Patent Application
20250154691
This disclosure is directed to an article that can be described as laces for footwear, a drawstring, a strap, or a belt having one or more antimicrobial-containing fibers, yarns or ply woven, knitted or braided into the article. The article is used to secure various textiles and prevent or reduce the cross-contamination of pathogenic microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that may arise from touching and handling such articles.
Throughout the day, a person can expect to adjust their clothing, or textiles, multiple times. This involves handling laces for footwear such as shoes or ankle braces, belts, drawstrings, straps, and many other articles used to secure clothing, footwear, hats, or textiles. This can lead to an increase in the spread of pathogenic microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi and increases the risk of cross-contamination leading to infection. This is a significant problem, particularly for those traveling, working in healthcare facilities, food preparation facilities, schools, and any environment where the amount of and the spread of pathogenic microbes is high.
During manufacture, substances can be sprayed on clothing, shoes, and their shoelaces to preserve the items and prevent microbial growth during shipment. However, these topically applied substances are readily sloughed away when the footwear or clothing is worn, handled, or washed. Disinfectant sprays such as Lysol® or Microban® which claim to kill 99.9% of bacteria can be sprayed on textiles to prevent microbial growth, however these sprays are temporary and must be reapplied regularly. Also, according to the label, many of these spray or liquid disinfectants are intended to be applied to hard, non-porous surfaces and in order to be effective the article must be completely saturated with the sprayable disinfectant, whereas articles such as shoelaces have a flexible and/or soft, porous surface, typically an open weave textile.
In a first example, an article is provided, the article comprising a knitted or woven natural or synthetic polymeric yarn having an elongated length and a width. The elongated length has a first end, a second end, and a surface. The knitted or woven natural or synthetic polymeric yarn presents at least one antimicrobial agent on at least a portion of the surface. In one aspect, the article is selected from the group consisting of one or more laces for footwear, a drawstring, a lanyard strap, a belt, and a bag-strap.
In one aspect the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one melt-processable organic antimicrobial agent. In one aspect, the at least one organic antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of triclosan, hexachlorophene, zinc pyrithione, chitosan, and poly(hexamethylene biguanide).,
In one aspect, the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one inorganic antimicrobial. In one aspect the at least one inorganic antimicrobial comprises a metal, metal salt, or metal oxide, comprising copper, silver, or zinc.
In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the knitted or woven natural or synthetic polymeric yarn comprises polypropylene, nylon, polyester (polyethylene terephthalate or PET), acrylic, aromatic polyamide, or polyethylene such as DYNEEMA®. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the knitted or woven synthetic polymeric yarn has a cross-sectional shape, the cross-sectional shape is round, trilobal, triangular, multi-lobal, flat, or bowtie. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any of one of the previous aspects, the knitted or woven synthetic polymeric yarn is a multicomponent yarn, wherein the multicomponent yarn comprises both antimicrobial-containing fiber and non-antimicrobial-containing fiber. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the elongated length to width ratio is between 3:1 and 100:1.
In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the article further comprises an amount of a coating deposited on at least a portion of the article, the coating comprising one or more antimicrobial agents. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, wherein the coating comprises the same or different antimicrobial agent as the article. For example, the article may have an inorganic antimicrobial agent dispersed or distributed in a yarn, fiber, or ply and an organic antimicrobial agent. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the article comprises an elastic yarn.
In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the article is used in combination with a textile comprising one or more antimicrobial agents. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the textile is selected from the group consisting of shoes, scrubs, sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, shorts, caps, gloves, bags, and lanyards.
In another example, an article is provided. The article comprises a knitted or woven natural or synthetic polymeric yarn having an elongated length and a width. The elongated length has a first end, a second end, and a surface. In one aspect, the article is selected from the group consisting of footwear, one or more laces for footwear, a drawstring, a lanyard strap, a belt, and a bag-strap.
