Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to anti-pathogenic textile articles, and in particular, the antimicrobial, and antifungaltextile articles and related methods of making same.
BACKGROUND
Properly treated textiles may be used as means for protection from a variety of organisms, bacteria, mold, fungus, viruses, etc. Conventional means for imparting, in particular, antimicrobial efficacy to textile materials includes incorporating metal nanoparticles, such copper, gold, or silver onto the textile article or imparting them into the fiber structure itself. The application of nanoparticle on textile materials typically has two mechanism: in-situ and ex-situ. In-situ synthesis of nanoparticles involves formation of the nanoparticles during the textile process. For example, metal nanoparticles may be applied to the textile using topical finishes, e.g., during dyeing, coating, or finishing etc. Ex-situ processing involves synthesizing the nanoparticles first then using a carrier or dispersion, or like so that the nanoparticles are affixed on the textile surface. In this example, synthesized nanoparticle may be added to the polymer during melt spinning of any thermoplastic filaments, e.g., polyester, nylon and polypropylene etc. Ex-situ formed nanoparticles may also be applied to textile fabrics through dyeing and finishing processes. But there are disadvantages to conventional means, whether in-situ or ex-situ, of imparting metal nanoparticles on textiles. Namely, topical finishes have poor wash durability. Use of melt-spinning processes are limited to thermoplastic fibers, such as polyester. Finally, adding metals during the dyeing and finishing process is a multi-step process that requires additional functional agents, binders, etc., only to yield limited wash durability during use.
SUMMARY
An embodiment of the present disclosure is an antimicrobial, anti-odor and antifungal textile article. The textile article includes a plurality of warp yarns extending along a warp direction, each warp yarn comprising fibers. The textile article includes a plurality of weft yarns interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven fabric structure, each weft yarn comprising fibers. The textile article includes a combination of metal nanoparticles and dyestuffs 1) infused within the fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns, 2) located on the fibers of the weft yarns and a surface of the fibers of the warp yarns, or 3) infused within and located on the fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns. The anti-pathogenic textile article has a percentage reduction of bacteria of at least 90-99.9 % measured according to AATCC TM 100-2019 standard after at least 50-70 wash cycles.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of making an antimicrobial, anti-odor and antifungal textile article. The method includes forming a textile article that includes a plurality of warp yarns interwoven with a plurality of weft yarns, wherein the warp and weft yarns include natural or synthetic or combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The method includes, subjecting, in a single step process, the textile article to a composition having a combination of dyestuffs and metal nanoparticle precursors. The metal nanoparticles are embedded or infused along with dyestuff during dyeing process, so that the metal nanoparticles can reach inside the fibers or on the surface of the fibers or inside as well as on the surface of the fibers; which enables the metal nanoparticle to form a strong bond with the fiber. The method includes applying thermal energy or air drying or any other suitable method known in the art to the textile article to remove moisture from the composition. Further, no further functionalization of the nanoparticle precursors is required to give rise to the metal nanoparticles. The result an anti-pathogenic textile article has a percentage reduction of bacteria of at least 90-99.9 % measured according to AATCC TM 100-2019 standard after at least 50-70 wash cycles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a woven fabric according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the woven fabric taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of a woven fabric according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the woven fabric taken along line 12-12 in Figure 3; and
Figure 5 a process flow diagram for manufacturing the textile article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present disclosure is directed to wash durable anti-pathogenic textile articles with metal nanoparticles. The wash durable anti-pathogenic textile article described herein can be flat fabric (woven or knitted), terry fabrics (woven or knitted), or knitted fabrics. The anti-pathogenic woven textile article includes plurality of warp yarns extending along a warp direction, each warp yarn comprising fibers, and a plurality of weft yarns interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven fabric structure. The textile articles as described herein can be formed into one or more different bedding articles, such as a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, a pillowcase, a sham, a comforter, a duvet, a bed-skirt, coverlet and/or a blanket. The textile articles can be formed into one or more different bath articles, such as a towels, hand towels, wash clothes, bath matts, bath robes, bath rugs and the like. The nanoparticle of the present disclosure are the metal nanoparticles including but not limited to copper nanoparticles, zinc nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, or gold nanoparticles used either in combination or in isolation. Said metal nanoparticles are incorporated or infused into a textile article to make it anti-pathogenic textiles.
