pulling motion from a user) one (preferably an outermost) individual unit may reveal a further individual unit. Preferably, the tape is arranged such that the soaped area (or portion) of an individual unit is in contact only with the unsoaped area (or portion) of the adjacent unit(s) and vice versa, in order to reduce the chance of causing the soaped areas to adhere due to undesired water exposure.

[0048] The soap is optionally a meltable solid soap and applying the soap optionally comprises heating the soap to a molten state and coating the molten soap onto the substrate.

[0049] The soap is optionally solid soap in the form of at least one of: leaves, flakes, strips, or powder; and applying the soap optionally comprises heating the solid soap and/or pressing the solid soap onto the substrate.

[0050] The substrate is optionally moistened prior to applying the soap.

[0051] In a further aspect, there is provided a method of a making a soap-laden water-insoluble tape comprising: (1) providing a water-insoluble substrate; (2) defining a plurality of individual units along the substrate; and (3) applying soap to the surface area of each individual unit. The soap-laden water- insoluble tape may be as aforementioned. The method may include steps and/or features as aforementioned.

[0052] According to another aspect there is provided a hand washing aid comprising a housing holding a water-insoluble soap-loaded separable individual unit comprised of a substrate bearing soap.

[0053] The separable individual unit may be a sheet. The housing may hold a plurality of individual units. The individual units may be layered in the housing for individual removal by a user. The individual units may be folded and/or interleaved. Folded portions of individual units may be interleaved. Preferably, the units are layered (or stacked or interleaved) such that the soaped area (or portion) of an individual unit is in contact only with the unsoaped area (or portion) of the adjacent unit(s) and vice versa. This can reduce inadvertent loss of independent functionality of units due to the water exposure that can cause multiple units to adhere and be difficult to separate usefully. Preferably, separating (optionally by a pulling motion from a user) one (preferably a “top” or outermost) individual unit reveals a further individual unit. The individual unit may include features as aforementioned.

[0054] According to another aspect, there is provided a hand washing aid that comprises a water- insoluble tape having a biodegradable substrate derived from natural fibers such as bamboo, wherein the substrate is impregnated with an effective quantity of a solid soap and is perforated, cut, or otherwise adapted for dispensing a single predetermined length of the tape per use by a user, wherein the tape is housed in a water-resistant housing suitable for being mounted on a surface exposed to the outdoors, the housing comprising an opening through which the tape is dispensed. The water- insoluble tape may be perforated to allow lengths of the tape useful for individual doses to be dispensed one at a time, or may be unperforated but adapted to be torn or cut at or near the opening of the housing, optionally assisted by a serrated edge at the opening or other tool or structure to assist in tearing or cutting. Alternatively, the tape may be fully cut rather than aperture but with each individual unit overlapping other units in a roll or engaged through friction or adhesive force to successive overlapping units such that unit upon being withdrawn from the housing can expose or pull out a portion of the next unit due to frictional or adhesive forces, even though the substrate has been severed completely from successive units.

[0055] In another embodiment, a hand washing aid comprises a housing holding a solid-soap-laden water-insoluble tape, the tape comprising an insoluble fibrous substrate and provided with readily separable individual units each having a linear dimension of at least 3 cm and bearing at least 0.05 g or at least 0.10 g of solid soap, the individual units further comprising an apertured region having an aperture at least 5 mm in width suitable for grasping. The tape may comprise a plurality of individual units each having both a soaped portion and an unsoaped portion, the unsoaped portion being adjacent or surrounding the apertured region. The tape may be provided in the form of a wound reel of tape and wherein the individual units are tearable, separable from one another via perforation zones applied to the fibrous substrate or adhesive connections.

[0056] Alternatively, the tape may have the form of individual tape-like units extending from a spine to which the tape-like units are attached, and wherein the housing may be a booklet cover protecting a booklet of multiple individual tape-like units that are exposed and can be selected for removal from the spine. The tape-like units may be attached to the spine via a perforation zone, an adhesive, staples, embossing, fiber entanglement, hydroentanglement, and the like. Such a booklet may comprise one or more sheets of a fibrous substrate that has been coated and/or impregnated with soap and cut to define the sides of individual tape-like units.

[0057] In another embodiment, the product comprises a biodegradable, insoluble, flexible fibrous substrate having a basis weight between 5 and 100 gsm or between 10 and 60 gsm or between 20 and 40 gsm, and impregnated or laminated with a soap, the soap having a basis weight on the substrate of at least 10 gsm, such as from 10 to 200 gsm, from 20 to 100 gsm, from 15 to 150 gsm, from 30 to 90 gsm, or from 25 to 130 gsm, wherein the fibrous substrate has a thickness of from about 0.2 mm to 2 mm, such as from 0.2 mm to 1 .3 mm or from 0. 3 mm to 0. 8 mm, and further has a texture capable of enhancing cleaning during hand washing, said texture characterized by having multiple elevated regions and depressed regions such that the Surface Depth or Overall Surface Depth of the substrate is at least 0.05 mm or at least 0.1 mm such as from 0.05 mm to 2 mm, from 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm, or from 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm. The substrate may be textured due to creping of a fibrous web, molding the web on a textured three-dimensional fabric or other 3-D surface, embossing such as pin-to-pin embossing or any other embossing method, aperturing, laser engraving, and the like. An example of embossing methods that can be used are described in US Patent No. 6251207, “Embossing and laminating irregular bonding patterns,” issued to W.T. Schultz, June 26, 2001 , hereby incorporated by reference. Examples of how texture can be imparted to a fibrous substrate by drying or molding against 3D drying fabrics are disclosed in US Patent No. 6673202, “Wide Wale Tissue Sheets and Method of Making Same,” issued Jan. 6, 2004 to M.A. Burazin, and US Patent No. 6808790, “Wet-resilient Webs and Disposable Articles Made Therewith,” issued Oct. 26, 2004 to F.-J. Chen et al., both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other methods of adding texture to a web are described in US Patent No. 5743999, “Method for Making Soft Tissue,” issued April 28, 1998 to R.J. Kamps.

