Self-indicating wipe for removing bacteria from a surface

• Main Authors: MACDONALD JOHN GAVIN, DO BAO TRONG, MARTIN STEPHANIE M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.10.2014
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES, AS HERBICIDES; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; COFFEE MILLS; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; FISHING; FORESTRY; FURNITURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; HYGIENE; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS; PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTSTHEREOF; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL; TRAPPING

A wipe that includes a bacteriostatic agent that contains cations having an affinity for the negatively charged cell walls of bacteria is provided. The affinity of the bacteriostatic agent for the bacteria allows the wipe to capture bacteria, thereby removing them from a surface and also inhibiting their spread to other surfaces that may contact the wipe. Of particular advantage, the bacteriostatic agent may help protect against the spread or infection of pathogens without the use of chemicals, such as antiseptics or antibiotics. Still further, the wipe of the present invention also contains a solvatochromatic indicator that undergoes a color change in the presence of a broad spectrum of bacteria. Thus, when the wipe captures bacteria, the indicator undergoes a color change that signals to the user that the wipe is functioning properly. The lack of a color change may likewise provide the user with the assurance that the area is generally free of bacteria and clean.