Any combination of metal nanoparticles, such as cooper nanoparticles, zinc nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, or gold nanoparticles are embedded or infused along with dyestuff during dyeing process so that the metal nanoparticles can reach inside the fibers or on the surface of the fibers or inside as well as surface of the fibers of weft and warp yarns. Application of the metal nanoparticles and dyestuffs occurs via single-step process, further described below, which results in a textile article that has wash durable anti-pathogenic properties, and in particular, antimicrobial properties as well as antifungal and anti-odor properties. The anti-pathogenic textile articles as described herein have a percentage reduction of bacteria of at least 90-99.9 % measured according to AATCC TM 100-2019 standard after the antimicrobial textile article was subjected to least 50-70 wash cycles.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the textile article 10 is a woven fabric 10 that includes a warp component having warp yarns 20, and a weft component including weft yarns 40 that are interwoven with the warp yarns 20 to define the woven fabric. The weft yarns 40 may be referred to as fill or pick yarns. The warp yarns 20 extends along a warp direction 4 and includes first warp yarn 20a, a second warp yarn 20b, a third warp yarn 20c and a fourth warp yarn 20d, etc. The weft yarns 40 extend along a weft or fill direction 6 that is perpendicular to the warp direction 4. The weft yarns 40 include a first weft yarn 40a, a second warp yarn 40b, a third weft yarn 40c and a fourth weft yarn 40d, etc. The woven fabric 10 includes a face 12 and back 14 opposite the face 12 along a thickness direction 8 that is perpendicular to the warp direction 4 and the weft direction 6.
Continuing with Figures 1 and 2, the woven fabric 10 includes weft yarns 40a-40b each of which extend along the weft insertion path 19. The weft insertion path 19 is shown in dashed lines in Figure 1. As used herein, the weft insertion path 19 extends along the weft direction 4 around the warp yarns 20 across an entirety of the width of the woven fabric 10. As illustrated, the weft insertion path extends under (with respect to the sheet) warp 20a, over warp yarn 20b, under warp yarn 20c, and over warp yarn 20d. A person of skill in the art will appreciated that the weft insertion path 19 varies from one woven design to another woven design. Further, for woven fabrics, co-insertion of picks yarns may be used to increase the pick density and thread count.
The woven fabric 10 as described herein may be defined by a number of different woven structures having a woven design repeat 18. As used herein, a woven design repeat18 includes at least a first warp yarn 20a, a second warp yarn 20b, and at least one weft yarn 40. For example, a plain woven fabric has a weave design repeat that includes two adjacent warp yarns 20a, 20b and two adjacent weft yarns 40a, 40b. Depending on the particular design, woven design repeats may repeat along: a) the weft direction 4; b) the warp direction 6; or both the weft direction 4 and warp directions 6. However, the design of the woven fabric 10 is not limited to a plain weave. For example, the woven fabric can have a number of exemplary woven structures including, but are not limited to: plain weaves; basket weaves, rib weaves (e.g. 2x1 rib weave; 2x2 rib weave; or 3x1 rib weave) twill weaves; oxford weaves; percale weaves, satin weaves (e.g. satin dobby base, satin stripe satin 5/1, satin 4/1 satin; 4/1 satin base strip; 4/1 stain swiss dot; 4/1 down jacquard;5/1 satins), or sateen weaves. In one example, the woven fabric is a plain weave. In another example, the woven fabric is a basket weave. In another example, the woven fabric is a rib weave. In another example, the woven fabric is a twill. In another example, the woven fabric is an oxford weave. In another example, the woven fabric is a satin weave. Furthermore, a number of exemplary satin constructions are possible. For instance, in one satin weave example, the woven fabric is a 4/1 satin. In another example, the woven fabric is a 4/1 satin dobby diamond weave. In another example, the woven fabric is a 4/1 satin dobby stripe. In yet another example, the woven fabric is a 4/1 satin jacquard weave. In another example, the woven fabric is a 5/1 satin. In still another example, the woven fabric may be a 6/1 satin. In another example, the woven fabric is a 7/1 satin. In yet another example, the woven fabric is an 8/1 satin. In another example, the woven fabric is a 9/1 satin. In another example, the woven fabric is a 10/1 satin.
