The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 06, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 30, 1998
Robert S Watterson, III, Charlotte, NC (US);
William D Hanrahan, Charlotte, NC (US);
Microban Products Company, Huntersville, NC (US);
Abstract
A fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composite having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth includes a polyester resin composition and an antimicrobial agent incorporated therein. The polyester resin composition includes a polyester resin, high modulus fiber reinforcements, a curing catalyst and a polyester resin gelcoat. The antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the polyester resin composition. A method for forming the FRP composite having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth is also disclosed. The antimicrobial additive is incorporated into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the polyester resin composition using a solubilizing agent carrier system, thereby incorporating the antimicrobial agent into the FRP composite. The antimicrobial additive in the FRP composite, incorporated in the manner above, results in substantive controlled migration from the polyester resin to the surface of the FRP composite, until a point of equilibrium is reached.