Fleece structure and / or fabric structure and fleece- and / or fabric-structure production process

Abstract

The invention relates to a fleece structure and / or fabric structure wetted and / or mixed with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles, wherein the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles are tetrapodal zinc oxide, and in the fabric structure and / or fleece structure there are interlocking structures with the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles arranged at the surface of the fabric structure and / or fleece structure. The invention also relates to a fleece- and / or fabric-structure production process for a fleece structure and / or fabric structure with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles.

Description

[0001] FLEECE AND / OR FABRIC STRUCTURE AND

[0002] Nonwoven and / or fabric structure manufacturing processes

[0003] The invention relates to a nonwoven and / or woven structure.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a nonwoven and / or woven structure manufacturing method for a nonwoven and / or woven structure.

[0005] State-of-the-art nonwoven and / or fabric structures exist which are particularly made up of novel nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties, i.e. in particular antiviral and antibacterial. Currently, antimicrobial particles are loosely incorporated into nonwoven fabrics, which means that release, especially through leaching and mechanical stress, cannot be prevented. Known solutions include nanosilver, which does not adhere permanently to the fabric / nonwoven due to its small particle size. There is a risk of inhalation and skin irritation from the nanoparticles and their release. Inadequate adhesion in the fabric / nonwoven leads to a limited duration of effectiveness due to the release of the particles. Nanosilver is a form of silver that has been reduced to a very small size, i.e. silver particles with a size of less than 100 nanometers.In medicine, nanosilver is used due to its antimicrobial properties in the manufacture of wound dressings, implants, catheters, and other medical devices to prevent or treat infections. In the textile industry, nanosilver is used in the production of textiles and clothing to reduce the formation of odors and the growth of bacteria and fungi. However, the inventors recognized that this type of nanosilver has significant disadvantages, making a substitute necessary.

[0006] Document CH 717 692 A1 discloses a filter for filtering particles with a negatively charged surface, particularly anionic particles with a polar, negatively charged surface, from a fluid, particularly viruses and / or bacteria from the air. The filter comprises a carrier material, preferably a permeable porous carrier material, and a cationic agent covalently bound to the carrier material. When covalently bound to the carrier material, the cationic agent has a molecular weight of less than 1000, particularly less than 200.

[0007] Furthermore, the document AT 516 414 A1 discloses a nonwoven fabric containing cellulose fibers at least partially incorporating zinc oxide particles and additionally impregnated with a liquid, as well as a process for its production and its use, in particular for the production of preservative-free wet wipes. The problem with the prior art is essentially that the currently known antimicrobial properties of nanosilver entail potential toxicity upon release. The effects of nanosilver on the environment and human health are therefore rather critical, as silver cannot be broken down in the body, and possible side effects in this regard can affect the central nervous system and the sense of taste. Furthermore, gait disturbances, dizziness, or seizures can occur due to the absorption of nanosilver.

[0008] The search for better combinations of nonwoven and / or woven structures with antimicrobial function is considered necessary. The present invention is based on the object of improving a nonwoven and / or woven structure from the prior art in such a way that an antibacterial and antiviral (antimicrobial) design is possible while also avoiding negative effects on the environment and the body. Furthermore, the cost factor should also be considered so that the manufacturing costs for such nonwoven and / or woven structures are kept as low as possible. A further object is to demonstrate a corresponding nonwoven and / or woven structure manufacturing process.

[0009] This object is achieved with a nonwoven and / or woven structure according to the main claim. Furthermore, the object can be achieved by a nonwoven and / or woven structure manufacturing method for a nonwoven and / or woven structure according to the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0010] The nonwoven and / or fabric structure wetted and / or mixed with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles is characterized in that

[0011] - the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles are tetrapodal zinc oxide and

[0012] - Interlocking structures are present in the fabric structure and / or nonwoven structure with the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles arranged on the surface of the fabric structure and / or nonwoven structure.

[0013] Macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles are particles that are visible at the macroscopic level and have a spatial dimension. They are typically larger than nanoparticles, which are typically less than 100 nanometers in size.

[0014] Tetrapodal zinc oxide is a special form of zinc oxide with a unique shape (see Fig. 1). It consists of tetrapodal, i.e., four-pronged, crystalline structures that, unlike other forms of zinc oxide, exhibit a higher specific surface area. The higher specific surface area of ​​tetrapodal zinc oxide makes it a material suitable for medical use and, as described below, can be used in various wound care dressings to reduce inflammation and bacterial growth and promote wound healing, particularly through its antimicrobial effect.

