Anti-microbial fabrics, garments and articles

Abstract

An anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal synthetic fiber and various products made partially or wholly therefrom. Anti-microbial fabrics, garments and articles made from fibers that may comprise various thermoplastic polymers and additives in a mono-component form or a bi-component form in either a core-sheath or side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers comprise inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed in certain areas to reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such fibers. The fibers can incorporate anti-microbial additives so that they are not removed by repeated washing in boiling water and in dry clean cycles and become ineffective and conversely enhance access to the additives by washing or the like. The fibers comprise high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) in one portion and hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another portion with the additives. The fibers can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished fabrics.

1 - 84 . (canceled)  
     
     
         85 . An anti-microbial fabric, comprising: 
 a textile article including at least one layer being made at least in part of a multi-component fiber of thermoplastic polymers, the fiber including 
 a core of thermoplastic polymer being at least 20 and less than 70% of the fiber by weight, and  
 a sheath being more than 30% of the fiber by weight and including (i) a thermoplastic polymer and (ii) an anti-microbial/anti-fungal inorganic additive being from 0.1% to 20% by weight of fiber, the thickness of the sheath in microns being approximately two times the nominal particle size in microns of the additive.  
   
     
     
         86 . An anti-microbial fabric, comprising: 
 a textile article including at least one layer being made at least in part of a bi-component fiber comprising 
 a core of a high tenacity polymer being at least 20 and less than 70% of the fiber by weight, and  
 a sheath of a hydrolysis resistant polymer being at least 30% of the fiber by weight, and including an additive ranging from 0.1% to 20% by weight of the fiber and being selected from the group consisting of pigments, compounds creating a hydrophilic surface, and anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-odor materials.  
   
     
     
         87 . An anti-microbial fabric, comprising: 
 a textile article including at least one layer comprising 
 a binder fiber made from low temperature polymer with a melting or softening temperature below 200 degrees C.,  
 an anti-microbial additive of an inorganic compound made from a metal chosen from the group consisting of copper, zinc, tin and silver added to the binder fiber, the additive ranging from 0.1 to 20% by weight of the fiber, and  
 fibers which are free of anti-microbial additive being blended with said binder fiber, said blend of fibers having been heated to its melting temperature, thereby providing a fiber blend which can be used to produce an anti-microbial finished fabric able to withstand significant wear and washings and maintain its effectiveness.  
   
     
     
         88 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , wherein the textile article is prepared of woven fabric, non-woven fabric, or knitted fabric.  
     
     
         89 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , wherein the textile article is a diaper.  
     
     
         90 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , wherein the textile article includes an absorbent pad.  
     
     
         91 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , wherein the textile article further includes a wick layer and an absorbent layer.  
     
     
         92 . The fabric of  claim 91 , wherein the layer which is intended to be against a wearer's skin is made of anti-microbial fibers.  
     
     
         93 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , wherein in at least part of the textile article PETG is used as the carrier for color pigments.  
     
     
         94 . The fabric of  claim 93 , wherein the PETG has been melted as a low temperature and has had an anti-microbial and/or a colorant added thereto prior to melting.  
     
     
         95 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , forming at least part of a multi-layer partition or as a fabric for office, hospital, waiting area, classrooms, busses, cars, and the like and also curtains, upholstery, carpets and bedspreads.  
     
     
         96 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , forming at least in part institutional and home furnishings, including bed sheets, pillow cases, bed pad, bed linens, absorbent pads, mattress pads, blankets, towels, drapes, bedspreads, pillow shams, carpets, walk-off mats, napkins, linens, wall coverings, upholstered furniture, liners, mattress ticking, mattress filling, pillow filling, carpet pads, and upholstery fabric.  
     
     
         97 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , forming at least in part athletic clothing, athletic wear liners and component fabrics.  
     
     
         98 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , forming at least in part a laundry bag.  
     
     
         99 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , forming at least in part a nautical fabric.  
     
     
         100 . The fabric of any of claims  85 - 87 , forming at least a part of a piece of apparel.  
     
     
         101 . The fabric of  claim 100 , wherein the apparel is at least one of underwear, pajamas, athletic clothing, clothing liners, T-shirts, bicycle pants and shirts, crotch liners, sweat suits, athletic supporters, stretch pants, long underwear, and socks.