Antimicrobial Filter Medium and Filter Module

Abstract

A filter medium with antimicrobial action, in particular for filtering air for the interior area of motor vehicles, consisting of at least one first filter layer where pollutants can be retained, and a second filter layer adjacent to the first filter layer is provided. The second filter layer is attached to the on-flow side of the first filter layer and contains antimicrobial agents.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation application of international application No. PCT / EP2012 / 060501 having an international filing date of Jun. 4, 2012 and designating the United States, the international application claiming a priority date of Jun. 6, 2011, based on prior filed German patent application No. 10 2011 104 628.7, the entire contents of the aforesaid international application and the aforesaid German patent application being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention concerns generally a filter medium. In particular, it concerns a filter medium with antimicrobial action. Especially, it concerns a filter medium and a filter element comprising such a filter medium for filtering air for the cabin of a motor vehicle, i.e., a motor vehicle cabin filter. Moreover, the invention concerns a filter module.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Filter elements produced from filter media serve ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]An object of the present invention is to provide a filter medium with antimicrobial action that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. Moreover, the present invention provides the possibility that an already existing filter medium can be furnished with an additional antimicrobial layer without the filtration efficiency being changed.

Problems solved by technology

As already mentioned, due to the increasing air pollution, increasingly more pollutants are present in the environment of a motor vehicle so that the motor vehicle cabin filter is exposed to an increasing load.

A disadvantage of the solutions disclosed in the prior art is, on the one hand, that they cannot be applied easily to motor vehicle cabin filters and, on the other hand, that they cannot effectively prevent growth of microorganisms on the filter medium and in particular cannot prevent penetration of growth.

Moreover, growth, in particular of fungi or fungal spores, is not prevented or only prevented to a minimal extent by the disclosed solutions.

Some of the disclosed biocidal agents show an effectiveness only against certain microorganisms, for example, bacteria, but not against molds; for others, an effective inhibition of microbial growth is not ensured by the application of the biocides and the construction of the filter medium.

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