High performance cobalt (II,III) oxide antimicrobial textile articles

• US 6,228,491 B1
• Filed: 04/04/2000
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aidance Skincare & Topical Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Marantech Holding LLC
• Inventors: Antelman, Marvin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, N.
• Application Number:
  US09/542,199
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 428/372, 428/375, 8/490, 442/123
• US Class Current: 428/372
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/44 Medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/102 Metals or metal compounds, e.g. salts such as bicarbonates, carbonates, oxides, zeolites, silicates
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/404 Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/13 Ammonium halides or halides of elements of Groups 1 or 11 of the Periodic Table
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/49 Oxides or hydroxides of elements of Groups 8, 9,10 or 18 of the Periodic Table; Ferrates; Cobaltates; Nickelates; Ruthenates; Osmates; Rhodates; Iridates; Palladates; Platinates
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 16/00 Biochemical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. enzymatic
• 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 442/2525 Coating or impregnation functions biologically [e.g., insect repellent, antiseptic, insecticide, bactericide, etc.]

Abstract

Fibrous textile articles possessing enhanced antimicrobial properties are prepared by the deposition or interstitial precipitation of cobalt (II, III) oxide (Co₃O₄) crystals within the interstices of fibers, yarns and/or fabrics forming such articles.

Claims

1. A fibrous textile article comprising a cobalt (II, III) oxide as an antimicrobial agent interstitially deposited within said article, said agent present in said article in an amount sufficient to impart antimicrobial properties to said article.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said agent is interstitially deposited by interstitial precipitation.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein said textile article includes woven or non-woven fabric.

4. The article of claim 3 wherein said agent is present within said fabric at a level in the range of about 0.5 to about 15,000 weight PPM, based on the weight of cobalt.

5. The article of claim 2 wherein said antimicrobial properties are sufficient to yield microbial inhibition zones extending beyond 1 mm of fabric swatch borders as measured by AOAC test 972.04.

6. The article of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of fluoride ions.

7. A textile article comprising cobalt (II, III) oxide interstitially deposited therein in an amount sufficient to impart anti-pathogenic properties to the article.

8. The article of claim 7, further comprising fluoride ions in an amount sufficient to enhance the anti-pathogenic properties of the article.

9. The article of claim 7, wherein the textile article includes woven or non-woven fabric.

10. The article of claim 7, wherein the cobalt oxide is present within the article in an amount of about 0.5 to about 15,000 weight PPM, based on the weight of cobalt.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the cobalt oxide is present within the article in an amount of about 1000 to about 15,000 PPM.

12. The article of claim 7, wherein the article is at least one of a bandage, gauze, a bandage pad, a skin patch, clothing, a bed sheet, a mask, a dust cloth, a safety belt, a surgical gown, a blanket, a stretcher, a filter, a diaper, or a video display screen.

13. The article of claim 7, wherein the textile article comprises a fiber, thread, or yarn.

14. The article of claim 7, wherein the anti-pathogenic properties comprise at least one of anti-bacterial or anti-viral properties.

17. The article of claim 7, wherein said textile article is a paper product.

18. A composite article comprising:

a first layer;

as a second layer, the article of claim 7; and

a third layer, wherein the second layer is disposed between the first and third layers so as to facilitate the retention of the cobalt oxide therein.

19. The composite article of claim 18, wherein the article is laminated.

15. The article of clam 7, wherein the article is comprised of low density or loosely associated fibers.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the cobalt oxide is interstitially deposited within the article by physical incorporation.