Extruded Component With Antimicrobial Glass Particles

Abstract

An extruded component formed from an extruded material having antimicrobial components is disclosed. The extruded material may be formed from polymers and formed into a generally elongated shape. The antibacterial components may be included within at least a portion of the material forming the extruded component. The extruded component may be a filament and may include silver glass particles. In some embodiments, the extruded component may be a single component system, a bi-component system, or a tri-component system.

1 . An extruded filament, comprising:
 an extruded multi-component material comprising:
 an extruded core component including an antimicrobial component comprising silver glass particles, said core component being generally sector shaped in cross section and having two sides and an arc; and 
 a second component co-extruded with said core component that does not include any antimicrobial component, said second component also being generally sector shaped in cross section and having two sides and an arc; 
   wherein a plurality of said core components and a plurality of said second components are positioned side to side with said arcs of said pluralities of components forming a perimeter of said filament; and   wherein said core component and said second component each comprise a hydrophobic polymer.   
     
     
         2 . The extruded component of  claim 1 , wherein said hydrophobic polymer comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         3 . The extruded component of  claim 1 , wherein said core component and said second component each include dye. 
     
     
         4 . The extruded component of  claim 1 , wherein a viscosity of said core component is at least ninety percent of a viscosity of said second component. 
     
     
         5 . The extruded component of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third component, said third component being generally sector shaped in cross section and having two sides and an arc;   wherein said filament further comprises said third component;   wherein said third component also comprises a hydrophobic polymer.   
     
     
         6 . The extruded component of  claim 6 , wherein said third component includes an antimicrobial component comprising silver glass particles, and said third component being generally sector shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The extruded component of  claim 6 , wherein said third component does not include any antimicrobial component, and said third component being generally sector shaped in cross section and having two sides and an arc. 
     
     
         8 . An extruded component, comprising:
 an extruded tri-component material comprising:
 a core component including an antimicrobial component comprising silver glass particles; 
 a second component that does not include any antimicrobial component; 
 a third component; 
   wherein said core component, said second component, and said third component are positioned adjacent to each other and form a circular shape in cross-section;   wherein said core component and said second component each comprise a hydrophobic polymer.   
     
     
         9 . The extruded component of  claim 8 , wherein said hydrophobic polymer comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         10 . The extruded component of  claim 8 , wherein said core component and said second component each include dye. 
     
     
         11 . The extruded component of  claim 8 , wherein a viscosity of said core component is at least ninety percent of a viscosity of said second component. 
     
     
         12 . The extruded component of  claim 8 , wherein said third component includes an antimicrobial component comprising silver glass particles. 
     
     
         13 . The extruded component of  claim 8 , wherein said third component does not include any antimicrobial component.