Polymer Active Complex Fibers

• US 20090285718A1
• Filed: 05/15/2008
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clorox Company
• Original Assignee: Clorox Company
• Inventors: Privitera, Marc, Lestage, David Jackson, White, Edward Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,349,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/00 Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air body deodorants A61Q15/00; purifying air by respirators A62B, A62D9/00; separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours B01D45/00 - B01D51/00, B03C3/00; chemical or biological purification of waste gases B01D53/34; production of ozone C01B13/10; air-conditioning systems incorporating sterilisation F24F3/16, F24F8/20
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/049 Cleaning or scouring pads; Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: D01D 5/0038 the fibre formed by solvent evaporation, i.e. dry electro-spinning
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 1/10 Other agents for modifying properties
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 6/20 from polymers of cyclic compounds with one carbon-to-carbon double bond in the side chain
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 3/02 characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of yarns or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2904 Staple length fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2913 Rod, strand, filament or fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2927 including structurally defined particulate matter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2933 Coated or with bond, impregnation or core
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2967 Synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

The invention comprises a method of forming functionally active fibers and substrates comprising functionally active fibers. The method includes forming a mixture of at least one poly vinyl polymer and at least one bleaching active. The mixture is then injected at a controlled flow rate into an electric field to cause the mixture to at least partially form fine fibers that have an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers.

Claims

1. A method of forming functionally active fibers comprising:

a) forming a mixture that includes at least polymer and at least one bleaching agent, said at least one polymer is at least partially water-soluble, at least partially ethanol-soluble, at least partially glycerol-soluble, or combinations thereof;

b) injecting said mixture at a controlled flow rate;

c) exposing said ejected mixture to an electric field having a potential of over about 1.0 kV to cause said mixture to at least partially form fine fibers, said fibers having an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers; and

,

d) collecting said fibers on a collector.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said electric field has a potential of about 2-12 kV.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said mixture is injected through at least one nozzle, said control flow rate through each nozzle is about 0.1-10 micro-liters per minute.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a distance said ejected mixture travels through said electric field is about 1-20 cm.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said mixture has a viscosity of about 100-10000 cps at 20°

C.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one polymer is a poly vinyl polymer.

7. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein said a poly vinyl polymer includes polymers of vinyl derivatives of pyrrolidone.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one bleaching agent includes peracids, perborates, percarbonates, chlorine-generating substances, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, peroxides, or mixtures thereof.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a weight percent ratio of bleaching agent to said at least one polymer is about 0.05-0.4:

1.

10. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said average diameter of said fibers is about 25-200 nanometers.

11. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of homogeneously mixing said at least polymer and at least one bleaching agent in a solvent until said at least polymer and at least one bleaching agent are completely soluble in said solvent prior to said injecting step, said solvent including water, an alcohol, or mixtures thereof.

12. An electrospun functionally active nanofiber formed from a mixture of at least one polymer and at least one bleaching agent, said at least one polymer is at least partially water-soluble, at least partially ethanol-soluble, at least partially glycerol-soluble, or combinations thereof, a weight percent ratio of bleaching agent to said at least one polymer in said mixture is about 0.05-0.4:

1, said mixture having a viscosity of said mixture about 1000-10000 cps at 20°

C., said nanofiber having an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers, said at least one polymer designed to dissolve in water at a slower rate than said at least one bleaching agent so as to extend the time of release of said at least one bleaching agent from said at least one polymer and thereby extend cleaning time and efficacy of said electrospun functionally active nanofiber.

13. The electrospun functionally active nanofiber as defined in claim 12, wherein said at least one polymer is a poly vinyl polymer.

14. The electrospun functionally active nanofiber as defined in claim 13, wherein said poly vinyl polymer includes polymers of vinyl derivatives of pyrrolidone.

15. The electrospun functionally active nanofiber as defined in claim 12, wherein said at least one bleaching agent includes peracids, perborates, percarbonates, chlorine-generating substances, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, peroxides, or mixtures thereof.

16. The electrospun functionally active nanofiber as defined in claim 12, wherein said average diameter of said fibers is about 25-200 nanometers.

17. The electrospun functionally active nanofiber as defined in claim 12, wherein said at least polymer and at least one bleaching agent are homogeneously mixed in a solvent until said at least polymer and at least one bleaching agent are completely soluble in said solvent prior to said forming said nanofiber, said solvent including water, an alcohol, or mixtures thereof.

18. A cleaning implement used to clean, sanitize or disinfect a surface comprising

a. an absorbent or adsorbent material;

and,

b. electrospun functionally active nanofibers that were formed from a mixture of at least one polymer and at least one bleaching agent, said at least one polymer is at least partially water-soluble, at least partially ethanol-soluble, at least partially glycerol-soluble, or combinations thereof, a weight percent ratio of bleaching agent to said at least one polymer in said mixture is about 0.05-0.4;

1, said mixture having a viscosity of said mixture about 1000-10000 cps at 20°

C., said nanofiber having an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers, said nanofibers at least partially secured to said absorbent or adsorbent material, interwoven with said absorbent or adsorbent material, incorporated into said absorbent or adsorbent material, or combinations thereof.

19. The cleaning implement as defined in claim 18, wherein said absorbent or adsorbent material includes a material selected from the group consisting of wood pulp, wood pulp derivative, synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof.

20. A method for cleaning a hard surface comprising:

a. providing an absorbent or adsorbent material, said absorbent or adsorbent material including a material selected from the group consisting of wood pulp, wood pulp derivative, synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof;

b. providing electrospun functionally active nanofibers, said electrospun functionally active nanofibers formed from a mixture of at least one polymer and at least one bleaching agent, said at least one polymer is at least partially water-soluble, at least partially ethanol-soluble, at least partially glycerol-soluble, or combinations thereof, a weight percent ratio of bleaching agent to said at least one polymer in said mixture is about 0.05-0.4;

1, said mixture having a viscosity of said mixture about 1000-10000 cps at 20°

C., said electrospun functionally active nanofibers having an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers;

c. at least partially securing said electrospun functionally active nanofibers to said absorbent or adsorbent material, interweaving said electrospun functionally active nanofibers with said absorbent or adsorbent material, incorporating said electrospun functionally active nanofibers into said absorbent or adsorbent material, or combinations thereof, and;

d. contacting said hard surface with said absorbent or adsorbent material and said electrospun functionally active nanofibers.

21. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein said step of contacting at least partially disinfects, sanitizes, sterilizes, or combinations thereof said hard surface.

22. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein said absorbent or adsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of a cleaning wipe, mop head wipe, a cleaning pad, a mop head, sponge, a cleaning brush, or combinations thereof.