Nonwoven webs containing bacteriostatic compositions and methods of making the same

Abstract

Nonwoven webs, such as coform webs, treated with a bacteriostatic composition are generally disclosed. The treated webs can attract and/or trap negatively charged matter, such as bacteria and other pathogens. The bacteriostatic composition can comprise a cationic polymer, a cationic oligomer, or particles coated with a cationic material. The bacteriostatic composition can be bonded to the fibers of the nonwoven web in a manner such that the bacteriostatic composition is not substantially transferable to the web's surrounding environment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which includes reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a process and apparatus for producing a coform web of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exemplary meltblown die heads for use in the process and apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 depicts a contact angle of a liquid on a surface.

Claims

1. A substrate capable of trapping negatively charged materials, the substrate comprising: a nonwoven web comprising fibers; anda composition contained in said nonwoven web, said composition comprising a chemical compound having a net positive charge, said chemical compound comprising a cationic polymer, a cationic oligomer, a nanoparticle, or mixtures thereof, said composition being contained in said nonwoven web such that said nonwoven web has a contact angle of at least about 110° with water.

2. A substrate as in claim 1, wherein said composition is contained in said nonwoven web such that said nonwoven web has a contact angle of at least about 115° with blood

3. A substrate as in claim 1, wherein said composition is contained in said nonwoven web such that said nonwoven web has a contact angle of at least about 120° with water.

4. A substrate as in claim 1, wherein said composition is contained in said nonwoven web such that said nonwoven web has a contact angle with blood of at least about 120°.

5. A substrate as in claim 1, wherein said chemical compound comprises a metal ion.

6. A substrate as in claim 1, wherein said chemical compound comprises an aluminum oligomer or an aluminum salt.

7. A substrate as in claim 1, wherein said fibers comprise natural fibers.

8. A substrate as in claim 7, wherein said natural fibers are selected from the group consisting of wool, cotton, flax, hemp, and wood pulp.

9. A substrate as in claim 7, wherein said natural fibers are cellulosic fibers.

10. A substrate as defined in claim 1, wherein said nonwoven web comprises natural fibers and synthetic fibers.

11. A substrate as in claim 10, wherein said nonwoven web comprises a coform web.

12. A substrate as in claim 11, wherein said coform web comprises cellulosic fibers and meltblown fibers.

13. A nonwoven web having increased hydrophobicity comprising: a coform web containing polymer fibers and cellulosic fibers, said cellulosic fibers being present in an amount of at least about 30% by weight; anda bacteriostatic composition contained in said coform web, said bacteriostatic composition comprising a chemical compound having a net positive charge, said chemical compound comprising a cationic polymer, a cationic oligomer, a particle, or mixtures thereof, said bacteriostatic composition being contained in said coform web such that said coform web has a contact angle of at least about 110° with water.

14. A nonwoven web as in claim 13, wherein said bacteriostatic composition being contained in said coform web such that said coform web has a contact angle of at least about 115° with blood

15. A nonwoven web as in claim 13, wherein the chemical compound comprises an aluminum oligomer or an aluminum salt.

16. A nonwoven web as in claim 13, wherein the aluminum oligomer comprises aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum chlorohydrol.

17. A nonwoven web as in claim 13, wherein the coform web has a contact angle with water of at least about 120° and has a contact angle with blood of at least 120°.

18. A nonwoven web as defined in claim 13, wherein the cellulosic fibers contained within the coform web comprise pulp fibers, the pulp fibers being present in an amount of at least about 30% by weight.

19. A nonwoven web as defined in claim 13, wherein the cellulosic fibers contained within the coform web comprise pulp fibers, the pulp fibers being present in an amount of at least about 50% by weight.

20. A nonwoven web as defined in claim 13, wherein the coform web has a basis weight of from about 30 gsm to about 100 gsm.

21. A wound or surgical dressing, a surgical drape, a surgical mask, a surgical glove, or a surgical gown containing the nonwoven web as defined in claim 13.

22. A method of producing a coform web having increased hydrophobicity comprising: producing a coform web containing polymer fibers and cellulosic fibers, said cellulosic fibers being present in an amount of at least about 30% by weight; andincorporating a bacteriostatic composition into said coform web, said bacteriostatic composition comprising a chemical compound having a net positive charge, said chemical compound comprising a cationic polymer, a cationic oligomer, a particle, or mixtures thereof, said bacteriostatic composition being contained in said coform web such that said coform web has a contact angle of at least about 110° with water.