WO2015162238A1

WO2015162238A1 - Mask having an outer surface made of nonwoven polypropylene impregnated with bronopol

Info

Publication number: WO2015162238A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/058876
Authority: WO
Inventors: Valérie Foropon
Original assignee: Paul Boye Technologies
Priority date: 2014-04-24
Filing date: 2015-04-24
Publication date: 2015-10-29
Also published as: FR3020245A1; FR3020245B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an antibacterial and/or antiviral mask. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing such a mask. Said mask is particularly intended for protecting humans from biohazards.

Description

Non-woven polypropylene exterior face mask impregnated with bronopol

The present invention relates to an antibacterial and / or antiviral mask. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing such a mask. This mask is particularly intended for the protection of humans against biological risks.

This antibacterial or antiviral property is conferred according to the invention by the presence on the outer surface of the mask, of bronopol or 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (CAS 52-51 -7) in the dry state .

Bronopol is a well-known antimicrobial agent employed in the form of a solution, which has found applications as a preservative of pharmaceutical or cosmetic products (EP 1 365 775), as a disinfectant or preservative in the food industry (EP 1 12 100) , as an antimicrobial in fish farming (Pyceze®), as a biocidal agent in embalming compositions (WO20100010048) or compositions for the treatment of decubitus ulcers and external injuries of cadavers (WO201 1033221). It has also been proposed as an antimicrobial agent on pet cushions (US 6,196,156) or for livestock litter (US2006 / 0081,194), or as a protective agent for metal parts, mortar or in concrete, buried, against sulphate reducing bacteria.

Multilayer masks made of nonwoven materials are commercially available. However, there is a need for quick and effective contact biocide masks, while being recyclable.

The invention therefore aims to provide a mask having excellent contact biocidal properties vis-à-vis pathogenic microorganisms and fully recyclable. The biocidal contact properties must be understood as a protection of the wearer of the mask, by a protection of the environment of the wearer of the mask, in particular by a protection of the humans present in this environment, and at the moment of the handling, in particular during the withdrawal. of the mask.

The invention also aims to provide a method for producing such masks.

An object of the invention is a monolayer or multilayer single-use mask, antibacterial and / or antiviral, having an inner face (located on the mouth side of the mask wearer) and an outer face, a polypropylene nonwoven layer having a hydrophilicity corresponding to a water transport rate greater than or equal to 35% by weight relative to the weight of the nonwoven layer, said layer delimiting the outer face of the mask and bronopol in the dry state being present on the face outside and within the nonwoven layer. Mask means any medical device or personal protective equipment that may be applied to an individual's airways, covering the nose, mouth and chin, to protect either the wearer or the environment (which includes the people in it) in which the wearer is. The mask according to the invention preferably complies with the standards in force in the country where it is used. We can cite, for example, respiratory protection filter masks, also called half masks filtering particles, and surgical masks. These masks may further comprise adjustment means such as a nose bar and / or at least one elastic preferably adjustable, to adjust the mask on the face of the man.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the mask is a respiratory protection mask. Preferably, the respiratory protection mask protects the wearer of the mask against biological risks, during inhalation. For example, the respiratory protection mask meets the European Directive 89/686 / EEC and its protection effectiveness is evaluated by the European standard EN149.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the mask is a surgical mask. On the one hand, the surgical mask protects the environment of the wearer of the mask and in particular the patient against the biological risks when the mask wearer expires. On the other hand, the surgical mask protects the wearer of the mask risks of contamination by inhalation from the patient or the environment, for example by projections of contaminated fluids. For example, the surgical mask meets the European Directive 93/42 / EEC and its filtration efficiency is evaluated by the European standard EN14683.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the mask is both a respiratory protection mask and a surgical mask. Preferably, this mask protects both the wearer of the mask against biological risks, during inhalation, the environment of the wearer of the mask and in particular the patient against biological risks. For example, such a mask meets the European Directives 93/42 / EEC and 89/686 / EEC and its protection effectiveness is evaluated by European standards EN149 and EN14683.

In all cases, the contact biocidal action makes it possible to decontaminate the mask by destroying the pathogens, and thus to reduce or eliminate the risk of contamination by contact during removal of the mask.

Single use means a mask that is not to be kept or reused. The disposable mask can also be called a disposable mask. Hydrophilic means a nonwoven made of polypropylene having a water transport rate greater than or equal to 35%, especially 45%, preferably greater than 50%. In contrast, a nonwoven having a water uptake rate strictly less than 35% corresponding to the degree of hydrophobicity is termed hydrophobic polypropylene nonwoven.

By water intake rate is meant the percentage of water absorbed by the polypropylene nonwoven after being impregnated in an aqueous solution, and then expressed (padding), relative to the weight of the nonwoven before impregnation. The method for calculating this water uptake rate comprises the steps of impregnating the nonwoven in an aqueous solution to complete water saturation of the nonwoven, passage of this nonwoven saturated with water between squeezing rollers applying a pressure of 0.4 MPa with a passage time of 20 m / min, measuring the weight of the nonwoven expressed, then calculating the difference between the weight of the nonwoven expressed and the weight of the nonwoven layer before impregnation. The previously calculated difference in weight is then given as a percentage relative to the weight of the nonwoven material before impregnation.

