Systems and processes for treating textiles with an antimicrobial agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile treatments with antimicrobial agents face challenges such as declining efficacy over time due to washing, high upfront costs, unsatisfactory performance, and unpleasant discoloration, making them unsuitable for commercial linen use in healthcare settings.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple laundry cycles with a wash cycle and a treatment cycle using a solution with a predetermined concentration of metallic ions, specifically silver ions, to achieve and maintain antimicrobial efficacy, while considering water quality and optimizing antimicrobial agent dosage to reduce waste and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the textile is treated with an antimicrobial agent during manufacturing, then the textile has antimicrobial properties, but the efficacy declines over time as the agent is washed away
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic re-treatment of textiles with antimicrobial agents during laundry cycles. The system automatically doses textiles with antimicrobial solution at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 3-5 wash cycles), restoring antimicrobial efficacy that declines over time. This periodic application maintains reliable antimicrobial protection without requiring continuous high-level impregnation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of antimicrobial agents applied at different stages. During manufacturing, a higher concentration is embedded in fibers. During subsequent laundry cycles, lower concentrations are applied periodically to maintain efficacy. This parameter adjustment optimizes both initial reliability and long-term duration of protection.
2Reliability
If a high concentration of antimicrobial agent is used, then antimicrobial efficacy is achieved, but the cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using lower concentrations of antimicrobial agents in periodic laundry cycle treatments compared to manufacturing-stage impregnation. The system determines optimal dosing levels that provide sufficient antimicrobial efficacy without excessive application, reducing both cost and environmental impact while maintaining reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous antimicrobial protection through automated periodic re-treatment during laundry cycles. The system continuously monitors and maintains effective antimicrobial levels on textiles over time, preventing gaps in protection while optimizing the total quantity of agent used through efficient timing and dosing.
3Reliability
If the textile is treated with antimicrobial agent at manufacturing, then antimicrobial properties are provided, but the textile requires large upfront capital investment and discards existing inventory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling existing textile inventories to automatically acquire and maintain antimicrobial properties through periodic laundry cycle treatment. Healthcare facilities can treat their own textiles in-house using automated dosing systems, eliminating the need for large upfront capital investments in pre-treated textiles and allowing gradual implementation without discarding existing inventory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding antimicrobial agents in textiles during manufacturing, then supplementing with periodic laundry cycle treatments. This combination provides initial protection at manufacturing and maintains it over time through automated re-treatment, reducing the need for facilities to make large capital investments in specialized pre-treated inventory.
4Reliability
If the textile is treated with antimicrobial agent, then antimicrobial efficacy is achieved, but the textile exhibits discoloration and becomes uncomfortable to touch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of antimicrobial agents applied at different stages. During manufacturing, a higher concentration is embedded in fibers. During subsequent laundry cycles, lower concentrations are applied periodically to maintain efficacy without causing discoloration or discomfort. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between achieving reliable antimicrobial protection and avoiding harmful side effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively reduces microbial loads on textiles, providing sustained antimicrobial protection with reduced antimicrobial agent usage, minimizing environmental impact and operational costs, and maintaining textile quality over multiple wash cycles.
Implementation Method 1
dosing the textile with a solution having a predetermined concentration of an antimicrobial agent that includes a metallic ion
Implementation Method 2
The predetermined concentration is insufficient to achieve a predetermined antimicrobial efficacy for the textile due to the first laundry cycle alone but sufficient to achieve the predetermined antimicrobial efficacy for the textile due to a combination of the first laundry cycle and one or more of the plurality of additional laundry cycles
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of treating a textile with an antimicrobial agent over a plurality of laundry cycles each including a wash cycle and a treatment cycle. The method includes (a) receiving a textile in a wash system for a first laundry cycle, (b) initiating a wash cycle comprising a detergent, (c) initiating a post-detergent treatment cycle comprising dosing the textile with a solution having a predetermined concentration of an antimicrobial agent that comprises a metallic ion, and (c) repeating steps (a)-(c) for each of a plurality of additional laundry cycles. The predetermined concentration is insufficient to achieve a predetermined antimicrobial efficacy for the textile due to the first laundry cycle alone but sufficient to achieve the predetermined antimicrobial efficacy for the textile due to a combination of the first laundry cycle and one or more of the plurality of additional laundry cycles.