Claims
- 1. A polypropylene fiber having incorporated therein (a) a C8 to C16 fatty acid monoglyceride or a mixture of glycerides containing at least 80 percent by weight of one or more C8 to C16 fatty acid monoglycerides, and (b) a hydrophilic enhancer material.
- 2. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monocaprylate.
- 3. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monocaprate.
- 4. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate.
- 5. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the monoglyceride comprises a mixture of at least two monoglycerides selected from the group consisting of a glycerol monocaprylate, a glycerol monocaprate, and a glycerol monolaurate.
- 6. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a polybutylene or a polybutylene copoloymer.
- 7. The fiber of claim 6 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a polybutylene.
- 8. The fiber of claim 7 wherein the polybutylene is incorporated prior to fiber formation in an amount from about 2 to about 25 weight percent.
- 9. The fiber of claim 7 wherein the polybutylene is incorporated prior to fiber formation in an amount from about 5 to about 15 weight percent.
- 10. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/octene copolymers and atactic polypropylene.
- 11. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is selected from the group consisting of a C8 to C16 sorbitan monoalkylates.
- 12. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate and the hydrophilic enhancer material is a sorbitan monolaurate.
- 13. The fiber of claim 12 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material additionally comprises a polybutylene.
- 14. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the monoglyceride is a C8 to C12 fatty acid monoglyceride.
- 15. The fiber of claim 14 having a sufficient amount of the monoglyceride incorporated therein such that the fiber is antimicrobial to Gram-positive bacteria.
- 16. The fiber of claim 15 wherein the surface of the fiber is treated with an effective amount of an antimicrobial enhancer material such that the fiber is antimicrobial to Gram-negative bacteria.
- 17. The fiber of claim 16 wherein the antimicrobial enhancer material is an organic acid or a chelating agent.
- 18. The fiber of claim 17 wherein the antimicrobial enhancer material is a lactic acid.
- 19. A polypropylene fiber comprising:
(a) polypropylene; (b) an effective amount of a C8 to C12 fatty acid monoglyceride incorporated into the fiber; (c) a hydrophilic enhancer material incorporated into the fiber; and (d) a coating on the surface of the fiber containing an effective amount of an antimicrobial enhancer material; wherein the fiber is antimicrobial to Gram-positive bacteria and to Gram-negative bacteria.
- 20. The fiber of claim 19 wherein the antimicrobial enhancer material is selected from the group consisting of organic acids and chelating agents.
- 21. The fiber of claim 20 wherein the antimicrobial enhancer material is lactic acid.
- 22. The fiber of claim 19 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate, the hydrophilic enhancer material is selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene, a polybutylene copolymer, a sorbitan monolaurate, and mixtures thereof, and the antimicrobial enhancer material is a lactic acid.
- 23. An absorbent device comprising:
(a) an absorbent layer comprising hydrophilic polypropylene fibers having incorporated therein a C8 to C16 fatty acid monoglyceride and a hydrophilic enhancer material; and (b) a liquid-impermeable and moisture vapor-permeable backing sheet adhered to an outer surface of the absorbent layer.
- 24. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monocaprylate.
- 25. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monocaprate.
- 26. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate.
- 27. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the monoglyceride comprises a mixture of at least two monoglycerides selected from the group consisting of a glycerol monocaprylate, a glycerol monocaprate, and a glycerol monolaurate.
- 28. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a polybutylene or a polybutylene copolymer.
- 29. The absorbent device of claim 28 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a polybutylene.
- 30. The absorbent device of claim 29 wherein the polybutylene is incorporated prior to fiber formation in an amount from about 2 to about 25 weight percent.
- 31. The absorbent device of claim 29 where the polybutylene is incorporated prior to fiber formation in an amount from about 5 to about 15 weight percent.
- 32. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/octene copolymers and atactic polypropylene.
- 33. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a sorbitan monolaurate.
- 34. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a sorbitan monopalmitate.
- 35. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a mixture of a polybutylene and a sorbitan monolaurate.
- 36. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer is a mixture of a polybutylene and a sorbitan monopalmitate.
- 37. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the device is a wound dressing.
- 38. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the device is a disposable diaper.
