# US 2008/0187560 A1 · Antimicrobial rubber formulations and molded article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0187560 A1 - Document ID: US20080187560A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/702,396 - Filed: 2007-02-05 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-05 - Assignees: Milliken & Company - Inventors: Geoffrey R. Haas; Robert C. Kerr; Carolina Mateus; David L. Morris; Bhawan Patel; Jenci Kurja - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187560A1 ## CPC - C08K 5/0091: {Complexes with metal-heteroatom-bonds} - C08K 3/015: Biocides (macromolecular substances as carriers for biocide material A01N25/10) - C08K 3/10: Metal compounds - C08K 3/24: Acids; Salts thereof {(C08K3/16 takes precedence)} - C08K 5/0058: {Biocides; (macromolecular substances as carriers for biocide material A01N25/10)} - C08K 5/3432: Six-membered rings - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) ## Abstract This disclosure relates generally to molded rubber articles such as the type used in water contact applications. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to molded rubber articles containing antimicrobial agents that control biofilm growth on the surface of the molded article. The molded rubber article is comprised of curable rubber compounds and a combination of both inorganic silver-containing antimicrobial agents and organic antimicrobial agents. An exemplary molded rubber article comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, silver-containing ion exchange antimicrobial agent, and an organic antifungal agent such as zinc pyrithione. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A molded rubber article comprising at least one rubber constituent at least one silver-containing inorganic antimicrobial compound, at least one organic antimicrobial compound, and at least one curing agent, and wherein said molded rubber article exhibits antimicrobial properties. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The molded rubber article of claim 1, wherein said rubber constituent is selected from the group consisting of nitrile rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, hydrogenated NBR, carboxylated NBR, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The molded rubber article of claim 1 wherein said silver-containing inorganic antimicrobial compound is selected from the group consisting of silver ion exchange materials, silver particles, silver salts, silver glass, and mixtures thereof ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The molded rubber article of claim 3, wherein silver ion exchange materials are selected from the group consisting of silver zirconium phosphates, silver calcium phosphates, silver zeolites, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The molded rubber article of claim 3, wherein silver particles are selected from the group consisting of silver metal, nanosilver, colloidal silver and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The molded rubber article of claim 3, wherein silver salts are selected from the group consisting of AgCl, Ag2CO3, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The molded rubber article of claim 3, wherein silver glass is selected from the group consisting of silver magnesium aluminum phosphate compounds, silver magnesium aluminum phosphate borate compounds, silver magnesium aluminum calcium phosphate borate compounds, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The molded rubber article of claim 1, wherein the organic antimicrobial compound is selected from the group consisting of triclosan, tributyl tin, quaternary ammonium salt, isothiazolinones, metal-containing compounds, pyrithione-based compounds. azoles. diiodomethyl toluosulfone, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The molded rubber article of claim 8, wherein the organic antimicrobial compound contains zinc. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The molded rubber article of claim 9, wherein the organic antimicrobial compound is zinc pyrithione. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The molded rubber article of claim 1, wherein the curing agent is selected from the group consisting of peroxide-based curing agents, bisphenol-based curing agents, sulfur-based curing agents, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The molded rubber article of claim 1, wherein the molded rubber article further comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fillers, oils, pigments, salts, accelerators, flame retardants, chemical plasticizers, blowing agents, mold-releasing additives, perfumes, odorants, and any mixtures thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The molded rubber article of claim 12 wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of silica, pigments, magnesium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, stearates, clays, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The molded rubber article of claim 12, wherein oils are selected from the group consisting of paraffinic oil, phthalate oil, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The molded rubber article of claim 1, wherein the article exhibits log kill rates against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC #6538 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC #4352 of at least 1.0 each after 24 hours exposure at room temperature. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The molded rubber article of claim 1, wherein the article is a washing machine bellow. ### Claim at position 17 17-30. (canceled) ### Claim 31 A rubber composition comprising at least one ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber component, at least one peroxide curing agent, at least one silver-containing inorganic antimicrobial agent, and at least one zinc-containing organic antimicrobial agent. ### Claim 32 A dimensionally stable vulcanized rubber article comprising at least a majority of a rubber constituent selected from the group consisting of ethylene propylene diane monomer rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, and any mixtures thereof; at least one silver-containing inorganic antimicrobial compound; and at least one zinc-containing organic antimicrobial compound; and wherein said rubber article exhibits log kill rates against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC #6538 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC #4352 of at least 1.0 each after 24 hours exposure at room temperature.