Abstract: Improvements in increasing the amount of surface-available silver in thermoplastic articles comprising certain silver-containing antimicrobial agents. Such an invention requires the incorporation of a sufficient amount of a carboxylic acid salt within the thermoplastic article simultaneously with the necessary silver-containing antimicrobial agent. Certain carboxylic acid salts are standard acid scavengers and lubricants for certain thermoplastic applications; however, the amounts required within this inventive thermoplastic article are in excess of that commonly added within such articles, and the types of acid scavengers possibly added within such target thermoplastic articles are preferably neutralized hydrotalcite compounds, thereby permitting the carboxylic acid salt to function in the inventive manner.

Abstract: Improvements in increasing the amount of surface-available silver in thermoplastic articles comprising certain silver-containing antimicrobial agents. Such an invention requires the incorporation of a sufficient amount of a carboxylic acid salt within the thermoplastic article simultaneously with the necessary silver-containing antimicrobial agent. Certain carboxylic acid salts are standard acid scavengers and lubricants for certain thermoplastic applications; however, the amounts required within this inventive thermoplastic article are in excess of that commonly added within such articles, and the types of acid scavengers possibly added within such target thermoplastic articles are preferably neutralized hydrotalcite compounds, thereby permitting the carboxylic acid salt to function in the inventive manner.

Abstract: Certain non-silicone vulcanized rubber articles made from at least a majority by weight of ethylene-propylene-diene modified (terpolymer) rubber (such as, without limitation, EPDM and/or NBR) that include silver-based compounds to provide highly desirable long-term antimicrobial characteristics within the cured rubber articles, at least a portion of which exhibits a color other than black, are provided. Such articles are in either solid or blown (foam or sponge) state (or combinations of both in multilayered forms, either all colored or individual layers colored) that can be utilized in a variety of different applications. As silver-based compounds are deleteriously affected by utilization of standard curing agents and curing accelerators, such as sulfur-based compounds and/or systems, the ability to provide such an effective antimicrobial vulcanized rubber article is rather difficult.

Abstract: Certain non-silicone vulcanized rubber articles made from at least a majority by weight of ethylene-propylene-diene modified (terpolymer) rubber (such as, without limitation, EPDM and/or NBR) that include silver-based compounds to provide highly desirable long-term antimicrobial characteristics within the cured rubber articles, at least a portion of which exhibits a color other than black, are provided. Such articles are in either solid or blown (foam or sponge) state (or combinations of both in multilayered forms, either all colored or individual layers colored) that can be utilized in a variety of different applications. As silver-based compounds are deleteriously affected by utilization of standard curing agents and curing accelerators, such as sulfur-based compounds and/or systems, the ability to provide such an effective antimicrobial vulcanized rubber article is rather difficult.

Abstract: Improvements in increasing the amount of surface-available silver in thermoplastic articles comprising certain silver-containing antimicrobial agents. Such an invention requires the incorporation of a sufficient amount of a carboxylic acid salt within the thermoplastic article simultaneously with the necessary silver-containing antimicrobial agent. Certain carboxylic acid salts are standard acid scavengers and lubricants for certain thermoplastic applications; however, the amounts required within this inventive thermoplastic article are in excess of that commonly added within such articles, and the types of acid scavengers possibly added within such target thermoplastic articles are preferably neutralized hydrotalcite compounds, thereby permitting the carboxylic acid salt to function in the inventive manner.