The warp yarns and the weft yarns may be formed from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or blends of natural and synthetic fibers. The metal nanoparticle application process, however, is suitable for use with a wide range of fibers types while still resulting in improved wash durable of the nanoparticles themselves. Natural fibers include cotton, such as a Pima and/or Egyptian cotton fibers, ramie, hemp, flax, kapok, nettle, silk, wool, at the like. Synthetic fibers may include other cellulosic fibers, such as rayon (or regenerated cellulose), modal, with or without recycled content. Synthetic fibers may also include thermoplastic fibers, such polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (Nylon), polylactic acid (PLA), acrylic or polypropylene with or without recycled.
The warp yarns 20 may have a range of linear densities. For example, the warp yarn 20 can have a count between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 160 Ne (33.21 denier). In one example, the warp yarn count is between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 100 Ne (53.1 denier). In another example, the warp yarn count is between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 60 Ne (88.6 denier). In another example, the warp yarn count is between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 40 Ne (133 denier). In yet another example, the warp yarn count is 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 30 Ne (177 denier).
The warp yarns 20 may be single end yarns or plied yarns. For instance, the warp yarns may be plied yarn, such as a two ply yarn or a three-ply yarn.
The weft yarns may be any type of spun staple yarn structure or filament yarn structure as the case may be. For example, the weft yarns may be ring spun yarns, open end yarns, rotor spun yarns, vortex spun yarns, core spun yarns, jet spun yarns, or compact spun yarns. The weft yarns could also be continuous filament yarns as needed.
The weft yarns 40 may have a range of linear densities. For example, the weft yarn 40 can have a count between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 160 Ne (33.21 denier). In one example, the weft yarn count is between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 100 Ne (53.1 denier). In another example, the weft yarn count is between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 60 Ne (88.6 denier). In another example, the weft yarn count is between 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 40 Ne (133 denier). In yet another example, the weft yarn count is 20 Ne (266 denier) and about 30 Ne (177 denier).
The weft yarns 40 may be single end yarns or plied yarns. For instance, the warp yarns may be plied yarn, such as a two-ply yarn or a three-ply yarn.
The weft yarns may be any type of staple spun yarn structure or filament yarn structure as the case may be. For example, the weft yarns may be ring spun yarns, open end yarns, rotor spun yarns, vortex spun yarns, core spun yarns, jet spun yarns, friction spun yarn, or compact spun yarns. The weft yarns could also be continuous filament yarns as needed. The linear density of the filament yarn can range from the 10 denier to 300 denier.
The warp yarns and weft yarns in the fabrics described herein are arranged to achieve desired warp and weft end densities, respectively, and thus desired thread count, for bedding applications. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the woven fabric has a warp end density between about 50 warp ends per inch and about 350 warp ends per inch. In one example, the warp end density is between about 50 and 150 warp ends per inch. In another example, the warp end density is between about 150 and 450 warp ends per inch. In another example, the warp end density is between about 450 and 350 warp ends per inch. Furthermore, the weft yarns are arranged to define a weft end density between about 50 weft yarns per inch and about 700 weft yarns per inch (or more). In one example, the weft yarn density is between about 100 and about 700 weft yarns per inch. In one example, the weft yarn density is between about 100 and about 300 weft yarns per inch. In another example, the weft yarn density is between about 300 and about 500 weft yarns per inch. In another example, the weft yarn density is between about 500 and about 700 weft yarns per inch. The weft yarn density has used herein refers to the total number of separate weft yarns along a length of the woven fabric. For example, a weft yarn density of about 50 picks per inch refers the 50 total weft yarns per inch of woven fabric.
An alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is terry fabric 510 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The terry woven fabric 510 includes a ground component 530 that includes warp yarns 520 and weft yarns 540 interwoven with the warp yarns 520. The terry woven fabric 510 also includes one or more pile components 550a, 550b. The ground component 530 includes a first side 532 and a second side 534 opposite the first side. The pile component 550a and 550b extend away from opposite sides 532 and 534 of the ground component 530 along a thickness direction 8. The warp yarns 520 extend along a warp direction 4, which is perpendicular to the weft direction 6 and the thickness direction 8. The weft yarns 540 extend along a weft or fill direction 6 that is perpendicular to the warp direction 4. The woven fabric 510 includes a face 12, and back 14 opposite the face 12 along a thickness direction 8 that is perpendicular to the warp direction 4 and the weft direction 6. The terminal ends of the pile components 550a and 550b can define the face 12 and back 14 of the woven terry fabric 510. The piles have a pile height H that extends from the ground component to the terminal ends of the piles. The terry fabric 510 may include a plurality of warp and weft yarns as described above with respect to fabric 10 and warp yarn 20 and weft yarn 40. For instance, the warp and weft yarns can have natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. The pile yarns, likewise, may have natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
As illustrated in Figure 3-4, the terry woven fabric 510 includes a first pile component 550a and a second pile component 550b. However, the terry fabric may include only the one pile component. Each pile component 550a, 550b includes a plurality of piles 552a, 552b that project in a direction away from the ground component 530. The piles 552a, 552b are defined by pile yarns 554a, 554b interwoven with the ground component 530. The terry woven fabric 510 can be formed using any of yarn configurations described in the present disclosure. In one example, the pile yarns 554a, 554b may include the plied yarns 80. Furthermore, one or both of the warp yarns 520 and the weft yarns 540 may include the plied yarns 80. In another example, however, the pile yarns 554a, 554b may include the yarn 80. In such an example, one or both of the warp yarns 520 and the weft yarns 540 may include the yarn 80. The terry woven fabrics 510 may be converted bath and/or kitchen products, such as towel articles. Terry articles include a towel, a hand towel, a wash cloth, a bath robe, a rug, a kitchen towel, and the like.
The anti-pathogenic textile article combines dyestuff and copper nanoparticles in a single-step process into the fabric structure. The copper nanoparticle size can range between 50 nm to about 200 nm. The amount of copper nanoparticles present in the fabric is at least 5 to 50 ppm measured using an ICP-OES acid digestion method.
Turning to Figure 5, a method of making woven fabric 10, 510 is illustrated. The fabric formation process as illustrate is focused on woven fabric production and processing. However, other fabric formation processes may be used. Further, the process as illustrated is configured to permit application of nanoparticles on the textile article in a single-step or single phase process, as further describe below. The result is an anti-pathogenic textile article with antimicrobial properties that have improved wash durability compared to conventional textile articles.
Continuing with Figure 5, the method may include includes yarn formation 410 for the warp yarns 20 and weft yarns 40. Yarn formation 410 for the warp yarns can include staple yarn formation or spinning 412 and filament yarn formation 414 (where applicable). Staple yarn formation 412 may utilize any number of yarn formation systems and sub-systems. For instance, staple yarn formation may include bale opening, carding, optionally combing, drafting, roving, and yarn spinning (yarn spinning processes are not illustrated) to the desired count and twist level. In some cases, the warp yarns can be plied into 2-ply, 3-ply, or 4-ply configurations. After yarn spinning, the warp yarns are wound into the desired yarn packages for warping 420. In one example, ring spinning is the preferred spinning system. However, the warp yarns can be formed using open end spinning systems, rotor spun spinning systems, vortex spinning systems, core spinning yarns, jet spinning yarns, or compact spinning systems.
