| abstract |
An antimicrobial material comprising at least one thread comprising fine fiber of 1.0 denier or less and at least one thread comprising antimicrobial fiber that are coupled together, wherein the antimicrobial fibers impart an antimicrobial property to the entire material. In a preferred embodiment, the fine fiber threads and the antimicrobial fiber threads are woven or spun together. In addition, it is preferred that the fine fiber be less than 0.3 denier, with a diameter of approximately 3 microns, and generally with a triangular cross section with sharp edges, thus allowing the fine fiber to substantially remove bacteria, fungi and other microbes from a surface. It is also preferred that the antimicrobial fibers comprise an acetate fiber yarn together with polyester to give the antimicrobial fiber an additional strength. |