Technical field

The technical solution relates to a textile composite with antibacterial effect.

The technical solution also relates to an absorbent hygiene aid, especially to a diaper for children or adults, which contains this composite.

Background art

Long-term use of existing absorbent hygiene aids, such as baby diapers or adult incontinence products, is associated with an undesirable side effect - irritant dermatitis, also known as diaper dermatitis. It is mainly caused by skin contact with urine or stool in combination with a local increase in skin temperature and sweating in an environment closed by an airtight diaper. Skin that is moistened and soiled in this way is more susceptible to damage from mechanical friction and abrasion. At the same time, the environment under the diaper or absorbent aid promotes the growth of certain micro-organisms from the human digestive tract, urine or stool, which can cause secondary bacterial or yeast infections of the disrupted skin.

Currently, there is no suitable material that would provide absorbent hygiene aids with sufficient antibacterial properties without preventing the movement of liquid into their absorbent layer and which could be used as part of them reducing the risk of irritant dermatitis or other dermatological defects and skin problems, and also the risk of complications caused by a bacterial or yeast infection.

The objective of the technical solution is to provide such a material.

In addition, the objective of the technical solution is to provide an absorbent hygiene aid containing this material. Principle of the technical solution

The objective of the technical solution is achieved by a textile composite with antibacterial effect, whose principle consists in that it contains a carrier textile layer with a basis weight of 10 to 40 g/m ² , on which a layer of nanofibers from hydrophilic polymer is arranged, having a basis weight of 0.1 to 10 g/m ² , in the nanofibers of which at least one substance with antibacterial effect is incorporated in an amount of 0.5 to 30 % by weight of this layer. The carrier textile layer provides the composite with the necessary mechanical properties, while the layer of nanofibers provides it with antibacterial properties.

In a preferred variant of embodiment, the carrier textile layer has a basis weight of 12 to 30 g/m ² .

The most suitable material of the carrier layer is especially polypropylene or polyethylene-propylene spunbond nonwoven fabric.

In a preferred variant of embodiment, the layer of nanofibers has a basis weight of 0.1 to 2 g/m ² .

The most suitable material of the layer of nanofibers is polyamide 6 (PA6), polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

In a preferred variant of embodiment, at least one substance with antibacterial effect is incorporated in the nanofibers of the layer of nanofibers in an amount of 1 to 27 % by weight.

Suitable substances with antibacterial effect include, for example, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) or chlorhexidine (CHX). In the case of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, the optimal amount in the nanofibers of the layer of nanofibers is 8 to 27 % by weight, in the case of chlorhexidine is the optimal amount 1 to 12 % by weight.

In addition, the objective of the technical solution is achieved by an absorbent hygiene aid which contains an outer textile layer, an absorbent layer and an inner textile layer intended for contact with the user's skin, the principle of which consists in that the inner textile layer is formed by the textile composite according to the technical solution, which is arranged with its carrier textile layer oriented outwards from the structure of this aid and with its layer of nanofibers oriented towards the absorbent layer.

Description of drawings

In the enclosed drawings, Fig. 1 a shows a photograph of a Petri dish with a culture of Staphylococcus aureus inhibited by the textile composite according to the technical solution in a first variant of embodiment, Fig. 1 b shows a photograph of a Petri dish with a culture of Staphylococcus aureus. Fig. 2 shows a photograph of a Petri dish with a culture of Staphylococcus aureus inhibited by the textile composite according to the technical solution in a second variant of embodiment. Na Fig. 3a shows a photograph of a Petri dish with a culture of Staphylococcus aureus inhibited by the textile composite according to the technical solution in a third variant of embodiment, Fig. 3b shows a photograph of a Petri dish with a culture of Staphylococcus aureus. Fig. 4a is a photograph of a Petri dish with a culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae inhibited by the same textile composite according to the technical solution as in Fig. 3a, and Fig. 4b is a photograph of a Petri dish with a culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Examples of embodiment of the technical solution

The textile composite with antibacterial effect according to the technical solution contains a carrier textile layer of any type on which a layer of polymeric nanofibers is arranged, in the nanofibers of which at least one substance with antibacterial effect is incorporated.

The carrier textile layer is preferably formed by polypropylene or polyethylene-propylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 10 to 40 g/m ² , preferably 12 to 30 g/m ² .