[0015] Furthermore, the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles can, should, or must have a non-spherical morphology, for example, crystallizing as wires, rods, tubes, tetrapods, or multipods. The particles should therefore exhibit non-spherical nanostructures. However, medical compatibility is important, so only medically safe materials should and must be used. With regard to hazard, the aspect of excellent adhesion is also crucial, so that even materials that are not entirely safe can, under certain circumstances, still be used due to their good adhesion. The following materials could certainly be used: aluminum oxide, silver oxide, titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, cerium oxide, copper oxide, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide, silicon oxide, or in the form of pure metals.

[0016] The nonwoven and / or fabric structure can in particular be selected from one of the following lists or a combination of the following lists:

[0017] - Fleece and / or filter fleece layer for mouth and nose protection,

[0018] - Fleece and / or filter fleece layer for breathing masks,

[0019] - Fleece and / or filter fleece layer for filter systems,

[0020] - Filter fleece for respiratory mask,

[0021] - Wound dressing, nonwoven wound dressing, plaster

[0022] - Textiles, socks, sportswear, underwear,

[0023] - Nonwoven structure for diapers,

[0024] - Nonwoven structure for incontinence and / or period underwear,

[0025] - Nonwoven structure for feminine hygiene products.

[0026] A face mask, also known as a mask, is a protective device used to prevent microorganisms from entering the body through the respiratory tract. The mask covers the mouth and nose and can be made of various materials, including fabric, paper, medical or surgical mesh, or special filter materials, especially nonwoven structures. Face masks are generally widely used in medicine and healthcare to reduce the spread of pathogens and infections through droplet transmission. There are different types of face masks, including simple face masks made of fabric or paper that cover the nose and mouth area, and medical or surgical masks made of special filter material that offer greater protection.The corresponding design of the mouth and nose protection with corresponding macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles, in particular tetrapodal zinc oxide, ensures that the macroparticles bind and inactivate the microorganisms present in a liquid film created by the breathing air.

[0027] The special morphology of the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles, i.e., the tetrapodal zinc oxide, ensures permanent integration of the macroparticles into the nonwoven fabrics, effectively preventing particle leaching, thus extending the service life of the mask and increasing its sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and user safety. In particular, known nanoparticles such as nanosilver are avoided.

[0028] A permanent application or at least a significantly longer application is possible due to interlocking structures in fabric structures or nonwoven structures, since microorganisms can be effectively bound and inactivated by the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles arranged on the surface of the fabric structures or nonwoven structures, in particular the tetrapodal zinc oxide.

[0029] There is protection of humans from microorganisms as well as protection of humans and the environment from the release of potentially environmentally hazardous toxic nanoparticles, as are known in the state of the art.

[0030] Wound dressings are materials applied directly to the skin or a wound to aid healing and protect the wound. They can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, foam, hydrocolloid, alginate, and many others. The dressings can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the type of wound and the specific healing requirements. For example, some dressings are designed to retain moisture within the wound, while others can help drain excess moisture. The dressings, as demonstrated here, can have an antimicrobial property to prevent or treat infection.

[0031] Antimicrobial textiles are textiles treated with antimicrobial agents to inhibit or prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. The macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles, particularly tetrapodal zinc oxide, are applied either to the yarn, fabric, or finished product. Antimicrobial textiles are used in various applications, such as medicine, sports, workwear, and underwear. In sports, antimicrobial textiles are used in the production of sportswear and equipment to reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria. In workwear and underwear, antimicrobial textiles are used in the production of clothing and equipment to reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi, thus improving hygiene and comfort.

[0032] However, it is important to note that there are no concerns regarding the potential toxicity of the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles used here, in particular the tetrapodal zinc oxide.

[0033] Feminine hygiene products are products specifically designed for women's personal hygiene. These products include various items that can be used for menstruation, intimate hygiene, and general body care. Some of the most common feminine hygiene products are:

[0034] Sanitary pads: Absorbent pads worn in underwear to absorb blood during menstruation;

[0035] Tampons: Small cylindrical pads inserted into the vagina to collect blood during menstruation;

[0036] Panty liners: Thin, absorbent pads that can be worn inside underwear to absorb discharge or light bleeding;

[0037] Intimate care wipes: Moist wipes specially developed for intimate hygiene.

