Post by barbget on Feb 26, 2009 17:34:15 GMT -5
www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=KR2005003773&DISPLAY=DESC
ANTI-MICROBIAL FIBER PRODUCTS
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Technical Field
The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition for coating fiber products comprising nanosized silica-silver particles, in which nano-silver is bound to silica molecules and a water-soluble polymer, the nanosized silica-silver particles prepared by irradiating a solution comprising a silver salt, silicate and the water-soluble polymer with radiation rays. Also, the present invention is concerned with antimicrobial fiber products coated with the composition.
Background Art
General fiber products prepared using fibers as major materials, such as blankets, sofa and socks, are problematic in that they provide a good environment for microbial growth from sweat, oils, proteins and other organic materials affixed thereto and accumulated therein through direct contact with the human body. This microbial contamination, which is accompanied by color changes of fiber products or production of offensive odors, causes various respiratory diseases or skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, by promoting the propagation of various
harmful bacteria such as mites
Recently, xn order to prevent harmful microbes from damaging the body, antimicrobial fabrics have been developed by imparting antimicrobial properties to fiber products, and are being applied to various articles
The antimicrobial fiber products are generally manufactured mainly by coating the surface of fiber products with various antimicrobial substances A conventional method of coating fiber products with antimicrobial substances mainly employs a colorless water- soluble liquid, N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) or methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) , as a solvent However, DMF, used as a solvent, irritates the respiratory tract, skin, eyes, and the like. Also, DMK is very well absorbed into the body through the skin and injures the liver due to its toxicity. MEK is also a chemical compound very harmful to the human body MEK also irritates the respiratory tract, skin, eyes, and the like. When inhaled, MEK causes vomiting, difficulty m breathing, headache, drowsiness and dizziness, and in severe cases, causes central nervous system disorders The use of these harmful chemical compounds for coating antimicrobial substances generates a great quantity of environmentally harmful substances during the manufacturing of antimicrobial fibers. In addition, antimicrobial fiber products prepared usinq the solvents become very slippery when it rains or when the fiber products become wet, due to the solvents' characteristics, and have the risk of growing
harmful fungi capable of generating offensive odors and causing dermatxtis. The solvents have a further problem xn that long-term use hardens fiber products.
In order to solve the aforementioned problems, fiber products having antimicrobial effects are manufactured using silver (Ag) particles. For example, Korean Design Registration No. 392113 describes an antimicrobial cloth comprising nano-silver particles and its use in fiber products. Silver (Ag) , which is known as a strong bactericidal agent, destroys unicellular microorganisms through its antimicrobial activity against enzymes performing metabolic functions m microbes (T. N. Kim, Q. L. Feng, et al. , J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med., 9, 129 (1998)) . Heavy metals such as copper and zinc also have the same function as silver. However, silver has the strongest bactericidal effect and also has excellent effects on algae. Silver has been studied as a substitute for chloride or other toxic microbicides. To date, a variety of inorganic antimicrobial agents using silver have been developed.
Silicon (Si) , which is the second most abundant material m the earth, is taken up by plants and enhances resistance to diseases and stress therein (Role of Root hairs and Lateral Roots m Silicon Uptake by Rice J F Ma et al. Ichii Plant Physiology (2001) 127: 1773-1780, etc.) . In particular, when plants are treated with an aqueous solution of silicate, silicate displays excellent preventive effects on ma]or plant diseases including powdery mildew and downy mildew. Also, silicate promotes physiological activity of plants and improves plant growth while providing resistance
to diseases and stress (Suppressive effect of potassium silicate on powdery mildew of strawberry in hydroponics T Kanco et al J GenPlant Pathol (2004) 70 207-211) etc ) However, since silica does not have direct disinfecting effects on plant pathogens, it does not exhibit positive effects when diseases develop m plants
Mineral fibers include asbestos Regenerated fibers include those made from cellulose, such as viscose rayon, cuprammonium rayon, polynosic rayon, high-performance rayon and Tencel, and those made from proteins, such as casein fiber, arachin fiber, zein fiber and glycinm fiber Semi synthetic fibers include acetate fiber and triacetate fiber Natural rubber fiber, alginate fiber, chitosan fiber and chitm fiber are also included in the regenerated fibers Synthetic fibers include addition polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol and teflon fibers, and condensation polymers, such as polyester and nylon fibers Inorganic fibers include metal fibers, such as silver thread, aluminum thread, gold thread and stainless steel fiber, silicate fibers, such as glass fiber and rock fiber, and ceramic fibers, such as boron fiber Fiber products manufactured with these fibers, for example, clothing (e g , underwear, sportswear, night clothes, plain clothes, mountain-climbing clothes, et ) , bedclothes, shoe insoles, carpets, towels and curtains, are included in the scope of the present invention
The term "fibers" also includes paper The term "papermakmg fibers" includes all known cellulosic fibers or fiber mixes comprising cellulosic fibers Fibers useful m the present invention comprise any natural or synthetic cellulosic fibers including, but not limited to nonwoody fibers, such as cotton, abaca, kenaf, sabai grass, flax,
esparto grass, straw, jute, hemp, bagasse, milkweed floss fibers, and pineapple leaf fibers, and woody fibers such as fibers obtained from deciduous and coniferous trees, including softwood fibers, such as northern and southern softwood kraft fibers, hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus, maple, birch, aspen, or the like Fiber products manufactured with such fibers, for examples, wallpaper, paper towels (wipes) , clothing, shoes and shoe insoles, carpets, furniture fabrics, bedclothes, bags, automobile fabrics and carpets, mats and other floor rugs, hats, dish towels, toilet bowl sheets and rugs, are included in the scope of the present invention In particular, disposable paper towels impregnated with the present composition are capable of simply cleaning surfaces for antimicrobial treatment of the surfaces, and are thus convenient and easy to use in the daily life