ANTIMICROBIAL ADHESIVE LATEXES, METHODS OF MAKING THEREOF, AND CARPET ARTICLES CONTAINING SAME

摘要

Broadly defined adhesive latex formulations exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Such formulations comprise certain antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, metal-containing ion-exchange and/or zeolite compounds, are provided. The inventive latex formulations must also exhibit substantially uniform characteristics (such a similar viscosity and/or appearance throughout) in order to provide a functionally and aestheticially pleasing formulation for utilization within any number of applications. In order to provide such an inventive latex formulation, it has been found that compounding of all the base ingredients (polymer, antimicrobial agent, fillers) must be undertaken prior to the final thickening step, which ultimately produces the desired latex. The specific method of producing such formulations is also encompassed within this invention.