Title of Invention

"A FABRIC SUBSTRATE"

Abstract

A fabric substrate having a surface, a portion of which is coated with a non-electrically conductive finish, wherein said finish comprises at least one silver-ion containing compound selected from the group consisting of silver zirconium phosphate, silver zeolite, silver glass, and any mixtures thereof, and at least one binder material; wherein said coated fabric exhibits a silver-ion release retention level of at least 50% with an initial amount of available silver ion of at least lOOOppb, as measured by an artificial sweat comparison test, wherein said silver-ion release retention level is measured after at least 20 washes, said washes being performed in accordance with the wash procedure as part of AATCC Test Method 130-1981.

Full Text

The present invention relates to a fabric substrate. This invention relates to improvements in the wash durability and discoloration levels for fabrics having topically applied silver-ion treatments (such as ion-exchange compounds, like zirconium phosphates, glasses and/or zeolites). Such solid compounds are generally susceptible to discoloration and, due to the solid nature thereof, are typically easy to remove from topical surface applications. The inventive treatment requires the presence of a specific polyurethane binder, either as a silver-ion overcoat or as a component of a dye bath mixture admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial compound. In addition, specific metal halide additives (preferably substantially free from sodium ions) are utilized to combat the discolorations typical of such silver-ion formulations. As a result, wash durability, discoloration levels, or both, can be improved to the extent that after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the inventive treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and the color of the treatment remains substantially the same as when first applied. The particular treatment method, as well as the treated fabrics are also encompassed within this invention. Discussion of the Prior Art . There has been a great deal of attention in recent years given to the hazards of bacterial contamination from potential everyday exposure. Noteworthy examples of such concern include the fatal consequences of food poisoning due to certain strains of Eschericia coli being found within undercooked beef in fast food restaurants; Salmonella contamination causing siclcnesses from undercooked and unwashed poultry food products; and ilkiesses and skin infections attributed to Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, yeast, and other unicellular organisms. With such an increased consumer interest in this area, manufacturers have begun introducing antimicrobial agents within various household products and articles. For instance, certain brands of polypropylene cutting boards, liquid soaps, etc., all contain intimicrobial compounds. The most popular antimicrobial for such articles is triclosan. WE CLAIM: 1. A fabric substrate having a surface, a portion of which is coated with a non-electrically conductive finish, wherein said finish comprises: (a) at least one silver-ion containing compound selected from the group consisting of silver zirconium phosphate, silver zeolite, silver glass, and any mixtures thereof; (b) at least one polyurethane binder material; wherein said coated fabric exhibits a silver-ion release retention level of at least 50%, with an initial amount of available silver Ion of at least 1000 ppb, as measured by an artificial sweat comparison test, wherein said silver-ion release retention level is measured after at least 20 washes, said washes being performed in accordance with the wash procedure as part of AATCC Test Method 130-1981. 2. The fabric substrate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said silver-ion release retention level is at least 80%. 3. The fabric substrate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said finish further comprises at least one halide-ion containing compound, wherein the molar ration of halide ions to silver ions is within the range of from 1:10 to 5:1, and wherein said finish is substantially free from sodium ions. 4. The fabric substrate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coated fabric exhibits a log kill rate for staphylococcus aureus after 24 hour exposure in accordance with AATCC Test Method 100-1993 of at least 1.1, wherein said log kill rate is measured after at least 20 washes, said washes being performed in accordance with the wash procedure as part of AATCC Test Method 130-1981. 5. The fabric substrate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coated fabric exhibits a log kill rate for Klebsiella pneumoniae after 24 hour exposure in accordance with AATCC Test Method 100-1993 of at least 1.4, wherein said log kill rate is measured after at least 20 washes, said washes being performed in accordance with the wash procedure as part of AATCC Test Method 130-1981.

Documents:

1973-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Claims-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-delnp-2005-claims-(18-06-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others (13-6-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Description (Complete)-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Form-1-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Form-2-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Form-3-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Form-5-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-GPA-(11-03-2008).pdf

1973-DELNP-2005-Petition-138-(11-03-2008).pdf