Following weft yarn spinning, a weft yarn may be prepared in winding 416 operation. Winding 416 may include use of a yarn winding apparatus (not shown) configured to wind separate yarns onto a multiple yarn packages.
Warping 420 follows the yarn formation 410 for woven and terry fabrics. Warping 420 is where warp yarn ends are removed from their respective yarn packages, arranged in a parallel form, and wound onto a warp beam. Warping 420 also includes a sizing step where a sizing agent is applied to each warp yarn to aid in fabric formation. Warping 420 results in a warp beam of warp yarns prepared for weaving. The warp beam can be positioned on a mounting arm of a weaving loom so that the warp yarns can be drawn through the loom components, as further described below. Terry fabric production may include pile warp beam as in known in the art.
Continuing with Figure 5, after warping 420, weaving 440 operation forms a woven fabric with a weaving loom. More specifically, in weaving 440, the warp yarns are drawn-in (not shown) through various components of a weaving loom, such as drop wires, heddle eyes attached to a respective harness, reed and reed dents, in a designated order as is known in the art. After drawing-in is complete, fabric formation phase can begin.
During the formation phase of the weaving 440, the weft yarns 40 are woven with the warp yarns 20 to define the desired woven construction. The formation phase creates shed with the warp yarns 20 that the weft yarns can be inserted through across the width direction of the machine to create the desired woven fabric construction. For instance, shedding motions can include cam shedding, dobby shedding, or jacquard shedding motions, each of which can cause the selective raising and lowering of warp ends to create an open shed for weft insertion. The formation phase can utilize different weft insertion techniques, includes air-jet, rapier, or projectile type weft insertion techniques. In each weft insertion event, yarns are inserted through the shed. For instance, the weaving step can utilize a co-insertion so that multiple groups of weft yarn inserted through the shed during a single weft insertion event, as described above. The weaving step 440 can further include weaving one or more selvedge edges along a length L of the woven fabric. It should be appreciated that various woven constructions can made during weaving 440, including, but not limited to: plain weaves; basket weaves; satins; rib weaves; twill weaves; oxford weaves; percale weaves; and sateen weaves.
After weaving 440, the woven fabric passes through an optional desizing and bleaching process (not shown) if the fiber content or yarns require this step. Desizing may be accomplished with enzymes as is known in the art. Bleaching may include typical bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide.
Dyeing and nanoparticle application occurs in operation 460. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated, operation 460 applies a composition to the fabric whereby the both color and nanoparticles are fixed onto and/or within the fibers during a single step operation. In other words, both coloration and nanoparticle application and fixation occur in a single step. More specifically, operation 460 includes subjecting, in a single step process, the textile article to a composition of the includes a combination of dyestuff and copper nanoparticle precursors. In accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is no additional step or process required to add nano-copper particles to the fabric. In other words, the nano particles are infused during the dyeing process/step. No additional functional chemicals or agents are required to impart the nanoparticles to the fabric. An exemplary composition includes is shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1 Exemplary Composition
Sl No CHEMICALS NAME Concentration
1 Levelling Agent 0.20 t0 0.40 gpl
2 Dyes As per depth shade
3 Nano Copper 0.01 to 6.5 gpl
4 Sodium Sulphate (Salt) 15 to 30 gpl
5 Soda Ash (Alkali) 7 to 20 gpl
6 Soaping Agent 0.35 to 0.55 gpl
7 Bio polishing 0.15 to 0.35%

After the dyeing and nanoparticle fusion operation 460, the fabric may be subjected to an optional finishing 470 operation. The optional fabric finishing 470 operation applies a composition including one or more of the functional agents to the woven fabric. The one or more functional agents may be, for example, a softener.
Next, the fabric article may subject to a thermal treatment operation 480. In the thermal treatment operation 480, excess moisture from the fabric and the composition is removed. Application of the thermal energy at step 480 may also give rise to the combination of copper nanoparticles and dyestuffs that are 1) infused within the fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns, 2) located on the fibers of the weft yarns and a surface of the fibers of the warp yarns, or 3) infused within and located on the fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns. The result is an anti-pathogenic textile article has a percentage reduction of bacteria of at least 90-99.9 % measured according to AATCC TM 100-2019 standard after the antimicrobial textile article was subjected to least 50 -70 wash cycles.
