| Wet Wipes Q&A |
Textiles / Paper / Nonwovens / Films / Healthcare / Service
Softness, Bulk, Shrinkage Control, Stretch, Extensibility,
Drape, Hand, Decorative Effects, Absorbency
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What
is the concept behind the Micrex Wet Wipe Process?
What
are the benefits of the Micrex Wet Wipe Process?
More bulk translates to more absorbency
Visual Benefits: A further refinement is by combining aesthetics with a functional improvement. For example one problem in standard wipes is sheets attaching so that two or more are pulled from a dispenser when only one was desired. By Microcreping a particular pattern into the web, a handle can be formed to ease the extraction of a single wipe.
As a cleaning wipe, the Microcreped substrate provides numerous folds or edges to trap dirt. The way in which each pattern picks up dirt can be matched to a particular cleaning application. These folds also break-up adhesions (or surface tension) when the wipe is in contact with a flat surface – allowing for the wipe to move smoothly over a surface. This greatly enhances both the performance and the perception of a better cleaning product.
A close-up of a used cleaning wipe In summary: The Micrex/Wet Wipe
Process allows each wiper product to be perfectly configured for a
particular wet wipe application.
Performance Benefits:
Spunlace processed on the Micrex/Microcreper can absorb over 30% more liquid than the same weight of unprocessed material. For the wet wipe manufacturer this translates into either a higher performing wipe, or alternatively, by reducing the basis weight of the material to achieve the same level of performance – a significant cost savings. Processed materials will also absorb more quickly, which again translates into cost savings as wet wipe filling lines can be run faster.
What
composition of spunlace respond best the process? The optimal configuration seems to be a blend of at least 30% polyester and wood pulp. Polyester and viscose also processes well, but without as dramatic an improvement in absorbency. Polypropylene blends are an option, and Micrex is working to further modify the process to combat the melting of the polypropylene which reduces the absorbency and limits the ultimate processing speed. What
kind of protection does Micrex have on this The Micrex/Microcreper is covered by
US and International patents. Since
the Micrex/Wet Wipe process is a new What
does it cost? A complete Micrex®/Microcreper system for processing material 1.7 meters wide at 200 meters per minute would cost approximately $600,000. For the purposes of a complete analysis, we assume that $150,000 of additional equipment (fork lifts, installation of services, etc.) is necessary. Were this machine to be run for two shifts, 300 days per year, the cost of enhancing the wipes would be about $0.005 cents per square meter. Slitting can be performed in-line, further reducing costs.
Micrex is focused on getting your
product to market quickly and efficiently.
We can perform contract Microcreping to help with product
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