DISINFECTANT AND PROTECTIVE COMPOSITION FOR TEXTILES OR SIMILAR

Abstract

A textile disinfectant and protective composition is provided, wherein the composition is suitable for any washing process and which may be used for washing at low temperature, providing protection to the treated garments between 7 and 30 days, the composition having : clay particles, preferably bentonite in a proportion between 2% and 5%; aliphatic bromides in a proportion between 0.5% and 2.5%; soluble silver salts in a proportion between 0.05% and 0.8%; dispersants consisting of ammonium salts of high molecular weight fatty acids in a proportion between 0.8% and 2.5%; silicone-free deaerating polymers in a proportion between 0.6% and 2.5%; at least one urea rheological agent or similar in a proportion between 0.5% and 1.5%; and water as a dispersing vehicle up to 100% of the composition.

Claims

1. A disinfectant and protective composition for textiles or similar that provides protection to treated garments for at least 7 to 30 days, being effective on a wide range of both natural and synthetic fabrics, such as cotton or fabrics made from polymeric materials, wherein the composition comprises clay particles, preferably bentonite in a proportion between 2% and 5%; modifying stabilisers of aliphatic bromides in a proportion between 0.5% and 2.5%; soluble silver salts in a proportion between 0.05% and 0.8%; dispersants consisting of ammonium salts of high molecular weight fatty acids in a proportion between 0.8% and 2.5%; silicone-free deaerating polymers in a proportion between 0.6% and 2.5%; at least one urea rheological agent or similar in a proportion between 0.5% and 1.5%; and water as a dispersing vehicle up to 100% of the composition.

2. The disinfectant and protective composition for textiles or similar, according to claim 1, wherein the silver salts are found in a proportion of 0.5% of the resulting mixture.

3. The disinfectant and protective composition for textiles or similar, according to claim 1, wherein the aliphatic bromides are selected from the group consisting of where at least one of the radicals is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, having between 1 and 30 carbon atoms and, especially, where at least one of the radicals is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, having 15 or 16 carbon atoms.

4. The disinfectant and protective composition for textiles or similar, according to claim 1, wherein the silver salts are selected from the group consisting of silver nitrate, organic silver salts, including citrates, acetates, adipates, simple and compound salts, silver halides and silver complexes.

5. The disinfectant and protective composition for textiles or similar, according to claim 1, wherein the deaerating polymers are selected from long-chain mineral, synthetic or natural oils starting from molecular weights greater than 1,000 gr/mol.

6. The disinfectant and protective composition for textiles or similar, according to claim 1, wherein the urea rheological agent has molecular weights greater than 500 g/mol.

Description

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a disinfectant and protective composition that keeps clothing free of bacteria pathogens, fungi, viruses and other agents, by applying the correct doses of said composition in the washing process, the garments remaining protected against microbiological contamination for a minimum of 7 to 30 days. The composition of the present invention is based on the microencapsulation of an active ingredient obtained from silver compounds. This microencapsulation technology provides a high affinity of the components with the fibres and allows a progressive release of the active ingredient; therefore, the fibres are protected against contamination by microorganisms for a long period of time. The composition of the invention enables eliminating those microorganisms that can cause infections, the presence of mites or similar problems. It prevents the growth of algae, fungi, viruses, moulds and other potential pathogens, in addition to preventing side effects due to the presence of microorganisms such as bad odours, discolouration or damage to the fabric.

[0015] The composition of the present invention is initially formed by the selection and dispersion of clay particles, preferably bentonite in a proportion between 2% and 5% in water as a dispersion vehicle. An organic modification and washing of the clay in dispersion is carried out, adding modifying stabilisers of aliphatic bromides in a proportion between 0.5% and 2.5%, which stabilises the clay particles in the aqueous medium; ammonium bromides are preferably used, where at least one of the radicals is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, having between 1 and 30 carbon atoms and, especially, where at least one of the radicals is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, having 15 or 16 carbon atoms. The clays have surface modification by the addition of aliphatic bromides, which facilitates the exfoliation and dispersion of the silver ions used as an active ingredient.

[0016] Next, soluble silver salts are incorporated in a proportion between 0.05% and 0.8% which allows the Ag.sup.+ ions to be encapsulated with the modified clay particles, the silver salts used are preferably selected from silver nitrate, organic silver salts, including citrates, acetates, adipates, simple and compound salts, silver halides or silver complexes.

[0017] For a greater antibacterial effect, assays were carried out with proportions of silver salts of 0.5%, showing maximum efficiency.

[0018] Dispersants, preferably ammonium salts of high molecular weight fatty acids in a proportion between 0.8% and 2.5%, are added to the resulting mixture. These dispersants are used to ensure that the modified clay-silver combination allows greater distribution and dispersion in the solvent, said dispersants being responsible for dispersing insoluble compounds in water.

[0019] Next, silicone-free deaerating polymers are added in a proportion between 0.6% and 2.5% preferably, long-chain mineral, synthetic or natural oils starting from molecular weights greater than 1,000 gr/mol; this prevents foaming from stabilising in the medium, since they preferentially concentrate at the liquid-air interface and form a deaerating film around the micro-foam bubble, therefore preventing the surfactants from stabilising the bubble. Furthermore, said partially insoluble deaerating agents promote the diffusion of the air in the bubble into the medium surrounding it. To modify the viscosity of the resulting composition, at least one urea rheological agent or similar is added to the composition, preferably with molecular weights greater than 500 gr/mol in a proportion between 0.5% and 1.5%, allowing the resulting product to have greater fluidity, such that sedimentation of the product during its transport and storage is prevented, but also allowing it to flow when it has to be poured or pumped during application. The composition is completed with water up to 100% of the composition.

[0020] The resulting composition was analysed based on bactericidal activity comparing a range of product concentrations in order to assess the product’s efficacy against bacteria. This range of concentrations is based on the guidelines of standard UNE-EN 1276:2010, for antiseptics and chemical disinfectants. The assay demonstrated its antibacterial activity for a period of at least 30 days. It eliminates those microorganisms that may cause infections, the presence of mites or similar problems. It prevents the growth of algae, fungi, viruses, moulds and other potential pathogens. It prevents side effects due to the presence of microorganisms such as bad odours, discolouration or damage to the fabric.

[0021] The composition shows greater effectiveness, since it shows a progressive release of the active substance, providing a minimum of 7 to 30 days of protection to the treated garments, being effective on a wide range of both natural and synthetic fabrics, such as cotton or fabrics made from polymeric materials.

[0022] The composition demonstrates high performance, where the use of the composition may replace other biocidal substances, increasing the efficiency of the disinfection system. Furthermore, it is suitable for any washing process at low temperatures, reducing energy costs and providing better clothing care.