Antimicrobial nonwoven filters composed of different diameter fibers and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention is directed to manufacturing an antimicrobial nonwoven material composed of two or more distinct fibers that are entangled to form a three-dimensional nonwoven web. The individual fiber components of the web are chosen to have properties that impart both excellent filtering capacity and antimicrobial activity to the web. At least one fiber of the composite web is selected to have excellent filtering characteristics. Moreover, at least one fiber of the composite web is selected to be able to incorporate an active agent, such as an iodinated resin, with a sufficient loading capacity and diffusivity such that the active agent can migrate to the surface of the fiber and exert its antimicrobial effect.
1 .) A filter media comprising a first fiber and a second fiber which are physically entangled to form a composite fiber, said first fiber having a larger diameter than said second fiber, wherein an iodinated resin is embedded in said first fiber.
2 .) The filter media as defined in claim 1 in which said media is a nonwoven material.