Anti-bacterial fibers

Abstract

Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide for an anti-bacterial fiber. The method of manufacturing includes adding a ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure into an extrusion device. The method of manufacturing also includes providing an anti-bacterial low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene at a predetermined temperature to create a combined filament. The method of manufacturing further includes passing the combined filament through a bath. The bath is configured for coagulating the combined filament and extracting a solvent. The method of manufacturing still further includes drying the combined filament via an oven. The method of manufacturing also includes hot-drawing the combined filament. The combined filament is heated during the hot-drawing within the oven and the combined filament generated has anti-bacterial qualities. A corresponding anti-bacterial fiber is also provided.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anti-bacterial fiber comprising:
 an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure; and   an anti-bacterial low-density polyethylene (LDPE), wherein the anti-bacterial LDPE comprises polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) grafted to a LDPE structure,   wherein the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure and the anti-bacterial LDPE are combined together to form the anti-bacterial fiber.   
     
     
         2 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-bacterial low-density polyethylene is dissolved in an oil. 
     
     
         3 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 2 , wherein the oil that the anti-bacterial low-density polyethylene is dissolved comprises coal oil. 
     
     
         4 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1 , wherein a weight of the anti-bacterial LDPE is approximately 1% of the total weight of the anti-bacterial fiber. 
     
     
         5 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and the anti-bacterial LDPE are combined using gel-spinning. 
     
     
         6 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1 , wherein a weight of the anti-bacterial LDPE is .5% to 10% of the total weight of the anti-bacterial fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure is extruded through an extrusion device. 
     
     
         8 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 7 , wherein ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure is extruded through an extrusion device before being combined with the anti-bacterial LDPE. 
     
     
         9 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure and the anti-bacterial LDPE are extruded through a moderated flow device. 
     
     
         10 . The anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-bacterial fiber of  claim 1  is configurable into a clothing material. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing an anti-bacterial fiber, the method comprising:
 adding a ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure into an extrusion device;   providing an anti-bacterial low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene at a predetermined temperature to create a combined filament;   passing the combined filament through a bath, wherein the bath is configured for coagulating the combined filament and extracting a solvent;   drying the combined filament via an oven; and   hot-drawing the combined filament, wherein the combined filament is heated during the hot-drawing within the oven,   wherein the combined filament generated has anti-bacterial qualities.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 80 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 105 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the anti-bacterial LDPE provided to the extruded ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is dissolved into an oil. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the oil that the anti-bacterial low-density polyethylene is dissolved comprises coal oil. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein weight of the anti-bacterial LDPE is approximately 1% of the total weight of the anti-bacterial fiber. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a weight of the anti-bacterial LDPE is .5% to 10% of the total weight of the anti-bacterial fiber. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising extruding the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure and the anti-bacterial LDPE through a moderated flow device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the high-density polyethylene is extruded through an extrusion device before being combined with the anti-bacterial LDPE. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising threading the anti-bacterial fiber together to form an anti-bacterial clothing material.