In one aspect the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one melt processable organic antimicrobial agent. In one aspect, the at least one melt processable organic antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of triclosan, hexachlorophene, zinc pyrithione, chitosan, and poly(hexamethylene biguanide). In one aspect, the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one inorganic antimicrobial. In one aspect the at least one inorganic antimicrobial comprises a metal, metal salt, or metal oxide, comprising copper, silver, or zinc.
In a second example, a method of preventing or reducing contamination or cross-contamination by a live pathogenic microbe present on at least a portion of a textile worn by a user is provided. The method comprises providing an article associated with a textile, wherein the article is configured to secure, bind, or tighten the textile about a user. The article comprises an elongated length having a first and second end, a width, and a surface. The article further comprises a woven or knitted natural or synthetic polymeric yarn with an antimicrobial agent presented on the surface, wherein the article is susceptible to receive a live pathogenic microbe on the surface. The method further comprises preventing or reducing live pathogenic microbe contamination of the article. In one aspect, the article is selected from the group consisting of one or more laces for footwear, a drawstring, a lanyard strap, a belt, and a bag-strap.
In one aspect the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one melt processable organic antimicrobial. In one aspect, the at least one melt processable organic antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of triclosan, hexachlorophene, zinc pyrithione, chitosan, and poly(hexamethylene biguanide). In one aspect, the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one inorganic antimicrobial. In one aspect the at least one inorganic antimicrobial comprises a metal, metal salt, or metal oxide, comprising copper, silver, or zinc.
In one aspect, the textile is selected from the group consisting of shoes, medical textile (e.g., scrubs), sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, shorts, caps, gloves, bags, and lanyards. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the pathogenic microbe is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, virus, and fungus.
In a third example, a method of preventing or reducing infection by a live pathogenic microbe is provided. The method comprising providing an article associated with a textile, wherein the article is configured to secure, bind, hold, or tighten the textile about a user. The article comprises an elongated length having a first and second end, a width, and a surface; and a woven or knitted natural or synthetic polymeric yarn with an antimicrobial presented on the surface, where the article is configured to receive a live pathogenic microbe on the surface and prevent or reduce pathogenic microbe infection. In one aspect, the article is selected from the group consisting of one or more laces for footwear, a drawstring, a lanyard strap, a belt, and a bag-strap.
In one aspect the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one melt processable organic antimicrobial. In one aspect, the at least one melt processable organic antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of triclosan, hexachlorophene, zinc pyrithione, chitosan, and poly(hexamethylene biguanide). In one aspect, the at least one antimicrobial agent is at least one inorganic antimicrobial. In one aspect the at least one inorganic antimicrobial comprises a metal, metal salt, or metal oxide, comprising copper, silver, or zinc.
In one aspect, the textile is selected from the group consisting of shoes, scrubs, sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, shorts, caps, gloves, bags, and lanyards. In another aspect, alone or in combination with any one of the previous aspects, the pathogenic microbe is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, virus, and fungus.
In order to understand and to see how the present disclosure may be carried out in practice, examples will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Microbes, such as viruses and bacteria, come from many different sources. Some may come from particles expelled from a person via breathing, coughing, sneezing, or talking. Some microbes have the ability to cause infection, these are known as pathogenic microbes. Microbes eventually come to rest on a surface, for example, many are gravitationally motivated to fall downward. For example, these microbes may come to rest on the floor. Many pathogenic microbes can remain viable for extended periods of time on surfaces and create the opportunity for continued contamination and infection. Surfaces of textiles, for example, those surfaces about a person that reside below the elbows or lower are especially vulnerable to receiving such pathogenic microbes, for example, shoes, shoelaces, belts, drawstrings for pants, skirts, shorts, hoodies. Likewise, portions of textiles that are routinely handled by people, such as handles for bags, and lanyards are vulnerable to receiving such pathogenic microbes.