The layer of polymeric nanofibers is preferably composed of nanofibers from hydrophilic polymer having good stability in liquids, such as polyamide 6 (PA6), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), etc. Its basis weight is 0.1 to 10 g/m ² , preferably 0.1 to 2 g/m ² . Furthermore, at least one substance with antibacterial effect is incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer. When using the textile composite as part of an absorbent hygiene aid, such as a diaper, suitable substances with antibacterial effect are mainly substances which inhibit bacteria found in the human digestive tract or urine or stool, i.e., especially Enterococcus faecis, Bacteroides fragilis, Escherichia coli. Such substances include, e.g., dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) or chlorhexidine (CHX), etc. Depending on the specific substance with antibacterial effect used, its content in the layer of polymeric nanofibers ranges from 0.5 to 30 % by weight. If dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide is used, the appropriate amount is 8 to 27 % by weight, if chlorhexidine is used, the appropriate amount is 1 to 12 % by weight - at lower concentrations the nanofiber layer does not act as a whole with antibacterial properties, whereas at higher concentrations its antibacterial properties no longer improve, but the mechanical properties of nanofibers deteriorate and the price increases.

The textile composite with antibacterial effect according to the technical solution has numerous uses. One of them is, for example, its placement in the structure of existing absorbent hygiene aids, such as products designed for the solution of incontinence - diapers. In their structure, this composite is deposited as the uppermost layer with the layer of nanofibers oriented inwards - i.e., the carrier textile layer of this composite serves as a contact layer with the user's skin. In addition, thanks to its structure and hydrophilic properties, the textile composite does not prevent the drainage of liquid into the absorbent layers of the diaper, but at the same time it provides the diaper with antibacterial properties, thus preventing the development of dermatological defects and other skin problems associated with the long-term use of these absorbent aids.

The typical structure of an absorbent hygiene aid according to the technical solution thus contains an outer textile layer formed, for example, by a polypropylene or polyester nonwoven fabric, an absorbent layer formed, for example, by a layer of pulp containing a so-called superabsorbent, such as sodium polyacrylate, and an inner textile layer intended for contact with the user's skin. The inner textile layer is formed by the above-described textile composite, which is arranged with its carrier textile layer oriented outwards from the structure of the absorbent aid, i.e., towards the user's skin, and with its layer of nanofibers towards the absorbent layer of the absorbent aid. If desired, this structure may contain also other textile layers.

In the production of the layer of polymeric nanofibers, the substance(s) with antibacterial effect is/are dissolved in the same solvent as the polymer, and during the electrospinning process it is/they are entrained in the flows of this solution, from which the individual nanofibers are subsequently formed. As a result, this substance/these substances with antibacterial effect forms/form a part/parts of the cross-section and/or the length of the individual nanofibers.

A suitable solution for the preparation of a layer of nanofibers contains 10 to 14 % by weight of polymer and 0.1 to 4 % by weight of a substance/substances with antibacterial effect.

If the layer of nanofibers is during its electrospinning production deposited directly on the fabric constituting the carrier layer of the future composite, it acquires sufficient adhesion for the intended use only by the fact that many nanofibers are deposited on this fabric in a not completely solidified state and dry and solidify only on it. However, if necessary, it is possible to join the two layers of the composite over the entire surface or over at least part of their circumference together by any of the known technologies, e.g., by ultrasonic welding, spot bonding using a hot melt binder, e.g., polyurethane- based binder, etc.

Example 1

A solution containing polyamide 6 (PA6) in an amount of 10 % by weight and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) in an amount of 0.5 % by weight dissolved in technical alcohol was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 2 g/m ² . Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in an amount of 4.8 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

The textile composite thus formed was placed in a Petri dish with a nutrient medium which was inoculated with a model culture of Staphylococcus aureus in strips. A textile composite of the same structure, but without dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, was placed in a second Petri dish with the same nutrient medium and the same culture. In the first case, there was a rapid inhibition of the culture of Staphylococcus aureus, not only where this culture was in direct contact with the textile composite containing dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, but also in the immediate vicinity of this composite - see Fig. 1 a; in the second case, the textile composite had no effect on the culture of Staphylococcus aureus - see Fig. 1 b.

Example 2

A solution containing polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in an amount of 10 % by weight and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) in an amount of 2 % by weight dissolved in technical alcohol was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 2 g/m ² . Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in an amount of 16.7 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

Higher concentration of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide resulted in faster inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus than in Example 1 , with approximately the same overlap outside the composite sample.

Example 3

A solution containing polyamide 6 (PA 6) in an amount of 12 % by weight and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) in an amount of 2.5 % by weight dissolved in a solvent system consisting of acetic acid and formic acid in a weight ratio of 2:1 was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 26 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 3 g/m ² . Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in an amount of 17.2 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer. Higher concentration of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide resulted in faster inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus than in Example 1 , with approximately the same overlap outside the composite sample.