It has been found that typical approaches are in-situ copper nano-particle synthesis are complex. For instance, when copper nanoparticle synthesis occurs during exhaust dyeing, which is not suitable for commercial scale operations, functionalization with bi-functional group is required. In that example, one functional group will cap the copper nanoparticle, then the functionalized nanoparticle is added into the dyebath. The other group of the bi-functional agent will be used fix with molecular chain of dye group. Thus, the addition of extra step of functionalization and also addition of bi-functional agent is required for conventional nanoparticle the fixation with cellulose fibers. This conventional process is overly complex, impractical, and not readily predictable, and does not yield wash durable results. The inventors have identified a need for antimicrobial property incorporation of inherent antimicrobial property to any kind of textile articles with a variety of fibers types, such as natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and blends of natural and synthetic fibers. More specifically, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure the operation 480 incorporates copper nanoparticles into textile articles to impart the antimicrobial property in true single step process during dyeing. In operation 460, there is no requirement of addition of any functionalizing agent or subsequent functionalization step to functionalize and adhere the nanoparticle to the textile. Hence it is true single step process. Antimicrobial efficacy can therefore be incorporated during any kind of dyeing (such as reactive, disperse, acid dye, etc). The process is not dye specific) and nor is the process fiber limited.
After step 480, the fabrics may be assembled and packaged 490 into various textile articles. Article assembly may include material handling a roll goods to present to cutting, hemming, and or folding machines that are used to prepare the articles. In one example, article assembly includes cutting a panel of woven fabric to the appropriate length and width dimensions for the intended articles, such as the flat sheet or pillow case. The outer edges of the panel may be hemmed or surged to create finished edge. Secondary components can be attached to the panel at this stage. For example, ribbing, block hems, or binding can be sewn or otherwise attached to the panel. For fitted sheets, elastic materials are secured the at least the corner regions along the edge of the panel. For comforters, the fabrics can be cut to size and combined with desired batting or fill (e.g. fiber, feather, etc.). Accordingly, article assembly 490 includes forming one or more bedding articles of a bedding system. The bedding articles include at least one of a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, a pillow case, a sham, a comforter, a duvet, a bed-skirt, coverlet and a blanket or terry towel and rugs and carpet. Packaging then places the textile article in suitable packaging for shipment. The packaging may include automatically folding the formed articles, which are in panel form, into a folded configuration. The folded article is then placed in an outer package for shipment.
The combination of metal nanoparticles and dyestuffs were applied to the textile articles in single step process as further described below. An exemplary article was formed according to the disclosure herein and is detailed as example A below (Table 2).
Table 2 Example A Fabric Construction
Fabric Structure Woven Satin Weave
Warp Yarn Type Cotton ring spun yarns
Warp Yarn Count 80 Ne
Weft Yarn Type Cotton ring spun yarns
Weft Yarn Count 80 Ne
Thread Count 180 to1000 (Greige)
Ends per Inch 50 to 350( Greige)
Picks Per Inch 50 to 750 (Greige)

An exemplary composition, as shown below in Table 3, was applied to the fabric described in Table 3 below. A wet-pick up of 60 to 85%was used. Importantly, there is no need for a use of reducing agent or a carrier to accomplish the desired results.
