Topical incorporation of solid antimicrobial compounds on yarn surfaces through high pressure methods

Abstract

Durable antimicrobial treatments for high pressure treatments (such as package dyeing) for specific dyed yarns for further incorporation within textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments preferably comprise silver ions, particularly as constituents of inorganic metal salts or zeolites. This particular treatment requires the presence of a resin binder as a component of the dye bath formulation admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial compound, the formulation then forced through a target yarn spool in order to provide a finish over substantially all of the target yarn. The yarn may then be knit, woven, pressed, laid-in, etc., into a textile fabric exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Such a treatment has been found to be extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity. The particular treatment method, as well as the treated textile fabrics, are also encompassed within this invention.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . A yarn comprising fibers selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, inorganic fibers, and any blends thereof, treated with a wash-durable antimicrobial silver-ion finish, wherein said yarn is treated through a high pressure procedure involving the following sequential steps: 
 (a) providing a spool of said yarn;    (b) providing a formulation comprising a dispersion of solid silver-ion containing antimicrobial compounds and optionally a binder material, wherein said antimicrobial compounds are selected from the group consisting of silver-containing ion exchange resins, silver-containing zeolites, silver-containing glass, and any mixtures thereof;    (c) placing said spool of yarn within said dispersion of step “b”; and    (d) pumping said dispersion of step “b” through said spool of yarn at a pressure of between about and 100 pounds per square inch for from about 5 seconds to about 5 hours at a temperature in the range from about 25° to about 325° C. in order to attach at least one of said solid silver-ion containing antimicrobial compounds within said dispersion to said yarn.    
     
     
         2 . The yarn of  claim 1  wherein said silver-ion containing antimicrobial compound is a silver zirconium phosphate ion exchange resin.  
     
     
         3 . The yarn of  claim 1  wherein said binder material of said dispersion of step “b” is present.  
     
     
         4 . A textile incorporating at least one yarn as defined in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . A textile incorporating at least one yarn as defined in  claim 2 .  
     
     
         6 . A textile incorporating at least one yarn as defined in  claim 3.