[0058] In another embodiment, the product comprises a biodegradable, insoluble, flexible fibrous substrate impregnated with or coated with soap and wound in a roll with spaced apart perforations defining individual units which may be from about 2 cm to about 8 cm wide and about 4 cm to about 10 cm long, wherein the roll is housed within a container having dimensions suitable to contain at least 50 individual units, such as from 50 to 1000 units, and wherein the substrate without the soap has an Average Surface Roughness value of at least 0.1 mm, and wherein the soap comprises a sodium soap, and wherein the basis weight of the applied soap is from 1 to 5 times the basis weight of the substrate. In other embodiments, such as in alternate product formats for use in other cleaning environments such as cleaning a face or a kitchen (surface) and/or any other relevant surface, larger dimensions may be useful such as widths and lengths between 5 cm and 30 cm. [0059] In another embodiment, the individual unit comprises an uncoated portion for grasping and a soap-coated portion for delivery of soap to the hands. The uncoated portion can also comprise an aperture that can be used to hold the unit on a peg or other device, or make it clear where one should grasp the individual unit. The uncoated portion may have a surface area of at least 10% or at least 15% of the surface area of the unit, and in some embodiments the uncoated portion may range up to 25%, 30%, 40%, or 50%, for example, of the total surface area of the unit.

[0060] In another embodiment, an array of single-use tabs is provided, each tab comprising an insoluble fibrous substrate holding an effective quantity of soap and each tab being removably attached to a tab holder that may comprise a section of cardboard, wood, plastic, or other reusable material that can be portable or fixedly attached to a surface near a washing station. Multiple tabs may be made from one layer of substrate that have been laser cut, apertured, cut with scissors or other blades, die cut, etc., to allow individual tabs to be removed from the rest of the substrate. The substrate may be attached to the tab holder via adhesive, staples, hook and loop tape, thermal or ultrasonic welding, or any other useful means.

[0061] In these embodiments, the tape or tabs with soap or the soap dispenser can be accompanied with directions to wash by rubbing the substrate over the hands to assist in removing material from the skin, which can be particularly useful when the substrate or soap has sufficient texture or roughness to add additional cleaning power to the hand (and/or face and/or surface) washing experience.

[0062] The product can be made by providing a suitable substrate such as a resilient web of tissue paper, such as a heavy-duty paper towel optionally with an added wet strength agent, or any other web made of cellulosic fibers such as bamboo fibers, milkweed fibers, papermaking fibers, bagasse, and the like, or a section of a woven or nonwoven fabric comprising biodegradable fibers, or a sheet of paper whether textured or substantially flat, and then impregnating soap into the paper or pressing flakes of soap into the papers (one or more of flakes, leaves, strips such as shavings, or powder may be used). Impregnation may be done by heating solid soap to roughly its melting point such as from 10 degrees below to 10 degrees above, and then pressing the soap into the paper. The pressing may be done with a coated roll, a blade coater, a blade, a press, etc. In softened or liquid form, it may be brushed or wiped onto the substrate surface. It may also be sprayed, etc. Solid particles such as flakes, strips, of dust may be spread onto a substrate and then pressed with a heated or cold surface, preferable one treated to not stick to the soap (e.g., with a Teflon or other anti-stick coating).

[0063] The substrate may be laser cut, die cut, perforated, etc. prior to adding soap, or may be cut or perforated after the soap is applied. [0064] Directions in the form of printed indicia, graphical design, audio or video messages, or even augmented reality or electronic communication to a cell phone may instruct users on how to use the provided individual units of tape or tabs. The instructions may guide the user to moisten one or both hands while holding the individual units and to then rub the unit against the skin on one or both hands while adding enough water to release the soap from the substrate, and then to both discard the substrate and to rinse the hands. Graphics may also show further details for sound hand washing techniques.

Definitions and Tests

[0065] As used herein, “soap” refers to the alkali salt of fatty acids or derivatives thereof, a product formed by the reaction (“saponification”) of a fat or fatty acids or derivatives thereof such as fatty acid methyl esters with a hydroxide solution such as sodium or potassium hydroxide solution. Common fats that may be used include beef tallow, palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil, among many others. The chain lengths of corresponding fatty acids can affect the quality and performance of the soap. For example, soap with a relatively high concentration of laurate soap made from lauric acid (dodecanoic acid) is often viewed as a good soap for producing foam. The cation also plays a role. Thus, sodium soaps are often solid at room temperature, whereas potassium soaps may be softer or have the consistency of paste. As used herein, a hand washing aid is preferably a device for hand washing.

