U.S. patent application number 10/762920 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for anti-microbial products.
This patent application is currently assigned to FOSS MANUFACTURING CO., INC.. Invention is credited to Foss, Stephen W., Goodwin, Gordon JR., Kesser, Dieter, Sawvell, Robert V. JR..
Application Number | 20040214495 10/762920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27574916 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040214495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Foss, Stephen W. ; et
al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Anti-microbial products
Abstract
Fabric and fabric like synthetic plastic or agricultural derived
products and sheet products of diverse thickness (ranging from high
thickness rigid products to flexible films) are made as
multi-component systems (e.g. a core-sheath fiber) with a carrier
portion adapted to a first function (e.g. a high strength core) and
a secondary portion (e.g. the sheath) carrying anti-microbial
particles in an effective amount of high accessibility. An
alternative is a blend of response fibers (e.g. (1) anti-microbial
particles in a first plastic fiber blended with a second natural
fiber and coated for bonding, (2) blends of diverse plastic fibers.
The products can be fabrics of indefinite length or form of
coherent products.
Inventors: |
Foss, Stephen W.; (Rye
Beach, NH) ; Kesser, Dieter; (Exeter, NH) ;
Sawvell, Robert V. JR.; (Columbia, SC) ; Goodwin,
Gordon JR.; (Bradford, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS, SMITH & COHEN LLP
ONE BEACON STREET
30TH FLOOR
BOSTON
MA
02108
US
|
Assignee: |
FOSS MANUFACTURING CO.,
INC.
Hampton
NH
|
Family ID: |
27574916 |
Appl. No.: |
10/762920 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10762920 |
Jan 22, 2004 |
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09565138 |
May 5, 2000 |
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6723428 |
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10762920 |
Jan 22, 2004 |
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10655330 |
Sep 4, 2003 |
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60136261 |
May 27, 1999 |
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60173207 |
Dec 27, 1999 |
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60172285 |
Dec 17, 1999 |
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60172533 |
Dec 17, 1999 |
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60180536 |
Feb 7, 2000 |
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60181251 |
Feb 9, 2000 |
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60180240 |
Feb 4, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
442/199 ;
428/361; 428/365; 428/373; 428/375; 442/190; 442/200; 442/311;
442/361; 442/364; 442/415 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 57/16 20130101;
A61L 15/46 20130101; B01D 46/00 20130101; Y10T 428/25 20150115;
A61L 2300/104 20130101; B32B 2437/02 20130101; D02G 3/449 20130101;
Y10T 428/249924 20150401; Y10T 442/674 20150401; Y10T 442/3154
20150401; B32B 27/302 20130101; Y10T 442/3073 20150401; B32B
2307/7145 20130101; Y10T 428/26 20150115; B01D 2275/10 20130101;
B01D 46/0028 20130101; D01F 8/12 20130101; Y10T 442/637 20150401;
Y10T 442/638 20150401; Y10T 442/641 20150401; A61F 13/8405
20130101; B32B 5/02 20130101; Y10T 428/2907 20150115; Y10T 428/2924
20150115; Y10T 428/2929 20150115; B32B 2307/558 20130101; A41D
31/12 20190201; Y10T 442/30 20150401; Y10T 428/2933 20150115; A41B
2400/60 20130101; A61F 2013/8414 20130101; B32B 27/306 20130101;
B32B 2305/70 20130101; A41D 31/00 20130101; B01D 39/1623 20130101;
B01D 46/521 20130101; Y10T 428/298 20150115; Y10T 428/2913
20150115; Y10T 442/69 20150401; B32B 2262/0276 20130101; B32B
2305/20 20130101; Y10T 442/692 20150401; Y10T 428/2915 20150115;
B32B 27/12 20130101; B32B 2264/10 20130101; Y10T 442/659 20150401;
B32B 2262/0284 20130101; Y10T 442/3146 20150401; Y10T 428/2904
20150115; Y10T 442/697 20150401; A41B 17/00 20130101; A61L 2/238
20130101; D01F 8/14 20130101; Y10T 442/699 20150401; A61L 2300/404
20130101; B01D 39/1615 20130101; Y10T 442/64 20150401; B32B 5/26
20130101; D01F 1/103 20130101; Y10T 428/2931 20150115; Y10T 428/251
20150115; Y10T 442/444 20150401; B32B 27/18 20130101; B32B 2367/00
20130101; A01N 59/16 20130101; A01N 25/34 20130101; A01N 57/16
20130101; A01N 2300/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
442/199 ;
428/361; 428/365; 428/373; 428/375; 442/200; 442/311; 442/364;
442/415; 442/190; 442/361 |
International
Class: |
D04B 001/14; D04B
021/14; D04H 001/00; D04B 007/00; D04H 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A product including one or more component sections of
thermoplastic polymer with incorporated anti-microbial additive
with efficient sizing, placement and quantity therein and at least
one other component acting to afford a primary characteristic of
one or more of strength, color, fire retardance, odor suppression
or modification, hydrophilic or hydrophobic characteristic
promoting or suppressing, texture controlling and ultraviolet
resistance to the product, the product as a whole being constructed
and arranged to suppress substantially microbial growth and the
like (e.g., fungal, mildew or mold activity) therein and/or to
impart such suppression action to an environment in which the
product is ultimately used.
2. The product of claim 1, wherein the product is of coherent form
and has a distinct end product usage.
3. The product of claim 1, wherein the section with additive is
fibrous.
4. The product of claim 1, wherein the product comprises at least
one indefinite form selected from the group consisting of yarn,
tow, flat sheet, shaped sheet (e.g. complex extrusion), film,
monofilament, fabric, fabric laminate, film, film laminate, sheet,
and fabric/film laminate.
5. The product claim 1, wherein the product comprises a fabric
section selected from the forms consisting of woven, knit, spun,
non-woven (including fleece, air laid, flocked, needle punched,
spunbonded, spunlaced and thermobonded forms.
6. The product of claim 4, wherein the section with additive is
fibrous.
7. The product of claim 6, wherein the fibrous section comprises a
multi-component fiber, the components extending along all or a
substantial length portion thereof, with the anti-microbial
additive in less than all components thereof, presented as (a) a
multi-component fiber as formed or (b) a blend of fibers with
different melting points so that the one holding the additive melts
below the melting point of and wets one or more other components or
(c) a combination of the (a) and (b) conditions.
8. The product of claim 7, wherein the components are in a
core/sheath configuration and the anti-microbial additive is in the
sheath.
9. The product of claim 8, wherein the sheath is sized to hold the
additive close to the outer fiber surface while affording strong
resistance to removal thereof under production and usage conditions
of fiber and fabric.
10. The product of claim 1, wherein the additive is one selected
from the group consisting of copper, zinc, tin and silver.
11. The product of claim 10, wherein the additive is a zeolite of
silver or other carrier including zirconium phosphate or
dissolvable glass.
12. The product of claim 1, wherein the one or more component
sections comprise multiple components in a core/sheath fiber
configuration and the sheath is more than 30% of the cross section
of the total cross section of the fiber.
13. The product of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial additive
comprises approximately 1 micron cubic particles and the
thermoplastic component section containing the additives is
approximately 2 microns thick and surface accessible or a similar
ratio wherein the thermoplastic section thickness is slightly
greater than the longest dimension of the additive in particle
form.
14. The product of claim 13, wherein the additives are 0.01 to 6.0%
by weight of the product.
15. The product of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial additive is a
zeolite of silver dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer 1 selected
from the group of of polyolefin, PET, PETG, PCT, PCL, PBT,
polyamides, 3GT, PTT, styrene, polyamide (nylon 6 or 6.6), or
acrylic polymers.
16. The product of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial additive is
in one or more fibers blended with one or more other fibers
selected from the group consisting of cotton, wool, polyester,
acrylic, polypropylene, rayon, acetate, and nylon, the one or more
other fibers being free of anti-microbial agents internally and
except as imparted thereto by the one or more additive-containing
fibers.
17. The product of claim 16, wherein the fibers are comprised of
mono-components.
18. The product of claim 16, wherein the fibers are comprised of
multi-components.
19. The product of claim 14, wherein the polymers are of at least
one chosen from the group consisting of PE, PP, PET (polyester),
PCT, PETG, Co-PET, Styrene, PTFE (Halar.RTM.), PTT, 3GT, and
polyamide 6 or 6,6.
20. The product of claim 1, wherein the product is in the form of
one or more fibers from 0.7 dTex to 25.0 dTex in size.
21. The product of claim 20, wherein the fiber is cut staple in
lengths from 1.0 mm to 180.0 mm.
22. The product of claim 1, wherein the product is in the form of
one or more fibers having one ore more components in continuous
filament form.
23. The product of claim 1, wherein the product is in the form of
one or more fibers, each configured with: a core of a high tenacity
polymer having at least 10% and less than 70% of the fiber by cross
sectional area, a sheath of a hydrolysis resistant polymer having
over 30% of the core/sheath combined cross sectional area, and
including an additive, and wherein the additive in the sheath
comprises from 0.01% to 20% by weight of the fiber and is selected
from the group consisting of anti-microbials and optionally
additional additives selcted from the group consisting of pigments
compounds creating a hydrophilic surface, UV stabilizers, and fire
retardants.
24. The product of claim 23, wherein each core may be comprised of
high tenacity PET, and each sheath may be comprised of PCT
providing a hydrolysis resistant surface with good wrinkle
resistance, and resistance to long term washings, in boiling water
and strong soaps.
25. The product of claim 24, with the core of each fiber
constructed to have a high modulus with properties of tenacity and
elongation similar to cotton.
26. The product of claim 24, with the core of each fiber
constructed to have properties similar to wool.
27. The product of claim 24, with the cores of said fibers
constructed to have an intermediate modulus fiber with properties
between cotton and wool.
28. The product of claim 23, wherein the additional additive is
hydrophilic such that the one or more fibers, in a garment or the
like, can wick body moisture away from the skin and evaporate to
create comfort to a wearer.
29. The product of claim 23, wherein the additional additive is
pigment that provides uniform colors that do not fade significantly
over long-term use and washing.
30. The product of claim 1 as a fiber blend, comprising: a binder
fiber made from low temperature polymer with a melting or softening
temperature below 200 degrees C.; an anti-microbial additive of an
inorganic compound made from a metal chosen from the group
consisting of copper, zinc, tin and silver added to the binder
fiber, the additive ranging from 0.1 to 20% by weight of the fiber;
and fibers which are free of anti-microbial additive being blended
with the binder fiber, the blend of fibers having been heated to
its melting temperature, thereby providing a fiber blend which can
be used to produce an anti-microbial finished fabric able to
withstand significant wear and washings and maintain its
effectiveness.
31. The product of claim 30, wherein the binder fiber composition
is selected from the group consisting of PETG, PE, PP, Co-PET,
polycaprolatone and amorphous PET.
32. The product of claim 31, wherein the anti-microbial additive is
a zeolite of silver (or other carrier including zirconium phosphate
and dissolvable glass) dispersed in PE, PET or PBT (or similar
carriers) before being added to the polymer matrix of the
fiber.
33. The product of claim 30, wherein the non-anti-microbial fiber
is selected from the group consisting of cotton, wool,
polypropylene, polyester, acrylic and nylon.
34. The product of claim 30, wherein the binder fiber comprises
PETG polymer, said anti-microbial additive comprises zeolite of
silver, and said non-anti-microbial fiber comprises cotton.
35. The product of claim 34, wherein the PETG polymer with the
zeolite of silver additive is blended with the cotton up to 10% by
weight to produce a fiber particularly suitable for a bed
sheet.
36. The product of claim 30, wherein the binder fiber is activated
in a drying cycle of a bleaching operation (or other fabric
finishing operation) to melt and wet the surface of the cotton
fibers to carry the anti-microbial characteristics to the entire
bed sheet with an added benefit of increasing strength and reducing
pilling.
37. The product of claim 30, wherein the fiber size ranges from 0.7
dTex to 25.0 dTex, and the fiber is cut staple in lengths from 1.0
mm to 180.0 mm.
38. The product of claim 30, wherein the fiber is a continuous
filament in a wrap spun application and said non-anti-microbial
fiber is spun around an anti-microbial filament.
39. The product of claim 1, forming at least a part of a
multi-layer incontinent article.
40. The product of claim 39, forming a garment.
41. The product of claim 39, forming a linen.
42. The product of claim 39, forming a bed pad.
43. The product of claim 39, wherein the article is prepared of
woven fabric, non-woven fabric, or knitted fabric.
44. The product of claim 39, formed as a diaper.
45. The product of claim 39, formed as an absorbent pad.
46. The product of claim 39, including a wick layer and an
adsorbent layer.
47. The product of claim 46, wherein the layer which is intended to
be against a wearer's skin is made of anti-microbial fibers.
48. The product of claim 39, formed as underwear.
49. The product of claim 39, formed as pajamas.
50. The product of claim 1. forming at least part of a single layer
or multi-layer filter.
51. The product of claim 50, wherein the filter is a liquid
filter.
52. The product of claim 50, wherein the filter is a gas or air
(HVAC) filter.
53. The product of claim 50, further comprising an anti-odor agent
added to the filter.
54. The product of claim 50, wherein the anti-microbial additive is
disposed in a layer on the intended upstream side of the other
layers.
55. The product of claim 1, formed as part of a multi-layer wound
care or burn dressing.
56. The product of claim 55, wherein at least one layer has the
anti-microbial fiber, said layer being on the intended skin side of
the other layers.
57. The product of claim 56, wherein at least one other layer is of
an adsorbent material.
58. The product of claim 30, forming at least part of a fabric
wherein PETG is used as the carrier for color pigments for said
fabric.
59. The product of claim 58, wherein the PETG has been melted as a
low temperature and has had an anti-microbial and/or a colorant
added thereto prior to melting
60. The product of claim 1, forming at least part of a multi-layer
footwear component.
61. The product of claim 60, formed as at least one component
selected from an insole, midsole, box toe, counter, and lining.
62. The product of claim 1, forming at least part of a multi-layer
laminate of high porosity between two internal layers thereof, one
of which is bonded to the other with lateral fibers traversing
parts of both layers, one or both of such layers incorporating
anti-microbial agents, and means for acquiring moisture vapor into
the laminate and trapping it there, one of the internal layers
having higher strength properties than the other and the other
having a higher moisture retention capacity.
63. The product of claim 62, further comprising an
insertable/removable insole for a shoe or the like.
64. The product of claim 1, forming at least part of a multi-layer
partition or as a fabric for office, hospital, waiting area,
classrooms, busses, cars, and the like and also curtains,
upholstery, carpets and bedspreads.
65. The product of claim 1, forming at least part of a car wash
material.
66. The product of claim 1, forming at least part of a filter or a
batt in a car wash water recycle storage tank.
67. The product of claim 66, wherein the filter or batt is formed
substantially straight to avoid clogging.
68. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part institutional
and home furnishings, including bed sheets, pillow cases, mattress
pads, blankets, towels, drapes, bedspreads, pillow shams, carpets,
walk-off mats, napkins, linens, wall coverings, upholstered
furniture, liners, mattress ticking, mattress filling, pillow
filing, carpet pads, and upholstery fabric.
69. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part athletic
clothing, athletic wear liners and component fabrics.
70. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a mop head
fabric.
71. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a medical
wipe.
72. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a dust
mask.
73. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a humidifier
evaporation surface media and/or a circulation/aeration system
pad.
74. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a boat bilge
anti-microbial pad.
75. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a laundry
bag.
76. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a piece of
apparel.
77. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a nautical,
awning, or umbrella fabric.
78. The product of claim 1, forming at least in part a layer of a
wide stiff plastic sheet
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional and
continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 09/565,138 filed May 5,
2000, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which claims the priority of the
following provisional applications: Ser. No. 60/136,261, filed May
27, 1999; Ser. No. 60/173,207, filed Dec. 27, 1999; Ser. No.
60/172,285, filed Dec. 17, 1999; Ser. No. 60/172,533, filed Dec.
17, 1999; Ser. No. 60/180,536, filed Feb. 7, 2000; Ser. No.
60/181,251, filed Feb. 9, 2000; and Ser. No. 60/180,240, filed Feb.
4, 2000. All of said applications are incorporated herein by
reference as though set out at length herein and also a
continuation of Ser. No. 10/655,330, now U.S. Pat. No. ______,
divisional of said Ser. No. 09/565,138 filed May 5, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to woven and
non-woven fibrous products and plastic sheet, film and formed
products of coherent configuration such as garments, home and
institutional furnishings, wipes, diapers, filters, adsorbent pads,
bandages, trays, pallets, baskets, bags and the like and indefinite
form products, such as rolls of sheet form material, batts and the
like used in making such coherent products and for other purposes,
and, more particularly to such products incorporating as all or a
portion thereof materials using anti-microbial, anti-mold and/or
anti-fungal properties which remain after repeated launderings/uses
and the like. More specifically it provides such products made up
in whole or in part of (a) a wholly or partly synthetic fiber and
multi- or mono-component anti-microbial and/or anti-mold and/or
anti-fungal synthetic fibers, alone or integrated with other
synthetic or natural fibers, using various thermoplastic polymers
and additives and/or (b) plastic sheets, films and formed parts
similarly having anti-fungal properties through additives on or
near one or more of the surfaces. It may be a bi-component product
having either a core-sheath, side-by-side or co-extruded
configuration or other configurations (e.g. pie-wedge). One
arrangement uses micro- or multi-component binder fibers, which are
staple fiber or filament.
[0003] The present invention further relates to products made
wholly or in part of such fiber or sheet, including clothing and
linings, garments, footwear, home furnishings, personal care
products and industrial products.
[0004] The garments and like articles preferably have
anti-microbial properties for general or athletic or medical uses
and for people who are incontinent. Such garments and articles
include underwear, pajamas, personal care products including
feminine hygiene products, washable and/or disposable diapers as
well as linens, and bed pads for bed ridden patients, to prevent
bed sores. Such garments and like articles may be made of woven
fabric, knitted fabric or non-woven fabric.
[0005] The industrial, personal care and home furnishing products
include gas (and aerosol) and liquid (and suspensions) filters.
These include an air filter embodiment which relates to vehicle and
aircraft cabin air filters, that are made of a wholly or partly
synthetic fiber that can be either mono- or multi-component in
nature and have anti-microbial properties and can be used with
other synthetic or natural fibers to form a variety of fabrics and
materials. Such invention provides for filter materials that are
resistant to bacterial and fungal growth as well as to the
deterioration of the fibers contained in these filter materials.
The home, business and transport filters include filters of
drinking and beverage making water and fluids.
[0006] The personal care products include a dressings embodiment
which relates personal care products including washable and/or
disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products to wound care
materials and burn dressings formed of fibers and/or fabrics made
of a wholly or partly synthetic fiber that can be either mono- or
multi-component in nature and has anti-microbial properties and can
be used with other synthetic or natural fibers to form a variety of
different types of fabrics and materials suitable for these uses.
These products suppress bacterial and fungal growth, and related
risk of infection or irritiation,
[0007] The various groups include a fabric embodiment which relates
generally to fabric construction, and, more particularly, to fabric
having qualities imparted to it which remain for the life of the
fabric, such as excellent color fastness without the need for a dye
bath.
[0008] There is a footwear components embodiment that relates
generally to the footwear art, and, more particularly, to footwear
components having anti-microbial properties.
[0009] The invention includes insoles and other shoe products
components.
[0010] The invention includes laminate materials, and, more
particularly that are made of a wholly thermoplastic stiff
reinforcing multiple laminate moldable into compound shapes and
bondable via a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive to a carrier surface
to be reinforced and suitable for footwear.
[0011] The invention includes wide sheet materials that are made of
a wholly or partly synthetic material and having anti-microbial and
anti-fungal properties. Such sheets can be used with other
synthetic or natural materials to form a variety of different end
use products. This invention provides for sheet materials for end
use products that are resistant to bacterial and fungal growth as
well as to the deterioration of the agents contained in these
materials. The sheets can be made of multi-component (typically two
or three layer laminates) by various methods but preferably
co-extruded.
[0012] The invention further includes bed sheets, pillow cases,
mattress pads, blankets, towels, drapes, bedspreads, pillow shams,
carpets, walk-off mats, napkins, linens, wall coverings,
upholstered furniture, liners, mattress ticking, mattress filling,
pillow filling, carpet pads, upholstery fabric and the like. It
includes fabrics and materials, and also support substrates and
products constructed using generally a wholly or partly synthetic
fiber (which may be mixed with natural fibers) that can be either
mono- or multi-component in nature and has anti-microbial
properties. These are for use in the home, or in institutional
settings such as hotels and motels, adult communities, offices,
hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.
[0013] There is a medical-healthcare embodiment which relates to
medical/healthcare wipes possessing anti-microbial properties, more
particularly, to such wipes made of materials and fabrics composed
of a wholly or partly synthetic fiber that can be either mono- or
multi-component in nature and having anti-microbial properties and
can be used with other synthetic or natural fibers. The invention
provides wipes for suppressing bacterial and fungal growth, and the
related risk of infection. Such wipes are usually disposable but
can be made in washable/recyclable forms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0014] There is a growing interest today in products, which have
anti-mold, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. This includes
the areas of nosocomial (hospital, e.g. staph') infection and SARS
(severe acute respiratory infection) and other infections which
have little to no antibiotic response. There are a number of
additives, fibers and products on the market, which claim to have
these properties. However, many do not have such properties, or the
properties do not remain for the life of the product, or they have
adverse environmental consequences.
[0015] Various materials have been used in the past to provide
anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties to fibers and
fabrics.
[0016] Examples of some organic types of anti-microbial agents, are
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,408,022 and 5,494,987 (an anti-microbial
polymerizable composition containing an ethylenically unsaturated
monomer, a specific one-, di- or tri-functional anti-microbial
monomer and a polymerization initiator which can yield an
unreleasable anti-microbial polymer from which the anti-microbial
component is not released), U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,870 (a silver
containing anti-microbial agent which comprises
carboxymethylcellulose, a crosslinked compound, containing silver
in the amount of 0.01 to 1% by weight and having a degree of
substitution of carboxymethyl group of not less than 0.4 and the
anti-microbial agent being a silver salt of carboxymethylcellulose,
which is insoluble to water), U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,570 (an organic
solvent-soluble mucopolysaccharide consisting of an ionic complex
of at least one mucopolysaccharide and a quaternary phosphonium, an
antibacterial antithrombogenic composition comprising organic
solvent-soluble mucopolysaccharide and an organic polymer material,
an antibacterial antithrombogenic composition comprising organic
solvent-soluble mucopolysaccharide and an inorganic antibacterial
agent, and to a medical material comprising organic solvent-soluble
mucopolysaccharide).
[0017] Examples of some inorganic types of anti-microbial agents
are:
[0018] Japanese Patent No. 1246204 (1988) which discloses an
anti-microbial thermoplastic article with copper a compound added
to the melted polymer just before extruding, in which the
anti-microbial material is said to be resistant to washing.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,585 which discloses an antimicrobial
with a first coating providing the antimicrobial properties and a
second coating as a protective layer. A metal having antimicrobial
properties is used including silver which is coated with a
secondary protective layer.
[0020] Japanese Patent No. 2099606 (1990) which discloses a fiber
with anti-microbial properties made of a liquid polyester and
inorganic micro particles of zinc silicate, both being added to the
melted polymer after polymerization and just before extrusion.
[0021] The use of anti-microbial agents in connection with
thermoplastic material is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,679
(1986). This patent is concerned with the degradation of
anti-microbial agents during processing. This patent states that
thermoplastic compounds which are candidates for treatment with
anti-microbial agents include material such as polyamides (nylon 6
or 6,6), polyvinyl, polyolefins, polyurethanes, polyethylene
terephthalate, styrene-butadiene rubbers.