For example, a nonwoven weighing 50 g and absorbing 10 g of water has a carry rate of 20%.

In one embodiment, the mask is a monolayer mask, comprising a single layer of nonwoven polypropylene.

In another embodiment, the mask is a multilayer mask comprising at least one nonwoven layer, said nonwoven layer delimiting the outer face of the mask. The mask preferably comprises three layers, in particular three layers of nonwoven polypropylene, an inner layer in contact with the face, the outer layer impregnated with bronopol, and an intermediate layer, sometimes called and designed to be a filtering layer, sandwiched. between the other two.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the bronopol content is between 0.001% and 10%, preferably between 0.025% and 2.5%, by weight relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer. .

In an embodiment according to the invention, the polypropylene is treated by a process making it possible to make the polypropylene hydrophilic or more hydrophilic, in particular by lowering the surface tension. Any method known to those skilled in the art can be used for this purpose. By way of example, mention may be made of chemical treatment in an aqueous medium, treatment comprising one or more oxidation treatments, plasma treatment, etc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polypropylene has a water transport rate of between 35 and 300%, preferably between 60 and 260%, by weight relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer. .

In an embodiment according to the invention, the polypropylene is recyclable. The polypropylene waste resulting from layers of nonwoven propylene used during the manufacture of the masks according to the invention are in particular recycled into polypropylene granules. These granules may, for example, be used to fabricate polypropylene nonwoven layers used in particular for the manufacture of masks. In order for propylene to be fully recycled, the propylene according to the invention preferably has a low melting point.

By low melting point and according to an embodiment according to the invention is meant that the melting point of polypropylene nonwoven is less than or equal to 160 ° C, preferably less than or equal to 150 ° C.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the polypropylene nonwoven layer has a weight of between 5 and 120 g / m ² , preferably between 8 and 40 g / m ² .

Another subject of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a mask according to the invention, comprising an inner face and an outer face, a polypropylene nonwoven layer, said layer delimiting the outer face of the mask, and bronopol in the dry state being present on the entire outer face and within the nonwoven layer, said method comprising the steps of:

impregnating the nonwoven layer in a bath comprising an aqueous solution of bronopol having a bronopol content of between 0.01 and 10% by weight relative to the weight of the aqueous solution,

drying of the previously obtained nonwoven fabric.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bronopol content in the aqueous impregnating solution is between 0.5% and 5% by weight relative to the weight of the aqueous solution.

In a practical embodiment, the nonwoven is treated by padding according to a method comprising impregnating the nonwoven in a bath comprising an aqueous solution of bronopol having a bronopol content of between 0.01 and 10% by weight per relative to the weight of the aqueous solution, then the impregnated nonwoven is expressed between two squeezing rollers in order to wring the previously impregnated layer.

Drying means natural drying or artificial drying of the impregnated nonwoven layer. Natural drying is drying done in the open air unlike artificial drying which is a drying to increase the drying rate of the non-woven layer, and in particular but not exclusively hot air blowing, drying by electric convectors, drying by infrared radiation, etc.

In order to have a polypropylene having a degree of hydrophilicity within the limits of the invention, the process may further comprise, before the impregnation step, a hydrophilic treatment step of the polypropylene nonwoven layer, following in particular the methods described above. It is possible to use a hydrophobic polypropylene nonwoven having a degree of hydrophobicity corresponding to a water uptake rate of less than 35% by weight relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer, typically between 1 and 20 μm. %.

We have described above the different types of masks that can benefit from the invention, as well as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the protection against biological risks conferred by the masks according to the invention.

By biological risk, is meant in particular a microorganism which may be a bacterium, in particular of the genus Bacillus, preferably Bacillus anthracis, of the genus Staphylococcus, preferably Staphylococcus aureus, or of the genus Acinetobacter, preferably Acinetobacter baumanii or a virus, especially an influenza virus, such as the H1 N1 virus, an adenovirus, such as adenovirus type 3 or a parainfluenza virus, such as Parainfluenza 3.

The invention will now be described in more detail using embodiments taken as non-limiting examples.

Example 1: Comparative data of the water uptake rate for a hydrophobic nonwoven and for a hydrophilic nonwoven

1 .1 100% hydrophobic polypropylene nonwoven with a weight of 38 g / m ²

1 .2 The same non-woven 100% polypropylene with a weight of 38 g / m ² , then subjected to a treatment to make it hydrophilic

The nonwovens 1 .1 and 1 .2 are impregnated by padding, that is to say that they are impregnated in a bath containing only water, then pass through pressure-squeeze rollers (0.4 MPa ) and at a speed of 20 m / min.

