# US 10,864,123 B2 · Absorbent articles having antimicrobial properties and methods of manufacturing the same

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,864,123 B2
- Document ID: US10864123B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/397,250
- Filed: 2017-01-03
- Published: 2017-04-27
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2008-09-18
- Assignees: Medline Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Medline Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Min Yao; Daniel B. Love; Amin Setoodeh; Debashish Chakravarthy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864123B2

## CPC

- A61F 13/8405: {Additives, e.g. for odour, disinfectant or pH control}
- A61F 13/15723: {Partitioning batts; Cutting}
- A61F 13/15804: {Plant, e.g. involving several steps}
- A61F 13/51113: {comprising an additive, e.g. lotion or odour control (A61F13/51108 takes precedence)}
- A61F 13/53: characterised by the absorbing medium (A61F13/20 takes precedence)
- A61L 15/46: Deodorants or malodour counteractants, e.g. to inhibit the formation of ammonia or bacteria
- B32B 27/065: {of foam}
- B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)}
- B32B 33/00: Layered products characterised by particular properties or particular surface features, e.g. particular surface coatings; Layered products designed for particular purposes not covered by another single class
- B32B 37/182: {one or more of the layers being plastic}
- B32B 38/04: Punching, slitting or perforating
- A61F 2013/530481: {having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials}
- A61F 2013/8414: {with anti-microbic}
- A61L 2300/206: Biguanides, e.g. chlorohexidine
- A61L 2300/404: Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents
- B32B 2307/7145: Rot proof, resistant to bacteria, mildew, mould, fungi
- B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption
- B32B 2307/7265: Non-permeable
- B32B 2323/10: Polypropylene
- B32B 2555/02: Diapers or napkins
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

## Abstract

According to one embodiment, an absorbent article includes a moisture-impervious outer layer, an inner layer substantially co-extensive with the outer layer, and an absorbent layer interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer is treated with at least one antimicrobial booster. The absorbent layer is treated with at least one antimicrobial agent.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of manufacturing an absorbent article comprising:
forming a moisture-impervious outer layer;
forming an inner layer including an at least one antimicrobial booster, the at least one antimicrobial booster being mixed throughout the material of the inner layer, the at least one antimicrobial booster including two or more 1,2-alkanediols;
treating a quantity of fibrous material with at least one antimicrobial agent, the at least one antimicrobial agent including polyhexamethylene biguanide;
forming an absorbent layer from the fibrous material;
interposing the absorbent layer between the outer layer and the inner layer; and
joining the inner layer, the absorbent layer, and the outer layer to form the absorbent article,
wherein the at least one antimicrobial booster is configured to synergistically combine with the at least one antimicrobial agent when moisture is introduced into the article during use to achieve a microbe kill rate that is greater than the microbe kill rate achievable by the at least one antimicrobial booster or the at least one antimicrobial agent individually.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a binder to facilitate bonding of the at least one antimicrobial agent to the fibrous material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the fibrous material is dipped into or sprayed with a quantity of the at least one antimicrobial agent.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is treated with the at least one antimicrobial booster by spraying, dipping or applying a foam to the inner layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is formed from at least one plastic resin that is mixed with the at least one antimicrobial booster prior to forming the inner layer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising adding one or more super absorbent polymers to the fibrous material prior to forming the absorbent layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more super absorbent polymers are added to the fibrous material after treating the fibrous material with the antimicrobial agent.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising cutting the joined inner layer, absorbent layer, and outer layer into a diaper.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising cutting the joined inner layer, absorbent layer, and outer layer into an underpad.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising treating the inner layer with aloe.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is formed from polypropylene.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one antimicrobial agent further comprises at least one of additonal cationic antimicrobial polymers, mono-quaternary ammonium salt based antimicrobials, poly-quaternary ammonium salt based antimicrobials, chlorinated phenoxy-based antimicrobials, pyrithione based antimicrobials, cationic polysaccharides, aminopolysaccharides, benzalkonium compounds, nitro compounds, dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, chlorhexidines, crosslinked polyethylene glycols of differing molecular weights, polyethylene glycols of differing molecular weights, hydantoin derivatives with halamine bond, antibiotics, natural extracts with antimicrobial properties, metallic materials, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one antimicrobial agent further comprises at least one of trialkoxysilyl quaternary ammonium salt, 3-trimethoxy-silyl-propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, polyquat-1, triclosan, zinc pyrithione, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, chitin derivatives, benzalkonium chloride, a mixture of benzalkonium chloride and silver nitrate, 5-nitrofurylacrolein, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, polymycine, neomycin, kanamycin, grisofulvien, grape fruit seed, hops, tea oil, aloe, thyme, rosemary, peppermint, basil, ginger, silver, copper, zinc, zinc oxide, silver oxide, silver chloride, silver nitrate, silver-zinc zeolite, tributylin maleate, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one antimicrobial booster comprises 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-octanediol, and tropolone.