[0022] Japanese Patent No. 2091009 (1990) and U.S. Pat. No.
5,047,448 disclose an anti-microbial thermoplastic polymer with
copper or zinc compounds and fine particles of Al, Ag, Fe and Zn
compounds and a liquid polyester, in which the anti-microbial
material is said to be resistant to washing.
[0023] Japanese Patent No. 2169740 (1990) discloses a thermoplastic
fiber such as PET which uses silver, copper or zinc as an
anti-microbial agent. There is a cellulose component which reduces
the amount of thermoplastic with anti-microbial agent and reduces
the cost.
[0024] Examples of inorganic types of anti-microbial agent which
have zeolite with silver is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,911,898,
5,094,847, 4,938,958 (use of zeolite with exchangeable ions such as
silver and others), U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,667 (an anti-microbial
composition which involves use of partial or complete substitution
of ion-exchangeable metal ion such a silver, copper, zinc and
others), U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,644 (an anti-microbial fiber having a
silver containing inorganic microbiocide and the silver ion is
stated to have been supported by zeolite, among other materials,
the purpose being to prevent discoloration).
[0025] Various products have been made using anti-microbial fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,551 discloses a water purifier having a
secondary filter downstream of its primary filter for removing
microorganisms and antimicrobial means disposed between the two
filters.
[0026] Japanese Patent No. 6116872 (1994) discloses a suede-like
synthetic leather with an anti-microbial agent. It discloses the
use of anti-microbial zeolite having an anti-microbial metal ion.
It uses two fiber types and includes PET.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,949 discloses an anti-microbial adhesive
composition for dental use. The composition was made by blending of
a polymerizable monomer having alcoholic hydroxy group and water to
a dental composition containing an anti-microbial polymerizable
monomer and a polymerizable monomer having acidic group, and with a
polymerization catalyst. Such composition has capability to improve
adhesive strength between the tooth and the restorative material to
prevent microbial invasion at the interface and kill microorganisms
remaining in the microstructure.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,489 discloses a germ-removing filter
with a filter substrate and an anti-microbial material dispersedly
mixed into the filter substrate. The anti-microbial material is an
ion exchange fiber bonded with silver ion. In the ion exchange
fiber, silver ions capable of killing living germs through an ion
exchange reaction.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,258 discloses a method for preventing a
microorganism from growing and the breakdown of urea to ammonia on
the surface of skin, wall, floor, countertop or wall covering, or
in absorbent materials by incorporating an effective amount of
naturally-occurring and/or synthetic zeolites. The absorbent
materials are diapers, clothing, bedsheets, bedpads, surgical
apparel, blankets, filters, filtering aids, wall coverings,
countertops, and cutting boards, etc. Use of zeolite preventing
bacterial infections and rashes in mammals may compromise cell wall
processes including basic transport processes. Zeolites may capture
or neutralize electrons and inhibit electron transport through key
enzymes of the electron transport chain such as cytochrome
oxidase.
[0030] U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,057 is for a bi-component core-sheath
fiber in which the cross sectional area of the sheath is less than
30% of the total cross sectional area. It also discloses the use of
a slickening agent and use of an anti-microbial agent which is an
inert inorganic particle having a first coating with the
anti-microbial properties, and a second coating which has
protective properties.
[0031] One of the disadvantages of some of the prior art is that
the anti-microbial additives are organic and many organic materials
either act as antibiotics and the bacteria "learns" to go around
the compound, or many of them give off dioxins in use.
[0032] Also, many such additives are applied topically to the
fibers or fabrics and tend to wash off or wear off over time and
become ineffective. Also, by washing off the additives are placed
into the waste water stream.
[0033] There are many patents and other forms of published
information which are available concerning garments and other
articles intended for use for incontinent persons. Many of these
deal with the problem of moving body fluids away from a person's
skin to prevent the type of problems created when such fluids
remain in contact with the skin for long periods of time, such as
rashes and other skin eruptions. Absorbent layers are provided
behind the layer which touches the skin.
[0034] However, there is the danger of infection due to bacterial
and fungal growth in urine-soaked fabrics and the overall
discomfort caused by wet clothing.
[0035] There has been little attention to a problem which remains
even when the fluids are moved away from the skin. This is the
problem caused by microbes which attach to the outer layer which
touches the skin even when the fluids move into the absorbent
layer. These microbes cause a variety of problems.
[0036] The University of Minnesota Extension Service, Waste
Education Series published an article in 1998, "Infant Diapers and
Incontinence Products: Choices for Families and Communities by
Gahring et al relating to this subject (hereafter "UOM Article").
This article indicates that the use of disposable diapers and
incontinence products have been widely adopted for babies and for
adults with certain problems. There is an estimate that there are
at least ten million adult Americans who are incontinent. One of
the problems is rashes and skin irritation.
[0037] Moisture absorbing incontinence products are produced in
various manners including plastic film or coated nylon for a
waterproof backing, paper fiber, gelling material, or cotton gauze;
flannel for a middle absorbent layer and nonwoven or woven or
knitted fabrics made of polyester, olefin, viscose or cotton for
the coverstock.
[0038] This article discusses health issues for babies relating to
the condition of the skin and to the transmission of infectious
diseases. Prolonged contact with urine and stool is a major cause
of diaper rash.
[0039] There are environmental problems associated with the large
use of disposable products of this type. And this will increase as
the number of elderly people in our society increases. While
disposables are placed into landfills together with other trash, it
appears that many people do not empty the contents of disposables
into the toilet, and a study has shown that diaper wastes represent
a significant health hazard in landfills. While many such products
claim to be biodegradable, this is not always correct and there is
some difficulty in making the moisture impervious layers of the
plastics used in such products, biodegradable. Also it has been
found that super-absorbent disposable diapers are more effective
than cloth diapers with separate waterproof pants/wraps. The
transmission of infectious disease is a major concern for care,
outside of the home. The fecal containment of disposable diapers is
found to be significantly better than that of cloth diapers with
plastic pants.
[0040] Fluid (gas and liquid) filters may present ideal sites for
colonization/growth by microorganisms, leading to clogging or other
undesirable changes of filter characteristics and infection of the
downstream fluid products. Examples include food and
chemical/biotech processing installations, home and institutional
water supplies for drinking and other uses, filters for
recirculation systems such as vehicle and aircraft cabin air,
swimming pools, wash installations and laboratory or high QC
manufacture facilities (electronics and pharmaceutical
manufacturing.
[0041] The vehicle and aircraft cabin air filters are vulnerable to
the seeding of bacteria and fungi from outside air sources and air
conditioning systems, thus providing hospitable sites for their
inhibited growth. The latter is especially true since these filters
often recirculate cooled air from air-conditioners. Thus, these
materials would benefit from having antibacterial and anti-fungal
agents incorporated into them. However, most prior art approaches
of coating fibers or materials with anti-microbial or anti-fungal
agents have limited effect. There have been complaints about the
"musty air" smell, which is noticed when air conditioning equipment
is turned on in such cabins. This smell is caused by the growth of
mold and bacteria within the air conditioning system.
[0042] Similar needs attend several of the various filter systems
cited above.
[0043] There exists a need to develop fabrics and other effective
material for use in air filters for vehicle and aircraft cabins
that do not cause the development of resistant bacterial strains.
There also still exists a need for these filters to have
substrates-anti-microbial agent systems that are resistant to being
washed away, thus maintaining their potency as an integral part of
the filters into which they are incorporated.
[0044] U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,489 mentioned above, describes use of a
cation exchange to provide a fiber bonded with silver ions, usable
in a germ removing filter for sterilizing air for a sterile room
such as is used in the manufacture of food products. A problem with
using silver zeolite fine particles for such a filter is that the
particles fall out and generate dust, thereby deteriorating the
function of a HEPA filter with which it is used. When other methods
are used in which the zeolite particles are two microns, with fiber
filament having a diameter of 8-15 microns, insufficient zeolite
particles are available on the surface of the synthetic fiber
filament.
[0045] Wound care dressings can introduce pathogens that increase
the danger of infection due to bacterial and fungal growth into the
wound tissue because it is necessary to changing these dressings
frequently. As a result of the constant re-exposure of the healing
wound to the air, the dressings used to cover these wounds are
suitable for the use of anti-microbial and anti-fungal fibers
during their manufacture. In addition, the use of these
anti-microbial materials could allow these dressings to be used for
longer periods of time before they need to be changed or even to
possibly be reusable, although they are usually considered
disposable after one use. However, most prior art approaches of
coating such fibers or fabrics with anti-microbial or anti-fungal
agents have had limited success.
[0046] Burn dressings are used to prevent infection due to high
potential for introducing bacteria and other pathogens into the
burn tissue due to the fact that the normal protective barrier of
the skin has been grossly disrupted. The possibility of bacterial
and fungal growth in the burn tissue during healing is one of the
major dangers to recovery. Also, as a result of the constant
re-exposure of the healing burn tissue to the air during the
changing of dressings, the materials used to protect these burns
are suitable for the use of anti-microbial and anti-fungal fibers
during their manufacture. In addition, the use of these
anti-microbial materials could allow these burn dressings to be
used for longer periods of time before they need to be changed.
[0047] One instance, among others, of challenges to dressings is in
regard to decubitus ulcers and other non-healing or slow healing
conditions leading to complications such as circulation blockage at
vasculature near the ulcerous areas.
[0048] Several patents describe anti-microbial materials in which
the anti-microbial agent is resistant to being washed away.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,998 (1990) discloses an
anti-microbial medical fabric material for use in surgical gown and
scrub suits, sterilization wrappers and similar material that
retains its desirable properties after repeated institutional
launderings. U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,232 discloses a wound dressing
which provides many desirable properties. However, there is only
brief mention of the use of anti-microbial agents, and there is no
discussion of providing such agents onto the surface of the fibers
contacting the wound to provide the best efficacy of anti-microbial
agents.
[0049] U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,417 for a cellulosic wound dressing with
an active agent ionically absorbed thereon has the anti-microbial
or anti-fungal agent applied to an already prepared fabric.
[0050] U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,339 for a dressing material for the
treatment of wounds has an anti-microbial applied to the already
formed fabric as a coating.
[0051] U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,325 for a wound dressing has a top layer
and a lower layer (which contacts the wound) connected together by
a fibrous layer. The lower layer has an anti-microbial applied
after the layer is formed.
[0052] Thus, there still exists a need to develop metal-containing
anti-microbial agents that do not cause the development of
resistant bacterial strains for incorporation into fibers that are
used to make a variety of materials. There also still exists a need
for these anti-microbial agents to be resistant to being abraded or
washed away, thus maintaining their potency as an integral part of
the fibers into which they are incorporated.
[0053] PETG as used herein means an amorphous polyester of
terephthalic acid and a mixture of predominately ethylene glycol
and a lesser amount of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. It is known that
PETG can be used in polycarbonate blends to improve impact
strength, transparency, processability, solvent resistance and
environmental stress cracking resistance.
[0054] Udipi discloses in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,934 and 5,187,230
that polymer blends consisting essentially of PC, PETG and a graft
rubber composition, can be useful as thermoplastic injection
molding resins.
[0055] Chen et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,897 discloses a method
for improving the low temperature impact strength of a
thermoplastic polyblend of PETG and SAN with no adverse effect on
the polyblends clarity. The polyblends are useful in a wide variety
of applications including low temperature applications.
[0056] Billovits et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,201 discloses that
miscible blends of a thermoplastic methylol polyester and a linear,
saturated polyester or co-polyester of aromatic dicarboxylic acid,
such as PETG and PET, have improved clarity and exhibit an enhanced
barrier to oxygen relative to PET and PETG.
[0057] Batdorf in U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,203 discloses a method of
thermoforming thermoplastic substrates wherein an integral coating
is formed on the thermoplastic substrate that is resistant to
removal of the coating. The coating composition employs, in a
solvent base, a pigment and a thermoplastic material compatible
with the to-be-coated thermoplastic substrate. The thermoplastic
material, in cooperation with the pigment, solvent and other
components of the coating composition, are, after coating on the
thermoplastic substrate, heated to a thermoforming temperature and
the thermoplastic material is intimately fused to the thermoplastic
substrate surface.
[0058] Ogoe et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,651 disclose that a blend
of polycarbonate and chlorinated polyethylene has a desirable
balance of impact and ignition resistance properties, and useful in
the production of films, fibers, extruded sheets, multi-layer
laminates, and the like.
[0059] Hanes in U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,578 discloses that a polymer
blend comprising a monovinylarene/conjugated diene black copolymer,
an amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate), e.g. PETG, and a
crystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate), e.g. PET, has a
combination of good clarity, stiffness and toughness.
[0060] Eckart et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,539 disclose a novel
thermoplastic article, typically in the form of sheet material,
having a fabric comprising textile fibers embedded therein. The
thermoplastic article is obtained by applying heat and pressure to
a laminate comprising an upper sheet material, a fabric comprised
of textile fibers and a lower sheet material. The upper and lower
sheet materials are formed from a co-polyester, e.g. PETG. This
thermoplastic article may be used in the construction industry as
glazing for windows. One or both surface of the article may be
textured during the formation of the articles.
[0061] Ellison in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,079 discloses a flexible
composite surfacing film for providing a substrate with desired
surface characteristics and a method for producing this film. The
film comprises a flexible temporary carrier film and a flexible
transparent outer polymer clear coat layer releasably bonded to the
temporary carrier film. A pigment base coat layer is adhered to the
outer clear coat layer and is visible there through, and a
thermo-formable backing layer is adhered to the pigmented base coat
layer. The film is produced by extruding a molten transparent
thermoplastic polymer and applying the polymer to a flexible
temporary carrier thereby forming a continuous thin transparent
film. The formed composite may be heated while the transparent
thermoplastic polymer film is bonded to the flexible temporary
carrier to evaporate the volatile liquid vehicle and form a pigment
polymer layer. The heating step also molecularly relaxes the
underlying film of transparent thermoplastic polymer to relieve any
molecular orientation caused by the extrusion. Ellison also
mentions that it is desirable to form the flexible temporary
carrier from a material that can withstand the molten temperature
of the transparent thermoplastic polymer. The preferred flexible
temporary carriers used in his invention are PET and PETG.
[0062] Currently, many tee shirts, such as the grey athletic
shirts, are made by blending in up to 10% of either solution dyed
black polyester or stock dyed cotton. The solution dyed polyester
has a disadvantage in that the product can no longer be labeled
100% cotton. The stock dyed cotton has the disadvantage in that it
is not color fast, especially to bleach, and that it needs to be
passed through a dye bath.
[0063] While anti-microbial agents are known in the footwear art,
the agents used in these applications are generally organic
substances. The disadvantage of these organic agents when used as
anti-microbial agents is that bacteria can develop a resistance to
their action. Thus, one is faced with the emergence of bacterial
strains that are no longer affected by these anti-microbial agents,
which negates the function of these materials, and is harmful to
humans since they are resistant to antibiotics.
[0064] One type of known shoe component is an insole disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,740 for Disposable Insoles, which includes
three layers in which the anti-microbial agent is placed into the
middle layer. As an alternative, the anti-microbial can be placed
into the other layers, disclosing that the particular layer into
which the anti-microbial agent is used is not important.
[0065] U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,770 for Shoe Insole Having
Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal Properties is a flexible
polyurethane foam prepared from a reaction mixture incorporating an
anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent which is a pyridinethione
compound. The agent is introduced into the product and is the same
concentration throughout the product.
[0066] Thus, there still exists a need to develop anti-microbial
footwear components that do not cause the development of resistant
bacterial strains. There also still exists a need for these
components to have anti-microbial agent systems that are resistant
to being worn away by abrasion, thus maintaining their potency as
an integral part of the footwear components into which they are
incorporated.
[0067] Sheet materials for various uses are vulnerable to the
seeding of bacteria and fungi from various sources, thus providing
hospitable sites for their uninhibited growth. The latter is
especially true since, depending upon the end-use, they often are
used in environments where there is great exposure to microbes and
fungi. One example is cafeteria trays. Thus, these materials would
benefit from having antibacterial and anti-fungal agents
incorporated onto them and/or into them. However, most prior art
approaches of providing sheet materials with anti-microbial or
anti-fungal agents have limited effect.
[0068] A variety of patents relate to anti-microbial materials
being added to materials. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,556
(1976) relates to synthetic fibers that incorporate an
anti-microbial agent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,679 (1986) mentioned
above, uses anti-microbial agents in connection with thermoplastic
materials. These materials are formed by mixing polyamide resins,
anti-microbial agents, and an antioxidant for reducing the
degradation of the anti-microbial agent at the high temperatures
necessary for processing.
[0069] Several other patents describe anti-microbial materials in
which the anti-microbial agent is resistant to being washed away.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,998 (1990) discloses an anti-microbial material
that retains its desirable properties after repeated washings.
[0070] However, these materials have two inherent commercial
disadvantages. First, while the anti-microbial agents incorporated
into them do show some resistance to repeated washings, these
agents do leach out of the materials, primarily because they are
not physically incorporated into them. In fact, in many cases, the
anti-microbial agents are only loosely bound into the material and
are relatively easily washed away or naturally abraded away over
time.
[0071] On the other hand if the agents are buried too deeply in the
material or homogeneously distributed they will not contact
microbes at all and the economics of usage will be adversely
affected.
[0072] Second, the anti-microbial agents used in these applications
are generally organic substances. The disadvantage of these agents
when used as anti-microbial agents is that bacteria can develop a
resistance to their action. Thus, one is faced with the emergence
of bacterial strains that are no longer affected by these
anti-microbial agents, which negates the function of these
materials.
[0073] U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,914 for a Surface-Segregatable,
Melt-Extrudable Thermoplastic Composition discloses forming a fiber
or film of polymer and an additive in which the additive
concentration is greater at the surface. For example when
surfactants are added to polymers to impart a special property
thereto such as a hydrophilic character to the surface, if the
additive is compatible with the polymer there is a uniform
concentration of the additive throughout the polymer. In the past
such webs have been bloomed to bring the surfactant to the surface.
But the surfactant is incompatible at melt-extrusion temperatures.
The patentee describes a process for overcoming this problem.
[0074] However, the process described has not been very usable with
anti-microbial agents. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,167
which describes the '914 patent discussed above and states that
previous attempts to apply the teachings thereof to the preparation
of non-woven webs having anti-microbial activity were not
successful. This '167 patent provides for delayed anti-microbial
activity in order to delay the segregation characteristic of the
'914 patent from occurring. The additive which is used is a
siloxane quaternary ammonium salt, an organic material.
[0075] While these anti-microbial agents are designed to prevent
the development of resistant bacterial strains, the use of
metal-containing materials presents the added difficulty of being
able to successfully disperse the anti-microbial agents throughout
the material. Since these metal-containing compounds have existed
as fairly large size particles (10 microns and greater), the
ability to evenly mix or distribute them is limited. In addition,
because of this size problem, these substances must necessarily be
applied to the surfaces of materials instead of being incorporated
into them. The latter causes the additional disadvantage of making
the applied anti-microbial agents vulnerable to washings or
abrasion. More recent state of the art can provide the compounds at
a level of 1.mu. diameter but dispersion remains an issue.
[0076] Thus, there still exists a need to develop anti-microbial
non-woven sheet material and fabrics for various uses that do not
cause the development of resistant bacterial strains. There also
still exists a need for these filters to have
substrates-anti-microbial agent systems that are resistant to being
washed away, thus maintaining their potency as an integral part of
the filters into which they are incorporated. These needs run the
gamut of filter usages in home, business/institutional and
transport systems for handling liquids (including sulphrous)
liquids and gases (including aerosols).
[0077] U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,732 for reinforcing laminate which
issued Sep. 21, 1982 discusses a moldable laminate which could be
molded into curved shapes and which is bondable to a carrier
surface and which is useful in the making of military boots and the
like. The present invention is an improvement.
[0078] Institutional furnishings are subject to excessive wear and
tear. These furnishings must withstand the constant onslaught of
dirt and spills of a variety of substances. They must also stand up
to frequent cleanings with industrial strength cleansers. As a
result, these furnishings could be made stronger and more resistant
by using anti-microbial and anti-fungal agents in their
manufacture. The limited prior art approaches of coating fibers
and/or fabrics with anti-microbial or anti-fungal materials have
had only limited success.
[0079] Home furnishings are not subjected to as much wear and tear
as institutional furnishings and are usually made of a material
which has a softer "feel" and is usually more delicate than those
made for institutional use. Therefore, it is difficult to make such
materials which will stand up to repeated washings and to wear,
particularly when they have been prepared with additives for
special properties such as anti-microbial agents.
[0080] U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,061 for a process for the permanent
finishing of fiber materials, including carpets, discloses an
aqueous acid liquid for finishing fiber materials especially dyed
carpets to make them anti-static, dirt-repellent, and optionally
anti-microbial using a single bath process for finishing dyed
textile floor coverings to make provide these characteristics to
them. It states that the properties are "permanent" and defines
this to mean retaining the properties after a "prolonged" period of
wear and tear. However, the anti-microbial properties are not
believed to last sufficiently long to be of commercially useful
application, and the anti-microbial agent disclosed is organic in
nature.
[0081] U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,577 for an anti-microbial carpet
containing amino acid type surfactant is incorporated into fibrous
materials prior to or after fabrication into a carpet using an
organic material. The fibrous materials can be polyamide acrylic,
polyester or polypropylene fibers. The preparation is accomplished
in two manners. The first is that the pile yarns, the carpet
foundations or the yarns for carpet foundation are subjected to the
impregnation treatment with a surfactant, and the other is that a
carpet fabricated from fibrous materials is impregnated with an
organic material.
[0082] U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,650 for a biocide plus surfactant for
protecting carpets where the dyeing and anti-microbial finishing is
performed simultaneously. The anti-microbial agent is an organic
material.
[0083] While there are known anti-microbial agents, which are said
to be designed to prevent the development of resistant bacterial
strains, the use of metal-containing materials presents the added
difficulty of being able to successfully disperse the
anti-microbial agents throughout the fibers. Since these
metal-containing compounds exists as fairly large size particles
(10 microns and greater), the ability to evenly mix or distribute
them is limited. In addition, because of this size problem, these
substances must necessarily be applied to the fibers instead of
being incorporated into them. The latter causes the additional
disadvantage of making the applied anti-microbial agents relatively
labile to washings.
[0084] Thus, there still exists a need to develop fabrics,
materials and surfaces substrates for use in home and institutional
furnishings, which contain metal-containing anti-microbial agents
that do not cause the development of resistant bacterial strains
for incorporation into fibers that are used to make a variety of
fabrics. There also still exists a need for these anti-microbial
agents to be resistant to being washed away, thus maintaining their
potency as an integral part of the fibers, fabrics, sheets (single
or multi-layer) and other materials, and furnishings into which
they are incorporated.
[0085] Medical wipes are used for a variety of cleaning and
disinfectant purposes in hospital and other institutional settings.
Even though most current materials of this kind are disposable,
their use increases the potential of moving pathogens from surface
to surface. Any spreading of these pathogens increases the
possibility of bacterial and fungal growth on a variety of
surfaces, which can lead to the transmission of infectious
materials, particularly in institutional settings. Thus, the
materials used in medical wipes are amenable to the incorporation
of anti-microbial and anti-fungal fibers during their manufacture.
By using these anti-microbial materials, medical wipes could be
used for longer periods of time before they need to be changed.
However, most prior art approaches of coating fibers or fabrics
with anti-microbial or anti-fungal agents have had limited success.
Further, there is a much larger need for effective wipes in homes
and for personal care while traveling, in a way that overcomes the
drawbacks of present chemical additives including irritation and
allergic reactions.