[0066] As used herein, a substrate is “biodegradable” if the material degrades from exposure to air and water or from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae, earthworms, etc., in the presence of some water. A substrate primarily composed of natural fibers known to be biodegradable, such as cellulosic fibers including milkweed fibers, bamboo fibers, wood fibers, papermaking fibers derived from wood or other cellulosic sources, cotton fibers, bagasse fibers, straw, linen, burlap, jute, hemp, and the like, without being embedded in or coated by materials such as polyolefins or wax that substantially prevent contact with moisture and microbes, and without being impregnated with preservative materials that substantially hinder natural biological decomposition, can be presumed to be biodegradable. While paper, tissue, and woven or nonwoven fabrics made from cellulosic fibers can generally be taken as biodegradable, the biodegradability of less certain materials can be assessed with the Biodegradability Test described in US Patent No. 9895305, “Skin cleansing compositions comprising biodegradable abrasive particles,” issued Feb. 18, 2020 to S.A. Griffiths- Brophy et al., hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to the degree it is compatible herewith. The test method described therein and cited below is to be conducted over 90 days. A substrate is considered biodegradable if at least 80% of the mass has been decomposed after 90 days under the conditions of said test. [0067] As used herein, “insoluble” refers to the solubility of a material in water at 20°C, such that 10 g of solid material immersed in 1 liter of water with vigorous stirring for 5 minutes will show less than 10% loss of solids (by mass) due to dissolving in the water. Materials such as papermaking fibers, milkweed fibers, bamboo fibers, and other cellulosic material are well known to be insoluble in water. As used herein, “non-dispersible” refers to the dispersibility of a material in water at 20°C, such that 10 g of solid material immersed in 1 liter of water with vigorous stirring for 5 minutes will show less than 10% loss of solids (by mass) due to dispersing in the water. As the typical use case of an individual unit, once separated, is typically less than 1 minute, the insolubility and non-dispersibility definitions may alternatively extend to vigorous stirring of any duration between 5 and 30 minutes, for example.

[0068] As used herein, “bulk” and “density,” unless otherwise specified, are based on an oven-dry mass of a sample and a thickness measurement made at a load of 0.34 kPa (0.05 psi) with a 7.62-cm (three-inch) diameter circular platen made under TAPPI conditions (73° F., 50% relative humidity) after four hours of sample conditioning. A stack of five sheets is used. The sheets rest beneath the flat platen and above a flat surface parallel to the platen. The platen is connected to a thickness gauge such as a Mitutoyo digital gauge which senses the displacement of the platen caused by the presence of the sheets. Samples should be essentially flat and uniform under the contacting platen. The measured thickness of the stack is divided by the number of sheets to get the thickness per sheet. The macroscopic thickness measurement made in this manner gives an overall thickness of the sheet for use in calculating the “bulk” of the web. Bulk is calculated by dividing the thickness of five sheets by the basis weight of the five sheets (conditioned mass of the stack of five sheets divided by the area occupied by the stack which is the area of a single sheet). Bulk is expressed as volume per unit mass in cc/g and density is the inverse, g/cc.

[0069] As used herein, “local thickness” refers to the distance between the two opposing surfaces of a web along a line substantially normal to both surfaces. The measurement is a reflection of the actual thickness of the web at a particular location, and is measured while the web is under no significant compression.

[0070] All percentages are by weight (w/w) of the respective composition, unless otherwise specified. All ratios or percentages are weight ratios or weight percentages unless specifically stated otherwise. “% wt.” means percentage by weight. References to “parts” e.g. a mixture of 1 part X and 3 parts Y, is a ratio by weight.

[0071] The number of significant digits conveys neither a limitation on the indicated amount nor on the accuracy of the measurement. [0072] All measurements are understood to be made at 20°C and at ambient conditions, where “ambient conditions” means at 1 atmosphere (atm) of pressure and at 65% relative humidity, unless otherwise stated. “Relative humidity” refers to the ratio (stated as a percent) of the moisture content of air compared to the saturated moisture level at the same temperature and pressure. Relative humidity can be measured with a hygrometer, in particular with a probe hygrometer from VWR® International.

[0073] Herein “g” following a number means “gram” or “grams”. Herein “gsm” means “grams per meter,” measured on a bone-dry basis when referring to a substrate.

[0074] Herein, “comprising” means that other steps and other ingredients can be included in addition. The compositions, methods, and uses of the present invention can comprise, consist of, and consist essentially of the elements and limitations described herein, as well as any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein. Embodiments and aspects described herein may comprise or be combinable with elements, features or components of other embodiments and/or aspects despite not being expressly exemplified in combination, unless an incompatibility is stated. As used herein, "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

[0075] Each of the embodiments and aspects described above may comprise any one or more features mentioned in respect of the other embodiments and aspects described above.

[0076] The invention extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0077] The invention extends to any novel aspects or features described and/or illustrated herein. In addition, apparatus aspects may be applied to method aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

[0078] It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any embodiments or aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

[0079] As used herein, the articles including “a” and “an” when used in a claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described. [0080] The terms “include”, “includes”, and “including” as well as “has,” “have,” and “having” as used herein are meant to be non-limiting.