Result of water intake rate:

1 .1 1 .2

Weight (g) of the nonwoven before impregnation 2.43 2.31

by padding

Weight (g) of nonwoven after impregnation 2.82 6.44

by padding Weight (g) of water load 0.39 4.13

Water carrying rate (%) 16 179

It is therefore observed that the nonwoven made of polypropylene having undergone a hydrophilic treatment has a water uptake rate of at least ten times higher compared to the hydrophobic polypropylene nonwoven fabric. The hydrophilic nonwoven absorbs a significant amount of water and therefore can be homogeneously impregnated as opposed to the hydrophobic nonwoven.

Example 2: Polypropylene nonwovens having a weight of 38 g / m ² having previously undergone a hydrophilic treatment are impregnated in various aqueous solutions comprising bronopol padding, as summarized in the following table:

The nonwovens are then dried at 120 ° C for 3 minutes.

The bactericidal activity of the nonwovens thus treated was evaluated vis-à-vis Bacillus cereus, according to the indications of the standard JIS Z 2801: 2000

Experimental conditions:

- reference strain: Bacillus cereus CIP 105151

- Preparation of nonwovens: the nonwovens are cut sterilely in portions of 4cm x 4cm. Nonwoven control (no bronopol) and treated tissues are placed in petri dishes. The nonwovens are inoculated with 400 μl of bacterial suspension to obtain about 10 ⁵ CFU / non-woven, and left as is during incubation (24h).

- Solutions: the bacterial suspensions were prepared with the solution Nutrient Broth diluted to 1/250. The recovery solution is the SCDLP solution recommended by the standard. The subsequent dilutions are made in PBS (Gibco ^® ).

- Media: trypcase soy agar (Biomérieux)

Deposit on supports: 7.28.10 ⁴ UFC

The contact time is 24 hours.

Results: Sample tested UFC

Witness at T0 Witness 1, 7.10 ⁵

Witness at T24h Witness 8,6.10 ⁵

Tests at T24h T1 <10

T2 <10

T3 <10

Dry bronopol present within the hydrophilic non-woven polypropylene layer and over the entire outer face exhibits rapid biocide activity in the dry state with respect to microorganisms, more specifically, but not exclusively, to many pathogenic bacteria and viruses. This biocidal activity is provided by the bronopol in the dry state within the non-woven layer and over the entire outer face of the mask and in potential physical contact with the microorganisms present, which is here called a action biocide contact. The results of the studies leading to the invention have also shown that bronopol is odorless, stable under normal conditions of use without the bronopol deteriorating or decomposing into dangerous derivatives and may be toxic to humans.

The nonwoven polypropylene layer having undergone a hydrophilic treatment is impregnated homogeneously on the outer face and within this hydrophilic nonwoven and is also chemically inert vis-à-vis the bronopol. Therefore, hydrophilic non-woven polypropylene treated with bronopol provides effective and rapid contact action because bronopol is present homogeneously on and within the outer face and its biocidal properties are not affected.

The use of such a mask allows its wearer not to be contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms during inhalation, allows the environment of the wearer and in particular humans present in his environment, not to be contaminated by the pathogenic microorganisms present on the mask exhaled by the wearer, and finally does not contaminate the wearer when he removes his mask. The use of such a mask also allows the wearer of the mask when it is contaminated, does not contaminate its environment and including humans present in this environment.

Claims

1. - Single-layer or multilayer single-use mask, antibacterial and / or antiviral, having an inner face and an outer face, a polypropylene nonwoven layer having a hydrophilicity corresponding to a water transport rate greater than or equal to 35% by weight. weight relative to the weight of the nonwoven layer, said layer delimiting the outer face of the mask and bronopol in the dry state being present on the outer face and within the nonwoven layer.

2. Mask according to claim 1, wherein the bronopol content is between 0.001% and 10% by weight relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer, preferably between 0.025% and 2.5% by weight per relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer.

3. A mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polypropylene has a water-carrying rate of between 35 and 300% by weight relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer, preferably between 60 and 260%. by weight relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer.

4. A mask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polypropylene is recyclable.

5. A mask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the melting point of the polypropylene nonwoven is less than or equal to 160 ° C, preferably less than or equal to 150 ° C.

6. A mask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polypropylene nonwoven layer has a weight of between 5 and 120 g / m ² , preferably between 8 and 40 g / m ² .

7. A method of manufacturing a mask according to any one of the claims

1 to 6, having an inner face and an outer face, a layer of nonwoven polypropylene, said layer defining the outer face of the mask, and bronopol in the dry state being present on the entire outer face and within the nonwoven layer, said method comprising the steps of:

impregnating the nonwoven layer in a bath comprising an aqueous solution of bronopol having a bronopol content of between 0.01% and 10% by weight relative to the weight of the aqueous solution,

drying of the previously obtained nonwoven layer.

The method of claim 7, further comprising, prior to the impregnating step, a hydrophilic treatment step of the polypropylene nonwoven layer from a polypropylene layer having a degree of hydrophobicity. corresponding to a water uptake rate of less than 35% by weight relative to the weight of the polypropylene nonwoven layer.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the bronopol content in the aqueous solution is between 0.5% and 5% by weight relative to the weight of the aqueous solution.