[0086] U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,870 (1998), mentioned above, discloses a
silver-containing anti-microbial agent that has good affinity to
the fiber and is stable to heat and light. The anti-microbial
consists of silver bound to carboxymethylcellulose in the amount of
0.01 to 1.0 percent silver by weight that is applied to the
fibers.
[0087] While these anti-microbial agents are designed to prevent
the development of resistant bacterial strains, the use of
metal-containing materials presents the added difficulty of being
able to successfully disperse the anti-microbial agents throughout
the fibers. Since these metal-containing compounds exists as fairly
large size particles (10 microns and greater), the ability to
evenly mix or distribute them is limited. In addition, because of
this size problem, these substances must necessarily be applied to
the fibers instead of being incorporated into them. The latter
causes the additional disadvantage of making the applied
anti-microbial agents relatively labile to washings.
[0088] Thus, there still exists a need to develop metal-containing
anti-microbial agents that do not cause the development of
resistant bacterial strains for incorporation into fibers that are
used to make a variety of materials. There also still exists a need
for these anti-microbial agents to be resistant to being abraded
away, thus maintaining their potency as an integral part of the
fibers into which they are incorporated. In the event they are not
disposable, they need to be resistant to washings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0089] It is an object of the present invention to provide fibrous
and film products made in whole or in part of an anti-microbial
fiber in which the anti-microbial agents are efficacious and adhere
to the fiber and are greatly resistant to washing off or wearing
off of the fiber or fabric to which they are applied. This includes
the areas of nosocomial (hospital, e.g. staph') infection and SARS
(severe acute respiratory symptom infection and other infections
which have no antibiotic response.
[0090] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
such fibrous products with an anti-microbial fiber in which the
anti-microbial additives are inorganic.
[0091] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
film products with an anti-microbial fiber in which the
anti-microbial additives are inorganic.
[0092] It is another object of the present invention to provide
woven and non-woven fibrous products and plastic sheet, film and
formed products of coherent configuration such as garments, home
and institutional furnishings, wipes, diapers, filters, adsorbent
pads, bandages, trays, pallets, baskets, bags and the like and
indefinite form products, such as rolls of sheet form material,
batts and the like used in making such coherent products and for
other purposes, and, more particularly to such products
incorporating as all or a portion thereof materials using
anti-microbial, anti-mold and/or anti-fungal properties which
remain after repeated launderings/uses and the like. More
specifically it provides such products made up in whole or in part
of (a) a wholly or partly synthetic fiber and multi- or
mono-component anti-microbial and/or anti-mold and/or anti-fungal
synthetic fibers, alone or integrated with other synthetic or
natural fibers, using various thermoplastic polymers and additives
and/or (b) plastic sheets, films and formed parts similarly having
anti-fungal properties through additives on or near one or more of
the surfaces. It may be a bi-component product having either a
core-sheath, side-by-side or co-extruded configuration or other
configurations (e.g. pie-wedge). One arrangement uses micro- or
multi-component binder fibers, which are staple fiber or filament.
The anti-microbial agent is applied to certain areas, or has higher
concentrations in certain areas of the fiber and/or the product, to
reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agent which needs to be
used and thus lower the cost of such fiber and/or a fabric
including such fiber.
[0093] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
anti-microbial fiber combined with non-anti-microbial fibers for
use in anti-microbial finished fabrics that are able to withstand
significant wear and washings and still maintain their
effectiveness.
[0094] It is another object of the invention to provide such
fibrous and film products that do not sustain and indeed reduce
growth/propagation of bacteria adhered or entrapped by the product
in spite of other conditions conducive to survival and
growth/propagation to thus prevent odors, generation/growth of
infected sites, as well as preventing clogging or coating or other
self passivating phenomena.
[0095] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
fibrous and film products with an anti-microbial fiber.
[0096] Combined with color pigments for coloration for the use in
anti-microbial finished fabrics to withstand fading.
[0097] Combined with UV additives to withstand fading and
degradation in fabrics exposed to significant UV light.
[0098] Combined with additives to make the surface of the fiber
hydrophilic or hydrophobic.
[0099] Combined with additives to make the fabric flame retardant
or flame resistant.
[0100] Combined with additives to make the fabric anti-stain;
and/or using pigments with the anti-microbial so that the need for
conventional dyeing and disposal of dye materials is avoided.
[0101] These and other objects of the present invention are
accomplished by fibrous and film products using synthetic fibers
having anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal properties using various
thermoplastic polymers blended with other types of fibers, and
additives, some incorporating natural fibers.
[0102] Thus, the present invention provides fibrous, sheet/film and
formed products with anti-microbials and the like in a synthetic
plastic carrier comprising high and low levels of various
thermoplastic polymers and controlled concentrations of inorganic
anti-microbial additives mixed with polymers and selectively placed
in the end product for greatest technical effectiveness and cost
effectiveness. The anti-microbial and/or other agent(s) are held in
an active layer at or close to an access zone for target
microorganisms and are exposed externally by suitable sizing of
anti-microbials and primary carrier thickness, e.g., using one
micron square primary carrier cubes and 2 micron thick sheaths, and
similar ratios of sheath to core in other sizes or multi-component
configurations.
[0103] The present invention also provides fibrous and sheet film
products with a synthetic anti-microbial fiber or other form
comprising high tenacity polymers e.g. polyesters, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) in one portion and hydrolysis resistance
polymers in another portion with hydrophilic and anti-microbial
additives. In some applications the latter portion can be
deliberately made hydrolysis-vulnerable to allow "blooming" and
enhanced access to anti-microbial additives in the course of
several washings or extended uses.
[0104] Also, the present invention provides an anti-microbial
finished fabric by blending synthetic anti-microbial fibers with
non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic,
nylon, and the like.
[0105] The various polymers, include but are not limited to,
polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), PCT, PETG [PET, type G], Co-PET and co-polyesters generally,
polycaprolactone (PCL), Styrene, poly-tri-methylene terephthalate,
(PTT), 3GT, PTFE (e.g. Halar.RTM.), polyamide 6 or 6,6, etc. The
additives include pigments, hydrophilic or hydrophobic additives,
anti-odor additives and anti-microbial/anti-fungal inorganic
compounds or metals, such as copper, zinc, tin and silver.
[0106] PETG is an amorphous binder fiber, which can be blended into
yarns with other fibers to form fabrics, as well as non-woven
fabrics. After heat activation, the PETG fiber melts, wets the
surface of the surrounding fibers, and settles at the crossing
points of the fibers, thus forming "a drop of glue" which bonds the
fibers together and distributes the anti-microbial additives. Other
low melt polymers can be used in lieu of PET or in multi-component
combination.
[0107] The excellent wetting characteristics of PETG can be used to
distribute the anti-microbial additive uniformly within a yarn or
fabric. In addition to the zeolite of silver, the PETG could carry
other inorganic anti-microbial additives such as copper, zinc, or
tin.
[0108] In addition to the anti-microbial component, the invention
may be used to carry pigments with the PETG to achieve certain
colors without the need to dye the other fibers.
[0109] The created synthetic fibers of polymers and additives can
further be blended with non anti-microbial fibers to provide
anti-microbial finished fabrics that are able to withstand
significant wear and washings and maintain their effectiveness.
[0110] The use of hot water improves the fibrous products in that
washing the fibers/products in hot water opens the pores of the PET
and such washed products perform better than unwashed products
(this is thought to be due to the removal of spinning/weaving
lubricants).
[0111] Material can be made in biodegradable form, such as by
adding corn starch to the core or sheath polymers. This enables
whole families of disposable fibers and fabrics.
[0112] Use of a cloth diaper and a garment over it is effective,
especially when anti-microbial/anti-fungal fibers are used for the
fibers, which have contact with the waste matter, although
beneficial effects are available even when the
anti-microbial/anti-fungal agents are used only in the fibers which
touch the body.
[0113] Due to the urine soaking which occurs with incontinent
persons, these garments are suitable for the use of anti-microbial
and anti-fungal fibers during their manufacture. The use of such
anti-microbial material allows these garments to be reusable
without the negative effects of present reusable garments of this
type. The anti-microbial may be fabric (knitted or woven) plus
absorbent pads. This also applies to bed pads for bed ridden
patents to prevent bed sores.
[0114] It is an object of the incontinent garment embodiment to
provide garments and articles intended for use for incontinent
persons which articles have anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal
fibers in a woven or non-woven fabric of the garment or article
which is in contact with such person's skin to eliminate or
substantially reduce the problems caused by such microbes.
[0115] It is another object of the incontinent garment embodiment
to provide such garments and articles, which may be cleaned and
reused many times while maintaining the beneficial anti-microbial
qualities thereof.
[0116] It is a further object of the incontinent garment embodiment
to provide anti-microbial fibers in the absorbent material usually
used in such articles.
[0117] Thus, there still exists a need to develop garments and
articles of the type described which are made of fibers having
metal-containing anti-microbials that do not cause the development
of resistant bacterial strains for incorporation into fibers that
are used to make a variety of fabrics. There also still exists a
need for these anti-microbial agents to be resistant to being
washed away, thus maintaining their potency as an integral part of
the garments and articles into which they are incorporated.
[0118] It is a principal object of the filter embodiments provide
home, business (institutional), machine and transport vehicle
filter materials (fibrous and film products) that meet these needs
in a manner consistent with industry specifications (including HVAC
specifications, overall durability, and cost-effectiveness. It is
another object of the air filter embodiment to provide such filters
which are effective to eliminate or at least substantially reduce
the "musty air" smell noticed in vehicles, aircraft or buildings
and other enclosed spaces with recirculating air.
[0119] The foregoing objects are met by filters based on
anti-microbial fibers that have been designed using inorganic
silver-containing compounds that allow the formation of both mono-
and multi-component polymeric fibers having these anti-microbial
agents intermixed within the polymer during fiber formation. The
concentration of the anti-microbial agent can be varied within each
individual fiber as a gradient using mixing strategies and also
from fiber to fiber. The concentration of anti-microbial agent
within a fabric or material made from these anti-microbial fibers
can also be varied regionally using fibers containing varying
amounts of anti-microbial agents in conjunction with both natural
and synthetic fibers having different amounts of anti-microbial
agents or even no added anti-microbial agents. A variety of other
agents can be added, either by mixing or topically, to color the
fibers and/or to make it resistant to staining, fire, and
ultraviolet (UV) light as well as altering its water absorbing
qualities. Various polymers, without limitation, can be used to
form these fibers. In the context of this invention, anti-microbial
refers, but is not limited, to antibacterial and anti-fungal.
[0120] It is an object of the wound and burn dressings embodiment
to provide wound care dressings that meet these needs with
attendant durability and comfort in a cost-effective manner.
[0121] It is another object of the wound and burn dressings
embodiment to provide wound care dressings that are one time use
products having durability and workability.
[0122] A further object of the wound and burn dressings embodiment
is to provide such dressings in which the anti-microbial agent is
available at the surface of the fibers.
[0123] It is the object of the wound and burn dressings embodiment
to provide burn dressings that meet these needs with substantial
durability and comfort in a cost-effective manner.
[0124] Still a further object is to provide a dressing, which is
useful by itself, or in combination with other wound dressing
systems to add fibers to such a system, which are in direct or near
contact with the wound to provide anti-microbial agents on the
surface of the fibers closest to the wound.
[0125] Yet a further object of the wound and burn dressings
[invention] embodiment is to provide such a dressing which
maintains its vigor even after any liquid or cream anti-microbial
agents that may be used therewith have lost their efficacy or have
left the dressing and wound due to movement of the patent and the
dressing itself.
[0126] The foregoing objects are met by wound care and burn
dressings based on anti-microbial fibers that have been designed
using inorganic silver-containing compounds that allow the
formation of both mono- and multi-component polymeric fibers having
these anti-microbial agents intermixed within the polymer during
fiber formation. The concentration of the anti-microbial agent can
be varied within each individual fiber as a gradient using mixing
strategies and also from fiber to fiber. The concentration of
anti-microbial agent within a fabric or material made from these
anti-microbial fibers can also be varied regionally using fibers
containing varying amounts of anti-microbial agents in conjunction
with both natural and synthetic fibers having different amounts of
anti-microbial agents or even no added anti-microbial agents.
[0127] A variety of other agents can be added, either by mixing or
topically, to color the fibers and/or to make it resistant to
staining, fire, and ultraviolet (UV) light as well as altering its
water absorbing qualities. Various polymers, without limitation,
can be used to form these fibers. In the context of this invention,
anti-microbial refers, but is not limited, to antibacterial and
anti-fungal and anti-mold.
[0128] FIG. 10 shows a wound care dressing 52 which includes a
bottom layer 46, a top layer 48 and an intermediate absorbent
fibrous layer 50 which joins the other two layers. The bottom layer
46 is used directly against the wound and therefore the fibers of
this layer have the anti-microbial agent applied thereto as
described below.
[0129] The invention uses fibers with silver zeolite as a component
in a wound dressing pad. The finished product may be either the pad
itself or, the pad combined to PVC, adhesive or other materials.
The wound dressing pad may be woven, knit, non-woven or other
fabric type and may contain any variety of natural or synthetic
fibers in addition to the anti-microbial fibers. The pad may or may
not have a cover stock over it, as well as other medicated
treatments.
[0130] The purpose is to help prevent the growth of microbes in/on
a wound care dressing, as well as the wound area, as it heals. The
theory here is that a reduction in microbes/bacteria will
facilitate healing and minimize the potential for infections.
[0131] Infections are a significant concern with wound care and
burn care body fluids at the wound on burn site provide both the
"food" and moisture for microbial growth.
[0132] A dressing media containing an anti-microbial additive would
prevent the growth of microbes in the media in contact with the
wound or burn. This may allow the dressing to remain in place
longer and reduce the trauma when a "dressing is changed."
[0133] It is one object of the fabric embodiment to provide a
fiber, which is used to form a fabric to which qualities may be
imparted which last for the life of the fabric.
[0134] It is another object of the fabric embodiment to provide
such a fabric, which is provided with coloring, which remains fast
even to sunlight and many launderings.
[0135] It is a further object of the fabric embodiment to provide
such a fabric, which is provided with a colorant without the use of
a dye bath.
[0136] It is still another object of the fabric embodiment to
provide a fiber and fabric of the type described, which possesses
anti-microbial properties.
[0137] It is yet another object of the fabric embodiment to provide
a fiber and fabric of the type described in which characteristics
may be imparted using agents which become permanently fixed and are
maintained for the life of the fabric.
[0138] These objects and others are accomplished in accordance with
the present invention, which uses PETG:
[0139] As a carrier for pigments for coloration for use in finished
fabrics to withstand fading;
[0140] With pigments together with other fibers, so that the need
for conventional dyeing and disposal of dye materials is
avoided;
[0141] With pigments and other fibers, and the resulting fabric
possesses excellent fastness for both sunlight resistance and
washing;
[0142] With pigments for coloration, the color of the fabric
remains fast for in excess of 50 commercial launderings;
[0143] With pigments blended with cotton, which leaves the
encapsulated pigment attached to the outside of the cotton fiber
and ceases to be a fiber after activation, so that the resulting
fabric can still be labeled 100% cotton fiber; and
[0144] With anti-microbial and/or other additives with any natural
fibers, so that the resulting fabrics have anti-microbial and/or
other properties with the same characteristics of natural
fabrics.
[0145] PETG may be used as one of the polymer blends and/or
carriers for a wide variety of applications. PETG is an amorphous
binder fiber that can be blended into yarns with other fibers to
form woven fabrics, as well as knits and non-woven fabrics. It has
two characteristics of particular interest: (1) excellent wetting
and (2) low melting temperature (which can be controlled between
90.degree. C. and 160.degree. C.). It is used in the present
invention as a carrier to carry pigments and/or anti-microbial
additives and/or other additives and is blended with other fibers
which may be natural fibers such as cotton, silk, flax, wool, etc.
or other synthetic fibers such as: PET, PP, PE, Nylon, Acrylic,
etc. After heat activation, the PETG melts, continuously releases
the color pigments and/or anti-microbial or other additives and
wets the surface of the surrounding fibers with the pigment and/or
anti-microbial or other additives it carries. It settles at the
crossing points of the fibers, thus forming "a drop of glue" which
bonds the fibers together. Therefore, PETG delivers and distributes
the pigments and/or anti-microbial or other additives uniformly
within a fabric, generating the finished fabrics and/or fabrics
having anti-microbial properties.
[0146] Since the natural fibers used to blend with PETG are not
changed physically after heat activation of PETG, they contain the
same characteristics as natural fibers. The PETG may be used
together with or without anti-microbial agents to form a fabric
having excellent color fastness even in the presence of sunlight,
and will withstand many washings without deterioration. The fabric
is made by blending PETG used as a carrier for pigments and/or
anti-microbial additives, with cotton or any other fibers of
synthetic material such as from polyester and rayon, and activating
PETG from 110.degree. to 180.degree. C. (in each case a range at or
above the melting temperature). The color is thus provided to the
yarn and fabric without the need of going through a dye bath. This
fabric remains color-fast for in excess of 50 commercial
launderings.
[0147] The excellent wetting characteristics of PETG can be used to
distribute the pigments and/or anti-microbial additive uniformly
within a yarn or fabric. While many anti-microbial agents may be
used, such as those, which use copper, zinc, or tin, the preferred
agent is zeolite of silver. In addition to the anti-microbial
component and the pigment added to the PETG, the PETG may be used
as a carrier to add other properties to yarn and fabric, such as
fire retardants.
[0148] It is a principal object of the footwear components
embodiment to provide such footwear components that meet these
needs in a manner consistent with industry specifications, overall
durability, and cost-effectiveness.
[0149] It is another object of the footwear components embodiment
to provide such footwear components in various forms such as rigid,
semi-rigid or flexible and which may be constructed using fibers or
not as desired.
[0150] A further object of the footwear components embodiment is to
have the anti-microbial agent as close as possible to a person's
foot.
[0151] An additional object of the footwear components embodiment
is to have a higher concentration of the anti-microbial and/or
anti-fungal agent close to the surface and not wasted by being
placed into other parts of the shoe, where the anti-microbial
property is not needed.
[0152] The foregoing objects are met by footwear components such as
insoles, midsoles, box toes, counter and linings of footwear
products, e.g., shoes, slippers, sneakers and the like in which the
anti-microbial agent is available for the life of the product and
not washed away or worn away by sweat or abrasion. Also, the
anti-microbial agent is placed into the component close to or on
the surface, which is most needy of the protection, such as the
part of an insole closest to the foot of a user when the insole, or
other component is assembled into a footwear product. Thus, the
fungi or microbes, which may form and create odors or other
problems are killed on contact with the surface of the shoe
component anti-microbial surface area.
[0153] The footwear component of the disclosed products can be a
nonwoven fabric of synthetic fibers, primarily polyester, but which
could be acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, PP, and the like. The
fabric can have a weight from 65-400 grams per square meter and
typical fibers range from 1.2 dTex to 17 dTex with a cut length of
15-180 mm. They are carded, cross-lapped and needle punched, but
could be produced on other types of non-woven equipment, such as
spun laced or spun bonded equipment.
[0154] The impregnation is a latex of SBR, vinyl acetate, PVC,
acrylonitrile, and the like. Impregnation is from 1-4 times the
weight of the non-woven fabric on a dry basis. A range of fillers
such as clay, calcium carbonate, and the like are used to reduce
the cost. There are two basic methods. One is to mix the
anti-microbial with latex compound and impregnate it into the
insole. The other is to use anti-microbial fibers on the insole in
various manners.
[0155] It is a principal object of the present film embodiment to
provide such sheet and film materials that meet these needs in a
manner consistent with industry specifications, overall durability,
and cost-effectiveness.
[0156] It is another object of the film and sheet embodiment
[present invention] to provide such sheet materials in various
forms such as rigid, semi-rigid or flexible and which may be
constructed covered with thin films, or not, as desired.
[0157] The foregoing objects are met by sheet and (single or
multi-layer) film and layer thickness sheet or profile materials
made in whole or in part of an anti-microbial non-fibrous material
such as melted thermoplastic material that has been designed using
inorganic silver-containing compounds that allow the formation of
both mono- and multi-layer polymeric materials having these
anti-microbial agents intermixed within the polymer during material
formation. These are preferably made by extrusion or
co-extrusion.
[0158] The anti-microbial will usually be included at and near the
surface of a thin layer such as a film. The concentration of the
anti-microbial agent can be varied as a gradient using mixing
strategies. The concentration of anti-microbial agent within or on
the surface of sheet material can also be varied regionally using
materials containing varying amounts of anti-microbial agents in
conjunction with both natural and synthetic materials having
different amounts of anti-microbial agents or even no added
anti-microbial agents. A variety of other agents can be added,
either by mixing or topically, to color the material and/or to make
it resistant to staining, fire, and ultraviolet (UV) light as well
as altering its water absorbing qualities. Various polymers,
without limitation, can be used to form these films. In the context
of this invention, anti-microbial refers, but is not limited, to
antibacterial and anti-fungal.
[0159] The present invention provides several embodiments, one of
which relates to the co-extrusion of flat or shaped films or
profiles. The product may be a multi-layer construction with the
surface layer, on one or both sides, containing zeolite (or other
carrier) of silver (or other metal such as tin, copper, zinc,
etc.).
[0160] The product may be a flat film for use in a flat form for
counter tops, floors, walls, or molded into shapes such as
cafeteria trays, serving dishes, high chair table, refrigerator
trays, microwave liners, and luggage.
[0161] As a profile the extrusion may be a rain gutter, a screen
enclosure, a counter top, hand railing, duct work, sanitary piping,
water pipe, gasket materials, around dishwasher, garage door),
etc.
[0162] The same concept applies to multi-layer injection molded
parts. In this case the surface layer may have anti-microbial
properties in applications such as telephone handsets, baby
bottles, computer keyboards, plastic utensils, and milk
bottles.
[0163] The choice of particle size of the zeolite is based on the
thickness of the film to obtain the best combination of surface
area with anchoring in the film. For example, a very thin film of
3.mu. would be best served with a 1-2.mu. zeolite, which would have
a maximum dimension of 2.times.1.73 or about 3.5.mu..
[0164] The inner films could be made of basically any thermoplastic
resin, such as; PE, PP, PET, PS, PCT, Polyamide (nylon), Acrylic,
PVC, etc. The surface layer(s) could be made of the same polymers
plus some low temperature ones such as PETG, Polycaprolactone, EVA,
etc.
[0165] It is a principal object of the present embodiment to
provide such sheet and film materials that meet these needs in a
manner consistent with industry specifications, overall durability,
and cost-effectiveness.
[0166] The foregoing objects are met by sheet and film materials of
an anti-microbial non-fibrous material such as melted thermoplastic
material that has been designed
[0167] Home and institutional furnishings are provided which are
made from fibers, yarns, fabrics, materials, and substrates having
anti-microbial properties using inorganic silver-containing
compounds. This allows, for example, the formation of both mono-
and multi-component polymeric fibers having these anti-microbial
agents intermixed within the polymer during fiber formation. The
concentration of the anti-microbial agent can be varied within each
individual fiber as a gradient using mixing strategies and also
from fiber to fiber. The concentration of anti-microbial agent
within a fabric or material made from these anti-microbial fibers
can also be varied regionally using fibers containing varying
amounts of anti-microbial agents in conjunction with both natural
and synthetic fibers having different amounts of anti-microbial
agents or even no added anti-microbial agents. A variety of other
agents can be added, either by mixing or topically, to color the
fibers and/or to make it resistant to stains, fire, and ultraviolet
(UV) light, as well as altering its water absorbing qualities.