[0081] Where amount ranges are given, these are to be understood as being the total amount of said ingredient in the composition, or where more than one species fall within the scope of the ingredient definition, the total amount of all ingredients fitting that definition, in the composition. The concentrations mentioned for a given ingredient are total concentration ranges in case more than one of the given ingredients is present. The specified ranges are provided by weight and relate to the total weight of the composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. For example, if the composition comprises from 1% to 5% essential oil, then a composition comprising 2% rosemary oil and 1% oregano oil and no other essential oil, would fall within this scope.

[0082] The amount of each particular ingredient or mixtures thereof described hereinafter can account for up to 100% (or 100%) of the total amount of the ingredient(s) in the composition.

[0083] The term “substantially free of as used herein means less than 1%, less than 0.8%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.3%, or less than an immaterial amount of a stated ingredient by total weight of the composition.

[0084] The term “free of” as used herein refers to no detectable amount of the stated ingredient using typical laboratory technology and standard measurement methods such that the technology is available in at least 10 universities in Europe at the time of filing.

Texture Tests

[0085] As used herein, "Surface Depth" is defined as the characteristic surface height difference that occurs across multiple cells of a substrate. This is measured by considering a grid over a surface of 15 x 50 mm, divided into 5 mm x 5 mm cells, and in each cell optically measuring the maximum peak-to-valley difference that occurs for the substrate, the maximum peak and minimum valley having a height averaged over 1 mm by 1 mm such that fuzziness from lone fibers will not contribute substantially to the averaged height. The maximum peak-to-valley difference for all 30 cells in the 15 x 50 mm area is then averaged to give the Surface Depth. A perfectly smooth flat web with numerous 1 .5 x 1 .5 mm apertures and a web thickness of 0.5 mm should give a Surface Depth of 0.5 mm.

[0086] Other measurements related to texture are described in US Patent No. 6436234, “Wet- resilient webs and disposable articles made therewith,” issued Aug. 20, 2002 to F.-J. Chen et al., hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Of particular value is the Overall Surface Depth measurement using moire interferometry and “Wet compressive resiliency.” In some embodiments, the textured substrates disclosed herein may have an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, or 0.3 mm, such as from 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, from 0.2 mm to 1 .0 mm, or from 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0087] As used herein, “Average Surface Roughness” is a measure of the average deviation of a surface from its centerline, defined as R _a in Bharat Bhushan, “Surface Roughness Analysis and Measurement Techniques,” Modern Tribology Handbook, ed. Bharat Bhushan (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2001), vol. 1 , chapter 2, see particularly pp. 51-55; http://home.ufam.edu.br/berti/nanomateriais/8403_PDF_CH02.pd f. For some embodiments, the Average Surface Roughness may be 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm, from 0.1 mm to 1 .0 mm, from 0.2 mm to 1 .2 mm, or from 0.3 mm to 3mm.

Biodegradability Test

[0088] For the biodegradability test mentioned above, we quote from the previously cited Griffiths-Brophy patent:

The biodegradability of [a substrate] can be tested according to the following method. This biodegradability test is based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 301 B C02 evolution biodegradation test method that screens chemicals for ready biodegradability in an aerobic aqueous medium.

In this test the test substance [here a fabric or fibers that have been chopped into numerous 1 mm by 1 mm squares such that the maximum length of any fiber is less than about 1 .5 mm] is suspended in a phosphate buffered media containing an activated sludge inoculums and the consumption of oxygen and/or the formation of carbon dioxide is measured via an electrolytic respirometer. The test substance is the sole carbon and energy source and under aerobic conditions microorganisms metabolize organic substances producing C02 as the ultimate product. The test can run for 28 days or 90 days [select 90 days].

[0089] Preferred examples are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Figures

[0090] FIGURE 1 depicts an example holder for dispensing a perforated biodegradable tape comprising an effective amount of soap with individual units joined in perforated regions.

[0091] FIGURES 2A and 2B depict two example versions of a wound roll of a soap-laden tape made from a substrate adapted for dispensing of individual units.

[0092] FIGURES 3A to 3D show four example versions of geometries for individual units of soaped substrates.

[0093] FIGURES 4A and 4B show examples of fibrous substrates having texture.

[0094] FIGURE 5 depicts further details of individual units of soap-laden tape, including possibilities for the distribution of soap on the fibrous substrate.

[0095] FIGURE 6 depicts a method of manufacturing the soap-laden tapes described herein.

[0096] FIGURE 7 shows an internal view of a housing comprising a wound roll of soap impregnated tape.

[0097] FIGURE 8 shows an internal view of a housing with an internal wound roll of soap impregnated tape.

[0098] FIGURE 9 depicts a housing mounted on a vertical surface as a wall.

[0099] FIGURES 10A and 10B shows details of soap attached to a fibrous substrate.

