Abstract: Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity (or other property).

Abstract: Broadly defined sol-gel films for the coating of solid substrates, wherein such sol-gel films provide effective and durable antimicrobial properties, are provided. The utilization of such films permits relatively low-temperature production of antimicrobial substrates, such as ceramics, metals (e.g., stainless steel, brass, and the like), plastics (e.g., polyimides), glass (e.g., borosilicates, and the like), as compared with typical glazes for ceramics and the like. The inventive films comprise, as the primary antimicrobial active ingredients, certain inorganic antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, metal-containing ion-exchange, oxide, and/or zeolite compounds (most preferably, including silver therein as the metal component). Preferably, also, the particular solid substrate to which such films are applied should exhibit substantially high melting and/or heat distortion temperatures to permit high temperature curing of the films to the solid substrate surface (in the range of 300-800° C.

Abstract: Broadly defined sol-gel films for the coating of solid substrates, wherein such sol-gel films provide effective and durable antimicrobial properties. The utilization of such films permits relatively low-temperature production of antimicrobial substrates, such as ceramics, metals (e.g., stainless steel, brass, and the like), plastics (e.g., polyimides, polyamides, polyacrylics, and the like), glass (e.g., borosilicates, and the like), as compared with typical glazes for ceramics and the like. The inventive films comprise, as the primary antimicrobial active ingredients, certain metal-containing inorganic or organic antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, metal-containing ion-exchange, oxide, glass, sulfadiazine, and/or zeolite compounds (most preferably, including silver therein as the metal component).

Abstract: Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity (or other property).

Abstract: Durable antimicrobial treatments for textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments preferably comprise silver ions, particularly as constituents of inorganic metal salts or zeolites. This particular treatment requires the presence of a resin binder, either as a silver-ion overcoat or as a component of a dye bath mixture admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial compound. Such a treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity. The particular treatment method, as well as the treated textile fabrics are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomer yams (particularly spandex) containing certain silver-based antimicrobial formulations therein are provided. This invention relates to polyurethane elastomer yams (particularly spandex) containing certain silver-based antimicrobial formulations therein. Such formulations comprise antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, triclosan and/or silver-containing ion-exchange resins, such as zirconium phosphate, glass, and/or zeolite compounds. The inventive spandex yarns exhibit excellent antimicrobial qualities as well as surprisingly good anti-tack/frictional characteristics. As a result, antimicrobial spandex yams are provided which exhibit ease in processing, particularly in further knitting, weaving, etc., to produce fabrics therefrom. Such fabrics are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: Durable antimicrobial treatments for high pressure treatments (such as package dyeing) for specific dyed yarns for further incorporation within textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments preferably comprise silver ions, particularly as constituents of inorganic metal salts or zeolites. This particular treatment requires the presence of a resin binder as a component of the dye bath formulation admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial compound, the formulation then forced through a target yarn spool in order to provide a finish over substantially all of the target yarn. The yarn may then be knit, woven, pressed, laid-in, etc., into a textile fabric exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Such a treatment has been found to be extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomer yarns (particularly spandex) containing certain silver-based antimicrobial formulations therein are provided. This invention relates to polyurethane elastomer yarns (particularly spandex) containing certain silver-based antimicrobial formulations therein. Such formulations comprise antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, triclosan and/or silver-containing ion-exchange resins, such as zirconium phosphate, glass, and/or zeolite compounds. The inventive spandex yarns exhibit excellent antimicrobial qualities as well as surprisingly good anti-tack/frictional characteristics. As a result, antimicrobial spandex yarns are provided which exhibit ease in processing, particularly in further knitting, weaving, etc., to produce fabrics therefrom. Such fabrics are also encompassed within this invention.