# US 10,870,741 B2 · Silver containing antimicrobial materials

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- Number: US 10,870,741 B2
- Document ID: US10870741B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/480,610
- Filed: 2017-04-06
- Published: 2017-10-12
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-06
- Assignees: Novel Technologies Holdings Limited
- Applicants: Zahir Ahmad
- Inventors: Zahir Ahmad
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870741B2

## CPC

- C08K 3/015: Biocides (macromolecular substances as carriers for biocide material A01N25/10)
- A01N 25/10: Macromolecular compounds
- A01N 25/34: Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
- A01N 59/16: Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
- B29C 48/022: {characterised by the choice of material}
- B29C 49/071: {Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties}
- C08J 3/226: {using a polymer as a carrier}
- C08K 3/08: Metals
- D01F 1/103: {Agents inhibiting growth of microorganisms}
- B29C 2949/0715: the preform having one end closed
- B29K 2023/12: {PP, i.e. polypropylene}
- B29K 2105/0011: {Biocides}
- B29K 2505/14: Noble metals, e.g. silver, gold or platinum
- C08J 2323/12: Polypropene
- C08J 2367/00: Characterised by the use of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Derivatives of such polymers
- C08J 2423/12: Polypropene
- C08J 2467/00: Characterised by the use of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Derivatives of such polymers
- C08K 2003/0806: {Silver}
- C08K 2201/005: Additives being defined by their particle size in general
- C08L 2205/16: Fibres; Fibrils
- D01F 6/06: from polypropylene
- D01F 6/62: from polyesters
- D10B 2321/022: polypropylene
- D10B 2401/13: anti-allergenic or anti-bacterial
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)
- A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)
- D01F: CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES

## Abstract

This invention relates to antimicrobial materials and articles, such as fibres, yarns, and their incorporation into textiles, packaging for food or beverages, or articles of clothing such as gloves. The antimicrobial fibres and yarns may be formed of a polymer and may comprise silver particles dispersed therein. The present invention contemplates a polymer batch precursor to the fibre of the invention and further products formed of the fibre or the polymer batch, for example textiles.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A polymer batch comprising a polymer material and non-spherical silver particles, wherein the silver particles have (i) a size characteristic of particles formed by grinding silver leaf, and (ii) a length, a width, and a depth, and wherein the depth of the silver particles is less than 0.5 μm and at least one of the length or the width of the silver particles is from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1 in a solid or molten form.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein the silver particles are present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the polymer batch.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein the silver particles are present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 4%, about 0.5% to about 3%, about 0.1% to about 3%, or about 1.5% to about 2.5% by weight of the polymer batch.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein silver particles are present in an amount of from about 0.003% to about 0.5% by weight, from about 0.03% to about 0.5%, from about 0.03% to about 0.25%, from about 0.05% to 0.15%, from about 0.06% to 0.15%, from about 0.03% to 0.1%, or from about 0.06% to 0.1% by weight of the polymer batch.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein the silver leaf has a thickness of less than 0.5 μm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein the depth of the silver particles is less than 0.3 μm, or less than 0.1 μm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein at least one of the length or the width of the silver particles is from 1 μm to about 10 μm; or from 1 μm to about 8 μm; or from 1 μm to about 6 μm; or from 1 μm to about 4 μm; or from about 2 μm to about 3 μm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein the polymer batch does not comprise an agglomeration inhibitor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein the silver leaf has a thickness less than 0.3 μm, or less than 0.1 μm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein both the length and the width of the silver particles are from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The polymer batch of claim 1, wherein only one of the length or the width of the silver particles is from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

An article comprising a polymer batch of claim 1.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

An article of claim 13, wherein the article is formed of a single piece.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A fibre obtainable by extruding the polymer batch of claim 1.

### Claim 16

A fibre comprising a polymer material and non-spherical silver particles, wherein the silver particles have (i) a size characteristic of particles formed by grinding silver leaf, and (ii) a length, a width, and a depth, and wherein the depth of the silver particles is less than 0.5 μm and at least one of the length or the width of the silver particles is from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein silver particles are present in an amount of from about 0.003% to about 0.5% by weight, from about 0.03% to about 0.5%, from about 0.03% to about 0.25%, from about 0.05% to 0.15%, from about 0.06% to 0.15%, from about 0.03% to 0.1%, or from about 0.06% to 0.1% by weight of the fibre.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein the silver leaf has a thickness of less than 0.5 μm.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein the depth of the silver particles is less than 0.3 μm, or less than 0.1 μm.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein at least one of the length or the width of the silver particles is from 1 μm to about 10 μm; or from 1 μm to about 8 μm; or from 1 μm to about 6 μm; or from 1 μm to about 4 μm; or from about 2 μm to about 3 μm.

### Claim 21 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein the fibre does not comprise an agglomeration inhibitor.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

A yarn comprising a fibre of claim 16.

### Claim 23 (depends on 16)

A textile comprising a fibre of claim 16.

### Claim 24 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein the silver leaf has a thickness less than 0.3 μm, or less than 0.1 μm.

### Claim 25 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein both the length and the width of the silver particles are from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 26 (depends on 16)

The fibre of claim 16, wherein only one of the length or the width of the silver particles is from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 27

A fibre obtainable by a method comprising:
preparing non-spherical silver particles by grinding silver leaf;
mixing the silver particles with a polymer material, wherein the silver particles have a depth of less than 0.5 μm and at least one of a length or a width of from 1 μm to about 10 μm; and
extruding the mixture of silver particles and the polymer material to form said fibre.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The fibre of claim 27, wherein both the length and the width of the silver particles are from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The fibre of claim 27, wherein only one of the length or the width of the silver particles is from 1 μm to about 10 μm.

### Claim 30

A method of producing a fibre, the method comprising:
preparing non-spherical silver particles by grinding silver leaf, wherein the silver particles have a depth
of less than 0.5 μm and at least one of a length or a width of from 1 μm to about 10 μm;
mixing the silver particles with a polymer material; and
extruding the mixture of silver particles and the polymer material to form fibres.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein the method comprises:
mixing the silver particles with a powdered or molten polymer material;
optionally melting the polymer material and silver particle mixture, when the polymer material is a powder;
extruding the mixture of silver particles and the polymer material;
pelletizing the extruded mixture to form master batch pellets;
mixing the master batch pellets with further polymeric material; and
extruding a molten mixture of master batch pellets and the polymer material to form fibres.