Detailed Description

[00100] FIG. 1 depicts an individual-use soaped substrate dispenser comprising a water resistant housing 10 which can be a rectangular box as shown (here with a side facing 24 that is substantially square), an oval or circular box, a hexagonal box, or any other suitable shape. Within the dispenser 10 is a wound roll of tape 20 comprising individual soap-laden units 12 comprising a (preferably fibrous) (water-) insoluble substrate impregnated or coated with soap. The housing 10 has an opening 14 such as a slit through which a front end 18 of the wound roll of tape 20 emerges, where the front end 18 is part of a partially exposed first individual unit 26 which can be grasped at or near the end and pulled to separate from a subsequent individual unit 28 at the perforation zone 16 that divides the two units. Each individual unit 26, 28 has a wide W and a length L.

[00101] The housing 10 can be made from a plastic or paperboard or cardboard material coated with wax or laminated with plastic or treated with other water resistant materials (e.g., painted, sprayed, or coated with a silicone-based water repellant material or any other suitable water repellent material), such that the housing can withstand high humidity and in some embodiments, can withstand exposure to rain. The front end of the wound roll of tape 20 may project out of the opening 14 of the housing 10, and while it may become wetted, it still permits a user to pull out one or more units for hand washing, and will still contain soap for hand washing, though the exposed portion may become partially depleted in soap. The opening 14 may be narrow enough to restrict entrance of water, and may be shielded or held in an orientation to reduce the risk ofwater entry into the housing 10.

[00102] The housing 10 may be a bright color such as red or neon orange for enhanced visibility, and may have a glow-in-the-dark region (not shown) to enhance visibility in the dark.

[00103] The housing 10 may comprise indicia (not shown) describing the product, showing which way to pull, how to best orient the housing 10 if mounted on a surface, etc. It may be attached to a surface with double-sided tape, adhesive, mounts (not shown) to receive a hook, nail, screw, peg, and the like, hook and loop fasteners, and so forth.

[00104] The substrate being (water-) insoluble may improve ease of transportation of the units 12. For example, it may allow the substrate to maintain its structural integrity when subject to small degrees of moisture during transportation (e.g. in a user’s pocket), such as sweat from a user’s hand or water from rain.

[00105] Further, since the substrate is insoluble and does not immediately dissolve when the unit 12 is used for hand washing, the substrate may be used to enhance the cleaning function of the unit. In particular, the substrate may provide additional friction during hand washing (it may provide “functional” friction). This may have several advantages: it may enhance soap agitation and increase sudsing; friction between the substrate and the user’s skin may improve cleaning of the surface of the skin as well as grooves in the skin or under fingernails; it may enable the unit 12 to attach (stick) to a user’s skin which may improve utility by preventing the unit 12 from easily slipping from the user’s hand, e.g. into a basin (as is the case with soap flakes) - for example, a user may attach (stick) the unit 12 to the back of their hand while rinsing or lathering the front of their hand. [00106] The substrate providing additional friction may be particularly advantageous for cleaning difficult-to-clean substances, such as sticky substances, from a user’s hands. The friction provided by the substrate may dislodge and remove these substances from the surface of the user’s hand, and the soap provided on each unit 12 may be used to clean them. For example, traces of feces (even microscopic), food, dirt, or other chemicals may be cleaned from the user’s hand in this way.

[00107] Friction operates within a system, and depends on properties of the individual interacting elements, as well as the manner in which these elements interact. Thus, the friction provided by the substrate in use (during hand washing) may depend on the properties of the substrate itself as well as of water, the user’s skin, soap, and optionally any additives, and how these interact with one another.

[00108] The individual units 12 may comprise a substrate 44 provided with a texture (not shown) that can increase the amount of soap it can contain and/or can improve the cleaning function of the material by increasing friction when rubbed against the skin (the texture may improve functional friction of the substrate).

[00109] The texture may be defined by (the substrate’s) surface roughness and surface geometry. Example suitable surface geometries include raised stripes or cross-hatching. The substrate may be a (fibrous) textile substrate. Particularly suitable textiles include nonwoven textiles such as nonwoven textiles formed by hydroentanglement or spunlace textiles. The textile (substrate) may be finished to various structures (geometries) such as raised stripes, cross-hatching, a mesh geometry, a-rhombus geometry, a pearlet geometry, a ‘big pearl’ geometry; of various dimensions (e.g. mesh size). As described in further detail below, the substrate is preferably biodegradable - for example, it may comprise cotton, cellulose, bamboo, or polylactic acid (PLA).

[00110] The coefficient of friction provided by the substrate may increase with increasing surface roughness. The substrate may have a surface roughness amplitude variation which may enhance friction. In more detail, the substrate (texture) may comprise a plurality of elevated regions and depressed regions (see e.g. FIG. 4A) such that the Surface Depth or Overall Surface Depth of the substrate is at least 0.05 mm or at least 0.1 mm such as from 0.05 mm to 2 mm, from 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm, or from 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm. For improved cleaning, the substrate (texture) preferably has an Average Surface Roughness value of at least 0.1 mm.