Because of gravity, many things, including microbes, land on shoes and shoelaces. In healthcare facilities this can mean dangerous pathogens on one's shoes and shoelaces. Since floors, carpets, alleyways, roads, bathrooms, kitchens, medical arenas, locker rooms and gyms are a collection point for bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc., walking or running across or contact with these surfaces stirs up microbes just above the ground and they can deposit on and contaminate textiles. Washing the textile may remove some or all of the microbes; however, this is temporary as the next time the textile is worn, they are subject to becoming contaminated again.
For example, using a shoe/shoe lace for illustration, a shoe wearer can start off with a new shoe, void of any microbes and after a day at work, in a hospital for example, it's loaded with microbes. They may not touch their shoes with their hands once they get home as they may just kick the shoes off when they walk in the door. But they'll ultimately end up touching the shoe and/or its laces in the next morning when they go to untie/tie their laces and put their shoes back on. These laces may be contaminated with live microbes after exposure from their previous day at work, in addition to other microbes grown during the night while the microbes were busy reproducing or multiplying. A shoe secured with shoelaces comprising antimicrobial agents, as disclosed and described herein, will prevent or reduce microbe growth on the antimicrobial-treated laces. Thus, the incorporation of antimicrobial agents in articles such as shoelaces will prevent or reduce microbial cross-contamination and therefore possible infection. Likewise, hands that are contaminated may cross-contaminate a textile article. The present disclosure provides for the reduction or elimination of such cross-contamination to a textile article by presenting an antimicrobial agent at a portion of the textile article surface.
Metal, such as copper, silver, and zinc have antimicrobial properties. These natural antimicrobials offer many advantages over currently used therapies. For example, many bacteria acquire resistance to antibiotics, however bacteria do not acquire resistance to the metal's antimicrobial activity. Copper metal, copper oxides and copper iodides have been incorporated into frequently handled non-textile surfaces in hospitals to prevent or reduce the spread of infection with some success.
In addition to antimicrobial metals, there are a plethora of organic antimicrobial compounds that can be incorporated into fibers, yarns, or ply. For example, triclosan can be incorporated into synthetic polymeric fibers during the melt-spin process.
The present disclosure provides for an article, such as a shoelace, prepared from fibers, yarns, or ply with a built-in antimicrobial agent. As opposed to a spray on or dye bath application surface coating, adding the antimicrobial into the polymer as its being melted during the fiber extrusion process places the antimicrobial permanently throughout the fibers, yarns, or ply rather just temporarily on the surface. As the fibers, yarns, or ply wear away due to abrasion, the antimicrobial agent is always exposed on the surface. In one example, inorganic antimicrobial agents are used for articles that can be or are intended to be washed repeatedly.
Often, in settings where people worry about the spread of pathogenic microbes, people can wash their hands many times each day, wear gloves, and use hand sanitizer. However, there are many potentially pathogenic microbes on items such as shoelaces, drawstrings, etc., that can be spread easily when handled by clean hands. In one example, increased spread of microbes, particularly pathogenic microbes, from handling infrequently or never washed articles such as shoelaces, belts, straps, drawstrings, etc. is reduced or eliminated by the present disclosure. By incorporating antimicrobial-containing fibers, the growth and therefore the spread of live microbes from these articles is reduced or eliminated, and thus the risk of infection is also reduced.
Copper, silver, zinc, salts thereof, and oxides thereof are known to inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogenic microbes. For instance, copper has shown efficacy as an antimicrobial against E. coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile, influenza A virus, adenovirus, and various fungi. Copper is believed to elicit its antimicrobial effect via many mechanisms. Most importantly, increased copper levels within a cell causes oxidative stress that can lead to damage. Copper also compromises the integrity of a microbe's cell membrane, or viral coating in the case of a virus, and can lead to leakage of important nutrients required to keep the microbe alive. Copper can also bind to proteins and interfere with their essential function. Silver and zinc have also proven to be a powerful antimicrobial, via similar mechanisms particularly by interfering with the integrity of the cell membrane, or viral coating, and causing leakage of vital nutrients. Antimicrobial metals have many other potential mechanisms of action as antimicrobials, and they are not limited to disruption of membranes nor is the antimicrobial activity limited to the microbes listed here.