Various polymers, can be used to form these fibers. In the context
of this invention, anti-microbial refers, but is not limited, to
having anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
[0168] It is the object of the present medical wipes embodiment to
provide medical and health care wipes that meet these needs with
attendant durability in a cost-effective manner.
[0169] It is another object of the present embodiment to provide
medical and health care wipes that which have anti-microbial
properties and which will not be abraded away by use.
[0170] The foregoing objects are met by medical wipes based
anti-microbial fibers that have been designed using inorganic
silver-containing compounds that allow the formation of both mono-
and multi-component polymeric fibers having these anti-microbial
agents intermixed within the polymer during fiber formation.
[0171] Medical or health care wipes of the present embodiment have
a variety of purposes. One is to absorb fluid or semi-fluid body
substances such as blood. Another is to provide a liquid or
semi-liquid for cleaning and/or disinfecting an area of the body. A
further one is to disinfect or clean instruments of various types
which are used in the medical field in and around the human body.
The actual construction of such wipes differ depending upon the
intended use.
[0172] However, there are some similarities in many such wipes.
They are made from non-woven materials and have an active surface
which is liquid permeable, a thicker under layer of an absorbent
material, and an upper layer of liquid impervious material so that
a user of such a wipe will not have the liquid touch the users
fingers, which are thus protected. For convenience some types will
have a handle. If the wipe is to absorb liquid materials, the
absorbent material will be dry. However, if the wipe is used for
cleaning purposes, the absorbent material will usually be the
reservoir for the liquid or semi-liquid cleaning material.
[0173] In each type of wipe, at least the surface of non-woven
material which engages the skin or material to be cleansed is
provided with anti-microbial properties as described herein. That
is an inorganic anti-microbial agent is incorporated into the outer
surface layers of its fibers to provide anti-microbial properties
thereto.
[0174] The concentration of the anti-microbial agent can be varied
within each individual fiber as a gradient using mixing strategies
and also from fiber to fiber. The concentration of anti-microbial
agent within a fabric or material made from these anti-microbial
fibers can also be varied regionally using fibers containing
varying amounts of anti-microbial agents in conjunction with both
natural and synthetic fibers having different amounts of
anti-microbial agents. A variety of other agents can be added,
either by mixing or topically, for different reasons, such as
altering its water absorbing qualities. Various polymers can be
used to form these fibers. In the context of this invention,
anti-microbial refers, but is not limited, to anti-bacterial and
anti-fungal.
[0175] The invention uses fibers or films or sheets or other formed
products with silver zeolite or other carriers as a component in a
medical wipe cloth. The finished product may be constructed of
non-woven, knit, woven or other material. It may also be treated or
pre-moistened with a topical treatment such as a soap solution or
other additive. The finished product may be produced from any
combination of natural or synthetic fibers in addition to the
anti-microbial fibers. A wipe cloth may be unitary or combined or
laminated to some other fabric.
[0176] The purpose of this invention is to help prevent the growth
and spread of microbes/bacteria when a wash cloth or wipe comes in
contact with the human body. Without the anti-microbial treatment,
the wash cloth or wipe merely spreads bacteria. With the
anti-microbial treatment, it is believed that bacteria are killed
from contact with the anti-microbial treated wash cloth or
wipe.
[0177] Many current wipe cloths used in food service or the home
collect bits of organic matter which does not fully rinse out. This
matter becomes a food source for the growth of bacteria and
mold.
[0178] This invention incorporates an anti-microbial additive, e.g.
zeolite of silver, in fiber used to make wipes for food
service.
[0179] The healthcare wipe currently has preservatives added to the
liquid in the packages so that the wet wipe will not contain
bacteria or mold. Preservatives by their nature can cause allergic
reactions when they come in contact with the skin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0180] Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from
the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0181] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1B', 1B" and 1C are cross-sectional views of
various fiber configurations used in practice of the various
embodiments of the invention;
[0182] FIG. 2. is a sketch of a fibrous mass using one or more of
the fibers of FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0183] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the feed hopper, screw and
extruder;
[0184] FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the exit of the extruder
showing the formation of coaxial bi-component fibers of the present
invention;
[0185] FIGS. 5 and 6 are photomicrographs of fibers showing the
particles of zeolite of silver;
[0186] FIG. 7 shows a garment made from the fibers of the present
invention for a person who is incontinent;
[0187] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of one type of filter using
the fibers of the present invention;
[0188] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D are diagrams of air flow systems
utilizing the fibers of the invention;
[0189] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of one type of wound care
or burn dressing;
[0190] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the preparation of the
fibers and yarn for use in making a woven or nonwoven fabric;
[0191] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the preparation of fibers
and yarn and then of a fabric;
[0192] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing another manner of preparing
fibers in accordance with the present invention;
[0193] FIG. 14 is a schematic isometric view of a first type of
insole using latex;
[0194] FIG. 15 is a schematic isometric view of a second type of
insole using a layer of anti-microbial fibers;
[0195] FIG. 16 is a side view of a sheet material having an
anti-microbial film layer co-extruded thereon;
[0196] FIG. 17 is a side view of a sheet material having two
anti-microbial films extruded thereon, one on each side;
[0197] FIG. 18 is a side view of a further arrangement in which a
double sheet material is complete surrounded by an anti-microbial
film;
[0198] FIG. 19 is a side view of a shaped sheet material having two
anti-microbial films extruded thereon;
[0199] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a food tray constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
[0200] FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view of apparatus for making
a multi-layer co-extruded sheet;
[0201] FIG. 22 is a sectional view through the apparatus shown in
FIG. 21;
[0202] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of apparatus for making a
side-by-side co-extruded sheet;
[0203] FIG. 24 is a cross section through an insole made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0204] FIG. 25 is a plan view of the insole of FIG. 24;
[0205] FIG. 26 is a cross section through a laminate for footwear
components;
[0206] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional exploded view through an office
partition;
[0207] FIG. 28 is a schematic view of a humidifier evaporation
surface media used to humidify air;
[0208] FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a humidifier pad or filter in
a system; and
[0209] FIG. 30 is a pad or filter for a circulation/aeration
system.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0210] In the United States, all claims concerning anti-microbial
and anti-fungal properties must be thoroughly tested to
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) standards before making claims. The
anti-microbial herein can be said to "kill bacteria" in that it
kills 99.99% (log 4) of bacteria in 24 hours, and "anti-microbial"
in that is kills 99.9% (log 3) of bacteria in 24 hours. This is
based upon actual test results. Testing, such as by using the shake
flask test, has demonstrated that when fibers and fabrics are
tested using the anti-microbial system disclosed herein, the number
of bacteria on the fibers is reduced by 99.99% or more over a
24-hour period and at least by 99.9%. This testing was performed
using several different bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Staphylococcus aereus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The testing was
conducted using both unwashed fibers and fibers that had been
washed fifty times to simulate use of the fiber in an application,
such as a pillow. The EPA has indicated that products tested using
this system may claim "Prohibits Bacteria Growth and Migration
Along the Surface of the Product." The addition of the agent in
this system inhibits the growth of mold and mildew or odor-causing
bacteria in the fibers. This is a true anti-microbial product. The
fibers retain their efficacy after simulated use conditions so that
the anti-microbial action lasts the life of the product.
The Fibers and the Additives
[0211] According to a first configuration of the present invention
shown in FIGS. 1A-2 a bi-component fiber 10A is formed of a sheath
component S and a core component C using polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) (or other thermoplastic polymer) in the core, making up
between 10 to 70% of the fiber by weight. The sheath is also PET,
or other thermoplastic polymer, making up between 90 to 30% of the
fiber by weight including, as a dispersed solid, additive A (or
compounded with the sheath plastic) an anti-microbial compound, to
gain the efficiency of the additive on the surface and not wasting
the additive in the core.
[0212] In the more generalized case as mentioned above, the sheath
may be quite thin. However, as noted above, the sheath is
preferably more than 30% of the total fiber cross-section. It has
been found that one of the best methods for retaining the
anti-microbial qualities in the fiber and in fabrics is to use
sheath thicknesses which are properly related to the size of the
anti-microbial additive particles. For example, when the
anti-microbial particles are approximately 1 micron cubes, which
provides diagonal dimensions of approximately 1.7 microns, the
sheath thickness would be in the vicinity of 2 microns. In this
manner the particles of the agent are firmly held in the sheath by
the material of the sheath holding them in place. When the
particles are larger or smaller, the thickness of the sheath is
adjusted accordingly. Where core and sheath materials have
substantially the same density (specific gravity) cross-section
area ratios equate to weight ratios. Where the specific gravities
differ, appropriate adjustment is made to fulfill area standards.
Where multi-component systems other than core-sheath are used (or
core-sheath for fibers substantially above or below 10.mu.
diameter) the focus is on thickness of a layer (e.g. sheath hosting
the anti-microbial particles (metal per se or metal in a primary
carrier such as zeolite).
[0213] The anti-microbial/anti-fungal additives are inorganic
compounds using such metals as, e.g.: copper, zinc, tin, and
silver. The best results are obtained using a zeolite (or other
carrier) of silver dispersed in a polyethylene (PE), PET, or
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) carrier, but could be added
directly to a melt of a thermoplastic sheath without an
intermediate carrier. The total anti-microbial additive ranges from
0.1% (0.001) to 6.0% (0.06) by weight of fiber depending on
performance requirements. The anti-microbial additives are held in
the sheath and are prevented from washing off over time and remain
effective, especially when the sheath-thickness to agent-particle
size ratio is in a desirable range as mentioned above and discussed
in more detail below.
[0214] The bi-component anti-microbial/anti-fungal synthetic fiber
size would preferably range from 0.7 dTex to 25.0 dTex and could be
produced as a cut staple fiber in lengths from 1.0 mm to 180 mm, or
in a continuous filament.
[0215] Additives which can be incorporated include one or more of
UV stabilizers at 0.1% (all %'s herein are by weight unless
otherwise stated) to 5.0%; fire retardant (FR) additives at 0.1% to
5.0%; pigments at 0.1% to 6.0%; hydrophilic additives at 0.2% to
5.0%; hydrophobic additives at 0.2% to 5.0%; and/or anti-stain
additives at 0.2% to 5.0%.
[0216] A second configuration of this first embodiment of the
present invention is a bi-component fiber 10B in which the
components x, y (x=strength, y=functional portion) are side-by-side
and the same polymers and additives are used as described above.
Variants of this are shown in FIG. 1B' in which the tri-component
fiber 10B' has components x1, x2 and 1y, x1, x2 and y1, and in FIG.
1B" in which the four-component fiber 10B" has components x1, x2,
y1 and y2. This can also be applied as multi-layers of reinforcing
islands in a matrix (in cross section). The islands containing the
anti-microbial agent being near the composite surface.
[0217] A third configuration shown in FIG. 1C is a continuous
filament 10C that could be used by itself as the binder or as part
of a yarn or fabric with cooperating (strength) fibers indicated at
10D.
[0218] It should be understood that the nominal "binder" fiber or
binder component can also be a strength enhancer in some
combinations. It will also be understood that other variants with
respect to FIGS. 1A-1C, including, but not limited to combinations,
can be made. For example, a first extrusion could produce
intermediate fiber products as in FIG. 1A and such products could
be put together with each other or separate strength fibers and
processed to produce simulations of FIGS. 1B, 1B'. 1B", 1C.
[0219] FIG. 2 shows a non-woven or woven fibrous mass M made up of
any of the fibrous configurations of FIGS. 1A-1C after heating
wherein the binder fiber component melts and flows to form locking
knots at many (if not most or all) of the cross-over points or
nodes N of the fibrous mass to enhance strength and durability of
the mass while maintaining a dispersion of the binder materials and
its functional additive(s).
[0220] While the preferred embodiment is a PET/PET bi-component
with zeolite (or other carrier) of silver (or other metal) being
used only in the sheath, resins with different viscosities can be
used to obtain improved performance. A PCT/PET arrangement is one
variation which takes advantage of the hydrolysis resistance and
resilience; however, the PET/PET is more cost effective, especially
for use in apparel and bedding.
[0221] FIGS. 1A-2 can also be used to describe a second embodiment
grouping of practice of the invention.
[0222] The first configuration of the second embodiment of the
present invention is a bi-component fiber of a core and a sheath as
shown in FIG. 1A using PET or other high tenacity polymer in the
core at between 20% and 70% by weight of the fiber. Poly 1,4
cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT) or other hydrolysis
resistant polymer is used for the sheath at 80% to 30%. The core is
designed to provide the strength of the fiber and the modulus can
be varied to create a high modulus fiber with properties of high
tenacity and low elongation similar to cotton, or a low tenacity
and higher elongation fiber with properties similar to wool; or
anywhere in between to obtain different fibers to make them as
compatible as possible for their end uses and for any blend in
which they will be used. In fibers, modulus refers to the area
under the curve in a stress/strain curve. The sheath is preferably
over 30% of the total cross sectional area. The sheath may use PCT
which provides a hydrolysis resistant surface with good wrinkle
resistance and resistance to long term washings in boiling water
and strong soaps.
[0223] Additives in this second embodiment include pigments,
compounds to create a hydrophilic surface, and anti-microbial,
anti-fungal, anti-odor additives. The pigment additives are to
provide uniform colors that do not fade significantly over
long-term use and washing, unlike dyes. Compounds may be used which
create a hydrophilic surface and this is designed to wick body
moisture away from the skin and evaporate to create comfort for a
wearer of a garment containing such fibers and is particularly
useful for career apparel such as uniforms, work clothes, etc. The
anti-microbial, anti-fungus and anti-odor additives can be varied
depending on the functionality of the career apparel.
[0224] The bi-component anti-microbial/anti-fungal synthetic fiber
size ranges from 0.7 dTex to 25.0 dTex and can be produced as a cut
staple fiber in lengths from 1.0 mm to 180 mm, or in a continuous
filament.
[0225] Another arrangement (FIG. 1C) is a bi-component continuous
filament that could be used by itself or as part of a yarn or
fabric.
[0226] FIGS. 1A-2 can also be used to describe a third embodiment
grouping of practice of the invention.
[0227] The third embodiment of the invention is a mono-component of
homo-polymer fiber made from low temperature polymers with a
melting or softening temperature below 225.degree. C. such as PETG.
It relates to a binder fiber carrier for anti-microbial additives,
which can be further blended with non-anti-microbial fibers to
provide an anti-microbial finished fabric that is able to withstand
significant wear and washings and maintain their effectiveness. The
anti-microbial additives are inorganic.
[0228] A mono-component or homo-polymer fiber used in this
embodiment was made from low temperature polymers with a melting or
softening temperature below 225.degree. C. such as PETG (PET
modified with 1,4, cyclohexanedimethanol), PE, PP, co-PET, or
amorphous PET. Another low melting temperature polymer which may be
used is polycaprolactone (PCL). The anti-microbial additives are
inorganic compounds made from metals such as copper, tin, zinc,
silver, etc. The preferred compound is a zeolite of silver
dispersed in PE, PET, or PBT or other polymers before being added
to the fiber. The additives could be added directly to the primary
polymer with pre-dispersion. The total active ingredients range
from 0.1 to 20% by fiber weight. Other inorganic metals such as
tin, copper, zinc, etc. and other primary carriers can work also
but not as well as zeolite of silver.
[0229] The binder (secondary carrier, host matrix) fiber containing
polymers and anti-microbial additives in all or a portion of its
cross section can be blended with non anti-microbial natural fibers
such as cotton and wool, or synthetic fibers such as polyester,
acrylic, nylon, PTT, 3GT, rayon, modified rayon, and acetate to an
anti-microbial finished fabrics that is able to withstand
significant wear and washings and maintain their effectiveness.
[0230] A typical example is a fiber using the PETG polymer with the
zeolitie contained silver additive blended with cotton up to 10% by
weight of the polymer fiber to produce a bed sheet. The binder
fiber is activated in the drying cycle of the final bleaching
operation or other heat operation. Customary for the cotton product
per se the PETG melts and wets the surface of the cotton fibers to
carry the anti-microbial characteristics to the entire sheet with
an added benefit of increasing strength and reducing pilling. The
process can also be controlled so that virtually all the polymer
migrates to small zones at cotton fiber cross-over points (nodes)
and the product is then classifiable as `all cotton.`
[0231] The fiber size ranges from 0.7 dTex to 25 dTex and a staple
length of 1.0 mm to 180 mm. A continuous filament yarn can also be
produced that can be used in a wrap spun application whereby
non-anti-microbial fibers are spun around the anti-microbial
filament.
[0232] The antimicrobial product withstands more than 50 commercial
washings at 80.degree. C. and/or dry cleanings. It is immune to a
significant range of UV exposure and possesses excellent abrasion
resistance and is unaffected by tests such as Tabor or
Wyzenbeek.
[0233] The present invention also provides a unique way to use
polymers such as PETG to carry and deliver anti-microbial additives
and/or pigments to a natural non-anti-microbial fiber, such as
cotton, wool, possibly mixed with polyester, nylon and the like,
and generate a final binding fabric having anti-microbial
properties.
[0234] PETG has two characteristics of interest: (1) excellent
wetting and (2) low melting temperature. In the present invention,
it is used as a carrier to carry anti-microbial additives and be
blended with non-anti-microbial fibers. After heat activation, the
PETG melts, continuously releases the anti-microbial additives and
wets the surface of the surrounding non anti-microbial fibers with
the anti-microbial additives it carries. Thus, PETG delivers and
distributes the anti-microbial additive uniformly within a fabric
and the PETG holds the anti-microbial agent in place, generating
the finished fabrics having anti-microbial property. Since the
natural fibers used to blend with PETG are not changed physically
in this process, they contain the same characteristics as natural
fibers.
[0235] The bi-component fiber may be formed by the use of pellets
of the two different polymers or a direct polymer stream from the
reactor of which the fiber is to be formed. The arrangement shown
in FIG. 1A is intended for a configuration of a core fiber, and a
sheath fiber which contains an additive, e.g., an anti-microbial
agent. Since the best of the anti-microbial agents known at this
time to the present inventor is zeolite of silver, the present
example uses this agent, however, zirconium phosphate and other
carriers will make acceptable products. The intent is to use the
minimum amount necessary to provide the desired characteristics.
The additive provides the desired anti-microbial effect only at the
surface. Therefore, if the bulk of the additive is located within
the volume of the fiber well below the surface, that portion will
not be useful for most or all of the life of the material into
which the fiber is made. Since there frequently is some surface
abrasion, some of the additive particles which are just below the
surface when the fiber is made, become available at the surface,
later in the life of the product.
[0236] In the past, attempts have been made to provide the additive
at the surface, and the result was that the additive particles did
not have a very useful life since they were removed from the
surface by washing and wear or use. Therefore, the present
invention strongly attaches the additive particles to the outer
region of the fiber.
[0237] It has been possible to make particles of zeolite of silver
as small as 1 micron cubes. A particle of such size will have a
diagonal dimension of about 1.7 micron. Therefore, the smallest
thickness of the sheath would be about 2 microns. The present
invention permits a core/sheath arrangement in which the sheath is
as small as 2 microns in thickness with the additive incorporated
into the sheath. The diameter of the sheath is adjusted to the
particle size so that the particles are held firmly in place and
are available at the surface of the sheath. The particles may be
smaller or larger than 1 micron cubes or larger, and the sheath may
be correspondingly smaller than 2 microns or larger. In such an
arrangement most, or all, of the additive is available for surface
action, and, with wear and/or washings a small amount of the
surface of the sheath will wear or wash away, and other additive
particles which were originally more deeply embedded, become
available at the surface.
[0238] The photomicrographs of FIGS. 5 and 6 show the small
particles of zeolite of silver in the sheath, many of which can be
seen on the surface or projecting through to the surface of the
fibers. There are more such particles which are just below the
surface of the fibers, and which will become available for
anti-microbial activity as small portions of the fiber wears or
washes away and the particles become available at the surface.
[0239] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a manner of making a core/sheath fiber
with an anti-microbial additive which is incorporated into the
sheath polymer prior to the final extruding of the fiber. In the
prior art, this was mostly done as a treatment after extruding.
[0240] The extruder 12 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3 having a
feed hopper 14, an extruder screw section 16 for feeding melted
material to the delivery end, and a heating chamber 18 which
surrounds the bottom of the feed hopper as well as the total length
of the extruder screw section 16 for melting the pellets which are
fed into the hopper and maintaining the polymers in melted
condition for being extruding through the extruding openings which
act as nozzles. Besides pellets, it is possible to make these
fibers using direct polymer streams from continuous reactors
feeding to the melt pumps for a company which is a polymer
producer.
[0241] There are two extruders, one which has a feed hopper for
forming the sheath and another with a hopper for forming the
core.
[0242] The nozzle end of the extruder is shown in cross section in
FIG. 4 which includes three sheets of metal 20, 22 and 24 to form
two chambers 26 and 28. The melted polymer is fed into the extruder
nozzle from the top. There are a plurality of two types of holes,
one type being 30 and which feeds into chamber 26 to form the core
of the fiber, and the other type being 32 which feeds into chamber
28 to form the sheath of the fiber.
[0243] The following non-limiting examples illustrate practice of
the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0244] The anti-microbial fiber of the present invention was used
in the making of a mattress pad. In this example, 15% of a 6.7
denier 76 mm cut length natural white fiber was used as a
homofilament with zeolite of silver as the anti-microbial agent and
15% of a bi-component fiber was used together with 70% PET
6.times.3 T295 in a blend in which the zeolite of silver comprised
0.9% of the fiber. The blend of this fiber was made into a batt of
about 1-11/2" thickness of nonwoven material which was then placed
between two layers of woven fabric to form a mattress pad. When
tested using the shake flask test this provided a 99.99% microbial
kill ratio.
[0245] There are other examples in which all of the parameters of
Example 1 were used and in each of which there was 15% of a
bi-component fiber used. Again the zeolite of silver comprised 0.9%
of the fiber. The percentage of the anti-microbial fiber ranged
from 20% to 40% and the PET ranged from 45% to 65%. In all examples
the microbial kill ratio was 99.99% using the shake flask test.
EXAMPLE 2
[0246] In this example, 35% of a 6.7 denier 51 mm cut length
natural white fiber was used in a sheath/core bi-component
configuration with zeolite of silver as the anti-microbial agent
and 15% of another bi-component fiber was used together with 50%
PET 6.times.3 T295 in a blend in which the zeolite of silver
comprised 1.8% of the fiber. The blend was then prepared as in
example 1 and when tested using the shake flask test, there was a
99.9% microbial kill ratio.
[0247] A second group similar to the first one was prepared in
which the sheath/core bi-component fiber with zeolite of silver as
the anti-microbial agent comprised from 10 to 35% of the fiber
blend, 15% of another bi-component fiber was used and from 50 to
75% of PET 6.times.3 T295 was used. The zeolite of silver comprised
0.75% of the fiber. In the shake flask test, there was a 99.99%
microbial kill ratio.
EXAMPLE 3
[0248] In this example, 15% of a 3.5 denier 38 mm cut length PETG
fiber was used as a homofilament with zeolite of silver as the
anti-microbial agent. 85% PET fiber was blended with the PETG
anti-microbial fiber to form a blend in which the zeolite of silver
comprised 1.8% of the fiber. The fiber was made into a wall
covering and was tested by the shake flask test, which provided a
microbial kill rate of 99.99%.
[0249] A modified version was prepared the same way except that
there was only 10% fiber with zeolite of silver in the blend and
90% PET fiber was used. After the fiber was made into a wall
covering, this too provided a 99.99% microbial kill rate using the
shake flask method of testing.
[0250] A further modified version was used in which there was only
5% fiber having zeolite of silver in the blend and 95% PET fiber in
the blend. The testing, after the fiber was used in a wall
covering, again provided a 99.99% microbial kill rate for
bacteria.