[00111] In this example, the individual unit 12 comprises both a soaped portion and an unsoaped portion, where the soaped portion has a surface area of from 40% to 90% of the total surface area of the individual unit. This may enable easier handling of the unit 12, and/or enhance friction (e.g. it may provide a greater substrate area for friction against the user’s hands). Soap is provided on one side of the substrate (with the other side of the substrate being unsoaped). Providing a unit with one soaped side and one unsoaped side may allow a user to simultaneously activate and draw out soap for hand washing using one (e.g. left) hand by rubbing it against the soaped side, and dislodge (sticky) substances from their other (e.g. right) hand by rubbing it against the unsoaped side. Thus, the cleaning function of the unit 12 may be enhanced. Alternatively, the substrate may be provided with soap in any other way that allows for simple contact between the user’s skin and the substrate when the unit 12 is wet (as opposed to solid soap with a covered substrate in the middle) - e.g. the soap may be easily releasable from the unit 12 when wet so that the substrate may come in contact with the user’s skin.

[00112] In this example, the substrate comprises a woven fabric. The woven fabric may be configured to provide increased friction when wet. The woven fabric may also have a geometry which enhances its ability to stick to human skin when wet. This may further enhance friction and/or cleaning of sticky substances. The woven fabric preferably has a sufficient stiffness to not be brittle, which may allow packaging the units 12 as described herein (e.g. in a roll or stack).

[00113] To further enhance friction, the substrate is also wettable (wetting). In particular, the substrate is hydrophilic. The contact angle (the angle at which the liquid interface meets the solid substrate interface) may be between 0 and 90 degrees, preferably between 0 and 45 degrees. Thus, the substrate is able to hold or carry water, and it may provide an increased coefficient of friction when in contact with the user’s skin, as compared to when the substrate is dry. An example suitable wettable substrate is a fibrous substrate, in particular comprising natural fibers (e.g. milkweed fibers). The substrate fibers may be able to hold or carry water and thus enable greater friction between interstitial areas in the substrate (textile). The wetted substrate may further exacerbate the surface friction as the fibers swell (or do not) in particular areas and make for more significant variation in thickness of the substrate.

[00114] Functional friction and/or cleaning of sticky substances may further be enhanced via one or more of the following:

• The size of the substrate may provide self-generated grooves, e.g. by folding, which may further enhance friction;

• The soap may be configured to increase friction between the substrate and the user’s skin;

• The soap may be configured to activate when agitated through friction but not meaningfully do so when wet without agitation; and/or

• One or more additives may be provided in the unit 12 (e.g. in the soap and/or substrate). The additives may be any particulates or other chemical compounds which add to friction. For example, additives may comprise one or more of: saw dust, stone, pumice powder or other gritting elements including exfoliants.

[00115] Preferably, the substrate is a fibrous substrate. Alternatively, it could be any other biodegradable insoluble substrate/film (e.g. coated polyvinyl acetate (PVA)). A number of further alternative substrate materials could be used, provided that the substrate can be impregnated (or coated) with soap, and, preferably, that the substrate meets the other requirements described herein,

[00116] The wound roll of tape 20 may be a perforated biodegradable tape made from a bamboo paper or other fibrous materials comprising an effective amount of soap, such that each individual unit 12 comprises at least 0.05 g or at least 0.1 g of soap. A suitable upper limit for the mass of soap for each unit may be 0.35 g, 0.6 g, 1 g, 1 .5 g, 2 g, 3 g, and so forth.

[00117] FIG. 2A shows a view of a wound roll of tape 20 rolled upon itself to form a coreless roll, with a first individual unit 26 extended away from the wound reel of tape 20, followed by a subsequent individual unit 28.

[00118] FIG. 2B shows a wound roll of tape 20 fixed on a reel 30 comprising a central hub 36 which may have a hollow core 38 and further comprising opposing circular side walls 32, 34 connected to the hub 36.

[00119] FIGS. 3A to 3D show four versions of geometries for individual units 12, each showing a first individual unit 26 removably joined to a second individual unit along a perforation zone 16. Two of the individual units 12 shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C have a graspable aperture 40 which can be used to help hold and pull each individual unit 12 or to carry the individual unit 12 or in some embodiments to mount the individual unit 12 on a holding device (not shown) such as a peg, button, hook, etc. The aperture 40 may thus act as a handle for grasping each unit 12.

[00120] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the units 12 may comprise a protrusion at their ends that may act as a handle, in addition to or instead of an aperture 40 (or, more generally, any other element suitable for grasping - e.g. an unsoaped portion). In FIG. 3A, the protruding handle has an approximately rectangular shape (with one rounded side) and has a smaller width than the main body of the substrate; whereas in FIG. 3B, the protruded handle has an approximately triangular shape and has a gradually decreasing width. A protruded handle may facilitate easier separation (removal) of each unit 12 by allowing easier grasping of the unit and easier tearing of the perforation zones 16 (since at least part of the perforation zone (around the protruded handle) is aligned with the pulling direction). [00121] FIGS. 4A and 4B show examples of fibrous substrates 44 having texture. FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of a textured fibrous substrate which has an undulating structure with peaks 48 and valleys 50, here considered relative to the upper surface 46 of the fibrous substrate 44. A characteristic peak-to-valley depth V assist in describing the texture, as does the effective height H of the textured fibrous substrate 44 relative to the characteristic thickness T of the web itself.

[00122] FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of a portion of a fibrous substrate 44 that is an apertured web, here comprising spaced apart ovals each with a first axis length X and a second axis length Y. The fibrous substrate 44 has a thickness T, such that the effective peak to valley height will be T if the fibrous substrate 44 is otherwise perfectly flat.