Non-limiting examples of organic antimicrobial agents that are effective against a wide range of pathogenic microbes. For example, triclosan, hexachlorophene, chitosan, poly(hexamethylene biguanide), quaternary ammonium salts such as alkyl trimethylammonium bromide, benzalkonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dimethyldioctylammonium chloride, and quaternium-24; N-halamines such as N-chloro-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl methacrylate, and many others have long been used as disinfectants and antimicrobials. Some of these compounds are melt processable with various thermoplastics used to make fiber, yarn, or ply. By “melt processable”, it is intended that the antimicrobial maintain at least some antimicrobial activity after being melt processed with a thermoplastic.
The present disclosure incorporates antimicrobials, such as organic antimicrobials and inorganic antimicrobial including metals, such as copper, silver, and zinc, into frequently handled items, such as shoelaces, bag-straps, drawstrings, lanyards, and other articles that secure clothing or textiles. Another aspect of the present disclosure is providing these antimicrobial articles to textiles used or worn by healthcare providers and any other users who may be at a high risk of exposure to pathogenic microbes.
The present disclosure prevents or reduces contamination of frequently handled articles, such as laces for shoes or drawstrings for garments that are exposed to pathogens via the incorporation of one or more antimicrobial agents. These articles can be used in combination with textiles that also include or are coated with antimicrobial agents that are the same or are different from the antimicrobial agent used in the article.
As used herein the term “antimicrobial agent” is inclusive of one or more substances, chemicals, or formulations capable of inhibiting the growth of microbes or microorganisms, particularly bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts, molds, spores, mildew, and other pathogens. The term “antimicrobial agent” encompasses organic antimicrobials, inorganic antimicrobials as well as combinations of inorganic and organic antimicrobial agents.
The term “antimicrobial functionality” encompasses activity that is microbicidal or microbistatic. Antimicrobial functionality encompasses any activity that kills microorganisms. Antimicrobial functionality also encompasses any activity that reduces or prevents the growth of microorganisms. Antimicrobial functionality includes activity that is antibacterial, antifungal, and/or antiviral.
As used herein the term “pathogen” is inclusive of microbes, such as bacterium, virus, fungus, or any other microorganism that has the potential to cause infection and/or disease.
As used herein the term “fiber” is inclusive of a thread, staple fiber, filament, or otherwise elongated filament suitable for the fabrication of yarn. The term “polymer fiber” refers to an elongated stringy material comprised, at least in part, of a synthetic or natural polymer. The term “fiber” may be used to refer to fibers in the singular form or in the plural form.
As used herein the term “yarn” is inclusive of at least one or more fibers in a form suitable for weaving, knitting, braiding, twisting, or otherwise fabricating into the articles described in herein.
As used herein the term “ply” is inclusive of at least two or more yarns in a form suitable for weaving, knitting, braiding, twisting or otherwise fabricating into the articles described herein.
As used herein the term “antimicrobial-containing fiber” is inclusive of natural or synthetic fibers infused with one or more organic or inorganic antimicrobial agents. “Antimicrobial-containing fiber” is inclusive of fibers, yarns or ply containing metal-containing fiber, yarn, or ply and/or organic antimicrobials such as triclosan, hexachlorophene, zinc pyrithione, chitosan, and poly(hexamethylene biguanide) as well as inorganic antimicrobials such as metals, metal oxides, and metal salts.
As used herein the term “antimicrobial-containing yarn” is inclusive of yarn comprised of at least one antimicrobial-containing fiber. The antimicrobial-containing yarn comprises multiple fibers that are spun, wound, twisted, plied, or otherwise formed into a strand that is suitable for forming various articles and textiles.
