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:
Jun. 13, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2003
Bhawan Patel, Bolton, GB;
David L. Morris, Manchester, GB;
Bhawan Patel, Bolton, GB;
David L. Morris, Manchester, GB;
Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, SC (US);
Abstract
Fluoroelastomer (FKM) rubber-containing articles that exhibit highly desirable long-term effective antimicrobial characteristics are provided. Such articles are in either solid or blown (foam or sponge) state (or combinations of both in multilayered forms) and can be utilized in a variety of applications. This invention utilizes the presence of non-sulfur-based curing systems and agents, such as bisphenols, that permit vulcanization and do not irreversibly bind silver ions thereto, thereby resulting in long-term antimicrobial performance of the rubber article. This invention further provides a simple method of producing such an antimicrobial vulcanized fluoroelastomer rubber-containing article. This invention also encompasses certain non-silicone pre-vulcanized raw rubber formulations made from at least a majority by weight of FKM rubber that include silver-based components to provide highly desirable long-term antimicrobial characteristics within the ultimate cured FKM articles made therefrom.