[00123] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate further options regarding the distribution of soap on individual units 12. FIG. 5A shows an individual unit 12 having a leading tab 54 at the front end 18 of the individual unit 12 which corresponds in shape to the recessed zone 56 at the tail end 68 of the individual unit 12. A central portion of the individual unit 12 is a soaped region 60, where an effective amount of soap is coated into and/or impregnated in the substrate 44. Outside of the soaped region 60 is a first unsoaped region 62 corresponding to the leading tab 54 and a second unsoaped region 58 at the tail end 68 of the individual unit 12. The combination of soaped regions 60 and unsoaped regions 58, 62 can enhance the utility of the individual unit 12 by at least one of: 1) allowing the individual unit 12 to be grasped at the front end 18 or via the graspable aperture 40 without interference from the soap that may prematurely add soap to the fingers or make the individual unit 12 slippery when grasping it, and 2) by reducing the potential for loss of soap from an exposed individual unit 12 due to exposure to moisture. The soaped region 60 may comprise from 40% to 90% of the entire surface area of the individual unit 12, such as from 50% to 90%, 60% to 90%, 70% to 90%, 50% to 80%, etc.

Alternatively, the soaped region may comprise 100% or nearly 100% of the total surface area.

[00124] FIG. 5B depicts an individual unit with only a single unsoaped region 62 and a soaped region 60, also comprising a graspable aperture 40 in the unsoaped region 62.

[00125] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict views of a plurality of individual units 12 (here they may be called individual tape-like units, though they are not aligned in a long strip of continuous units on a single tape) of a soap-laden substrate 44 than can be individually grasped without the need for a reel. FIG. 6A shows the individual units 12 mounted in a booklet cover 70 (which serves as a housing for the individual units) having a front surface 72 and a back surface 74, wherein the booklet cover 70 can serve to help keep the individual units dry and clean, and/or provide a convenient way to mount and dispense them. Inside the booklet cover is one or more sheets 76 of a substrate 44 which has been cut and perforated by laser cutting, die stamping, mechanical shears and stamping devices, etc., to provide a plurality of individual units 12 whose sides 78 are cut to separate the sides 78, while the tail ends 68 are perforated, leaving the individual units 12 tearably connected via the perforation zones 16 to a spine 80 that may be part of the sheet 76. Thus, in this format, a user can grasp the front end 18 of any exposed individual unit 12 and separate it by pulling or tearing, causing the perforated zone 16 to release the individual unit 12.

[00126] In FIG. 6B, sheet 76 made from a substrate 44 laden with soap (not shown) is depicted showing the cut sides 78 of individual unit 12, which are joined to a central spine 80 at perforation zones 16. In this case, the substrate 44 may first be laser cut or otherwise cut and perforated, and then can be impregnated, laminated with, or otherwise coated with soap (not shown) to either coat the entire remaining substrate 44 or to only coat selected regions (not shown). Alternatively, the substrate 44 may be treated with soap prior to cutting and perforating, wherein the soap may be applied to the entire substrate 44 or only to those regions where it is desired.

[00127] FIG. 7 shows an internal view of a housing 10 comprising a wound roll of soap impregnated tape 20. Here the wound roll of tape 20 is wound on a hub 36. An internal protrusion 82 near the opening 14 helps hold the wound roll of soap tape 20 to reduce the risk of dispensing too many individual units and to control dispensing behavior.

[00128] FIG. 8 shows another design of the housing 10 in a perspective view, wherein the opening 14 is accompanied by an irregular lip 84 that can assist in separating individual units 12 at the perforation zone (not shown) more effectively.

[00129] FIG. 9 depicts a housing 10 in perspective view mounted on a vertical surface 86 such as a wall or pole. The upper side 88 of the housing 10 has a mounting member 90 integrally connected to the housing 10 which may comprise, for example, a hole 92 to allow mounting via a nail, screw, hook, peg, or other means that can cooperate with the mounting member 90 and/or its hole 92 to fixedly attach the housing 10 to the vertical surface 86.

[00130] FIGS. 10A and 10B shows embodiments of soap 94 attached to a fibrous substrate 44. In FIG. 10A, a textured fibrous substrate 44 is shown with an upper surface 46 and an opposing lower surface 47, wherein the soap 94 includes an top coat 96 and a bottom coat 98. In FIG. 10B, a cross- section of a fibrous substrate 44 is shown with individual fibers 100 as may be seen in a tissue paper. Here the soap 84 has been impregnated into the fibrous substrate 44 and substantially surrounds many of the fibers 100. [00131] In creating such structures, molten or softened soap 94 may be applied to a fibrous substrate in any practical way such as coating, immersion, spraying, printing (including flexographic printing, offset printing, curtain coating, gravure printing, stamping, etc.), brushing, blade coating, rod coating, short dwell coating, injecting, laminating, pressing, stamping, rubbing, etc., as well as known methods for applying a lotion to a fibrous substrate such as the methods described in US Patent No. 7407560, “Lotioned and Embossed Tissue Paper,” issued Aug. 5, 2008 to K. Hilbig et al., hereby incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[00132] We obtained a lightweight sheet of a nonwoven meltblown fabric having a basis weight of 20- 40gsm provided in a 300 mm-wide roll with a web length of 100 m. Cutting was conducted with a 110W 1100*900mm bed laser cutter to cut a single individual unit 12 as substantially according to Figure 5A, but in a continuous tape comprising chains of 50-80 connected individual units, each joined to the adjacent individual units by perforation zones 16. Then we took lye soap and heated it to about 60 C to achieve a molten state, and poured it out over the single unit through a screen to impart a basis weight of about 0.35 gsm of soap in the middle of the single unit, leaving the outward tabs uncoated.