- 39. The absorbent device of claim 23 wherein the monoglyceride is a C8 to C12 fatty acid monoglyceride.
- 40. The absorbent device of claim 39 wherein the hydrophilic fibers contain a sufficient amount of the monoglyceride such that the fiber is antimicrobial to Gram-positive bacteria.
- 41. The absorbent device of claim 40 wherein the surface of the fibers is treated with an effective amount of an antimicrobial enhancer material such that the fiber is antimicrobial to Gram-negative bacteria.
- 42. The absorbent device of claim 41 wherein the antimicrobial enhancer material is selected from the group consisting of organic acids and chelating agents.
- 43. The absorbent device of claim 42 wherein the antimicrobial enhancer material is a lactic acid.
- 44. The absorbent device of claim 41 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate, the hydrophilic enhancer material is a sorbitan monolaurate, and the anti-microbial enhancer material is a lactic acid.
- 45. The absorbent device of claim 44 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material further includes a polybutylene.
- 46. An absorbent device comprising:
(a) an absorbent layer comprising hydrophilic polypropylene fibers having incorporated therein an effective amount of a C12 fatty acid monoglyceride such that the fiber is hydrophilic, and an effective amount of an antimicrobial enhancer material, wherein the fiber is antimicrobial to Gram-positive bacteria and to Gram-negative bacteria; and (b) a liquid-impermeable and moisture vapor-permeable backing sheet adhered to an outer surface of the absorbent layer.
- 47. The absorbent device of claim 46 wherein the polypropylene fibers additionally have incorporated therein a hydrophilic enhancer material.
- 48. The absorbent device of claim 47 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a polybutylene or a polybutylene copolymer.
- 49. The absorbent device of claim 47 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a sorbitan monolaurate.
- 50. The absorbent device of claim 47 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a mixture of a polybutylene and a sorbitan monolaurate.
- 51. The absorbent device of claim 46 wherein the device is a wound dressing.
- 52. The absorbent device of claim 46 wherein the device is a medical drape.
- 53. The absorbent device of claim 46 wherein the absorbent layer and the backing sheet are substantially coextensive.
- 54. The absorbent device of claim 46 wherein the backing sheet extends beyond at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the absorbent layer to form an extended portion having an upper surface and a lower surface.
- 55. The absorbent device of claim 54 wherein the lower surface of the extended portion of the backing sheet is adjacent to the absorbent layer and at least a portion of the lower surface carries an adhesive layer which can be used to adhere the absorbent device to a skin surface.
- 56. The absorbent device of claim 55 further comprising a release liner that is substantially coextensive with the backing sheet and adhered to the backing sheet by the adhesive layer.
- 57. The absorbent device of claim 56 further comprising a liquid-permeable sheet that is substantially coextensive with and adhered to the surface of the absorbent layer opposite the surface to which the backing sheet is adhered.
- 58. An absorbent device comprising:
(a) an absorbent layer comprising (i) hydrophilic polypropylene fibers having incorporated therein an effective amount of a glycerol monolaurate, and the surface of the fiber is covered by a dry coating containing an effective amount of lactic acid, wherein the fiber is antimicrobial to Gram-positive bacteria and to Gram-negative bacteria, and (ii) an absorbent additive; (b) a liquid-impermeable and moisture vapor-permeable backing sheet adhered to an outer surface of the absorbent layer, the backing sheet substantially coextensive with the absorbent layer; and (c) a liquid-permeable sheet that is substantially coextensive with and adhered to the surface of the absorbent layer opposite the surface to which the backing sheet is adhered.
- 59. The absorbent device of claim 58 further comprising a hydrophilic enhancer material incorporated into the fibers, the hydrophilic enhancer material being selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene, a polybutylene copolymer, a sorbitan monolaurate, a sorbitan monopalmitate, and mixtures thereof.
- 60. The absorbent device of claim 58 wherein the absorbent additive is selected from the group consisting of wood pulp, cellulose, cotton, rayon, recycled cellulose, shredded cellulose sponge, and mixtures thereof.
- 61. The absorbent device of claim 60 wherein the absorbent additive is wood pulp.
- 62. The absorbent device of claim 60 wherein the device is a wound dressing.