[0251] The fibers described above can be used to make both woven
and nonwoven fabrics as well as knitted fabrics. Such fabrics are
useful for various types of articles, some of which are listed
below:
Incontinent Garments
[0252] Incontinent garments, including disposable diapers,
underwear, pajamas, and linens, some of which may be knitted. This
is disclosed, for example, in pending provisional application Ser.
No. 60/173,207 filed Dec. 27, 1999, the contents of which are
physically incorporated herein below, in which garments and other
articles for incontinent persons made of an anti-microbial fiber
comprises various thermoplastic polymers and additives in a
mono-component or bi-component form in either a core-sheath or
side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers
can comprise inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed only
in certain areas in order to reduce the amount of the
anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such
fibers. The anti-microbial additives used in the synthetic fibers
do not wash off over time because they are integrally incorporated
into these fibers, thus their effectiveness is increased and
prolonged. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers comprise high
tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) in one component and hydrolysis
resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another component. The
hydrophilic and anti-microbial additives provide a
hydrolysis-resistant surface with good wrinkle resistance that
results in long-term protection against washings in boiling water
and strong soaps. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers can further
be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool,
polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished
fabrics that are able to withstand significant wear and washings
and while maintaining their effectiveness.
[0253] Anti-microbial fibers can be used to make materials for a
variety of applications in which it is necessary or desirable to
reduce bacterial and fungal growth and the resultant odor.
Specifically, in personal hygiene situations, these materials can
be used in reusable or re-wearable incontinent garments and other
articles such as linens and bed pads to prevent bed sores on
persons confined to bed for extended periods of time. Diapers and
other clothing and articles for incontinent individuals are
constantly and intermittently being soaked with urine and these
items as now manufactured are not effective at killing odor and
infection-causing bacteria. By making these items disposable, the
growth of bacteria and fungi is reduced depending upon how often
they are changed, but there are environmental and other
considerations to disposables. However, the use of the
anti-microbial fibers in such garments and articles that maintain
their effectiveness during washings, results in reusable garments
and articles of the type described with odor reducing and
anti-microbial properties which last for the life of such garments
and articles.
[0254] As a result of the above, the use of anti-microbial fibers
in the manufacture of incontinent garments is desirable. These
anti-microbial fiber-containing garments are useful in reducing the
growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes once soaked with
urine, thus reducing the discomfort of the individual and
preventing infections generally. Specifically, the anti-microbial
fiber-containing fabrics may be used in both the covering fabric
and the water absorbent interior material. In this way, both
surface and interior protection is achieved. In addition, these
materials may also be made to be reusable because the
anti-microbial effect of the fibers of these garments and articles
are resistant to multiple washings. Thus, a significant cost
savings is realized in the laundry operations of hospitals and
nursing homes as well as in the economics of individual
households.
[0255] In manufacturing these materials, any of the fiber
embodiments described below could be used. Both the strength and
resiliency of these materials is important since they must stand up
to multiple wettings and subsequent cleanings. Thus, both
bi-component fibers and mixed fiber fabrics are useful embodiments
for incontinent garments. Also, other modifications of the
characteristics of these fibers and fabrics beyond that of adding
anti-microbial agents, including the addition of agents to increase
or decrease hydrophobicity, are useful in view of the repeated
wettings and the need for frequent cleanings and washings. In
addition, anti-odor additives may be particularly useful in this
application in light of this frequency of cleaning, as well as the
wetting with urine. Thus, these anti-microbial materials, garments
and articles significantly reduce the growth of mold, mildew, and
bacteria in home and institutional environments.
[0256] Garments for incontinent persons are made of anti-microbial
fibers designed to use inorganic silver-containing compounds that
are integrated into the polymers that are used to make these
anti-microbial fibers. However, other metals (such as copper,
potassium, magnesium, tin, zinc and calcium) can be used as
anti-microbial agents. In addition, mixtures of different
metal-containing anti-microbial agents in differing concentrations
can be used that result in hybrid agents tailored for specific
tasks.
[0257] Such garments may be knitted or woven and include underwear,
pajamas, linens, disposable diapers, and the like.
[0258] One type of such garment of the present invention is shown
in FIG. 7 in which there is a garment 34 which carries a removable
liner assembly 36 which is detachably secured within the garment.
The liner assembly includes an outer layer 33 which contacts the
skin of a wearer 44 around the buttocks and crotch area. This layer
is made to be smooth and soft so as to be comfortable for the
wearer even when fluids such as urine contact this layer and pass
therethrough. There is a wick layer 35 which changes color when it
is wet so that attendants can see from a distance that a wearer is
wet and needs to receive some attention, such as the changing of
the liner assembly. Beyond the layer 35 is an absorbent layer 31
formed of a mass of fibers. There is an inner layer 37 which is
impervious to fluids so that the fluids such as urine do not wet
and/or stain the outer layer of clothing. The liner assembly 36 is
held together by soft fiber connectors 38. The liner itself may be
removably attached to the basic garment with Velcro so that it is
easily removable and changed.
[0259] The liners 36 may be constructed to be washable so that they
can be reused, or can be made to be disposable. The garment has a
belt 42 for holding the garment in place.
[0260] The outer layer 33 is made of anti-microbial fiber of the
type described in further detail below so that there is protection
from microbes and fungus which causes infection and odors.
[0261] Layer 33 is made to be a porous fiber material which will
draw any moisture from the wearer by wick action away from the
wearer's skin and into the absorbent liner. Since the layer 33 is
always against the wearer's skin and at least at times is wet from
urine, there is the risk of infection which, with the present
invention is prevented, due to the layer 33 being constructed of
anti-microbial fibers, the construction of which is described in
more detail above.
[0262] The absorbent material 31 of the liner 36 may also be made
of non-woven fibrous material which is also anti-microbial if
desired. In one example, the knit or woven absorbent middle layer
is comprised of 50% rayon and 50% of the antimicrobial fabric of
the present invention.
[0263] Anti-microbial fibers may be made into other products
intended for incontinent persons, such as bed linens, and bed pads
which are used to prevent bed sores in persons who are confined to
bed for extended periods of time. Such products provide a first
line of attack against problems caused by microbes especially when
used in all areas of the products which come into contact with a
person's skin.
[0264] Higher loading of the anti-microbial agents (up to 5 times)
is used to more effectively act against fungi. This higher loading
may be achieved by using various zeolites followed by heating the
fiber polymer, e.g. PET, to between 180 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit
in hot water which allows further metal loading or ion exchange to
replace resident metal ions with another ion or mixture of ions. In
addition, this would allow the zeolite at or near the surface of
the fiber to be preferentially loaded with the metal ion or
mixtures thereof that has the desired biological effect. These
methods are particularly useful in reducing costs when expensive
metal ions, such as silver, are used in these processes. Also, by
adding certain metals, e.g. silver, at this point in the process
and not having it present during the high temperature fiber
extrusion process, any yellowing or discoloration due to oxidation
of the metal ion or its exposure to sulfur and halogens would be
greatly reduced.
Filters
[0265] Air filters for HVAC systems, air conditioning systems, car
and airplane cabin systems as disclosed, for example, in Ser. No.
60/172,285 filed Dec. 17, 1999, the contents of which are
physically incorporated herein below, in which filters and filter
materials are made of anti-microbial fibers for a variety of filter
applications in which it is necessary or desirable to reduce
bacterial and fungal growth and their resultant odor. In homes,
business/institutions machines and vehicles air filters and
attached air conditioning units are the source of musty smells
associated with the seeding and growth of bacteria, fungi, mold,
and mildew. Because of the recirculation of outside and
air-conditioned air through these filters, very favorable
conditions exist for the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other
microbes. Also in aircraft cabins, the air filters have the same
beneficial results. An anti-microbial filter is made of fiber,
which comprises various thermoplastic polymers and additives in a
mono-component or bi-component form in either a core-sheath or
side-by-side configurations. In these diverse applications liquid
circulation and re-circulation systems (e.g. swimming pools, car
washes, etc.) present similar filtration needs. The anti-microbial
synthetic fibers can comprise inorganic anti-microbial additives,
distributed only in certain areas in order to reduce the amount of
the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of
such fibers. The anti-microbial additives used in the synthetic
fibers do not wash off over time because they are integrally
incorporated into these fibers, thus their effectiveness is
increased and prolonged. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers
comprise high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) in one component and
hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another component. The
hydrophilic and anti-microbial additives provide a
hydrolysis-resistant surface. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers
can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as
cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide
anti-microbial finished filters that are able to withstand
significant wear and washings and while maintaining their
effectiveness.
[0266] The foregoing objects concerning filters are met by filters
based on anti-microbial fibers that have been designed using
inorganic silver-containing compounds that allow the formation of
both mono- and multi-component polymeric fibers having these
anti-microbial agents intermixed within the polymer during fiber
formation. The concentration of the anti-microbial agent can be
varied within each individual fiber as a gradient using mixing
strategies and also from fiber to fiber. The concentration of
anti-microbial agent within a fabric or material made from these
anti-microbial fibers can also be varied regionally using fibers
containing varying amounts of anti-microbial agents in conjunction
with both natural and synthetic fibers having different amounts of
anti-microbial agents or even no added anti-microbial agents. A
variety of other agents can be added, either by mixing or
topically, to color the fibers and/or to make it resistant to
staining, fire, and ultraviolet (UV) light as well as altering its
water absorbing qualities. Various polymers, without limitation,
can be used to form these fibers. In the context of this invention,
anti-microbial refers, but is not limited, to antibacterial and
anti-fungal.
[0267] The amount of time people spend in their vehicles has been
increasing over the last 20 years. The passenger compartment of
these vehicles is an extension of people's personal space. The
desired quality of the air in that space increasingly reflects
peoples' desire to be protected from airborne particles and odors,
and bacteria. Such vehicles include pick-up trucks, SUVs,
recreational vehicles, buses, over-the-road trucks, and the
like.
[0268] Anti-microbial fibers can be used to make filter materials
for a variety of applications in which it is necessary or desirable
to reduce bacterial and fungal growth and their resultant odor.
[0269] Specifically, the built in or attached air conditioning
units for homes, business/institutions, machines and over the road
vehicles (and stationary trailers) are a source of musty smells
associated with the seeding and growth of bacteria, fungi, mold,
and mildew on the evaporator and or heater cores and housings.
These areas, by their nature, collect dust, dirt, bacteria, mold
spores, etc. in an environment that contains the moisture,
temperature, and shielding from direct sunlight necessary to
promote growth of these organisms.
[0270] A filter containing permanent anti-microbial fibers,
described herein, could be placed in the outside make-up air and/or
re-circulated air streams to kill the spores and cells trapped by
the filter. This would reduce or eliminate the odors associated
with growing and reproducing organism. Similar benefit can be
realized in liquid filtration. For example, filters of the present
invention can be provided for swimming pool water re-circulation
and in combination with ozone treatments cut chlorine usage by
50-80%, provide greater softness of water, reduce sludge and odors,
reduce bleaching of swim wear and towels, stabilize water even in
hot weather and heavy use and reduce chemical damage to pumps,
hoses, plumbing and the filter system itself.
[0271] The permanent nature of the anti-microbial fibers in the
filter is necessary based on the environment of operation and
desired replacement life. The filters are subjected to moisture
from entrained water from the blower fan inlet (rain, or wash
water) as well as condensation of moisture when the air
conditioning system is in operation. Further, the vehicle owners,
and vehicle design engineers, want a filter that has at least a
one-year life. Both conditions can be overcome with permanently
anti-microbial fibers described herein.
[0272] Such anti-microbial fiber-containing filters are useful in
reducing the build-up of biological materials and films on the
filters themselves and the associated air conditioning units. Thus,
they would also be less likely to impart undesirable odors to the
interior of the vehicles. Such filters for commercial and/or
industrial air filters could be made, for example, of a high loft,
non-woven material comprised of 30% bi-component fiber (60% core,
40% sheath) and 70% plain polyesters. Other percentages such as,
for example, anywhere from 10-50% of the anti-microbial
fiber-containing material could alternatively be employed.
[0273] In manufacturing these materials, any of the embodiments
described above could be used. Both the strength and resiliency of
these materials is important given that they are used in
continuously circulating air streams and are subject to the
pressures characteristic of filtering processes. Any number of
filter shape designs could be used as appropriate. In some
instances, round filters would be appropriate whereas in other
instances pleated or other shape filters would be appropriate, all
depending on the pressure, volume characteristics of the air flow
and available space. Thus, both bi-component fibers and mixed fiber
fabrics are useful embodiments for vehicle and aircraft cabin air
filters. Also, other modifications of the characteristics of these
fibers and fabrics beyond that of adding anti-microbial agents,
including the addition of agents to increase or decrease
hydrophobicity, would be useful. In addition, anti-odor additives
may be particularly useful in this application given the use in
connection with air conditioners.
[0274] Thus, these anti-microbial materials that are manufactured
to be used in vehicle and aircraft cabin air filters will then
significantly reduce the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. By
achieving this goal, odors associated with the long-term use of
these filter materials will be reduced. This will also then result
in significant costs savings in the operation of air re-circulation
systems in automobiles.
[0275] Filters for vehicle and aircraft cabins are, according to
the invention, made of anti-microbial fibers which use inorganic
silver-containing compounds that are integrated into the polymers
that are used to make these anti-microbial fibers. Such a filter is
shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8. The example shown in a typical
progressive filter which has three layers. There is a support layer
44, then a filtration layer 42 made with anti-microbial fibers and
then a prefilter layer 40 also made with anti-microbial fibers.
[0276] The relatively small size of the silver-containing zeolite
compounds (2 microns and less) that are used in the manufacturing
of the fibers allow these anti-microbial agents to be incorporated
into fibers instead of being applied to them. For example, a
bi-component fiber is made with the sheath having a thickness,
which is properly related to the cubic size of the zeolite
particles. Zeolite particles have a one micron cube size would be
placed into a sheath having a two micron thickness. Thus, because
these anti-microbial agents are an integral part of the fiber, they
are not washed or easily abraded away and the finished articles, in
the present case, filters, manufactured from them are able to
withstand significant wear and multiple washings while maintaining
their anti-microbial effectiveness (for those filters which are
washed). In the case of filters which are thrown away when they
start to become clogged with filtered material (air borne particles
and the like) the resistance to washings is not an important
factor.
[0277] FIG. 9A shows a system of filter usage for an occupancy zone
where air is removed via valve V1 through a pump or compressor P
passed through a filter canister F (or other container) and a
heating or cooling exchanger (HVAC) and returned to the occupancy
zone via valve V2. The system can also handle outside air via a
valve V3.
[0278] The canister has a removable anti-microbial filter screen F
(with a frame, not shown) removable for exchange or regeneration of
anti-microbial effectiveness from time to time.
[0279] Another form of filter is shown in FIG. 9B as filter
canister FC' with vanes V defining a tortuous path, the vanes being
lined with anti-microbial screening material F'.
[0280] FIG. 9C shows another form of canister as a tube FC" lined
with such filter material F" and FIG. 9D shows a canister FC'" with
a loose array of filter material F'" (similar to a scouring
pad).
[0281] All the above air (or gas) filtering equipment and
processing is applicable to in-line or reservoir filtering or other
treatment of water and other liquids. Also, apart from the above
mentioned consideration for gases (which apply to liquids), the
liquids present growth environments for microorganisms that can
lead to clogging and stoppage or other undesired alteration of
filter characteristics and to effluent contamination. Use of the
present invention directly in the filters or as effective adjuncts
can prevent build up of colonies or if installed later provide
reductions to overcome the above mentioned problems.
[0282] In one embodiment, 30% bi-component and 70% PET are wrapped
in a yarn form about a membrane core. Proper dimensioning of the
membrane pores in combination with the present invention has been
successful in killing Cyanobacteria, which has been linked in some
studies of the Chamorro Indian population to Alzheimer's
Disease.
Wound Care Dressings and Burn Dressings
[0283] Wound care dressings and burn dressings made of fibers as
disclosed, for example, in Ser. No. 60/172,533 filed Dec. 17, 1999,
the contents of which are physically incorporated herein below in
which an anti-microbial wound care dressing or burn dressing is
made of fiber such as various thermoplastic polymers and additives
in a mono-component or bi-component form in either a core-sheath or
side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers
can comprise inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed only
in certain areas in order to reduce the amount of the
anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such
fibers. The anti-microbial additives used in the synthetic fibers
do not wash off over time because they are integrally incorporated
into these fibers, thus their effectiveness is increased and
prolonged. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers may comprise high
tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) in one component and a hydrolysis
resistance polymer, PCT, in another component. The hydrophilic and
anti-microbial additives provide a hydrolysis-resistant surface
with good abrasion resistance. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers
can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as
cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide
anti-microbial finished wound care dressings and burn dressings
that are able to withstand significant wear and any washings they
may be given (if the washable type) and while maintaining their
effectiveness.
[0284] Wound care dressings may be made with anti-microbial fibers
used to make various materials for a variety of applications in
which it is necessary or desirable to reduce bacterial and fungal
growth. Because these dressings must be frequently changed and the
wound exposed to pathogens during this changing process, the
addition of anti-microbial agents to the wound care dressing helps
to reduce the growth of these pathogens.
[0285] As a result of the above, the use of anti-microbial fibers
in the manufacture of wound care dressings provides a practical
medical article. These anti-microbial fiber-containing dressings
are useful in reducing the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other
microbes that can be introduced from the environment during the
changing of dressings and while performing other manipulations,
thus reducing and preventing infections generally. Specifically,
the anti-microbial-fiber containing fabrics could be used in both
the covering fabric and the water absorbent interior material. In
this way, both surface and interior protection could be achieved.
In addition, these materials could, if desired, be made to be
reusable because the anti-microbial effect of the fibers of this
invention are resistant to multiple washings. Thus, a significant
cost savings could be realized in the purchasing of supplies in
hospitals and nursing homes as well as in the economics of
individual households.
[0286] In manufacturing these materials, any of the embodiments of
fibers described above could be used. Both the strength and
resiliency of these materials is important in that they must
withstand normal patient movement and manipulation by health care
workers. Thus, mono-, bi-component fibers and mixed fiber fabrics
are useful embodiments for wound care dressings. Also, other
modifications of the characteristics of these fibers and fabrics
beyond that of adding anti-microbial agents, including the addition
of agents to increase or decrease hydrophobicity, would be useful
in manufacturing sturdy dressings. In addition, anti-odor additives
may be useful in this application given the exposure of the
dressing to various tissue exudates. Thus, these anti-microbial
materials would then significantly reduce the growth of mold,
mildew, and bacteria in wound care dressings.
[0287] Burn dressings may be made with anti-microbial fibers to
make various materials for a variety of applications in which it is
necessary or desirable to reduce bacterial and fungal growth.
Because these dressings must be frequently changed and the burn
exposed to pathogens during this changing process, the addition of
anti-microbial agents to the burn dressing would help to reduce the
growth of these pathogens.
[0288] As a result of the above, the use of anti-microbial fibers
in the manufacture of burn dressings is a desirable goal. These
anti-microbial fiber-containing dressings are useful in reducing
the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that can be
introduced from the environment during the changing of dressings
and while performing other manipulations, thus reducing and
preventing infections generally. Specifically, the
anti-microbial-fiber containing fabrics can be used in both the
covering fabric and the water absorbent interior material. In this
way, both surface and interior protection may be achieved. In
addition, these materials can be made to be reusable because the
anti-microbial effect of the fibers of this invention are resistant
to multiple washings. Thus, a significant cost savings could be
realized in the purchasing of supplies in hospitals and nursing
homes as well as in the economics of individual households.
[0289] FIG. 10 shows a wound care or burn dressing 24 which
includes a bottom layer 18, a top layer 20 and an intermediate
absorbent fibrous layer 22 which joins the other two layers. The
bottom layer 18 is used directly against the wound or burn and
therefore the fibers of this layer have the anti-microbial agent
applied thereto as described below.
[0290] In manufacturing these materials, any of the embodiments of
fiber described above can be used. Both the strength and resiliency
of these materials is important given that they must withstand
normal patient movement and manipulation by health care workers.
Thus, mono-, bi-component fibers and mixed fiber fabrics are useful
embodiments of burn dressings. Also, other modifications of the
characteristics of these fibers and fabrics beyond that of adding
anti-microbial agents, including the addition of agents to increase
or decrease hydrophobicity, would be useful in manufacturing sturdy
dressings. In addition, anti-odor additives may be useful in this
application given the exposure of the dressing to various tissue
exudates. Thus, these anti-microbial materials would then
significantly reduce the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria in
burn dressings.
Fabric
[0291] Fiber and fabric which are color-fast and which can be for
pastel shade fabric, as disclosed, for example, in Ser. No.
60/180,536 filed Feb. 7, 2000, the contents of which are physically
incorporated herein below, in which PETG which is an amorphous
binder fiber is used and is blended into yarns with other fibers to
form fabrics, as well as knits and non-woven fabrics. After heat
activation, the PETG fiber melts, wets the surface of the
surrounding fibers, and settles at the crossing points of the
fibers, thus forming "a drop of glue" which bonds the fibers
together. PETG is also used to carry pigments and/or anti-microbial
additives to the fibers, distribute the pigment and/or
anti-microbial additives on the surface of the surrounding fibers,
and achieve certain colors without the need to dye the fibers and
natural fabrics having anti-microbial qualities. This invention
presents a method for making a pastel shade fabric and/or natural
fabrics having anti-microbial activities by using PETG as a carrier
for pigments and anti-microbial additives, blending them with
cotton or any other fibers, activating and melting PETG from
110.degree. to 180.degree. C., and leaving the encapsulated pigment
and anti-microbial additives on the fibers. The final pastel shade
fabric having an excellent fastness for both sunlight resistance
and washing without the need of going through a dye bath, and has
the color remain fast for in excess of 100 commercial launderings.
If the pastel shade fabric is made by blending PETG and pigments
with cotton, after the activation of PETG, the final product can
still be labeled as 100% cotton fibers. Thus, the present invention
provides a fiber, yarn and/or fabric construction. There is a
method for making a fiber blend which includes mixing a polyester
polymer, characterized by a low melting temperature and having
binder qualities, with an additive for providing desired
characteristics to a finished fiber. The mixture is heated and
extruded to form a continuous filament. The continuous filament
fiber is cut to form a cut filament fiber. The cut filament fiber
is blended with a natural fiber to form a fiber blend. The fiber
blend is heated to a temperature in the melting temperature range
of said polyester (PETG) polymer for a sufficient period of time to
melt the low melting temperature polyester polymer and wet the
natural fiber and provide such natural fiber with the additive
firmly attached thereto. The polyester polymer may be PETG. After
the fiber is prepared it may be spun to make a yarn and the yarn
may be made into a fabric. The heating step can take place after
the yarn is made into a fabric. The additive may be a colorant, an
anti-microbial agent, a fire retarding agent, or another agent
which adds properties to the fiber or yarn or fabric. There is
another method for making a fiber, which includes mixing a
polyester polymer, characterized by a low melting temperature and
having binder qualities, with an additive for providing desired
characteristics to a finished fiber, heating the mixture and
extruding it to form a continuous filament. Another polymer is
heated and extruded to form a continuous filament. The extruding
steps form a bi-component fiber with the mixture forming the sheath
and the other polymer forming the core. The sheath is heated to a
temperature in the melting temperature range of the polyester
polymer for a sufficient period of time to melt the low melting
temperature polyester polymer and wet the core fiber and provide
the core fiber with the additive firmly attached thereto.