As used herein the phrase “metal-containing” is inclusive of containing a metal, such as copper, silver, or zinc, salts thereof, and oxides thereof, in a non-metal material, for example a polymer. Metal-containing is inclusive of cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, cuprous iodide, cupric iodide, copper ions, silver oxide, silver bromide, silver nitrate, silver ions, zinc oxide, and zinc ions (hereinafter collectively referred to as “metal-containing”). Metal-containing is inclusive of distributed or dispersed microparticles or nanoparticles of metals, their oxides, or oxide precursors such as metal halogens.
As used herein the phrase “metal-containing fiber” is inclusive of natural or synthetic polymeric fibers that are metal-containing.
As used herein, the phrase “metal-containing yarn”, is inclusive of yarn comprised of at least one metal-containing fiber, yarn or ply. The metal-containing yarn comprises multiple fibers that are spun, wound, twisted, or otherwise formed into a strand that is suitable for forming various articles and textiles.
In one example, an article is provided for preventing and/or reducing the transfer or cross-contamination of live pathogens helping to prevent infection caused by pathogens. In one example, articles are comprised of a knitted or woven natural or synthetic polymeric yarn presenting at least one antimicrobial agent on the surface. The antimicrobial agent is inclusive of inorganic antimicrobials and organic antimicrobials. In one example, the yarn is a metal-containing yarn comprising polymeric yarn formed from natural or synthetic polymer fibers that are metal-containing so as to present the metal and/or metal oxide on its surface. In one example, the article comprises an organic antimicrobial-containing yarn comprising a polymer yarn formed from natural or synthetic polymer fibers that present organic antimicrobials on its surface. In one example, the fibers, yarns, or ply comprise melt processable organic antimicrobial and further comprise one or more organic antimicrobials applied to the finished textile for additional antimicrobial protection. In one example, the polymer is polypropylene. In other examples, the polymer is nylon or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly known as polyester. In one example, the polymer comprises acrylic or acrylamide. In another example, the polymer is DYNEEMA® which is a high molecular-weight polyethylene. In another example, the polymer is a cut resistant polymer such as an aromatic polyamide. An exemplary aromatic polyamide is KEVLAR®. The article comprising the antimicrobial-containing yarn has a width, an elongated length with a first and second end, and a surface.
In one example, the antimicrobial-containing fiber, yarn or ply (hereinafter collectively referred to as “yarn”) is braided, knitted, woven, or otherwise formed into the articles described in this disclosure. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial-containing yarn is braided, knitted, woven, or otherwise formed into the described articles along with yarn that does not contain an antimicrobial agent or a yarn that has a different antimicrobial agent or a different amount of the antimicrobial agent or a differing amounts of two or more antimicrobial agents.
In one example, the article comprises at least 50% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 55% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 60% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 65% (by weight or volume antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 70% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 75% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 80% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 85% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 90% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises at least 95% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn. In other examples, the article comprises 100% (by weight or volume) antimicrobial-containing yarn.
In one example, the antimicrobial agent is an organic antimicrobial. In one example, the organic antimicrobial comprises triclosan, or mixtures thereof. In another example, the organic antimicrobial comprises hexachlorophene, or mixtures thereof. In another example, the organic antimicrobial comprises chitosan, or mixtures thereof. In another example, the organic antimicrobial comprises poly(hexamethylene biguanide), or mixtures thereof. In one example, the organic antimicrobial comprises zinc pyrithione, or mixtures thereof.
In one example, the antimicrobial agent is an inorganic antimicrobial comprising a metal. In one example, the metal comprises copper, silver, or zinc or a salt or oxide thereof. In one example, the antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the article via a metal-containing yarn. An example of a metal-containing yarn includes polymeric fibers comprising metal-containing compounds encapsulated in the polymeric fibers and protruding from the surface of the fibers. The metal-containing yarn releases metal ions when exposed to perspiration, water or water vapor providing an antimicrobial environment. An exemplary metal-containing fiber includes copper-containing fiber such as those sold by Cupron Inc. (Richmond, Virginia) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,501,587. Other examples of yarn include copper-infused polypropylene, copper-infused nylon, copper-infused polyethylene terephthalate, silver-infused polypropylene, silver-infused nylon, silver-infused polyethylene terephthalate, zinc-infused polypropylene, zinc-infused nylon, and zinc-infused polyethylene terephthalate.