[0038] Furthermore, the nonwoven and / or fabric structure can in particular be a medical nonwoven and / or fabric structure, wherein the medical nonwoven and / or fabric structure as well as the nonwoven and / or fabric structure can be designed as a microbial binder, wherein the microbial binding occurs through the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles in the nonwoven and / or fabric structure.

[0039] The nonwoven and / or woven structure can be made in particular from fibers, cotton, hemp, cellulose and / or synthetic fibers.

[0040] Furthermore, the nonwoven and / or fabric structure can consist of glass fibers or contain glass fibers.

[0041] The nonwoven and / or fabric structure manufacturing process for a nonwoven and / or fabric structure with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles is characterized in that the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles are applied and / or introduced by means of a dispersion or a suspension by:

[0042] - Spraying and / or rolling and / or rolling with impressions of the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles onto the nonwoven and / or fabric structure and / or - Spraying and / or soaking and / or dipping and / or impressions of the nonwoven and / or fabric structure with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles and / or

[0043] - an application with introduction by formation of the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles as an additive in the production of the nonwoven fibers.

[0044] Furthermore, in this regard, a dispersion can be alcohol-based, in particular isopropanol, or a suspension can be water-based with a neutral pH value.

[0045] As a preferred application or insertion method, the roll-to-roll process can be used to ensure industrial-style production.

[0046] A dispersion is a mixture of solid particles in a liquid phase. There are various methods for applying a dispersion to a fiber, depending on the type of fiber and the dispersion. Here are some possibilities:

[0047] - Immersion method: The fiber is immersed in the dispersion and then withdrawn, and the dispersion medium is then allowed to evaporate. The particles settle on the fiber and form a coating. This method is well suited for porous fibers such as cotton or wool.

[0048] - Spraying method: The dispersion is sprayed onto the fiber, either as an aerosol or with a spray bottle. This method is particularly suitable for synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon.

[0049] - Coating process: The dispersion is applied to the fiber by pulling the fiber through a coating machine or system. This method is often used in the production of technical textiles such as filters or membranes.

[0050] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures in the description of the figures, which are intended to illustrate the invention and are not necessarily to be considered limiting. Tetrapodal zinc oxide is discussed in particular as a particularly preferred embodiment:

[0051] They show:

[0052] Fig. 1 a single t-ZnO particle;

[0053] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a nonwoven fabric according to the invention with tetrapodal zinc oxide;

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the tetrapodal ZnO particle. The SEM image was taken with a Zeiss Ultra Plus (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Jena, Germany). Fig. 4 shows optical images of tetrapodal ZnO particles embedded in a propylene mesh. The image was taken with a Zeiss optical microscope.

[0055] Fig. 5 Optical images of the tetrapodal ZnO particles embedded in the propylene fabric after impregnation. The image was taken with an optical laser confocal microscope from Keyence.

[0056] Figure 1 shows a single t-ZnO particle, highlighting the structure of this particular spike-like particle. Due to this special shape, the particle "catches" particularly well in fabrics or nonwovens, reducing the risk of dislodgement.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a nonwoven or woven structure according to the invention with tetrapodal zinc oxide. To clarify the structure, a visual enlargement is shown, which clearly shows how the fibers and the tetrapodal zinc oxide particles are combined. It is not absolutely necessary for the tetrapodal zinc oxide particles to completely enclose the fibers of the structure; rather, it is sufficient if the particles are distributed almost homogeneously, but not necessarily evenly, over the structure. The particles adhere to the structure of their own accord and can maintain this adhesion almost permanently, so that, in contrast to known structures, the applied tetrapodal zinc oxide particles do not detach.Moisture introduced during use of the fabric / nonwoven ensures distribution of the microbes towards the ZnO tetrapods, so that no comprehensive coverage with t-ZnO is necessary.

[0058] Figure 3 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the tetrapodal zinc oxide particle (t-ZnO). The SEM image was taken using a Zeiss Ultra Plus (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Jena, Germany). A large, tetrapodal ZnO structure is visible in the center of the image, which, due to its morphology, is particularly well suited for incorporation into fabrics and / or nonwovens.

[0059] Fig. 4 shows optical images of tetrapodal zinc oxide particles embedded in a propylene fabric, with different images a) to f) being shown here. The images were taken using an optical Zeiss microscope. In these examples, nonwovens with particularly large mesh sizes were chosen to make the adhered tetrapods particularly visible. For certain applications, the use of finer fabrics and / or nonwovens is advisable, as the t-ZnO particles "hook" into them better and adhesion is further improved. Fig. 5 also shows optical images of the tetrapodal zinc oxide particles, here embedded in the propylene fabric after impregnation of the fabric. The image was taken using an optical laser confocal microscope from Keyence. In this case, too, particularly coarse carrier materials were chosen to make the applied t-ZnO particles more visible.