[0292] The fabric invention provides a unique way to use polymers
such as PETG to carry and deliver pigments and/or anti-microbial or
other additives to a natural fiber, such as cotton, wool, and the
like, and generate a final pastel shade fabric without losing the
natural fiber's characteristics and/or natural fabric having
anti-microbial properties.
[0293] PETG is used as a carrier for pigments, such as carbon
black, phthalo blue, and the like. It is mixed with other fibers,
such as natural fibers, to form a blend, and then the blend is
heated, to a temperature of around 140.degree. C. (the PETG can be
modified to melt between 90 and 160.degree. C.) either as a
separate heating step or during a processing step which includes
heating to about temperature. PETG has a melting temperature of
around 140.degree. C. (and is available from 90 to 160.degree. C.)
and it melts and flows along the fibers with which it is blended.
It acts as a binder-carrier in that it forms nodes of color (when a
colorant is used) with many points so it looks like a solid color.
This provides it with a pastel look. By controlling the amount of
colorant added to the PETG there is controllable color values which
include pastel shading. PETG has superior wetting ability and
therefore it spreads evenly along the other fibers with which it is
blended. There are also nodes formed at the intersecting fibers in
the blend and there are held together by this characteristic of the
PETG. Also, the amount of PETG can be controlled to be small
quantities with respect to the other fibers in the blend. Thus,
when blended with cotton in this manner, such a blend may properly
be characterized as "all cotton" having color and/or anti-microbial
(or other) agents, which have been added by the PETG.
[0294] This can be accomplished in more than one manner. One method
is shown in FIG. 11 in which the PETG and colorant pellets are
mixed together, after which they are heated to melt and are then
extruded to form a PETG fiber with the colorant in it. The PETG is
then blended with a natural fiber, such as cotton, to form a blend,
which will have the color of the colorant, which the PETG fiber
takes on as its color. The cotton is white so that the color taken
on is a pastel color. If the colorant is black, then the blend
becomes a shade of gray. If desired other fibers can be blended
with the PETG fibers, such as silk, flax, polypropylene,
polyethylene, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon, PTT, 3GT, rayon,
modified rayon, and acetate.
[0295] The PETG is then activated by heating it as a temperature of
from about 110.degree. to about 180.degree.. This melts the PETG
without harming the fibers with which it has been blended. The PETG
carrier melts and wicks along the other fibers, that is the cotton
or other base fibers, forming small nodes, but it does not ball up
as some polymers do and provides "a drop of glue" (small) to bind
the fibers together and leaves behind the encapsulated pigment in
the fibers.
[0296] This fiber blend is then used to form a yarn with in turn is
used to form a fabric. The resulting fabric is a pastel shade
fabric without the need of going through a dye bath, and has
excellent color fastness from both sunlight and washing. The color
is a pastel since there are many tiny drops of the colorant which
looks like a solid color to an observer. The color remains fast for
in excess of 100 commercial launderings. Since the PETG carrier
melted after activation, the blended fibers such as cotton are
still considered to be 100% cotton fiber.
[0297] FIG. 12 shows a method similar to that shown in FIG. 11.
However, in this process the blended fiber is made into a yarn and
the yarn is made into a fabric before the PETG is activated by
heating. This heating may be a separate heating step or may take
place during the processing of the fabric which may include a
heating step for other reasons.
[0298] The present invention may also be used to provide
anti-microbial fibers by using PETG as a carrier for anti-microbial
additives. Again the PETG and the anti-microbial pellets may be
melted together to form a melt which is extruded to create a
continuous filament which is then cut to appropriate size and is
then further blended with natural or other fibers to provide an
anti-microbial finished yarn which may be made into an
anti-microbial fabric that is able to withstand significant wear
and washings and maintain their effectiveness. The anti-microbial
additives are inorganic compounds made from metals such as copper,
tin, zinc, silver, and the like. The preferred compound is a
zeolite of silver which may be dispersed in PE, PET, or PBT before
being added to the fiber. However, other carriers such as zirconium
phosphate or other dissolvable glasses will also make acceptable
fibers. The additives can be added directly to the primary polymer
with pre-dispersion. The total active ingredients range from 0.01
to 25% (preferably 0.1 to 20%) by fiber weight. Other inorganic
metals such as tin, copper and zinc work also, but not as well as
zeolite of silver.
[0299] The PETG polymers with anti-microbial additives can be
blended with natural fibers such as cotton, silk, flax, and wool,
or synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene,
acrylic, nylon, PTT, 3GT, rayon, modified rayon, and acetate to
make anti-microbial finished fabrics that are able to withstand
significant wear and washings and maintain their effectiveness.
[0300] A typical example is a fiber using the PETG polymer with the
zeolite contained silver additive blended with cotton up to 10% by
weight to produce a bed sheet. The binder fiber is activated during
the drying cycle of the final bleaching operation or other heat
operation. The PETG melts and wets the surface of the cotton fibers
to carry the anti-microbial characteristics to the entire sheet
with an added benefit of increasing strength and reducing
pilling.
[0301] The fiber size ranges from 0.7 dTex to 25 dTex and a staple
length of 1.0 mm to 180 mm. A continuous filament yarn can also be
produced that can be used in a wrap spun application whereby fibers
are spun around the anti-microbial filament and the filament
subsequently melted to weld it to the natural fibers.
[0302] The anti-microbial product withstands more than 50
commercial washings at 80' C. It is immune to UV exposure of at
least 225 kj. It possesses excellent abrasion resistance and is
unaffected by tests such as Tabor or Wyzenbeek. It is not affected
by at least 50 dry cleanings.
[0303] FIG. 13 is another flow diagram for an arrangement, which
provides a bi-component fiber with a PET core and a PETG sheath
containing a desired additive, such as pigment and/or an
anti-microbial agent. The PETG and the colorant pellets are placed
into a first extruder and PET pellets are placed into a second
extruder. Both are heated sufficiently so that the extruders cause
the melts to flow to a single spinneret in which the PET is made
into the core and the PETG is made into the sheath. In the fiber
state, or in a more finished yarn state, or in an even further
finished woven or nonwoven fabric state, the fibers are subjected
to heat in the vicinity of 140-180.degree. C. which melts the PETG
without harming the PET which has a higher melting point. This
heating step provides the benefits of the present invention as
discussed above.
Footwear Components
[0304] Footwear components as disclosed, for example, in pending
provisional application Ser. No. 60/181,251 filed Feb. 9, 2000, the
contents of which are physically incorporated herein below, in
which the footwear components provide several embodiments of
anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal footwear products. The footwear
components such as insoles, midsoles, box toes, counter and linings
of footwear products, e.g., shoes, slippers, sneakers and the like
are provided in which the anti-microbial agent is available for the
life of the product and not washed away or worn away by sweat or
abrasion. Also, the anti-microbial agent is placed into the
component close to or on the surface which is most needy of the
protection, such as the part of an insole closest to the foot of a
user when the insole, or other component is assembled into a
footwear product. Thus, the fungi or microbes which may form and
create odors or other problems are killed on contact with the
surface of the shoe component anti-microbial surface area. The
footwear components can be a woven, knit or nonwoven fabric of
synthetic fibers, primarily polyester, but which could be acrylic,
nylon, rayon, acetate, PP, and the like. The fabric can have a
weight from 65-400 grams per square meter and typical fibers range
from 1.2 dTex to 7 dTex with a cut length of 25-76 mm. They are
carded, cross-lapped and needle punched, but could be produced on
other types of nonwoven equipment, such as spun laced or spun
bonded equipment. The impregnation is of a latex of SBR, vinyl
acetate, PVC, acrylonitrile, and the like. Impregnation is from 1-4
times the weight of the fabric on a dry basis. A range of fillers
such as clay, calcium carbonate, and the like are used to reduce
the cost. There are two basic methods. One is to mix the
anti-microbial with latex compound and impregnate it into the
insole. The other is to use anti-microbial fibers on the insole in
various manners; The footwear components are provided by several
embodiments described herein but may be practiced using other
embodiments. There is described below, a first embodiment of a
single layer of latex, and a second embodiment of a main support
layer and a fiber layer attached thereto.
[0305] The foregoing objects are met by footwear components such as
insoles, midsoles, box toes, counter and linings of footwear
products, e.g., shoes, slippers and sneakers in which the
anti-microbial agent is available for the life of the product and
not washed away or worn away by sweat or abrasion. Also, the
anti-microbial agent is placed into the component close to or on
the surface which is most needy of the protection, such as the part
of an insole closest to the foot of a user when the insole, or
other component is assembled into a footwear product. Thus, the
fungi or microbes which may form and create odors or other problems
are killed on contact with the surface of the shoe component
anti-microbial surface area.
[0306] The footwear component can be a nonwoven fabric of synthetic
fibers, primarily polyester, but which could be acrylic, nylon,
rayon, acetate, PP, and the like. The fabric can have a weight from
65-400 grams per square meter and typical fibers range from 1.2
dTex to 17 dTEx with a cut length of 15-180 mm. They are carded,
cross-lapped and needle punched, but could be produced on other
types of nonwoven equipment, such as spun laced or spun bonded
equipment.
[0307] The impregnation is a latex of SBR, vinyl acetate, PVC,
acrylonitrile, and the like. Impregnation is from 1-4 times the
weight of the nonwoven fabric on a dry basis. A range of fillers
such as clay, calcium carbonate, and the like are used to reduce
the cost. There are two basic methods. One is to mix the
anti-microbial with latex compound and impregnate it into the
insole. The other is to use anti-microbial fibers on the insole in
various manners.
[0308] An embodiment of a nonwoven fabric impregnated with latex is
shown in FIG. 14 in which there is an insole 54 having a toe
portion 56 and a mid sole portion 58 and a heel portion 60 all in a
single piece construction. It is a suitable fabric which is then
impregnated with latex to provide cushioning for wearer comfort.
The anti-microbial, in this case zeolite of silver is mixed with
the latex prior to impregnating the insole.
[0309] FIG. 15 is another arrangement wherein a support and
cushioning layer 62 is provided and which may be any of a number of
materials which are used for insoles, but preferably one which of a
nonwoven material. A fiber layer 64 made of fibers which have the
anti-microbial agent disposed therein is attached to cushioning and
support layer 62 by any suitable means. In this arrangement zeolite
of silver is the anti-microbial agent. This can include an
adhesive, but could also be accomplished by making the support
layer of a polymer which is also used for some of the fibers and
the fiber layer 64 is attached to the support layer 62 as the
support layer is first delivered after being prepared and still
retains the heat of preparation whereby the common polymer is hot
enough to partially melt and then become bonded together.
[0310] Some anti-microbial agents are also anti-fungal agents. When
agents do not perform both functions, a second agent will usually
be used.
[0311] The choice of particle size of the zeolite is based on the
thickness of the layer carrying it to obtain the best combination
of surface area with anchoring in the layer. For example, a very
thin layer of 3 m would be best served with a 1-2 m zeolite, which
would have a maximum dimension of 2.times.1.73 or about 3.5 m.
[0312] The inner layer(s) could be made of basically any
thermoplastic resin, such as; PE, PP, PET, PS, PCT, Polyamide
(nylon), Acrylic, PVC, etc. The surface layer(s) could be made of
the same polymers plus some low temperature ones such as PETG,
Polycaprolactone, EVA, etc.
[0313] It is preferable to have the layer closest to a wearer's
foot have the anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal agent and be porous
to perspiration to absorb perspiration.
[0314] In the event a support layer is used which is not fibrous,
it is covered with a nonwoven fabric, the fibers of which have the
anti-microbial agent therein. Such a layer can be thinner than the
support layer. However, it is usually best if the layers used allow
perspiration to be carried away from the wearer's foot for both
comfort and health reasons.
[0315] The anti-microbial particles are bonded into the surface
layer and remain there for the life of the material and provide
anti-microbial properties for the entire time.
[0316] It is advantageous to have the anti-microbial agent only at
the surface since this is the only area which comes into contact
with microbes and fungi, and to have the agent located in other
places is wasteful.
[0317] Anti-microbial fibers can be used to make the footwear
products of the present invention where it is necessary or
desirable to reduce bacterial and fungal growth and their resultant
odor. In manufacturing these materials, any of the embodiments of
fiber described can be used. Both the strength and resiliency of
these materials is important. Any number of shaped designs could be
used as appropriate.
[0318] Also, other modifications of the characteristics of these
fibers and material beyond that of adding anti-microbial agents,
including the addition of agents to increase or decrease
hydrophobicity, would be useful. In addition, anti-odor additives
may be particularly useful.
[0319] The relatively small size of the silver-containing zeolite
compounds (2 microns and less) that are used in the manufacturing
of the fibers allow these anti-microbial agents to be incorporated
into fibers instead of being applied to them. Thus, because these
anti-microbial agents are an integral part of the fiber, they are
not washed away by perspiration or easily abraded away and the
finished components, such as insoles, manufactured from them are
able to withstand significant wear while maintaining their
anti-microbial effectiveness.
[0320] Specifically, higher loading of the anti-microbial agents
(up to 5 times) is used to more effectively act against fungi. This
higher loading may be achieved by using various zeolites followed
by heating the fiber polymer, e.g. PET, to between 180 and 230
degrees Fahrenheit in hot water which allows further metal loading
or ion exchange to replace resident metal ions with another ion or
mixture of ions. In addition, this would allow the zeolite at or
near the surface of the fiber to be preferentially loaded with the
metal ion or mixtures thereof that has the desired biological
effect. These methods are particularly useful in reducing costs
when expensive metal ions, such as silver, are used in these
processes. Also, by adding certain metals, e.g. silver, at this
point in the process and not having it present during the high
temperature fiber extrusion process, any yellowing or discoloration
due to oxidation of the metal ion or its exposure to sulfur and
halogens would be greatly reduced.
[0321] It is also possible to use these integrated anti-microbial
compounds to make shoe components and products that have a varying
distribution of the anti-microbial agent. For example, by varying
the concentrations of the anti-microbial agent during mixture with
the fiber-forming polymers, fibers having varying anti-microbial
content can be formed which can then be added in varying amounts to
form materials having varying concentrations of anti-microbial
agents. In addition, the amount of anti-microbial present in the
fiber itself can be varied, either lengthwise or in cross-section.
Similarly, higher and lower concentrations of these anti-microbial
agents in the overall fibers can be achieved by using multi-layered
sheets in which, for example, the anti-microbial agent is present
only in an outer layer section, thus significantly reducing
manufacturing and selling costs. Any of the above manufactured
anti-microbial fibers can be mixed with fibers that do not contain
anti-microbial agents such that products can be made having overall
and localized variations in concentrations of anti-microbial
agents.
[0322] In addition, the fibers can be made either hydrophilic or
hydrophobic as desired by mixing other agents into the fiber
polymers or applying them to the fiber surface. By modifying the
wetability characteristics of the fibers, they can be made more
useful for various applications. For example, hydrophilic fibers
are effective in applications in which one wants the anti-microbial
material to more easily absorb water, such as when the material is
designed to be used in footwear. Alternatively, hydrophobic films
or fibers are effective in applications in which one wants to avoid
the absorption of such solutions. For example, the insole of the
present invention could be made with a hydrophilic agent on the
upper surface which will be nearer to the foot of the wearer, while
the lower surface which will be adjacent other parts of the
footwear, could be made with a hydrophobic to keep the perspiration
away from other parts of the footwear.
Sheet Material
[0323] Sheet material as disclosed, for example in pending
provisional application Ser. 60/180,240 filed Feb. 4, 2000, the
contents of which are physically incorporated herein below, in
which flat or shaped sheets or films, including wide sheets can be
individually extruded or there can be co-extrusion of flat or
shaped films or profiles. The product may be a multi-layer
construction with the surface layer, on one or both sides,
containing zeolite of silver (or other metal such as tin, copper,
zinc, etc. and other carriers, such as zirconium phosphate and
dissolvable glasses). The product may be a flat film for use in a
flat form for counter tops, floors, walls, or molded into shapes
such as cafeteria trays, shoe insoles, serving dishes, high chair
table, refrigerator trays, microwave liners, and luggage. As a
profile the extrusion may be a rain gutter, a screen enclosure, a
counter top, hand railing, duct work, sanitary piping, water pipe,
gasket materials around dishwashers, and the like.
[0324] The same concept applies to multi-layer injection molded
parts. In this case the surface layer may have anti-microbial
properties in applications such as telephone handsets, baby
bottles, computer keyboards, plastic utensils, milk bottles, and
the like.
[0325] The choice of particle size of the zeolite is based on the
thickness of the film to obtain the best combination of surface
area with anchoring in the film. For example, a very thin film of
3.mu. would be best served with a 1-2.mu. zeolite, which would have
a maximum dimension of 2.times.1.73 or about 3.5.mu.. The inner
films could be made of basically any thermoplastic resin, such as;
PE, PP, PET, PS, PCT, Polyamide (nylon), Acrylic, PVC, etc. The
surface layer(s) could be made of the same polymers plus some low
temperature ones such as PETG, Polycaprolactone, EVA, and the like.
Anti-microbial films are used to make sheet materials for a variety
of applications in which it is necessary or desirable to reduce
bacterial and fungal growth and their resultant odor. An
anti-microbial sheet material is made of film which comprises
various thermoplastic polymers and additives. The anti-microbial
synthetic films can comprise inorganic anti-microbial additives,
distributed only in certain areas in order to reduce the amount of
the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of
such films. The anti-microbial additives used in the synthetic film
do not wash off over time because they are integrally incorporated
into these films, thus their effectiveness is increased and
prolonged. The anti-microbial synthetic films comprise high
tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) in one component and hydrolysis
resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another component. The
hydrophilic and anti-microbial additives provide a
hydrolysis-resistant surface. If desired, fibers may be included
and extruded.
[0326] The present invention provides several embodiments, some of
which relate to the co-extrusion of flat or shaped films, sheets or
profiles. The product may be a co-extruded multi-layer construction
with the surface layer, on one or both sides, containing an
inorganic anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal agent.
[0327] The product may be a flat film for use in a flat form for
such uses as counter tops, floors, walls, or molded into shapes
such as cafeteria trays, serving p materials around dishwashers and
garage doors.
[0328] The same concept applies to multi-layer injection molded
parts. In this case the surface layer may have anti-microbial
properties in applications such as telephone handsets, baby
bottles, computer keyboards, plastic utensils, milk bottles,
automotive interior parts, aircraft/bus/train seat and trim parts,
and the like.
[0329] When the anti-microbial is zeolite of metal (e.g. silver,
zinc, tin) or in other carrier a finely particulated and
dispersible form of the choice of particle size of the zeolite is
based on the thickness of the film to obtain the best combination
of surface area with anchoring in the film. For example, a very
thin film of 3 m would be best served with a 1-2.mu. zeolite, which
would have a maximum cubic dimension of 2.times.1.73 or about
3.5.mu.. In this manner the anti-microbial particles are at least
partially exposed and are not completely embedded in the
thermoplastic material where they would have no anti-microbial
effect unless the covering surface were abraded away. Other size
particles can be designed in similar ratio.
[0330] The inner films or layers can be made of basically any
thermoplastic resin, such as; PE, PP, PET, PS, PCT, Polyamide
(nylon), Acrylic, PVC, etc. The surface layer(s) can be made of the
same polymers plus some low temperature ones such as PETG,
Polycaprolactone, EVA, etc.
Sheet Material Laminates
[0331] FIG. 16 shows one type of multi-layer sheet in accordance
with the present invention. The multi-layer sheet material 66 has a
main, thicker support layer 68 and a surface layer 70 which is a
thin layer of a thermoplastic material which is sufficiently thin
that small particles of anti-microbial agent are contained therein
and have portions thereof which are at the surface or just below
the surface of the layer. In this way the anti-microbial particles
are bonded into the surface layer 70 and therefore remain there for
the life of the material or product made from the sheet material
and provide anti-microbial properties for the entire time. It is
advantageous to have the anti-microbial agent only at the surface
since this is the only place where it comes into contact with
microbes and fungi and to have the agent in other places in the
multi-layer sheet material is wasteful.
[0332] Another type of multi-layer sheet construction, which may be
used to accomplish the purposes of the present invention is shown
in FIG. 17. In this arrangement the multi-layer sheet material 72
has a main support layer 74 and both surfaces thereof have surface
layers 78 and 80, respectively. One or both of the surface layers
78 and 80 have the anti-microbial agent. Layer 74 is a wide sheet
of material, which may be extruded of thermoplastic material. It
can be a rigid material or a flexible material depending upon the
end use. The second and third layers of wide sheet material are
attached to it by suitable means known in the art or they may be
co-extruded as described below in connection with FIGS. 21-23.
There is a surface layer having an anti-microbial agent (which may
be or include an anti-fungal agent) is attached to both sides of
the composite layers. These layers are connected by a suitable
means known in the art when they are not co-extruded.
[0333] This three layer arrangement may be co-extruded at one time
so that the three layers are bonded together immediately after
extrusion and while the layers are still hot and prior to
quenching. For a discussion of the co-extrusion process, see FIGS.
21 and 22 and the description thereof which appears below.
[0334] There are many uses which may be made of this composite, and
the end use is evaluated to determine additional features which are
added. For example, if the finished composite of FIG. 16 or FIG. 17
is to be formed into a shape for cafeteria trays or food trays (see
FIG. 20), then only one surface layer having the anti-microbial
agent is needed and the support layer is rigid to provide rigidity
to the tray. The material is hard and smooth so that it may be
easily cleaned yet still provide the anti-microbial effect. The
food tray is die formed after the sheet is made by the co-extrusion
process.
[0335] It is possible to form the three layer sheet 72 which
includes the support layer 74 of at least 10 microns in thickness
which is extruded at the same time as a second sheet 78 which
becomes a two-layer sheet, the second sheet being 4 microns in
thickness and being supported by the first layer. The extruding of
both layers is done at the same time and the second sheet 78 is
joined to the first sheet 74 before the quenching is complete. If
desired a third sheet 80 similar to the second one, 78, can be made
at the same time. The second and third sheets may have an
anti-microbial agent of the type discussed herein mixed with the
thermoplastic material so that the three layer sheet has a thin top
layer and a thin bottom layer which possess anti-microbial
properties.
[0336] FIG. 18 shows a multi-layer sheet 82 having a first inner
layer 84 and a second inner layer 86 with two surface layers 88 and
90. It also includes edge layers 92 and 76, and which is suitable
for various purposes. It may be constructed as shown in FIGS. 21
and 22 and as described below.
[0337] FIG. 19 shows a multi-layer sheet 94 which has a shape in
the form of a curve and which includes a center support layer 96
and two surface layers 98 and 100.
[0338] FIG. 20 shows a food tray 102 which may be the type which
contains food and is purchased in food stores with food packaged
therein. This tray includes two basic parts, a bottom 104 and a top
106. The bottom 104 may be of PET which is crystallized in order to
provide a firm layer which may support the food products contained
therein. After the multi-layer sheet material is made, the food
tray parts are formed in dies. This bottom part 104 has a bottom
layer 108 and four side-walls 110, 112, 114, and 116. For all the
parts of the bottom 104, there is an inner layer 118 of a thin film
which is attached to a support layer 122 and this film 118 contains
an anti-microbial agent as indicated by the stippling. There are
tabs 124 and 125 on the bottom which fit into holes 120 on the top
106. The top is made of a transparent material and is in the
amorphous state. The anti-microbial agent prevents the growing of
microbes which are killed upon contact with the inner film layer of
the bottom of the food tray.
Co-Extruded Sheet Material Laminates
[0339] With reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, a suitable die has a
funnel-shaped expansion chamber 128 terminating in a slotted die
outlet 130 defined by a pair of spaced die lips. The die has a
shallow chamber entrance section 132.
[0340] The feed block 126 comprises a plurality of slotted layer
distribution passages 134 in the form of mutually spaced apart
slots or openings lying substantially parallel to slotted die
outlet 130. The passages extend from an inlet side to an outlet
side of the feed block 126.