In one example, the article includes an added functional yarn to alter the properties of the article. In one example, the added functional yarn is an elastic functional yarn to increase the elasticity of the article. Examples of yarn having elastic functionality includes yarns of nylon and/or polyester fibers. Examples of elastic yarn include spandex, LYCRA® and CREORA®, elastane and the like. Other examples of added functional yarn include hydrophilic functional yarn to increase the hydrophilicity or moisture absorbency of the article. Examples of yarn having hydrophilic functionality include nylon, polyester, acrylic, wool, cotton, or cotton-blend fibers. Another example of added functional yarn include hydrophobic functional yarn to increase the hydrophobicity or water-repellency of the article. Examples of yarn having hydrophobic functionality include synthetic yarn such as polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-commonly referred to as Teflon, and polyolefins.
In one example, the at least one antimicrobial agent is provided to the article via surface transfer printing, screen printing, spray printing, inject printing, thermal printing, dye bath, spray coating, or dip coating. In one example, an additive or coating, such as a dye, pigment, tint, or colorant, is added to provide color and aesthetic features to the article. In one example, other additives or coatings are present such as antistatic agents, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, softeners, lubricants, etc. In another example, soil-release agents are included as an additive or coating to improve the washability of the article. In other examples, additional antimicrobial agents are included as an additive or coating, exemplary additional antimicrobials are chlorohexidine, triclosan, and others. These additives and coatings and their method of addition to these types of material are well known by those skilled in the art. In one example, the article comprises knitted or woven natural or synthetic polymer yarn presenting at least one inorganic antimicrobial agent on the surface, and at least one antimicrobial agent or coating that is an additional antimicrobial, wherein the additional antimicrobial agent is an organic antimicrobial.
In one example, the article is used in combination with a textile. One example includes the use of the article 100, as an antimicrobial shoelace in combination within a shoe 200, as shown in
In one example, the article comprises braided, woven, or knitted yarn, section 8 from
In one example, the antimicrobial yarn is constructed from a single-component antimicrobial fiber, wherein the fiber comprises antimicrobial-containing material. In one example, the antimicrobial material is an antimicrobial infused synthetic polymer. In one example, the antimicrobial fiber is a multicomponent antimicrobial fiber, wherein the fiber comprises antimicrobial-containing material and non-antimicrobial-containing material. Multicomponent antimicrobial fiber may exhibit any type of cross-section configuration including, for example, sheath and core configurations, wherein the core material is comprised of non-antimicrobial-containing fiber, and the sheath comprises antimicrobial-containing material. Other multicomponent fiber configurations include side-by-side configurations, as, pie-wedge configurations, segmented ribbon configurations, tipped trilobal configurations, and conjugate configurations.
The article 100 of the present disclosure generally is of an elongated length wherein the length is greater than the width. In one example, the elongated length of the article is continuous. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is at least 3:1, at least 5:1, at least 7:1, or at least 10:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 15:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 20:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 25:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 30:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 35:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 40:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 45:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 50:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 55:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 60:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 65:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 70:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 75:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 80:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 85:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 90:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 95:1. In one example, the elongated length to width ratio is 100:1. In one example, the width of the article is between 1 mm and 80 mm and the elongated length of the article is between 10 cm and 200 cm.
