Post conversion nonwovens processing

Abstract

A method of treated a nonwoven substrate after the normal conversion process to generate modification to the Z dimension. The method can be accomplished either before or after placing the substrate in a consumer container. The method can be accomplished by the consumer. The treatment can be the application of heat to increase the thickness of the substrate. The result can be a product combination of a canister containing a roll of wipes where the thickness of the wipes is enhanced prior to loading with a cleaning formulation.

1 . A product combination for delivering a nonwoven product to a consumer comprising;
 a. a consumer container; and   b. a roll of nonwoven substrate;   c. wherein the nonwoven substrate has a Z-dimension thickness A when placed in the consumer container;   d. wherein the nonwoven substrate is treated in the consumer container to modify the Z-dimension thickness to give a Z-dimension thickness B;   e. wherein the Z-dimension thickness B is greater than the Z-dimension thickness A as a result of the treatment operation; and   f. wherein the treatment operation is not adding a liquid to the substrate in the consumer container.   
   
   
       2 . The product combination of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment operation is heating the substrate. 
   
   
       3 . The product combination of  claim 1 , wherein the heating is provided by microwave energy. 
   
   
       4 . The product combination of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is sold to the consumer in dry form. 
   
   
       5 . The product combination of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is sold to the consumer in wet form. 
   
   
       6 . A method of increasing the Z-dimension thickness of a nonwoven substrate used for a cleaning wipe comprising:
 a. slitting the substrate; and   b. heating the substrate resulting in a modification of the Z-dimension of the substrate.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 ; wherein the substrate is heated in a consumer container resulting in an increase in the Z-dimension thickness of the substrate. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 ; wherein the heating is provided by microwave energy. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 ; wherein the substrate in the consumer container is in sheet form. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 ; wherein the substrate in the consumer container is in roll form. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 ; wherein the substrate is individually packaged. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 ; wherein the substrate is sold to the consumer in dry form. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 6 ; wherein the substrate is sold to the consumer in wet form. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 6 ; wherein the substrate is heated resulting in an increase in Z-dimension thickness of the substrate before placing the substrate in a consumer container. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 6 ; wherein the consumer heats the substrate. 
   
   
       16 . A method of modifying a specific attribute of a nonwoven substrate comprising:
 a. placing the substrate in a consumer container;   b. treating the substrate to modify the specific attribute;   c. wherein the treatment is not adding a liquid to the substrate in the consumer container.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 ; wherein the substrate in the consumer container is in sheet form. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 ; wherein the substrate in the consumer container is in roll form. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 ; wherein the substrate is sold to the consumer in dry form. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 ; wherein the substrate is sold to the consumer in wet form.