Table 3 – Exemplary Composition
Component Type % by Weight (or Volume)
Dyestuff Reactive Dye As per requirement of the depth of shade
Copper Nanoparticle Precursor Copper NP 0.01 to 16.5 gpl
Reducing Agent N/A
Carrier (if applicable) N/A
Wet-Pick Up % % 60-85%
Add-On N/A 10 to 600 PPM (Following processing)

The exemplar fabric A was then tested to determine its antimicrobial efficacy. First, the bacterial reduction was evaluated according to AATCC TM 100-2019. Then, the article was subject to 50 wash cycles using ISO 6330 standard in effect at the time of filing the present application. ISO 6330 is incorporate herein by reference in its entirety. Table 4 shows the initial bacterial reduction date and table 5 shows the bacterial reduction data after 50 – 70 washes. The bacterial strains evaluated were staphylococcus aureus strain no. ATCC 6538 and klebsiella pneumoniae strain no. ATCC 4352.
Table 4 Initial Bacterial Reduction

Table 5 Bacterial Reduction After 50 Washes

Thus, the anti-pathogenic textile article was found to have a percentage reduction of bacteria of at least 98.5 0 % measured according to AATCC TM 100-2019 standard after the antimicrobial textile article was subjected to least 50 wash cycles.
While the disclosure is described herein using a limited number of embodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. The precise arrangement of various elements and order of the steps of articles and methods described herein are not to be considered limiting. For instance, although the steps of the methods are described with reference to sequential series of reference signs and progression of the blocks in the Figures, the method can be implemented in a particular order as desired. , Claims:What is Claimed:
1. An anti-pathogenic textile article, comprising:
a plurality of warp yarns extending along a warp direction, each warp yarn comprising fibers;
a plurality of weft yarns interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven fabric structure, each weft yarn comprising fibers; and
a combination of copper nanoparticles and dyestuffs 1) infused within the fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns, 2) located on the fibers of the weft yarns and a surface of the fibers of the warp yarns, or 3) infused within and located on the fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns,
wherein the anti-pathogenic textile article has at least 10 ppm of copper nanoparticles imparted thereon, having a size in at least one dimension between 50 and 200 nm.

2. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, wherein bacterial reduction is for staphylococcus aureus strain no. ATCC 6538 or klebsiella pneumoniae strain no. ATCC 4352.
3. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, wherein the copper nanoparticles includes a carrier.
4. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 3, wherein the carrier is a cage type carrier.
5. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, wherein fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns each have molecular chains, wherein at least a component of the copper nanoparticles are coupled to the molecular chains via electromagnetic potential, thereby giving rise to wash durability.
6. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, wherein the weft yarns and the warp yarns have a count from 1 Ne to about 160 Ne.
7. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 6, wherein the warp yarns are arranged to have between 50 warp ends per inch and 350 warp ends per inch, and weft yarns are arranged to have between about 50 weft yarns per inch and about 700 weft yarns per inch.
8. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pile yarns that are interwoven with the warp yarns and the weft yarns, thereby forming a terry fabric.
9. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, wherein the weft yarns include natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
10. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, wherein the warp yarns include natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
11. The anti-pathogenic textile article of claim 1, wherein the pile yarns for terry fabric include natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
12. A method for making a durable anti-pathogenic textile article, comprising:
forming a textile article that includes a plurality of warp yarns interwoven with a plurality of weft yarns, wherein the warp yarns include fibers and the weft yarns include fibers;
subjecting, in a single step process, the textile article to a composition having a combination of dyestuffs and copper nanoparticle precursors; and
applying thermal energy to the textile article to remove moisture from the composition while also giving rise to copper nano particle, such that, copper nano-particles are either or both 1) embedded or infused in the fibers of the weft yarns and the fibers of the warp yarns, or 2) located on a surface of the fibers of the weft yarns or a surface of the fibers of the warp yarns,
wherein no further functionalization of the nanoparticle precursors is required to give rise to the copper nanoparticles,
wherein the anti-pathogenic textile article has a percentage reduction of bacteria of at least 90-99.9 % measured according to AATCC TM 100-2019 after at least 50 – 70 wash cycles.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the copper nanoparticles includes a carrier.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the composition includes a cage type carrier.
15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the composition is applied at wet-pick up rate of between 60% and 85%.
16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the composition does not include any reducing agent.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein forming step further comprises forming piles that are interwoven with the warp yarns and the weft yarns.