Plant Based Anti-Microbial Fabric Treatment, Treated Fabrics, and Associated Methods

Abstract

A process, and the resultant product. for effectively binding plant-based materials to various fabrics to provide for antimicrobial effect of the fabric. The fabrics and methods will typically maintain microbial reduction characteristics even after repeated laundering.

1 . A method of forming an antimicrobial fabric, the method comprising:
 providing an aqueous solution comprising from 0.01% to 1% tea tree oil, from 0.1% to 5% citric acid, from 0.5% to 15% of a binder, and at least 75% water, by weight;   exposing a fabric to said aqueous solution for a period of time; and   drying said fabric after said exposing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said binder comprises a polymer that serves to crosslink reactive end groups of the solution to the fabric surface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said binder is plant-based. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said exposing includes a wet process with said aqueous solution being applied to the fabric with an application load level of between 1% and 20%. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said application load level is between 5% and 15%. 
     
     
         6 . The method of claim  11  wherein said wet process comprises a continuous “Pad-Dry” process. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said wet process comprises an “exhaust” process. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said drying comprises:
 placing said fabric on a tenter frame containing heating zones which activate the binder. 
 
     
     
         9 . An antimicrobial fabric comprising:
 interconnected synthetic fibers;   said interconnected synthetic fibers having been exposed to an aqueous solution comprising an aqueous solution comprising from 0.02% to 1% tea tree oil, from 0.1% to 5% citric acid, from 0.5% to 15% of a binder, and at least 75% water, by weight for a period of time and then dried.   
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 9  wherein said binder comprises a polymer that serves to crosslink reactive end groups of the solution to the fabric surface. 
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 9  wherein said binder is plant-based. 
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 9  wherein said exposing includes a wet process with said aqueous solution being applied to the fabric with an application load level of between 1% and 20%. 
     
     
         13 . The fabric of  claim 12  wherein said application load level is between 5% and 15%. 
     
     
         14 . The fabric of  claim 12  wherein said wet process comprises a continuous “Pad-Dry” process. 
     
     
         15 . The fabric of  claim 12  wherein said wet process comprises an “exhaust” process. 
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 9  wherein said drying comprises:
 placing said fabric on a tenter frame containing heating zones which activate the binder.