Antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric materials

Abstract

The invention provides an antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric material, having microscopic particles of ionic copper encapsulated therein and protruding from surfaces thereof.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A process for preparing an antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric material containing a Cu++ releasing powder as an anti-microbial and anti-viral agent responsible for the antimicrobial and antiviral activity of the polymeric material, comprising:
 preparing a polymeric slurry, introducing a plurality of microscopic antimicrobial and antiviral particles to the polymeric slurry, wherein the panicles comprise an antimicrobial and antiviral particles consisting of as Cu++ releasing powder, wherein said particles are of a size less than 20 microns,   dispersing the particles in said slurry and then extruding said slurry to form a polymeric material wherein said particles are incorporated in the polymeric material, wherein a portion of said particles in said polymeric material are exposed and protruding from the surface of the polymeric material and release Cu ++  ions when exposed to water or water vapor to provide the antimicrobial and antiviral activity of the polymeric material.   
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the particles are introduced into the slurry in an amount between 0.25 wt. % and 10 wt. % of the weight of the polymeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the polymeric material is a fiber. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the polymeric material is a film. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the polymeric material comprises polyamide, polyester, or polypropylene. 
     
     
         15 . A process for preparing an antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric material containing a Cu++ releasing powder as an anti-microbial and anti-viral agent responsible for the antimicrobial and antiviral activity of the polymeric material, comprising:
 preparing a polymeric slurry,   introducing a plurality of microscopic water insoluble particles into the polymeric slurry, wherein said particles comprise an antimicrobial and antiviral agent consisting of a Cu++ releasing powder, and wherein said particles have a size of less than 20 microns and are introduced in an amount that is between 0.25 and 10% of the polymer weight,   dispersing the particles in said slurry, and then   extruding said slurry to form a polymeric material, wherein said particles are incorporated in the polymer, and wherein a portion of said particles in said polymer are exposed and protruding from the surface of the material and release Cu++ ions when exposed to water or water vapor.   
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the polymer comprises polyamide, polyester, or polypropylene. 
     
     
         17 . A process for preparing an antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric material, comprising:
 preparing a polymeric slurry,   introducing a Cu ++  releasing antibacterial agent and wherein said particles have a size in the range of less than 20 microns and are introduced in an amount that is between 0.25 and 10% of the polymer weight,   dispersing the particles in said polymeric slurry, and then   extruding said slurry to form a polymeric material wherein said particles are incorporated in the polymer, and wherein a portion of said particles in said polymer are exposed and protruding from the surface of the material and release Cu ++  ions when exposed to water or water vapor.   
     
     
         18 . A process for preparing an antimicrobial polymeric material, comprising preparing a polymeric slurry, adding Cu-releasing copper oxide particles as an antimicrobial component, wherein said particles are of a size of less than 20 microns and are added in an amount that is between 0.25 and 10% of the polymer weight, dispersing the particles in said slurry and then extruding said slurry to form a polymeric material wherein said particles are incorporated in the polymer, wherein a portion of said particles in said polymer are exposed and protruding from the surface of the material and release Cu ++  ions when exposed to water or water vapor. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18  wherein the polymer comprises polyamide, polyester, or polypropylene. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein the polymeric material is a fiber. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 18  wherein the antibacterial agent consisting of cupric oxide and cuprous oxide is the source of antimicrobial activity of the polymeric material.