Example 4

A solution containing polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in an amount of 10 % by weight and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) in an amount of 4 % by weight dissolved in technical alcohol was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polyethylene-propylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 32 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 2 g/m ² . Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in an amount of 28.6 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

Higher concentration of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide resulted in faster inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus than in Example 1 , with approximately the same overlap outside the composite sample.

Example 5

A solution containing polyamide 6 (PA 6) in an amount of 14 % by weight and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) in an amount of 0.5 % by weight dissolved in a solvent system consisting of acetic acid and formic acid in a weight ratio of 2:1 was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 8 g/m ² . Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in an amount of 3.5 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

Lower concentration of dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide resulted in slower inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus than in Example 1 , with essentially no overlap outside the composite sample. Nevertheless, the inhibition is sufficient for the considered practical applications. Example 6

A solution containing polyamide 6 (PA 6) in an amount of 10 % by weight and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) in an amount of 3 % by weight dissolved in a solvent system consisting of acetic acid and formic acid in a weight ratio of 2:1 was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 2 g/m ² . Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in an amount of 23.1 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

The textile composite thus formed was placed in a Petri dish with a nutrient medium which was inoculated with a model culture of Staphylococcus aureus in strips. The culture of Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited very rapidly, not only where this culture was in direct contact with the textile composite containing dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, but also in the immediate vicinity of this composite - see Fig. 2.

Example 7

A solution containing polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in an amount of 12 % by weight and chlorhexidine (CHX) in an amount of 0.1 % by weight dissolved in technical alcohol was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 10 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 0.5 g/m ² . Chlorhexidine in an amount of 0,83 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

Even at this concentration of chlorhexidine, the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus was sufficient for the considered practical application.

Example 8

A solution containing polyamide 6 (PA 6) in an amount of 12 % by weight a chlorhexidine (CHX) in an amount of 0.7 % by weight dissolved in a solvent system consisting of acetic acid and formic acid in a weight ratio of 2:1 was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 3 g/m ² . Chlorhexidine in an amount of 5.5 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

Due to higher concentration of chlorhexidine, Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited more rapidly than in Example 7, with an overlap outside the composite sample.

Example 9

A solution containing polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in an amount of 10 % by weight a chlorhexidine (CHX) in an amount of 1 .2 % by weight dissolved in technical alcohol was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 1 g/m ² . Chlorhexidine in an amount of 10.7 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer.

Due to higher concentration of chlorhexidine, Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited substantially more rapidly than in Example 8, with an overlap outside the composite sample.

Example 10

A solution containing polyamide 6 (PA 6) in an amount of 14 % by weight a chlorhexidine (CHX) in an amount of 0.5 % by weight dissolved in a solvent system consisting of acetic acid and formic acid in a weight ratio of 2:1 was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polyethylene-propylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 40 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 10 g/m ² . Chlorhexidine in an amount of 3.5 % by weight was incorporated in the nanofibers of this layer. Due to lower concentration of chlorhexidine, Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited more slowly than in Example 9, with less overlap outside the composite sample.

Example 11

A solution containing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in an amount of 12 % by weight and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) in an amount of 2 % by weight dissolved in technical alcohol was spun by electrostatic spinning using a direct current voltage. The formed nanofibers were deposited on polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² and formed a layer on it with a basis weight of 2 g/m ² . In the nanofibers of this layer was incorporated dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in an amount of 14.3 % by weight.

The textile composite thus formed was placed in a Petri dish with a nutrient medium which was inoculated with a model culture of Staphylococcus aureus in strips. A textile composite of the same structure, but without dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, was placed in a second Petri dish with the same nutrient medium and the same culture. In the first case, rapid inhibition of the Staphylococcus aureus culture occurred not only where the culture was in direct contact with the textile composite containing dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, but also in the immediate vicinity of the composite - see Fig. 3a; in the second case, the textile composite had no effect on the culture of Staphylococcus aureus - see Fig. 3b.

Subsequently, another sample of this textile composite was placed in a Petri dish with a nutrient medium which was inoculated with a model culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae in strips. A textile composite of the same structure, but without dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, was placed in a second Petri dish with the same nutrient medium and the same culture. In the first case, rapid inhibition of the culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae occurred where this culture was in direct contact with the textile composite containing dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide - see Fig. 4a; in the second case, the textile composite had no effect on the culture of Staphylococcus aureus - see Fig. 4b.