Yarns and fabrics having a wash-durable non-electrically conductive topically applied metal-based finish

Abstract

Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is 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 (or other property).

1 . A printed fabric having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said fabric has a non-continuous finish printed on at least a portion of said first surface, wherein said finish comprises:
 (a) 0.1 to 40 weight percent of a metal compound selected from the group consisting of silver particle-containing compounds, silver ion-containing compounds, silver ion-generating compounds, and any combinations thereof, and   (b) a binder agent; and   wherein said printed fabric is electrically non-conductive.   
     
     
         2 . The printed fabric of  claim 1 , wherein said metal compound is a silver ion-containing compound. 
     
     
         3 . The printed fabric of  claim 2 , wherein said silver ion-containing compound is silver zirconium phosphate. 
     
     
         4 . The printed fabric of  claim 1 , wherein said binder agent is anionic or nonionic, and wherein said binder agent, after processing and application to said fabric:
 (a) is not readily soluble in water,   (b) is not susceptible to attack by standard laundering additives selected from the group consisting of detergents, solvents, bleaches, and mixtures thereof, and   (c) is not susceptible to degradation due to exposure to high temperatures associated with standard laundry drying temperatures.   
     
     
         5 . The printed fabric of  claim 1 , wherein said binder agent is selected from the group consisting of cross-linked imidazolidinones, acrylic binders, melamine resins, polyvinyl chloride-containing polymers, ethoxylated polyesters, and blends thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The printed fabric of  claim 1 , wherein said fabric is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton fibers, wool fibers, ramie fibers, hemp fibers, linen fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, polyaramid fibers, acetate fibers, rayon fibers, acrylic fibers, and blends thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The printed fabric of  claim 1 , wherein said finish is printed on said fabric via screenprinting techniques. 
     
     
         8 . The printed fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said second surface of said fabric is printed with said non-continuous finish. 
     
     
         9 . The printed fabric of  claim 1 , wherein said fabric exhibits antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         10 . A printed fabric, wherein said fabric is comprised of 100% polyester fiber, wherein said fabric is characterized by having a non-continuous finish printed on at least one surface of said fabric, wherein said finish comprises:
 (a) 0.1 to 40 weight percent of a silver particle-containing compound, and   (b) a binder agent selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride-containing polymers, acrylic binders, and blends thereof; and   wherein said printed fabric is electrically non-conductive.   
     
     
         11 . The printed fabric of  claim 10 , wherein said fabric exhibits antimicrobial properties.