[0341] The feed block further comprises end encapsulation slots 166
and 158 extending between inlet and outlet sides without
intersecting passages 134 and lying substantially perpendicular
thereto. Otherwise, slots 166 and 158 may extend along planes
converging together from the inlet side to the outlet side. The
feed block assembly 152 includes a frame 136 connected to the
upstream end of the die in some suitable manner and defining a
chamber (not shown) open on opposite sides to facilitate removal
and replacement of feed block 126 with an interchangeable feed
block designed to accommodate specific resin viscosities, selected
polymer matchups, layer thickness changes, layer geometry, etc.
[0342] Frame 136 includes various connectors 138A and 138B to which
extruders (not shown) of polymer melts are connected, and to which
feed channels or feed lines (also not shown) are likewise connected
for feeding the melts to slots 134A-134E, 166 and 158, or to
selected ones thereof.
[0343] The feed block may be connected in some suitable manner to
frame 136 or may be unconnected thereto.
[0344] Apparatus generally designated 152 is illustrated in FIGS.
21 and 22 as comprising a slit die 140 of mating die halves. A feed
block assembly, generally designated 150, is totally integrated
into the die as it is inserted within a die cavity 156 open at the
upstream end of the die and at opposing sides of the die, shown in
FIG. 21. Feed block assembly 150 comprises feed block 126,
connectors 138A and 138B and melt feed lines 141A and 141B,
respectively, extending from the connector 138A for feeding plastic
melt from the extruder to the slotted passages 134A, 134B and 134C,
and from the connector 138B for feeding plastic melts from the
extruder to the slotted passages 134D and 134E. When an
anti-microbial or the like is to be provided in the thinner outer
sides of the sheet material, such an agent is added into the melt
which is then extruded and fed to feed line 141B and connector 138B
to extruding slots 134D and 134E. In the event the edges of the
laminated sheet material is to differ from the material fed into
feed lines 141A and 141B, a third feed line (not shown) can be
connected to slotted passages 166 and 158 of the feed block. If the
edges are not to be different the slotted passages 166 and 158 are
not or may be omitted from the construction of feed block 126.
Thus, the entire feed block assembly 150 can be removed from cavity
156 and replaced by another feed block assembly for a new
production cycle.
[0345] Feed block 126 of apparatus 152 can be provided with
externally accessible means to control the melt streams of polymer
melt passing through the outermost slots 134D and 134E for
adjusting the distribution of the outer or skin layers of the skin
laminate to be formed. Such control means may be in the form of a
restrictor bar 154 extending transversely to the direction of flow
of melt through the passages for controlling the width and/or shape
of the outermost passage upon manual manipulation of an adjustment
screw 146. The restrictor bar may be located in a side cavity 148
of the feed block.
[0346] Otherwise, the skin layer control means may be in the form
of a driven wedge 164 mating with a drive wedge 160 connected to a
screw drive 142 via flange 162, as more clearly shown in FIG. 22.
The wedges may be housed in a suitable side cavity 144, and a
turning of screw drive 142 shifts wedge 160 along the screw drive
and causes the driven wedge to be shifted transversely relative to
the melt flow through the feed block for controlling the
distribution of the skin layer flowing through the outer-most
passage of the feed block.
[0347] Restrictor bar 154 can be utilized on both sides of the feed
block, and the wedge arrangement can likewise be utilized on both
sides. Restrictor bar 154 and wedge 164 can have flat melt flow
engaging surfaces, or these surfaces can be concavely or convexly
shaped or otherwise contoured to control the layer distribution of
the skin layers by modifying the outer slots to accommodate
differences in melt viscosities, etc.
[0348] With this arrangement one or both outer layers may have an
anti-microbial agent. If a three-layer arrangement is made it can
have a center layer of 10 m and the outer layers may be 4 m. In
such an event the particle size may be about 1.5-2 m. If zeolite of
silver particles are used and made this size then substantially
every particle of zeolite will have at least a portion exposed by
projecting through the outer surface of the layer in which it is
embedded.
[0349] FIG. 23 shows a die 168 having a single extrusion slot with
three portions, 170, 172 and 174. The sheet which is extruded
thereby is shown having a center section 176 and two edge portions
178 and 180. The width of the center portion 176 is the same as the
widths of the edge portions together. When the extrusion process
takes place die slot portion 170 produces edge portion 178, die
slot portion 172 produces center portion 176 and die slot portion
174 produces edge portion 180. The stippling indicates that an
anti-microbial and/or an anti-fungal agent has been incorporated
into the center portion of the extruded sheet. The extruded sheet
is shown having a thickness 182 which is the same throughout,
although portions could be of different thickness if this is
desired.
[0350] Thus FIG. 23 shows a manner of making a co-extrusion
multi-layer sheet in which the edges 178 and 180 of the extruded
sheet are different from the center 176 in some respect and if
desired, after extrusion and while still having the heat of the
extrusion (prior to quenching) the two edge portions 178 and 180
are folded under to provide a layer under the center section. In
this manner a two-layer sheet is formed with layer 176 having
microbe and fungus killing properties on one side of the two-layer
sheet.
[0351] If desired, the die and sheet could have only two sections
of equal width, in which event one would be folded over the other
to form the two-layer sheet with one layer having anti-microbial
properties.
Multi-Layer Sheet Material
[0352] Anti-microbial agents can be used in making sheet materials
for a variety of applications in which it is necessary or desirable
to reduce bacterial and fungal growth and their resultant odor.
[0353] In manufacturing these materials, any of the embodiments
described above could be used. Both the strength and resiliency of
these materials is important. Any number of shaped designs could be
used as appropriate. In some instances, round would be appropriate
whereas in other instances rectangular or other shapes, both simple
and complicated would be appropriate, all depending upon the use to
be made of the material.
[0354] Also, other modifications of the characteristics of these
materials beyond that of adding anti-microbial agents, including
the addition of agents to increase or decrease hydrophobicity, is
useful. In addition, anti-odor additives may be particularly useful
in cafeteria or other types of food trays.
[0355] The relatively small size of the preferred anti-microbial
agent which is silver-containing zeolite compounds (or other
carriers such as zirconium phosphate or disolvable glasses) (which
can be as small as 2 microns and less) that are used in the
manufacturing of the sheet film allow these anti-microbial agents
to be incorporated into the thin sheet films instead of being
applied to them. Thus, because these anti-microbial agents are an
integral part of the film, they are not washed or easily abraded
away and the finished articles manufactured from them are able to
withstand significant wear and multiple washings while maintaining
their anti-microbial effectiveness. In the case of products which
are thrown away after use, the resistance to washings is not an
important factor.
[0356] Specifically, higher loading of the anti-microbial agents
(up to 5 times) is used to more effectively act against fungi. This
higher loading may be achieved by using various zeolites followed
by heating the film polymer, e.g. PET, to between 180 and 230
degrees Fahrenheit in hot water which allows further metal loading
or ion exchange to replace resident metal ions with another ion or
mixture of ions. In addition, this would allow the zeolite at or
near the surface of the film to be preferentially loaded with the
metal ion or mixtures thereof that has the desired biological
effect. These methods are particularly useful in reducing costs
when expensive metal ions, such as silver, are used in these
processes. Also, by adding certain metals, e.g. silver, at this
point in the process and not having it present during the high
temperature film extrusion process, any yellowing or discoloration
due to oxidation of the metal ion or its exposure to sulfur and
halogens would be greatly reduced.
[0357] The synthetic films used in the present invention can be
made of various polymers and co-polymers, including thermoplastic
ones. These polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene
(PE), polypropylene (PP), nylon (PA), styrene, ionomers (such as
surlyn.RTM.), poly 1,4 cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate
(PCT), PET, PET type G (PETG), co-PET, and co-polymers generally.
These films can also contain styrene, PTFE, 3GT, PTT and various
polyamides.
[0358] As defined in this invention, anti-microbial means a
thousand-fold reduction in bacteria. Thus, the materials and
products of this invention are subjected to tests which show a
1000-fold reduction in colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria. To
kill bacteria means a ten thousand-fold reduction in bacteria and
the materials and products of this invention are capable of a
10,000-fold reduction in CFU of bacteria.
[0359] This level of antibacterial protection is achieved generally
by having between 0.1 and 20 percent by weight of an anti-microbial
agent incorporated into a multi-layered sheet material.
Alternatively, the anti-microbial agent concentration can be
reduced to between 0.2 and 6.0 percent in multi-layer sheets in
which the anti-microbial agent is only mixed into the outer
layer(s) of the multi-layer sheet. This latter configuration allows
less anti-microbial compound to be used, thus significantly
reducing the cost of manufacture, and thus the cost of the sheet
material.
[0360] It is also possible to use these integrated anti-microbial
compounds to make sheet materials and products that have a varying
distribution of the anti-microbial agent. For example, by varying
the concentrations of the anti-microbial agent during mixture with
the film-forming polymers, films having varying anti-microbial
content can be formed which can then be added in varying amounts to
form sheet materials having varying concentrations of
anti-microbial agents. In addition, the amount of anti-microbial
present in the film itself can be varied, either lengthwise or in
cross-section. Similarly, higher and lower concentrations of these
anti-microbial agents in the overall films can be achieved by using
multi-layered sheets in which, for example, the anti-microbial
agent is present only in an outer layer section, thus significantly
reducing manufacturing and selling costs. Any of the above
manufactured anti-microbial films can be used with films that do
not contain anti-microbial agents such that sheets and products can
be made having overall and localized variations in concentrations
of anti-microbial agents.
[0361] Color pigments can be added to these anti-microbial films in
order to provide a pleasing coloration for such sheet materials,
when the ultimate products are purchased by consumers. Similarly to
the above anti-microbial agents, these pigment materials can be
added such that the pigments are encapsulated in the polymers that
are used to make these sheet materials. By using this method of
coloring the films, materials for end use products made from these
colored films are color-fast and do not leach out their color
during washing, thus significantly reducing fading during use and
washing. This, in and of itself, can reduce the costs of
manufacturing finished colored sheet materials due to the
elimination of the manufacturing infrastructure and associated
personnel needed to process residual dye effluents.
[0362] In a similar fashion to anti-microbial agents and color
pigments, a variety of other additives that are used for various
purposes can be combined with the polymers during or after film
formation and extrusion. For example, additives that protect
against damage from UV light can be added to the film polymer or
coated onto it so that the sheet materials or end use products
formed are resistant to the fading of colors and UV damage
generally, although this is not a factor for all products. Both
flame-resistant and -retardant agents can also be added to the
films of this invention in a manner similar to that described for
UV protecting agents. In this way, the sheet materials formed can
be made resistant to fire.
[0363] In addition, the films can be made either hydrophilic or
hydrophobic as desired by mixing other agents into the film
polymers or applying them to the film surface. By modifying the
wetability characteristics of the films, they can be made more
useful for various applications. For example, hydrophilic films are
effective in applications in which one wants the anti-microbial
sheet material to more easily absorb water, such as when the
material is designed to be used in humid conditions. Alternatively,
hydrophobic films are effective in applications in which one wants
to avoid the absorption of such solutions.
[0364] The anti-microbial agents can also be added to low-melt
polymer films that can be activated and melted during sheet
material production by raising the temperature, thus spreading the
anti-microbial agents throughout the material when the low-melt
films melt and coat the surface of the supporting layer. By varying
the amount of anti-microbial-containi- ng low-melt film regionally
and/or by varying the amount of anti-microbial agent in these
low-melt films, a sheet material can be produced that has a
purposely designed regional variation in anti-microbial
effectiveness throughout.
[0365] Specifically, the latter situation can be achieved by using
an amorphous binding film such as PETG, which can be blended to
form various types of sheet materials. After heat activation, the
PETG melts, wetting the surface of the surrounding films adjacent
surface or surfaces. In this way, solidified PETG forms and binds
the layers together while spreading the anti-microbial agent
throughout the surfaces. Because of the excellent wetting
characteristics of PETG, the anti-microbial agent can be uniformly
distributed throughout the material. These methods of activating
PETG may also be used to additionally distribute other additives
described above throughout the finished materials.
[0366] The anti-microbial additives used are metals such as copper,
zinc, tin, and silver as part of an inorganic matrix. The best
results can be obtained using a zeolite of silver (or zirconium
phosphate or dissolvable glass), dispersed in a PE, PP, PS, Nylon,
PET, or PBT carrier. These additives can be added directly to the
melt without a carrier. The total anti-microbial additive
concentration ranges from 0.01 to 6.0 percent by weight of fiber
depending on performance requirements. Other additives which can be
incorporated include one or more of UV stabilizers at 0.1 to 5.0
percent; fire-retardant additives at 0.1 to 5.0 percent; pigments
at 0.1 to 5.0 percent; hydrophilic additives at 0.2 to 5.0 percent;
and hydrophobic additives at 0.2 to 5.0 percent.
[0367] Another configuration of the present invention is a
multi-layered film in which the components are the same polymers
and additives as described above. In this embodiment one layer is
used for strength another layer is used as a binder that contains
inserted additives. Variants of this such as three and four layered
products, and even up to ten layered products with the outer two
layers carrying the anti-microbial agent can also be made.
[0368] It should be understood that the nominal binder or binder
component can also be a strength enhancer in some combinations. It
will also be understood that other variants including but not
limited to combinations, can be made. For example, a first
extrusion could produce intermediate film products and such
products could be put together with each other or with separate
layers.
[0369] Another embodiment is a grouping of layers used to practice
the invention. One configuration uses PET or other high tenacity
polymer at between 20 and 70 percent by weight cross section (or an
equivalent). Poly 1,4 cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT)
or other hydrolysis resistant polymer is used in another layer
(e.g. sheath) as 30 to 80 percent of the area. These percentages
derive from a 10.mu. film configuration and are convertible to
other sizes and configurations, the central feature being to
optimize the anti-microbial host portion for an effective amount of
anti-microbials at or close to a film or other product surface for
effectiveness (including reserve capacity if need be) while
minimizing cost of the anti-microbials (metal particles per se or
as incorporated) into zeolite or other primary carriers. One layer
is designed to provide the strength and the modulus can be varied
to create a high modulus layer, or a low modulus layer, or anywhere
in between. The use of PCT in the a layer provides a hydrolysis
resistant surface and resistance to long term washings in boiling
water and strong soaps. The multi-layer anti-microbial/anti-fungal
synthetic layers can be produced in a wide range of
thicknesses.
[0370] Additives include pigments, compounds to create a
hydrophilic surface, and anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-odor
agents. The pigment additives provide uniform colors that do not
fade significantly over long-term use and washing, unlike dyes,
because these additives are integrally mixed within the polymer
making up the sheet or film. In addition, compounds may be used
which create a hydrophilic surface. The anti-microbial, anti-fungal
and anti-odor additives can be varied, both in types and amounts,
depending on the final product desired.
[0371] One layer made from low temperature polymers with a melting
or softening temperature below 200 degrees C., such as PETG, PE,
PP, co-PET, or amorphous PET, may be used as binder carrier for
anti-microbial additives.
[0372] The anti-microbial additives are inorganic compounds of
metals such as copper, tin, zinc, silver, etc. The preferred
compound is a zeolite of silver dispersed in PE, PET, or PBT before
being added to the layer. The additives could be added directly to
the primary polymer with pre-dispersion. The total active
ingredients range from 0.1 to 20 percent by sheet weight.
[0373] Thus, an anti-microbial sheet material can be produced that
is able to withstand significant wear and washings and maintain its
effectiveness.
Office Partition and Office Component Fabrics
[0374] Office partition and office component fabrics, an example
being shown in FIG. 27 which is a cross section through an office
partition in which there is a multi-layer partition having a
filling layer 240, a fabric layer 242 on one side and a third layer
244 which may also be of fabric or can be of a solid material.
Office type partitions walls can be portable or semi-portable
dividers of open area for personnel work stations and other
assigned work and waiting areas for employees and clients. The
fiber can be wholly or partly synthetic fibers which is mono-or
multi-component and can be used with other synthetic or natural
fibers to form a variety of fabrics uses as wall covering and/or
wall fillers. Partitions of this type are used in office factory,
storage and customer service areas. They are provided with fabric
surfaces (woven, knits, or non-woven) for aesthetic reasons, sound
absorption and/or to cushion impacts. They may also be divided with
internal fabric or loose fiber fills for cushioning, wall covering
substrate support and sound and/or thermal insulation purposes. The
anti-microbial agent is incorporated into the fibers in one or both
of the outer layers 240 and 244. This can include fabrics for
office, hospital, waiting area, classrooms, busses, cars, and the
like and also curtains, upholstery, carpets and bedspreads. In
addition to the anti-microbial agent, other materials can be added
to the fibers such as pigments, fire retardants, color fixing
agents, and UV resistant agents. Partitions are assembled,
disassembled, moved and reassembled with some frequency. This and
traffic around such partitions creates an environment for spread of
airborne or contact transmitted disease, and partitions are
frequently touched. This invention provides partition systems and
other articles of the type described. An anti-static agent can be
added to assist in dissipating static charges which create
problems, for example, when computers are being used. The product
remains intact when subjected to normal cleaning and can be
assembled by being needle punched, resin bonded wet laid,
thermo-bonded, and spun bond. In office environments there is the
spillage of food and spills from office supply and janitorial
materials and simple hand contact on wall surfaces. These and other
environmental insults have the potential to leave residues that can
be good substrates for the growth of bacteria, mold and other
microbes. They can be in moist environments and the partitions are
site for growth, and also from airborne microbes.
Car Wash Materials
[0375] Car wash materials, including shami type materials, in which
the anti-microbial features last for the normal life of car wash
cloths, for example, from 6 to 9 months. In car washes, many types
of fabrics are used in the washing process. For instance, the
automatic machines that wash cars use a variety of shaped fabrics
to clean the car. In addition, cloths of various kinds are used in
the waxing, dying, and finishing processes. Due to their continual
contact with water, which itself is often recycled, these materials
are often wet for long periods of time. This type of situation is
very favorable to the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other
microbes. As a result of the above, the use of anti-microbial
fibers in the manufacture of materials used to clean cars in car
washes is a desirable goal. These anti-microbial fiber-containing
materials are useful in materials used by the automatic machinery
and by individuals employed to clean the cars as well as in other
ancillary materials.
[0376] Specifically, the shaped fabrics used for automatically
cleaning the car and the hand towels used to wax, dry, and
otherwise finish the car are better products when these
anti-microbial fibers are added to them. In manufacturing these
materials, any of the embodiments described above could be used.
Both the strength and resiliency of these materials is important
given that they are used multiple times and are subject to being
constantly in contact with water. Thus, both bi-component fibers
and mixed fiber fabrics are useful embodiments for car wash
materials. Also, other modifications of the characteristics of
these fibers and fabrics beyond that of adding anti-microbial
agents, including the addition of agents to change the
hydrophobicity, are useful in view of their constant contact with
water. Thus, these anti-microbial materials that are manufactured
to be used in car washes significantly reduce the growth of mold,
mildew, and bacteria. By achieving this goal, odors associated with
the long-term use of these materials is reduced. Also, the number
of times they can be re-used before being discarded is increased,
both because of the incorporation of anti-microbial fibers into
these materials and the strengthening strategies indicated above.
These characteristics also result in a significant costs savings in
the operation of car washes. The hydrophilic and anti-microbial
additives provide a hydrolysis-resistant surface that results in
long-term protection against washings in boiling water and strong
soaps, and also degreasers and chemical based cleaners. The
anti-microbial synthetic fibers can further be blended with
non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester,
polypropylene, acrylic, nylon and the like, to provide
anti-microbial finished fabrics that are able to withstand
significant wear and washings and while maintaining their
effectiveness.
Car Wash Water Filters
[0377] Car wash water filters are more useful when the
anti-microbial fibers are used in the making of such filters. Also
batts and "brillo" type pads can be used which float, or are
submerged in a recycled water storage tank, and the anti-microbial
fibers included in them kill the microbes, which are in the tank.
This is especially important in car washes, which recycle the wash
water, which is the majority of car washes. In car washes, the
water that is used to wash the cars and the associated materials
for performing the washing and drying operations is often recycled
water. However, there are several disadvantages to using recycled
water. These include the dirt and odor-causing materials found in
the water, including various bacteria, fungi, and other microbes.
Because of the use of recycled water, very favorable conditions
exist for the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. As a
result of the above, the use of anti-microbial fibers in the
manufacture of filter materials used to clean the recycled water
before re-use in car washes is a desirable goal. These
anti-microbial fiber-containing filters are useful in reducing the
build-up of biological materials and films, both on the machinery
employed to clean fabrics and other materials associated with the
car wash process, due to the recycled water re-use. Specifically,
the shaped fabrics used for automatically cleaning the car and the
hand towels used to wax, dry, and otherwise finish the car are less
prone to the development of bacterial and fungal films. They are
also less likely to impart undesirable odors to the car itself. In
addition, the recycled water itself would be less likely to impart
any odors to the car. They assist in improving the air quality for
customers as they drive through a car wash, and also for the
employees. In manufacturing these materials, any of the embodiments
described above could be used. Both the strength and resiliency of
these materials is important given that they are used multiple
times and are subject to the high pressures characteristic of
filtering processes. Any number of filter shape designs could be
used as appropriate to the step in the filtration that was being
performed. In some instances, round filters would be appropriate
whereas in other instances pleated or other shape filters would be
appropriate, all depending on the pressure and volume
characteristics of the recycled water flow. Also, the batts
mentioned above can be used in the recycled water storage tanks or
sumps to assist in cleaning the water by killing microbes and
fungi. Anti-odor additives may be particularly useful in this
application given the use of recycled water. Thus, these
anti-microbial car wash filters and batts significantly reduce the
growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria in the recycled water and on
car wash materials. By achieving this goal, odors associated with
the long-term use of recycled water and these materials would be
reduced. Also, the number of times the recycled water and the car
wash materials could be re-used before being discarded could be
increased. The ability to re-use recycled water several additional
times because these types of filters and/or batts are employed in
the recycle process would results in a significant costs savings in
the operation of car washes.
Institutional and Home Furnishings
[0378] Institutional products and home furnishings, such as bed
sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads, blankets, towels, drapes,
bedspreads, pillow shams, carpets, walk-off mats, napkins, linens,
wall coverings, upholstered furniture, liners, mattress ticking,
mattress filling, pillow filling, carpet pads, upholstery fabric
and the like, are significantly improved when made using, at least
in part, the anti-microbial fibers described above. Further details
of these institutional products and home furnishings are provided
below.
[0379] Mattress pads 1/8" to 1" in thickness are made, for example,
as set forth in Example 1 above. The web can be air laid and the
binder fiber melts in an oven. Thus, the sheath is melted and
spreads on the other fibers. 5% of the fiber blend mass can be
anti-microbial fiber. The entire sheath is anti-microbial
fiber.
[0380] Bed sheets and pillowcases can be made of anti-microbial
fiber. They can be constructed using low melt binder fiber blended
in at levels of 1 to 20%. The binder fiber can be blended with
other fibers such as cotton, wool, polyamides, viscose, flax,
acrylic, or polyester. The low melt binder fiber contains levels of
the active anti-microbial ingredient ranging from 0.25% to 5%.
Fiber properties are from 0.7 denier through 25 denier with cut
lengths ranging from 1 mm to 180 mm. Or, it could be a continuous
filament that may be wrap spun.
[0381] The bed sheets and/or pillowcases can also be constructed
using the bi-component sheath/core polyester fibers with the active
anti-microbial ingredient in the sheath only or in other variants,
e.g. a bi-component filament wrap spun with cotton for sheets or
pillowcases, with the anti-microbial on the midst of the yarn.
