Patent ID: 6207274
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: D01F,Y10T

Abstract:
A fragrance-emitting substantially single phase polymeric fiber of from about 3 denier to about 60 denier comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of:polyurethane,HD polyethylene;LD polyethylene;Polypropylene;Polyvinyl chloride;Copolymers of ethylene with a polar vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of:(a) vinyl acetate;(b) ethyl acrylate;(c) methyl acrylate;(d) butyl acrylate; and(e) acrylic acid;and admixed therewith at least one aroma-imparting component, which optionally has efficacious antimicrobial properties and optionally (i) one or more antimicrobial substances and/or (ii) at least one compatible coloring material or color-forming material which is useful for the ascertainment of the exhaustion or substantial reduction of fragrance, having a structure according to FIG. 7E, reference numeral 70, wherein the concentration of aroma-imparting component taken alone or in combination with additional antimicrobial substance is from about 1% to about 45% by weight of the fiber and the concentration of additional antimicrobial substance, when present, is from about 1% to about 20% by weight of the fiber, produced according to the process consisting essentially of the sequential steps of:(a) providing foamed or non-foamed polymer matrix particles having releasably entrapped therein at least one aroma-imparting component which optionally has efficacious antimicrobial properties and optionally (i) one or more additional antimicrobial substances and/or (ii) at least one compatible coloring material or color-forming material which is useful for the ascertainment of the exhaustion or substantial reduction of fragrance wherein the concentration of aroma-imparting component taken alone or in combination with additional antimicrobial substance is from about 1% to about 45% by weight of the polymer matrix particles and the concentration of additional antimicrobial substance, when present, is from about 1% to about 20% by weight of the polymer matrix particles;(b) optionally admixing the polymeric matrix particles with a particulate non-fragranced compatible polymer whereby a matrix polymer particulate mixture is formed;(c) forming the polymer matrix particles or the matrix polymer particulate mixture into one or more continuous fragrance-emitting fibers of from about 3 denier to about 60 denier by means of the hot extrusion of the polymer particles or matrix polymer particulate mixture in a hot runner system; and(d) cooling the resulting hot one or more continuous fragrance-emitting fibers.