In one example, the article is used as a shoelace to secure a shoe about a user. In one example, when the article is used as a shoelace, the article has an elongated length between 50 to 200 cm and a width between 0.5 cm and 2 cm. In other example, the article is used as a drawstring to secure pants, shorts, skirts, or other clothing. In one example, when the article is used as a drawstring for pants, the article has an elongated length between 60 cm and 100 cm. In one example when the article is used as a drawstring for pants, the article has a width between 0.5 cm and 1 cm. In one example, the article is used as a bag-strap for a bag. In one example, when the article is used as a bag-strap for a bag the elongated length is between 60 cm and 100 cm. In one example, when the article is used as a bag-strap for a bag the width of the article is between 0.5 cm and 8 cm. In one example, the article is used as a bag-strap for a reusable grocery bag. In one example, the article is used as an antimicrobial lanyard strap within a lanyard. In one example when the article is used as an antimicrobial lanyard strap, the elongated length is between 30 cm and 200 cm. In one example, when the article is used as an antimicrobial lanyard strap, the width of the article is between 0.1 cm and 2 cm.
In one example, the article is capped on the first and/or second end with an aglet. The aglet may comprise acetate, acrylic, brass, copper, plastic, nickel, or steel. In one example, the aglet comprises antimicrobial agent. In one example, the aglet is comprised of acetate containing or otherwise presenting metals, metal salts, or metal oxides on its surface, wherein the metal is copper, silver, or zinc, In one example, the aglet is comprised of acrylic containing or otherwise presenting metals, metal salts, or metal oxides on its surface, wherein the metal is copper, silver, or zinc. In one example, the aglet is comprised of brass containing or otherwise presenting metals, metal salts, or metal oxides on its surface, wherein the metal is copper, silver, or zinc. In one example, the aglet is comprised of plastic containing or otherwise presenting metals, metal salts, or metal oxides on its surface, wherein the metal is copper, silver, or zinc. In one example, the aglet is comprised of nickel containing or otherwise presenting metals, metal salts, or metal oxides on its surface, wherein the metal is copper, silver, or zinc. In one example, the aglet is comprised of steel containing or otherwise presenting metals, metal salts, or metal oxides on its surface, wherein the metal is copper, silver, or zinc. In one example, the aglet is comprised of an organic antimicrobial agent such as triclosan or chlorhexidine alone or in combination with an inorganic antimicrobial agent.
In one example, the article is not capped on one or both ends with an aglet. In one example, the article does not comprise an aglet so as to reduce the use of additional plastic or metal components. In one example, the ends of the article are sealed via melting the polymer. In one example, the ends of the article are sealed via melting the polymer to a taper with a stiffness greater than the un-melted polymer for use as a drawstring/drawcord or lace.
A method is provided for preventing or reducing contamination of a textile by a pathogenic microbe, such as a bacteria, virus, or fungus, of at least a portion of a textile worn by a user. The method comprising providing an article comprising a width, an elongated length with a first and second end and surface, and a woven or knitted yarn comprising a polymer and at least one antimicrobial agent presented on the surface and preventing or reducing pathogenic microbe infestation of the article wherein the article is configured to receive pathogenic microbes on the surface, and is configured to secure, bind, or tighten the textile about the user.
A method is provided for preventing or reducing infection of a user by a pathogenic microbe, such as a bacteria, virus, or fungus, of at least a portion of a textile worn by a user. The method comprising providing an article comprising a width, an elongated length with a first and second end and surface, and a woven or knitted yarn comprising a polymer and at least one antimicrobial agent presented on the surface and preventing or reducing pathogenic microbe infestation of the article wherein the article is configured to receive pathogenic microbes on the surface, and is configured to secure, bind, or tighten the textile about the user.
In one example, the textile is a shoe 200. In one example, the textile is scrubs. In other examples, the textile is a sweater, sweatshirt 300, or jacket. In other examples, the textile is pants, shorts 400, or a skirt. In other examples, the textile is a cap, a glove, a bag 500, or a lanyard 700.
The combination of the antimicrobial articles with textiles described in the present disclosure offers many advantages over articles that do not have antimicrobial properties. The present disclosure prevents or reduces the risk of contamination and infection by various pathogenic microbes. The present disclosure is not limited to use in the textiles listed herein but may be used in combination with any textile in which the user wishes to lower the risk of infection or cross-contamination.
