MODIFIED MINERAL-BASED FILLERS

• US 20100260866A1
• Filed: 10/27/2008
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc. (Parjointco N.V.)
• Original Assignee: World Minerals Incorporated (Parjointco N.V.)
• Inventors: Lu, Jie
• Granted Patent: US 9,943,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/618
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/08 containing solids as carriers or diluents
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof

Abstract

Modified mineral-based fillers with enhanced retention of at least one active ingredient and/or enhanced antimicrobial capabilities are described. The materials comprise at least one mineral-based filler subjected to at least one modification process, which may be either a cationic modification process, a surface adsorption process, a surface retention process, or a combination thereof, with at least one active ingredient, followed by at least one thermal treatment. The at least one active ingredient may be a metal substance or other biocide, fungicide, mildewcide, antibiotic, insecticide, preservative, or antimicrobial agent. Methods for enhancing the antimicrobial activity of products in applications such as polymers, clothing, surgical equipment, coatings, and paints are also described.

Claims

1. A modified mineral-based filler, made according to the process of:

subjecting at least one mineral-based filler to at least one modification process with at least one active ingredient; and

,

subjecting the modified mineral-based filler to at least one thermal treatment,

wherein the at least one modification process is chosen from the group consisting of cationic modification, surface adsorption, and surface retention.

2. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one mineral-based filler is diatomaceous earth.

3. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one mineral-based filler is chosen from the group consisting of kaolin clay, mica, vermiculite, perlite, calcium silicate, talc, natural silicates, zeolite, and aluminosilicates.

4. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one modification process is cationic modification.

5. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one modification process is surface retention.

6. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one modification process is surface adsorption.

7. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one active ingredient comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, and salts thereof.

8. The filler of claim 7, wherein the at least one active ingredient comprises at least one biocidal metal ion selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, magnesium, and zinc.

9. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one active ingredient is chosen from the group consisting of biocides, antibiotics, fungicides, mildewcides, insecticides, preservatives, and antimicrobial agents.

10. The filler of claim 8, wherein the active ingredient is chosen from the group consisting of silver oxides, silver salts, copper oxides, copper salts, magnesium oxides, magnesium sales, zinc oxides, and zinc salts.

11. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal treatment comprises at least one treatment chosen from calcination and roasting.

12. The filler of claim 1, wherein the at least one mineral-based filler is diatomaceous earth, the at least one modification process is cationic modification, the at least one active ingredient is silver, and the at least one thermal treatment is calcination.

24. A resin, a biocidal polymer, an article of clothing, a lacquer coating, a paint, a cosmetic formula, a personal hygiene product, a work hygiene product, a chromatography material, medical equipment, surgical equipment, a protective topical, a pharmaceutical formulation, a dermatological formulation, or a plastic comprising the filler of claim 1.

13. A method for making a modified mineral-based filler, comprising:

subjecting at least one mineral-based filler to at least one modification process with at least one active ingredient;

subjecting the modified, mineral-based filler to at least one thermal treatment,

wherein the at least one modification process is chosen from the group consisting of cationic modification, surface adsorption, and surface retention.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein that the at least one mineral-based filler is diatomaceous earth.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein that the at least one mineral-based filler is chosen from the group consisting of kaolin clay, mica, perlite, calcium silicate, talc, natural silicates, and aluminosilicates.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one modification process is a cationic modification.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one active ingredient comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, and salts thereof.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one active ingredient comprises a biocidal metal ion selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, magnesium, and zinc ions.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the active ingredient is chosen from the group consisting of silver oxides, silver salts, copper oxides, copper salts, magnesium oxides, magnesium salts, zinc oxides, and zinc salts.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one mineral-based filler is diatomaceous earth, the at least one modification process is cationic modification, the at least one active ingredient is silver, and the at least one thermal treatment is calcination.

20-22. -22. (canceled)