- 63. A wound dressing comprising:
(a) an absorbent layer comprising hydrophilic polypropylene fibers having incorporated therein an effective amount of a C8 to C16 fatty acid monglyceride such that the fibers are hydrophilic; (b) a liquid-impermeable and moisture vapor-permeable backing sheet adhered to an outer surface of the absorbent layer; the backing sheet substantially coextensive with the absorbent layer; and (c) a liquid-permeable sheet that is substantially coextensive with and adhered to the surface of the absorbent layer opposite the surface to which the backing sheet is adhered.
- 64. The wound dressing of claim 63 wherein the absorbent layer further includes an absorbent additive.
- 65. The wound dressing of claim 64 wherein the absorbent additive is selected from the group consisting of wood pulp, cellulose, cotton, rayon, recycled cellulose, shredded cellulose sponge, and mixtures thereof.
- 66. The wound dressing of claim 63 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate and the absorbent additive is wood pulp.
- 67. The wound dressing of claim 63 further comprising a hydrophilic enhancer material.
- 68. A device comprising:
an absorbent layer comprising polypropylene fibers having incorporated therein an effective amount of a C8 to C12 fatty acid monoglyceride such that the fibers are hydrophilic, and an effective amount of an antimicrobial enhancer material, wherein the fibers are antimicrobial to Gram-positive bacteria and to Gram-negative bacteria.
- 69. The medical device of claim 68 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate.
- 70. The medical device of claim 68 further comprising a hydrophilic enhancer material.
- 71. The medical device of claim 68 wherein the device is a face mask.
- 72. The medical device of claim 68 wherein the device is a medical drape.
- 73. A method of preparing hydrophilic fibers comprising:
(a) preparing a hot melt mixture comprising melted polypropylene and sufficient amounts of (i) at least one C8 to C16 fatty acid monoglyceride and (ii) a hydrophilic enhancer material that are effective to impart hydrophilicity to the fibers; and (b) extruding the mixture into fibers.
- 74. The method of claim 73 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene, a polybutylene copolymer, a sorbitan monolaurate, and mixtures thereof.
- 75. The method of claim 73 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate.
- 76. The method of claim 73 wherein the monoglyceride is glycerol monolaurate and the hydrophilic enhancer material is a sorbitan monolaurate.
- 77. The method of claim 76 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material additionally includes a polybutylene.
- 78. A method of preparing fibers that are both hydrophilic and antimicrobial to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, comprising:
(a) preparing a hot melt mixture comprising melted polypropylene and an amount of at least one C8 to C12 fatty acid monoglyceride that is effective to impart both hydrophilicity and antimicrobial activity to Gram-positive bacteria to the surface of the fiber; (b) extruding the mixture into fibers; (c) contacting the fibers with a liquid composition comprising at least one antimicrobial enhancer material, thereby cooling and at least partially solidifying the fibers to yield an essentially dry coating of the antimicrobial enhancer material on the surface of the fibers that is of sufficient concentration and uniformity such that the fiber surface is antimicrobial to Gram-negative bacteria.
- 79. The method of claim 78 further comprising incorporating an effective amount of a hydrophilic enhancer material in the polypropylene to enhance the hydrophilicity of the fibers.
- 80. The method of claim 79 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene, a polybutylene copolymer, a sorbitan monolaurate, a sorbitan monopalmitate, and mixtures thereof.
- 81. The method of claim 80 wherein the monoglyceride is a glycerol monolaurate.
- 82. The method of claim 80 wherein the hydrophilic enhancer material is a sorbitan monolaurate and the antimicrobial enhancer material is an organic acid or a chelating agent.
- 83. The method of claim 82 wherein the antimicrobial enhancer material is a lactic acid.
- 84. A nonwoven, woven and knit web or batt comprising the fiber of claim 1.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/572,811, filed May 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,339, issuing on Jul. 13, 2004 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/135,381, filed May 21, 1999, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/153,626, filed Sep. 13, 1999, the disclosures of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60135381 |
May 1999 |
US |
|
60153626 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09572811 |
May 2000 |
US |
Child |
10885150 |
Jul 2004 |
US |