[00133] Once dry, the lengths were subsequently rolled up ready to either be inserted on a wound roll 20 as per Figure 7 having with a core having a hub 36 or, in some cases, to be shipped on a single roll as per Figure 2B.

Example 2: Soap paper variant

[00134] As in Example 1 , a lightweight sheet of a nonwoven was laser cut to cut for form a continuous tape with 50-80 individual units 12 connected by perforation zone 16. Once a length comprising 50-80 units had been cut, the length of cut material was completely saturated with water. Then in the middle of each unit, a piece of dry OEM soap paper of a pre-cut dimension to fit inside the soaped region 60 as shown in Figure 5A. The soap paper was pressed onto the wet substrate using a solid flat surface. Once each unit had a piece of paper soap fully adhered to its central face the length of substrate was hung out to about 50% humidity and 25 C for 5 hours to dry. [00135] Once dry, the lengths were subsequently rolled up ready to either be inserted on a core roll as in the wound roll 20 of Figure 7 Feature 20 or to be shipped on a single wound roll 20 as per Figure 2B.

Example 3: Tear and Share Format

[00136] Using a lightweight nonwoven fabric as in Example 1 , a 110W 1100*900mm bed laser cutter was used to cut the sheet to produce a spine with individual pieces of fibrous substrate 44 attached via perforation zones 16 as shown in Figure 6B. The substrate material was saturated with water and a thin piece of solid soap was placed on each individual unit 12. Pressure was applied to the individual units 12 such that the solid soap impregnated the fibrous substrate 44. The soaped substrate was then left to dry at approximately 25 C for 5 hours at 50% humidity. Once dry, multiple sheets were placed on top of each other and folded along the spine such that many pieces were layered. The spine was affixed to a graphic card serving as a booklet cover 70 so it can be used for promotion, distribution and as means of displaying the individual units 12 in a shop or a home. In this configuration, individual units 12 can be torn from the display along the perforation zones to use a single piece of soaped fabric at a time.

Alternative embodiments and examples

[00137] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many different combinations of embodiments and examples described with reference to Figures 1 to 10B may be used alone unmodified or in combination with each other.

[00138] The described examples of the invention are only examples of how the invention may be implemented. Modifications, variations and changes to the described examples will occur to those having appropriate skills and knowledge. These modifications, variations and changes may be made without departure from the scope of the claims.

[00139] For example, in an alternative embodiment, a colorant is present in the soap to help show the user when soap remains that can still be washed out of the substrate. In one embodiment, the colorant is a color-changing dye that can respond to friction or the action of washing to change color such as becoming colorless, to help provide visual feedback to the user about the completeness of hand washing. This can be effective in training children or adults to wash at least until the color is gone. Useful dyes for such an effect include the leuco dye and other dye chemistry described by R.W.

Sabnis and Timothy Kehoe in “Composition and Method for Producing Colored Bubbles,” United States Patent Application 20120244777, published Sept. 27, 2012, and by R.W. Sabnis et al. in “Novelty Compositions with Color Changing Indicator,” United States Patent Application 2006023647, published Oct. 26, 2006, both ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

[00140] In a further alternative embodiment, the tape is arranged such that the individual units are stacked on top of each other (in a vertical or horizontal direction, or a combination thereof), preferably whereby separating (optionally by a pulling motion from a user) one (preferably the “top”) individual unit reveals a further individual unit. In this embodiments the units are initially connected and in use are torn off.

[00141] In a yet further alternative embodiment, the individual units may be layered in a housing for individual removal by a user, preferably such that the soaped area (or portion) of an individual unit is in contact only with the unsoaped area (or portion) of the adjacent unit(s) and vice versa in order to reduce inadvertent loss of independent functionality of units due to the water exposure that can cause multiple units to adhere and become difficult to separate while maintaining individual unit usefulness. Preferably, separating (optionally by a pulling motion from a user) one (preferably the “top”) individual unit reveals a further individual unit. In this embodiments the individual units are not connected in a continuous tape but are in the form of individual sheets. The individual units may be obtained by cutting them out from a tape.

[00142] The housing may have one or more openings, each for only one individual unit so that only one individual unit is available for removal from the housing at each opening, and a further (next) individual unit is available upon removal of the first (previous) individual unit. For example, the individual units may be vertically stacked, with an opening adjacent to the lowermost unit in the stack - the removal of the lowermost (first) unit thus causes the remaining units to move down (via gravity) and a second unit is available for removal. Or, for example, the housing may be of the same width and length as an individual unit and have an opening of the same dimensions (or smaller, depending on the flexibility of the unit) such that only one unit is available for removal at the time, and, once removed, a further unit is available for removal.