Antimicrobial and Antiviral Polymeric Materials
The present invention relates to a drawn antimicrobial, such as an antibacterial, antiparasitic and antiviral polymeric fiber and materials containing same, wherein the fiber is a polymeric fiber containing cuprous iodide particles dispersed therein of about 0.50 to about 2.0 micron in size. The invention also provides processes for preparing such fibers and fiber-based materials.
1 . An antimicrobial fiber comprising a polymer and cuprous iodide particles dispersed therein, wherein said particle size of the cuprous iodide particles ranges from about 0.50 to about 2.0 micron.
2 . The antimicrobial fiber of claim 1 , wherein at least 80% of cuprous iodide particles within said antimicrobial fiber have a size ranging from about 0.50 to about 2.0 micron.
3 .- 4 . (canceled)
5 . The antimicrobial fiber, comprising a polymer and crystalline cuprous iodide particles dispersed therein, wherein said particle size of the crystalline iodide particles ranges from about 0.50 to about 2.0 microns and at least 80% of crystalline cuprous iodide particles within said antimicrobial fiber have a size ranging from about 0.50 to about 2.0 micron.
6 . The antimicrobial fiber of claim 1 , wherein said antimicrobial fiber contains a blend of at least one synthetic polymer and a natural fiber.
7 . The antimicrobial fiber of claim 1 , wherein said antimicrobial fiber possesses at least one of fungicidal, fungistatic, bactericidal, sporicidal, and bacteriostatic activity.
8 . (canceled)
9 . The antimicrobial fiber of claim 1 , wherein said polymer comprises cellulose, cellulose derivatives, acrylic, polyolefin, polyurethane, vinyl, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene or blends thereof.
10 . A product comprising the antimicrobial fiber of claim 1 .
11 . The product of claim 10 , wherein said antimicrobial fiber exhibits an antimicrobial kill rate of at least 90% within a 15-minute exposure time.
12 . The product of claim 11 , wherein said antimicrobial fiber exhibits an antimicrobial kill rate of at least 99% within a 15-minute exposure time.
13 . The product of claim 10 , wherein said product comprises antimicrobial fibers of uniform polymer composition.
14 . The product of claim 10 , wherein said product comprises antimicrobial fibers of nonuniform composition.
15 . The antimicrobial fiber of claim 1 , wherein said product comprises 1%-15% crystaline cuprous iodide w/w per fiber.
16 . The product of claim 10 , wherein said product comprises from 10%-100% of the antimicrobial fibers comprising cuprous iodide.
17 . The product of claim 10 , wherein said product is one of a yarn, a textile, a product used in a medical setting, and a textile product used in a health care facility.
18 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method for imparting at least one of antimicrobial activity and anti-odor activity to a fiber-containing material, said method comprising preparing a antimicrobial fiber comprising a polymer and crystalline cuprous iodide particles dispersed therein, wherein said particle size ranges from about 0.50 to about 2.0 micron.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein said antimicrobial activity is evidenced within minutes of exposure to said fiber-containing material
23 . The method of claim 21 , comprising providing said fiber-containing material to a subject as an article of clothing or bedding.
24 .- 25 . (canceled)