[0060] In the following, a possible application of tetrapodal zinc oxide to a nonwoven structure is explained using an example, which is intended to explain the invention and not necessarily limit its scope.

[0061] State-of-the-art face masks generally consist of at least three nonwoven layers. These nonwoven layers are typically made of plastics such as polypropylene or ethylene propylene. Such nonwovens are produced using a spinning process as spunbond or meltblown nonwovens using a meltblown process. The simplest method for a face mask is a combination of two outer spunbond nonwovens with a meltblown nonwoven arranged in their center. In this case, it is sufficient to wet the central meltblown nonwoven, usually made of polypropylene, with tetrapodal zinc oxide, so that the tetrapodal zinc oxide exerts an antimicrobial effect in the layer.

[0062] The following table shows the samples used as examples:

[0063] The samples were cut into 100x100 mm pieces and weighed before impregnation. The following three methods were used: spray, roller, and dipping. The following three impregnation options were prepared: a. 0.01 g t-ZnO + 10 ml H2O b. 0.01 g t-ZnO + 10 ml isopropanol c. 0.1 g t-ZnO + 50 ml isopropanol. The samples were weighed before impregnation (m1) and after drying (m2).

[0064] Spray variant: The entire solution containing t-ZnO (tetrapodal zinc oxide) was sprayed onto a 10 cm 2A large sample was sprayed onto the sample. To accurately determine the amount of ZnO on the sample, the samples were weighed before and after spraying. The samples were dried before weighing to ensure that the weight consisted only of the ZnO content and was not affected by excess moisture. By precisely measuring the amount of t-ZnO on the sample before and after spraying, the amount of t-ZnO remaining on the sample could be determined. Roller variant: A smooth, non-porous roller surface was chosen to prevent t-ZnO particles from adhering to the surface. The solution was applied in both horizontal and vertical directions. Immersion variant: The immersion method was not very successful when using water, as the material has a hydrophobic surface. For this reason, an alcohol-based solution was used instead, which allowed for better adhesion to the surface of the material.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 . Nonwoven and / or fabric structure wetted and / or mixed with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles; characterized in that - the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles are tetrapodal zinc oxide and - Interlocking structures are present in the fabric structure and / or nonwoven structure with the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles arranged on the surface of the fabric structure and / or nonwoven structure.

2. Nonwoven and / or woven structure according to claim 1, characterized in that Nonwoven and / or fabric structure is selected from one of the following lists or a combination of the following lists: - Fleece and / or filter fleece layer for mouth and nose protection, - Fleece and / or filter fleece layer for breathing masks, - Fleece and / or filter fleece layer for filter systems, - Filter fleece for respiratory mask, - Wound dressing, nonwoven wound dressing, plaster - Textiles, socks, sportswear, underwear, - Nonwoven structure for diapers, - Nonwoven structure for incontinence and / or period underwear, - Nonwoven structure for feminine hygiene products.

3. Nonwoven and / or fabric structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nonwoven and / or fabric structure is a medical nonwoven and / or fabric structure, wherein the medical nonwoven and / or fabric structure is a microbial binder, wherein the microbial binding occurs through the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles.

4. Nonwoven and / or woven structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nonwoven and / or woven structure is made of fibers, cotton, hemp, cellulose and / or synthetic fibers.

5. Nonwoven and / or woven structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nonwoven and / or woven structure consists of glass fibers or comprises glass fibers.

6. Nonwoven and / or fabric structure manufacturing process for a nonwoven and / or fabric structure with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application and / or introduction of the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles by means of a dispersion or a suspension is carried out by: - Spraying and / or rolling and / or rolling with impressions of the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles onto the nonwoven and / or fabric structure and / or - Spraying and / or soaking and / or dipping and / or imprinting the nonwoven and / or fabric structure with macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles and / or - an application with introduction by formation of the macroscopic, three-dimensional, positively charged particles as an additive in the production of the nonwoven fibers.

7. Nonwoven and / or fabric structure manufacturing process according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a dispersion is alcohol-based and a suspension is water-based with a pH in the neutral or slightly acidic range with a pH >4.

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