[0382] The anti-microbial fibers are used to spin yarn in cotton
counts ranging from 4's to 80's. Sheets and pillowcases may be
woven or knitted. Yarns used to weave the bed sheets/pillowcases,
containing the anti-microbial treated fibers, may be used only in
the warp direction, or the filling direction, or may be used in
both.
[0383] Some sheets and pillowcases have been made using 1-15%
anti-microbial fiber in the fabric, which are 1.5-3.5 denier, 11/2"
staple length and in which 15% of the filling yarn is
anti-microbial. For example, they can have 15% anti-microbial
fiber, 35% cotton and 50% untreated polyester.
[0384] PETG is blended with the cotton, and is heated, it does not
ball up but wicks along the other fibers. The cross section becomes
thinner as the PETG flows. For loose knit fabrics 15-20%
anti-microbial fiber is useful to kill the microbes, whereas for
flat woven fabric there can be 10% or less anti-microbial fiber to
kill microbes.
[0385] The same fabric can be used in bed sheets and for medical
scrubs. Woven fabric is desized to remove starch from the warp
yarns. High loft batting is used to stuff the mattress pad. 15% of
fiber blend is bi-component. In one example, the fiber was made
with all PET sheath and core, and was 61/2 oz per square yard, 6
denier blended with 6 denier regular while.
[0386] In another example, medical scrubs have been made comprised
of 30% blue bi-component fibers (in a 60% core, 40% sheath
configuration), 50% cotton and 20% plain polyester. Higher
percentages of bi-component, success has been achieved in killing
(i.e., 99.99%) Vancomycin-resistant enterococci and staph
bacteria.
Anti-Microbial Products for Institutional and Home Furnishings
[0387] Institutional and home furnishings include a variety of
items such as bed sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads, blankets,
towels, drapes, bedspreads, pillow shams, carpets, walk-off mats,
napkins, linens, wall coverings, upholstered furniture, liners,
mattress ticking, mattress filling, pillow filling, carpet pads,
upholstery fabric, and each of these have different requirements
depending upon their intended use. While topical applications of
agents have been used in the past they do not stand up to wear and
to repeated launderings. Therefore, the present invention provides
for the addition of such agents, such as anti-microbial agents at
the fiber making stage of manufacture and prior to the fabric or
material or product being prepared.
Bed Sheets and Pillow Cases
[0388] These will usually have the same requirements and be
prepared in a similar manner. Fibers and yarns have been prepared
to have anti-microbial properties and then are used to make bed
sheets and pillow case material which is then made into the final
product. Thermal blankets have been made comprised of 90% cotton
and 10% PETG having a silver zeolite antimicrobial component.
[0389] Knitted bed sheets, for example, can be made of 75%
conventional polyesters and 25% blended bi-component. Typically,
these are formed in two layers with the antimicrobial layer on the
face side and wicking away from the patient's body. Such bed sheets
are especially useful with burn patients and persons with night
sweats, such as menopausal women. These embodiments reduce body
odors and the need for daily laundering.
Mattress Pads
[0390] The anti-microbial fibers are used for the top and bottom
layers of the pads which are sealed or connected to each other
along their perimeters. This can be by sewing with thread or in
some other suitable manner. The center is filled with a batting
material which includes 15% anti-microbial fiber produced as
described below. The top and bottom layers are woven fabric which
is made from yarn which contains 15% anti-microbial fiber produced
as described below.
[0391] It has been found that when these fabrics are dyed, the
dyeing process can have the effect of blocking the anti-microbial
action. However, in accordance with the present invention this
problem is resolved by using hot water soaks or washes which
rejuvenates the fiber's anti-microbial agents.
[0392] Anti-microbial fibers can be used to make materials for a
variety of applications in which it is necessary or desirable to
reduce bacterial and fungal growth and their resultant odor.
Specifically, in institutional environments, these materials can be
used in support substrates for furnishings. In these situations,
these support materials are subject to a variety of environmental
insults that can cause the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other
microbes. These include the spillage of food and its seepage inside
furnishings and spills from janitorial materials. These and other
environmental insults have the potential to leave residues that can
be good substrates for the growth of bacteria, mold, and other
microbes. Therefore, unsanitary conditions can occur along with the
associated bad odor, both of which can contribute to patient
sickness and allergy, a deterioration of patient morale, and sick
building syndrome, in general.
[0393] As a result of the above, the use of anti-microbial fibers
in the manufacture of support substrates for institutional
furnishings is a desirable goal. These anti-microbial
fiber-containing support substrates are useful in reducing the
build-up of biological materials and films, thus reducing
associated patient discomfort and environmental contamination.
Specifically, the anti-microbial-fiber containing support
substrates could be coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or
laminated to woven or knit fabrics in the construction of
institutional furnishings.
[0394] In manufacturing the furnishing type materials, both the
strength and resiliency of these materials is important given that
they must stand up to a variety of environmental insults, frequent
moves, and varying storage conditions. They must also be strong
enough to act as supporting members of the furnishings themselves.
Thus, both bi-component fibers and mixed fiber fabrics are useful
embodiments for support substrates for institutional furnishings.
Also, other modifications of the characteristics of these fibers,
their associated fabrics, and support materials beyond that of
adding anti-microbial agents, including the addition of agents to
increase or decrease hydrophobicity, are useful given the need for
frequent cleanings and washings. In addition, anti-odor additives
may be particularly useful in this application given this frequency
of cleaning as well as the variety and number of environmental
insults to which these fabrics are exposed.
[0395] Thus, these anti-microbial materials that are manufactured
to be used in support substrates for institutional furnishings
significantly reduce the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria in
the institutions. By achieving this goal, odors associated with the
long-term use of these materials and their frequent storage and
re-use is reduced. Also, the length of time that these furnishings
can be used in the office increases greatly, thus resulting in a
significant costs savings in the furnishing of institutions.
[0396] Color pigments may be added to these anti-microbial fibers
in order to provide the desired coloration for finished fabrics and
materials. Similarly to the above anti-microbials, these pigment
materials can be added such that the pigments are encapsulated in
the polymers that are used to make these fabrics. By using this
method of coloring the fibers, materials and fabrics made from
these colored fibers are color-fast and do not leach out their
color during washing, thus significantly reducing fading during
wear and washing. In addition, since the need for conventional
dyeing techniques can be reduced or eliminated, the disposal of
environmentally damaging dye materials is avoided. This, in and of
itself, can reduce the costs of manufacturing finished colored
fabrics due to the elimination of the manufacturing infrastructure
and associated personnel needed to process residual dye
effluents.
[0397] In a similar fashion to anti-microbial agents and color
pigments, a variety of other additives that are used for various
purposes can be combined with the polymers during or after fiber
formation and extrusion. For example, additives that protect
against damage from UV light may be added to the fiber polymer or
coated onto it so that the fabrics and materials formed are
resistant to the fading of colors and UV damage generally. Both
flame-resistant and -retardant agents can also be added to the
fibers of this invention in a manner similar to that described for
UV protecting agents. In this way, the fabrics and materials formed
can be made resistant to fire. Anti-stain agents can also be added
to the fibers or resultant fabrics in the above manner.
[0398] In addition, the fibers can be made either hydrophilic or
hydrophobic as desired by mixing other agents into the fiber
polymers or applying them to the fiber surface. By modifying the
wetability characteristics of the fibers, they can be made more
useful for various applications. For example, hydrophilic fibers
are effective in applications in which one wants the anti-microbial
fabric or material to more easily absorb water, such as when the
fabric is designed to absorb solutions containing bacteria and
fungi and other microbes. Alternatively, hydrophobic fibers are
effective in applications in which one wants to avoid the
absorption of such solutions, such as in the manufacture of
clothing, in general, and in work clothes, in particular.
[0399] The anti-microbial agents can also be added to low-melt
polymer fibers that can be activated and melted during fabric
production by raising the temperature, thus spreading the
anti-microbial agents throughout the fabric when the low-melt
fibers melt and coat the interstitial intersections of the other
fibers. By varying the amount of anti-microbial-containing low-melt
fiber regionally and/or by varying the amount of anti-microbial
agent in these low-melt fibers, a fabric or material can be
produced that has a purposely designed regional variation in
anti-microbial effectiveness throughout.
[0400] Specifically, the latter situation can be achieved by using
an amorphous binding fiber such as PETG, which can be blended into
yarns and with other fibers to form fabrics and materials. After
heat activation, the PETG fibers melt, wetting the surface of the
surrounding fibers and settling at the junctions of other
heat-stable fibers. In this way, solidified drops of PETG form at
these junctions and bind the fibers together while spreading the
anti-microbial agent throughout the fiber. Because of the excellent
wetting characteristics of PETG, the anti-microbial agent can be
uniformly distributed throughout the fabric. These methods of
activating PETG fibers may also be used to additionally distribute
pigments and the other additives described above throughout the
finished fabrics and materials.
[0401] The binder fiber carrier containing polymers and
anti-microbial additives can be blended with non anti-microbial
fibers such as cotton, wool, polyethylene, polypropylene, PETG,
polycaprolactone, polyester (PET), amorphous PET, acrylic, nylon,
PTT, 3GT, rayon, modified rayon, and acetate to form anti-microbial
finished fabrics. Thus, an anti-microbial finished fabric is
produced that is able to withstand significant wear and washings
and maintain its effectiveness.
[0402] A typical example of this embodiment is a fiber using PETG
polymer with a silver zeolite additive to blend with cotton at
concentrations up to 10 percent by weight to produce a bed sheet.
The binder fiber is activated in the drying cycle of the final
bleaching operation or other heat operation. The PETG then melts
and wets the surface of the cotton fibers to carry the
anti-microbial property to the entire sheet with an added benefit
of increasing strength and reducing pilling.
Athletic Wear
[0403] Athletic wear clothing and liners, including athletic wear
liners made from a wholly or partly synthetic fiber that can be
wither mono-or multi-component in nature, and binder fibers both
staple and filament, with anti-microbial properties and which can
be used with other synthetic or natural fibers to form a variety of
fabrics and materials. Athletic wear is subject to the accumulation
of bacteria, fungi, and associated odors that can proliferate in
the presence of sweat and other bodily secretions that result from
strenuous exercise in this type of clothing. This type of product
may be made using anti-microbial fibers, and which for some
applications are provided with a layer which touches the skin and
wicks away the sweat to make a more comfortable garment (or liner)
and this type of article benefits from the use of anti-microbial
fibers in at least one layer. They can include T-shirts, crotch
liners, bicycle pants and shirts, sweat suits, athletic supporters,
stretch pants, long underwear, and athletic socks. Because this
type of clothing is constantly and intermittently being soaked with
sweat and brought into contact with dirt and associated materials,
they are subject to bacterial and fungal growth as well as to the
development of associated odors. By manufacturing this clothing
with lining materials made, at least partially, of the
anti-microbial fibers of this invention, growth of microbes could
be reduced. In addition, the exacerbation of microbial growth and
resultant odor production upon storage of this type of clothing in
bags over time could be reduced. These anti-microbial
fiber-containing clothing is useful in reducing the growth of
bacteria, fungi, and other microbes once soaked with sweat, thus
reducing associated odors and the discomfort of the individual.
Specifically, the anti-microbial-fiber containing fabrics may be
used in the interior linings of shirts and pants or shorts, such as
those used in running and bicycling. These anti-microbial fibers
may also be used in the manufacture of athletic clothing that does
not have linings. This type of athletic clothing is then able to be
used for long periods of time while maintaining its anti-microbial
and anti-odor properties because of its resistance to multiple
washings. In addition, the methods described above could also be
used to produce clothing dyed in a variety of colors that would
possesses the characteristics of inhibiting microbial growth and
its associated odors, thus increasing its versatility.
[0404] Athletic clothing could, for example, be comprised of 90%
cotton and 10% PETG with silver zeolite.
Mop Yarns
[0405] Mop head fabrics can be of fibers in yarns, knitted fabrics,
woven fabrics or non-woven fabrics. Mop head fabrics are subject to
bacterial and fungal growth due to their constantly being wetted
upon use, and are left wet in storage and allowed to air-dry. This
constant wetting also causes the development of odors and the
eventual deterioration of the integrity of the mop head materials
themselves. Mop heads can transfer bacteria and fungi from one area
to another and thus can be the cause of significant collections of
microbes and fungi. Thus, these mop head fabrics made from
anti-microbial materials significantly reduce the growth of mold,
mildew, and bacteria. By achieving this goal, odors associated with
the long-term use of these materials are reduced. Also, the number
of times they may be re-used before being discarded is increased,
both because of the incorporation of anti-microbial fibers into
these materials and the strengthening strategies indicated above.
These characteristics also result in a significant costs savings in
the use of mop heads in industrial settings.
Medical Wipes
[0406] Medical wipes are made using anti-microbial fibers in their
manufacture. These anti-microbial fiber-containing medical wipes
are useful in reducing the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other
microbes that can be introduced from the environment during the
cleaning of surfaces in institutional settings, thus reducing and
preventing infections generally. Specifically, the
anti-microbial-fiber containing fabrics may be used in both the
covering fabric and the water absorbent interior material. In this
way, both surface and interior protection can be achieved. In
addition, these materials could also be manufactured as reusable
wipes because the anti-microbial effect of the fibers of this
invention are resistant to multiple washings. Thus, a significant
cost savings could be realized in the purchasing of supplies in a
variety of institutional settings, including hospitals and nursing
homes.
[0407] The finished product may be constructed of nonwoven, knit,
woven or other process. It may also be treated or pre-moistened
with a topical treatment such as a soap solution or other additive.
The finished product can be produced from any combination of
natural or synthetic fiber in addition to the anti-microbial
fibers. The wipe cloth may be unitary or combined or laminated to
some other fabric.
[0408] In manufacturing these materials, any of the embodiments
described above or below can be used. Both the strength and
resiliency of these materials is important given that they must
withstand the cleaning of multiple surfaces. Thus, both
bi-component fibers and mixed fiber fabrics are useful embodiments
for medical wipes. Also, other modifications of the characteristics
of these fibers and fabrics beyond that of adding anti-microbial
agents, including the addition of agents to increase or decrease
hydrophobicity, are useful in manufacturing sturdy medical wipes.
Also, anti-odor additives are useful in this application given the
exposure of the wipes to a variety of biological and chemical
environmental contaminants. Thus, these anti-microbial materials
can significantly reduce the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria
in medical wipes.
[0409] In one multi-layer embodiment, there is a skin contacting
layer which contains the anti-microbial fibers, an absorbent layer
adjacent to the first layer and which contains a cleaning solution,
a non-permeable layer adjacent the absorbent layer to prevent the
user being contacted with the solution or by any of the products
from a wound, and a tab attached to the non-permeable layer as a
handle for the user.
Dust Masks and Evaporation Surfaces
[0410] Dust masks are vulnerable to the capture and seeding of
bacteria and fungi. They can provide hospitable sites for the
protected growth and the inhalation/exhalation of microbes. These
products benefit from having anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents
incorporated into them. Dust masks may be of a nonwoven
construction of anti-microbial fibers (at least in part) and may be
covered on one or both sides with a fabric layer. Such masks which
can have or provided anti-microbial containing filters are useful
in reducing the build-up of biological materials on the dust mask
which could be inhaled by the user. Both bi-component fibers and
mixed fiber fabrics are useful embodiments for dust masks. Other
agents may be used as disclosed herein.
[0411] Humidifier evaporation surface media introduces an
anti-microbial fiber into the evaporation surface media for
humidifiers. Such a media prevents the growth of mold, mildew,
bacteria, and fungi on the media. Preventing such growth reduces or
eliminates the "musty smell" currently experienced when such
devices are started up to humidify home or office environments. It
reduces or prevents the growth of organisms in humidifier systems
to prevent odor and bacterial growth. The media may be made of a
nonwoven fibrous material made at least in part of the
anti-microbial fibers disclosed herein. FIG. 28 is a schematic view
of a humidifier evaporation surface media, which is made at least
in part of anti-microbial fibers, used to humidify air. FIG. 29
shows a humidifier pad which could float on the surface of a tank,
be attached to the bottom or sides of the tank, or in the suction
or discharge sides of the circulation pump, and it is made at least
in part of the anti-microbial fiber disclosed herein. FIG. 30 shows
a "fish tank" circulation/aeration system. An anti-microbial pad or
filter is on the suction or discharge side of the pump or attached
to the bottom on the sides of the tank. This helps prevent the
growth of microbes in recirculation systems and tanks which can not
use chemicals or in which it is desired not to use chemicals. This
and other uses for anti-microbial fibers in different environments
show that a person working, for example, in a moldy or dirty
environment would want as much assistance as possible in a
respirator or filter or mask. Also, one wants the anti-microbial
agent to remain in the fiber and not be inhaled by the user.
Career Apparel
[0412] The present invention is also suitable for use in industries
such as meat-packing, where warmth is desired but microbial load
must be minimized in a wet environment. In a non-limiting example,
20-35% Kevlar may be combined with 20% bi-component fiber and plain
PET to make cut-resistant gloves.
[0413] In other embodiment, 30% bi-component fiber (60% core, 40%
sheath) has been used with 70% PET to make a butcher's apron.
[0414] In another embodiment, 25% bi-component has been used with
75% polyester to make dress shirts that are odor resistant.
Boat Bilge Pads
[0415] Boat bilge anti-microbial pads can be made at least in part
with anti-microbial fibers can be used in a filter in the system or
can be used in a manner similar to that of the car wash filter in
pads which are placed into the water storage tank to kill bacteria
in the water.
Laundry Bags
[0416] Laundry bags can be made at least in part of anti-microbial
fibers as described herein to reduce odors and to kill bacteria
which may be present in the bags.
[0417] Apparel can be made using anti-microbial fiber as described
elsewhere herein.
Insoles
[0418] A further embodiment of practice of the invention is shown
in FIGS. 24 and 25 wherein an insertable innersole 210 for shoes
and boots is made up of multi-layers indicated in FIG. 24. The
layering is indicated before heating and pressing this laminate to
form a bonded construction. The innersole has anti-microbial that
are available in the as fully manufactured product and, as in other
embodiments of the invention described above, are provided in a
cost efficient way.
[0419] A top layer 212 of the laminate is made of a non-woven or
woven array of fibers, preferably of polyester, has an overall
weight of 2.5 to 6.0 oz. per square yard and includes some 5-25% of
its weight as fibers that are mono-component or multi-component and
incorporate zeolites of silver or other anti-microbial dispersed
substantially uniformly in the layer. In eventual processing the
surface 213 gets treated by embossing, ultrasonic bonding and/or
other modification and the layer as a whole is heated (along with
heating and pressing the laminate as a whole) to effect, among
other things, bonding of fibers at many cross over points (nodes)
212N in a manner well known in the art to effect densification and
strength while retaining substantial porosity and moisture vapor
permeability through the layer.
[0420] The next major layer 214 is made of thermo-formable
polymers, preferably polyesters and/or co-polyesters including
20-80 weight percent of mono-component fibers and conversely 80-20
weight percent of multi-component fibers, the latter incorporating
anti-microbial agents as described herein, the layer weight in
2.5-9.0 oz. per square yard. The layer is non-woven needle-punched
fabric with some distinct fiber orientation in the lateral
direction within layer 214 itself and with punched through fibers
from the next lower layer as described below. This layer 214 is
bonded to layer 212 by a an adhesive web of scrim or mesh form of
15-30 gm per sq. meter weight (very diaphanous) and made of
polyester, polyolefins, (polethylene, polypropylene, etc.),
polyamide or other fiber materials and in the course of laminate
heating and pressing becomes an effective bonding agent to bond
layers 212, 214 securely to prevent de-lamination in service
use.
[0421] The next major layer 216 is designed as a moisture storage
(and eventual off-gassing) layer with high surface area fibers,
including 20-50 weight percent of 4DG lobed or grooved fibers of
polyester or other fiber material of a type well known per se,
50-60 weight percent of normally surfaced polyester mom-component
fibers and 5 to 25 weight percent of bi-component fibers containing
anti-microbial agents. The bi-component fibers are preferably
normally surfaced but could also be made of grooved form,
consistent with the missions of anti-microbial agent carriage and
access. The layer as a whole weighs 4-12 oz. per sq. yard and is
bonded to layer 214 by deep needle-punching fibers of layer 216
into layer 214 using barbed felting needles to establish lateral
wicking paths as indicated, e.g., at 216L
[0422] The final layer 218 is a co-extruded two part plastic film
with a barrier sub-layer portion 218A and a bonding sub-layer
portion 218B, each such portion being 25-100 microns thick and made
of A/B combinations of, e.g., polypropylene/polyethylene,
polypropylene/polyester, polyropylene/polyamide, etc.
[0423] When the laminate is heated and pressed under state of the
art conditions for molding such materials the layer 214 becomes
highly densified and entraps the lateral fibers 21i6L to secure
layers 214, 216 together while bonding layers 215 and 218B secure
the outermost layers to the laminate.
[0424] The tough upper layer 212 resists cracking and shedding
under the impact of direct user contact and flexing in use or when
removed from a shoe but allows free flow of moisture vapor which is
wicked through layer 214 to moisture storage layer 216 in an
efficient way and retained there because of the bonded on moisture
barrier 218A so that odor doesn't go beyond the innersole to any
substantial degree. The overall result is an odor absorbing
innersole of fibrous material that provides necessary cushioning in
a slim profile that can fit comfortably in an athletic or dress
shoe or boot or moccasin/loafer. No foam materials or charcoal
adsorbents or the like need be used. Moisture can be absorbed in
the present product and retained with high destruction of odor
causing microbes and the moisture can desorb gradually with lowered
concentrations of odor causing microbes with two to three odor of
magnitude reduction.
[0425] Nautical fabrics can be made at least in part using the
anti-microbial fibers of the present invention and are particularly
useful for this type of application in which the fabrics are
constantly wet and subject to mildew.
[0426] Moldable laminates for footwear are described in more detail
below.
[0427] The present invention provides a binding agent in a nonwoven
product in which the binding agent is a thermoplastic binder fiber
or bi-component binder fiber. The binder fiber is thermally
activated in order to bind (stiffen) the nonwoven portion of the
product. Since this is produced with 100% thermoplastic components
allows for easy recycling. The product is a thermal moldable impact
resistant stiffener for footwear applications such a counter or box
toe.
[0428] A 100% thermoplastic, stiff reinforcing multiple laminate
structure which can be moldable into complex, compound shapes and
bondable via a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive to a carrier surface
to be reinforced to provide a tough, water resistant reinforcement,
usable for instance in stiffening applications as a footwear
counter or box toe reinforcement element that is recyclable into
itself. The fabric layer is in part geometrically locked into the
tough thermoplastic resin layer.
[0429] As shown in FIG. 26, the product comprises a tough extruded
core of thermoplastic resin such as ionomer, EVA or styrene
stiffened ionomer and at least one impact resistant strength layer
of nonwoven.
[0430] The needle punched nonwoven is manufactured from a
bi-component staple fiber or blend or PET staple fiber and binder
staple fiber or blend of PET staple fiber and bi-component staple
fiber. The nonwoven utilizes a combination of PET fibers and PETG
or other copolymer or homopolymer fibers that act as a binding
agent for PET. The staple fiber is 4-15 denier and 38 to 76 mm in
length.
[0431] The thermoplastic components of the product are either
miscible or mechanically compatible so as to allow for
homogenization and incorporation into the extruded thermoplastic
core thus allowing for complete recyclability of scrap
material.
[0432] The binder fibers have a low melting temperature, and the
fiber portion of the product is prepared as disclosed elsewhere
herein.
[0433] It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that
other embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made
consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure
and within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the
following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law,
including the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *