MXPA01002466A - Antimicrobial acrylic material - Google Patents

Abstract

An acrylic material having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth includes an acrylic polymer and an antimicrobial agent incorporated therein. The acrylic polymer is a conventional acrylonitrile compound. The antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the acrylic polymer. When the acrylic material is formed using conventional techniques, the antimicrobial additive is incorporated into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the acrylic polymer using a solubilizing agent carrier, thereby incorporating the antimicrobial agent into the acrylic polymer. The antimicrobial additive in the acrylic material, incorporated in the manner above, results in substantive controlled migration from within the acrylic material to the surface of the acrylic material, until a point of equilibrium is reached.

Description

ACRYLIC ANTIBACTERIAL MATERIAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to antimicrobial acrylic materials, and more particularly to acrylic materials having antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated in an acrylic polymer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Acrylic is widely used in numerous consumer products to provide a durable product that has desirable appearance, color and chemical resistance of the product. The ability to produce generally transparent or translucent characteristics in acrylic makes acrylic an ideal material for many different applications and, particularly, to improve the appearance of a product. Manufacturers use acrylic to produce products that have good color finish also at the same time provide the qualities of substantial resistance to abrasion and chemical resistance. For example, acrylic materials are incorporated into tubs, showers, swirls, floors and bathroom and kitchen panels used in homes, hotels, hospitals, restaurants and other residential or commercial environments. Acrylic can be applied or formed to have several thicknesses depending on of desired handling and expected wear from abrasion or continuous exposure to water and reactive chemicals. In another example, acrylic is incorporated into panels used in automobiles and recreational vehicles. Acrylic can be molded or laminated with panels to provide a vehicle that has a high-quality appearance and surface color. In another example, acrylic fibers are used in the textile industry to provide elastic or stretchable fabrics and yarns having good color and durability, which are incorporated into clothing. However, these acrylic-based products are under constant exposure to bacteria, fungi and microbes that exist in their respective environments. For example, acrylic-based floors or walls as well as acrylic-based coatings used in floors are particularly susceptible to bacterial and microbial development. People and mobile objects, which are carriers of bacteria and microbes, traffic the floors a lot. This results in a continuous deposit of these bacteria and microbes on the floors and consequently develops a "biological carba" or a continuous source of contamination. Additionally, bathrooms and kitchens, whether incorporated in domestic facilities or commercial facilities, are environments where contaminated body parts or contaminated utensils are washed.

Unfortunately, residual contamination typically remains on floors or walls to repopulate. In another example, clothing containing acrylic-based yarns or fibers provide shelters for bacteria and fungi that cause bad odor transferred from a user's body. Each of these environments are a continuous source of bacterial, fungal or microbial contamination. Not only are these products based on acrylic contaminated by bacteria, fungi and microbes in these environments, but these environments also help in the proliferation of bacteria, fungi and microbes. These bacteria, fungi and microbes can grow and multiply on the surfaces of acrylic-based products, and significant levels of contamination can accumulate over time. To counteract the presence and growth of microbes on the surface of acrylic-based products, a disinfectant is typically applied to the surface by washing, spraying or rubbing. Unfortunately, the applied disinfectant only provides temporary removal of microbes on the surface because, as previously mentioned, the associated environment is a resource that reaccumulates a biological load and provides more contamination. Reapplication of the disinfectant is expensive, time consuming, not durable and only temporarily counteracts the presence and growth of microbes. further, the non-exhaustive cleaning of acrylic-based products leaves residual contamination as previously mentioned. Without attention to detail when cleaning acrylic-based products, residual contamination is more likely to exist. Additionally, by applying the disinfectant or another biocide to the surface of the acrylic-based product, a disinfectant or biocide residue enters the environment and can negatively impact the environment. What is needed is an antimicrobial agent that can be incorporated, or incorporated, into an acrylic material at the time of manufacture and that survives incorporation. In particular, what is needed is an antimicrobial agent incorporated in an acrylic material that has no toxic effect and is durable over the life extension of the acrylic material. In addition, an acrylic material having an antimicrobial agent incorporated in an acrylic polymer which will migrate to the surface of the acrylic material as necessary to provide adequate protection is needed. In addition an acrylic material is needed that has compounds or chemical products incorporated in the material and formed by extrusion, sheet thermoforming, calendering, emptying, coating, brush application, spraying, pouring or other conventional acrylic forming techniques, which exhibit migration Control of antimicrobial chemicals or products through the material. Further, an acrylic material having antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated in the polymeric material that exhibits substantially the same physical characteristics as the polymeric acrylic material that has no antimicrobial chemicals or products incorporated therein is needed. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an acrylic material having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, microbes and other pathogens or non-pathogens. Antimicrobial agents, compounds or chemicals are incorporated into the acrylic material during manufacture. The term "incorporate" as used herein in relation to antimicrobial agents or additives is defined by the meaning that resides in the interstitial spaces of the polymeric matrix of the polymeric material. The antimicrobial agent is incorporated in the amorphous zones of the acrylic polymer at the time of manufacture of an acrylic-based product and the incorporation survives. The incorporated antimicrobial agent has no toxic effect and is durable during the useful life of the acrylic material. The antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into the acrylic polymer migrates to the surface of the acrylic material as necessary to provide adequate protection. The acrylic material, which exhibits controlled migration of the antimicrobial compounds or chemicals through the material, can be processed by extruding, thermoforming in calendered sheet, casting, coating, brush application, spraying, pouring or other conventional acrylic forming technique. The acrylic material exhibits substantially the same physical characteristics as an acrylic material that does not have antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated herein. The acrylic material includes acrylonitriles, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile (PMAN) and acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (P [AN-MMA]). polyacrylic acid (PAA). polymethacrylic acid (PMAA), polymethylacrylate (PMA), polyethylacrylate (PEA), polybutylacrylate (PBA) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). In one embodiment of the present invention, the acrylic material, which has antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated therein and which exhibits controlled migration of the antimicrobial compounds to the surface of the material, is formed into a sheet by calendring or sheet thermoforming. In another embodiment of the present invention, the acrylic material, which has antimicrobial compounds incorporated therein and which exhibits controlled migration of the antimicrobial compounds to the surface of the material, is formed as fibers, such as textile fibers by spun or extrusion processing techniques. In another embodiment of the present invention, the acrylic material, which has antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated therein and which exhibits controlled migration of the antimicrobial compounds to the surface of the material, is poured into a casting form and an acrylic product is derives from the emptied form. In another embodiment of the present invention, the acrylic material, which has antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated therein and which exhibits controlled migration of the antimicrobial compounds to the surface of the material, is applied to floors, by coating, pouring, spraying or brush application. When an acrylic product is formed by extrusion techniques, a carrier system of solubilizing agent is used to incorporate the antimicrobial additive into the zones of the molecular structure of the acrylic. When acrylic-based fibers, cast shapes or flats are prepared, the antimicrobial additive does not require that the carrier system of solubilizing agent incorporate the antimicrobial additive into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the acrylic. The levels of antimicrobial additive in the acrylic material, incorporated in the above manner, results in a substantially controlled migration of the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the acrylic to the surface of the acrylic material, until a point of equilibrium is reached. As the surface of the acrylic material is scorched during use and its balance is interrupted, further migration is stimulated, until equilibrium is reached again. Products formed with acrylic material include, without limitation, sinks, sinks, automotive panels, architectural panels, exercise products, swimming pools, seamless floors, exterior signs, lanterns, swirls, modular tubs, indoor and outdoor spas, boat covers, boat helmets, boat interiors, automotive panels, textile fibers and coatings. The acrylic material is formed by selecting an antimicrobial agent corresponding to the acrylic, determining if a system of solubilizing agent is required, combining any system carrying the required solubilizing agent with the selected antimicrobial agent, incorporating the antimicrobial agent into an acrylic volume, and forming the desired product based on acrylic.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The main object of the invention is to provide an acrylic material having antimicrobial protection incorporated in the acrylic material. Another, more particular, object of the invention is to provide an acrylic material that has antimicrobial protection incorporated in the acrylic material in a cost-effective, non-toxic and durable manner. Another object of the invention is to provide an acrylic material having antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated in the acrylic material which can be formed as a sheet, a fiber or a mold and which exhibits a controlled migration of the antimicrobial compounds or chemicals throughout the acrylic polymer. Another object of the invention is to provide an acrylic material having compounds or chemicals incorporated in the acrylic material having physical, mechanical and surface characteristics similar to acrylic materials that do not have antimicrobial compounds or chemicals incorporated in the acrylic material. Another object of the invention, more particular, is to provide an acrylic material that has compounds or chemicals incorporated in the acrylic material that has resistance to chemicals, tensile strength and resistance to water absorption similar to acrylic materials that do not have antimicrobial chemicals or compounds incorporated in the acrylic material. Another object of the invention is to provide a product formed of an acrylic material having an antimicrobial agent that is insoluble in water, by which any spillage of the agent during use of the product is prevented. Another object of the invention is to provide an acrylic material in which an antimicrobial agent can migrate on demand with the material to the surface of the material if some of the agent is removed from the surface of the acrylic material by abrasion. Another object of the invention, more particular, is to provide an acrylic material having an antimicrobial compound incorporated in the acrylic material that does not exhibit sublimation of the antimicrobial compound at ambient temperatures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the most basic form of the present invention, an acrylic material is made having an acrylic polymer and a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent that are processed and formed together in a product including, but not limited to a sheet , a fiber and an emptied form. The acrylic material can be applied to the poured form and to the floor using conventional techniques such as coating, spraying, pouring and brushing. The broad spectrum antimicrobial agent associated therewith inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other pathogens or non-pathogens. Preferably, a predetermined concentration of an antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the acrylic polymer from which the acrylic product is made. The term "incorporates" as used herein in relation to antimicrobial agents or additives, is defined to mean residing in the interstitial spaces of the polymeric matrix of the polymeric material. Thus, an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent or additive (e.g., 5-chloro-2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol) is incorporated therein. The concentrations of active ingredients or antimicrobial agents vary from about 0.1 percent to about 3 weight percent of the acrylic material. The antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer surprisingly exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic polymer. Referring now to Figure 1, according to the present invention the acrylic material includes an acrylic polymer and an antimicrobial agent (not shown) integrally associated therewith.

Acrylic can be prepared by several methods including batch polymerization, solution, emulsion, suspension and granulation. This polymer can also be obtained as a liquid monomer or in fully polymerized beads, sheets or panels. After the acrylic polymer is prepared, the acrylic polymer can be processed by molding, pouring, sheet thermoforming, extruding, calendering, coating, brushing, spraying and machining with conventional tools to form a desired end product. The acrylic polymer is selected from conventional acrylics including acrylonitriles, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile (PMAN) and acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (P [AN-MMA]). polyacrylic acid (PAA). polymethacrylic acid (PMAA), polymethylacrylate (PMA), polyethylacrylate (PEA), polybutylacrylate (PBA) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The PAN homopolymer is a polar crystallizing polymer and can be processed into fibers by spinning from a solution. PMAN generally does not appear to crystallize and is characterized by transparency and drag. P [AN-MMA] is commonly used to produce transparent, substantially coarse end products that require resistance to high impact, chemical resistance and weather resistance. PMMA is characterized by excellent transparency, good stiffness, acceptable resistance to impact and abrasion, excellent weather resistance and good resistance in general to chemical products. Additionally, the PMMA can be colorless or colorable, transparent or translucent. Acrylic-based sheets can be used for various final products including flooring, exterior signs, lamps, swirls, modular vats, interior and exterior spas, boat surfaces and automobile panels. The acrylic based final products are preferably prepared by sheet thermoforming, extrusion or sheet calendering. The sheet thermoforming includes direct vacuum thermoforming, thermoforming by air pressure, free formation and bending techniques to deform the sheet into a desired final product. Acrylic emulsions, such as latex, can be used as a coating or paint for car walls, ceilings, floors or panels. Acrylic-based fibers can be used in clothing items such as shirts, sweaters, gloves, pants and other clothing. Acrylic based fibers can be prepared by extruding fibers or feed monofilaments in the form of powder or polymer granules. Additionally, acrylic-based fibers can be prepared by extruding or spinning acrylic from a solution.

The antimicrobial agent, which is non-toxic and free of heavy metal, is selected from conventional antimicrobial substances such as halogenated phenyl ethers, halogenated salicylanilides, sesquiterpene alcohols, halogenated carbanilides, bisphenolic compounds, general phenols, formaldehyde, quaternary ammonium compounds, pyridine derivatives. , compounds based on zinc and hexachlorophane. The antimicrobial agent is preferably a chlorinated phenol and, more preferably, 5-chloro-2- (dichloro-phenoxy) phenol such as that manufactured under the trademark of Triclosan or Irgasan by Ciba-Geigy. An alternative antimicrobial agent is polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB). Other chemical compounds that have antimicrobial characteristics can also be used in the present invention. The antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer is characterized by the agent that moves areas of high concentrations of agent at low concentrations of agent. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chosen antimicrobial agent is substantially insoluble in water which minimizes or eliminates any spillage of the agent when the acrylic material is exposed to water. By controlling the amount of antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer, the migration of the antimicrobial agent from within the acrylic material to the surface of the acrylic material is carried out and optimized while maintaining the physical and mechanical properties of the acrylic material. . Surprisingly, the acrylic material having the antimicrobial agent incorporated therein has no substantial decrease in physical and mechanical properties such as resistance to chemicals and abrasion, tensile strength, impact resistance and resistance to absorption. water, nor is there any substantial decrease in the appearance of the acrylic material. Incorporating an adequate amount of antimicrobial agent into the acrylic polymer is important. High concentrations of antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer can result in a degradation of the physical properties of the acrylic material. Additionally, high concentrations of antimicrobial agent increases production costs due to the added expense associated with using more antimicrobial agent. The low concentrations of antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer minimizes the effective migration of the antimicrobial agent to the surface of the acrylic material. A suitable concentration range of antimicrobial agent in the acrylic material is necessary to effectively provide the acrylic material with non-toxic antimicrobial protection and without sacrificing the desirable physical properties of the acrylic polymer and incur unnecessary production costs. The antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the master batch of polymer before forming the acrylic material. When acrylic-based products are formed using extrusion techniques, the antimicrobial agent is preferably combined in a predetermined amount, corresponding to the desired efficacy of the acrylic material, with a carrier system of solubilizing agent, for example a surfactant, which is compatible with the antimicrobial agent and introduced to the master batch of the acrylic polymer. For example, 5-chloro-2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol is combined with the carrier system of solubilizing agent and incorporated in the amorphous zones of the acrylic polymer during the manufacture of the acrylic material. After the antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the acrylic polymer to produce the acrylic material, the acrylic material is applied to the floors by coating, spraying, brushing, pouring or other application techniques on conventional floors. Reinforcements of fibers, such as glass fibers, can be incorporated into the acrylic material to provide structural and physical reinforcement to the acrylic material. Fiber reinforcements are selected from fibers with high modulus such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, metal fibers and aromatic polyamide fibers. The glass fibers can be cut fibers ranging from about 5 millimeters to about 50 millimeters in length or they can be continuous fibers into 5 woven or nonwoven forms. The acrylic material having the antimicrobial agent incorporated therein is further resistant to the growth of fungi, yeasts, viruses and gram positive and gram negative bacteria including S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and salmonella. Organic antimicrobial agents have limited incorporation in polymer compositions because organic antimicrobial agents typically have a lower vaporization point than the temperatures used during the formation of the polymer compositions. For example, 5-chloro-2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol has a melting range of about 57 ° C to 74 ° C and a vaporization point of about 204 ° C, while the temperatures generally associated with the plastics in formation are typically above 304 ° C. In that aspect, the antimicrobial agent is introduced into the polymer during manufacture the agent typically vaporizes and is not incorporated into the polymer. Alternatively, the antimicrobial agent can be crosslinked with the polymer. The The crosslinking of the antimicrobial agent with the polymer is undesirable because the physical properties of the polymer can be degraded. In addition, the crosslinking prevents migration of the antimicrobial agent through the acrylic material. In the manufacture of the acrylic material described herein, the acrylic polymer can be prepared at room temperature to minimize or eliminate vaporization of the antimicrobial agent. In addition, as previously described hereinabove, the antimicrobial agent survives incorporation into the acrylic polymer and exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic material despite such a crystalline structure of the acrylic polymer, particularly when the acrylic polymer It is PAN. In one embodiment of the present invention, the antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the acrylic material by first incorporating the agent into the solubilizing agent carrier system, as previously described, prior to its addition to the master batch of acrylic resin. The solubilizing agent carrier system containing the antimicrobial agent is combined with the acrylic polymer in liquid form using conventional batch processing techniques. In that regard, the antimicrobial agent is added as a component to the acrylic polymer in a let-down ratio which results in a final concentration of active ingredient of from about 0.1 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight of the acrylic material. When acrylic-based fibers are desired, the antimicrobial agent is added as a component to the acrylic polymer in a let-down ratio which results in a final concentration of active ingredient of about 0.5 weight percent of the acrylic-based fiber. When it is desired to form acrylic-based floors, the antimicrobial agent is added as a component to the acrylic polymer in a let-down ratio which results in a final concentration of active ingredient of about 0.25 weight percent of the acrylic-based floor. When the acrylic-based casting form is desired, the antimicrobial agent added as a component to the acrylic polymer is a let-down ratio which results in a final concentration of the active ingredient from about 0.25 percent to about 0.5 percent. in weight of the emptied form based on acrylic. Different types of products formed from acrylic material include tubs, tarja, sinks, car panels, boats, exercise products, swimming pools, and other household items. In use, the antimicrobial agent migrates through the acrylic material to the exposed surface of the acrylic material from the amorphous areas of the acrylic polymer until equilibrium of the internal vapor pressure is reached. If the antimicrobial substance on the surface of the acrylic material is removed by friction, or other abrasive means, the antimicrobial agent moves to the surface until the internal vapor pressure of the agent is again in equilibrium. The incorporation of the antimicrobial agent in the acrylic polymer in a sheet form or casting shape results in a surprisingly improved abrasion resistance compared to Acrylic materials without an incorporated antimicrobial agent. The acrylic material having the antimicrobial agent incorporated therein does not exhibit sublimation of the antimicrobial agent at ambient temperatures. COMPENDIUM OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is easily apparent that we have invented an acrylic material that has antimicrobial protection incorporated in a final acrylic product. The present invention provides an acrylic material that has antimicrobial protection incorporated in the acrylic material in a cost-effective manner, non-toxic and durable. The present invention provides an acrylic material having antimicrobial chemicals or compounds incorporated in the acrylic material that is formable into a sheet, a fiber, a coating or a void that exhibits a controlled migration of the antimicrobial compounds or antimicrobial chemicals through the acrylic polymer. The present invention provides an acrylic material having antimicrobial chemicals or compounds incorporated in the acrylic material having physical, mechanical and surface appearance characteristics similar to acrylic materials that do not have antimicrobial chemicals or compounds incorporated in the acrylic material. The present invention provides an acrylic material having antimicrobial chemicals or compounds incorporated in the acrylic material that has a chemical and abrasion resistance, tensile strength and water absorption resistance similar to acrylic materials that do not have compounds or antimicrobial chemicals incorporated in the acrylic material. The present invention provides a product formed from an acrylic material having an antimicrobial agent that is insoluble in water, thereby preventing any spillage of the agent during the use of the product. The present invention provides an acrylic material in which an antimicrobial agent can migrate on demand from within the material to the surface of the material if some of the agent is removed from the surface of the acrylic material by abrasion. The present invention provides an acrylic material having an antimicrobial compound incorporated in the acrylic material that does not exhibit sublimation of the antimicrobial compound at ambient temperatures. It will be understood that the above description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of the invention and the principles thereof, and that various modifications and additions can be made to the apparatus by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, which is therefore understood to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. l.An acrylic material having antimicrobial characteristics comprising: an acrylic polymer; and an antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer; the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group comprising 5-chloro-2- (2,, 4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride, wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic polymer towards the surface of the acrylic.
2. 2. An acrylic material according to claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic polymer when an imbalance of the vapor pressure of the antimicrobial agent demands equalization. 3. An acrylic material according to claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in the compound in an amount of from about 0.1 percent to about
3. 3.0 percent by weight.
4. 4. An acrylic material according to claim 1 further comprising a carrier system of ** »**.,« «,. solubilizing agent for incorporating the antimicrobial agent with the acrylic polymer.
5. 5. An acrylic material according to claim 1 wherein the acrylic polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitriles, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile (PMAN) and acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (P [AN-MMA]). polyacrylic acid (PAA). polymethacrylic acid (PMAA), polymethylacrylate (PMA), polyethylacrylate (PEA), polybutylacrylate (PBA) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).
6. 6. An acrylic material for extruding or spun into fibers for use in textiles having antimicrobial characteristics comprising: an acrylic polymer; and an antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer; the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group comprising 5-chloro-2- (2,, 4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride, wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic polymer towards the surface of the acrylic.
7. 7. An acrylic material according to claim 6 wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in the material in an amount of from 0.1 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight.
8. 8. An acrylic material according to claim 6 wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic polymer when an imbalance of the vapor pressure of the antimicrobial agent demands equalization.
9. 9. An acrylic material according to claim 6 wherein the acrylic polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitriles, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile (PMAN) and acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (P [AN-MMA]).
10. 10. An extruded acrylic material having antimicrobial characteristics comprising: an acrylic resin; a carrier of solubilizing agent; and an antimicrobial agent incorporated with the acrylic reesin; wherein the antimicrobial agent of the group comprising 5-chloro-2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride is selected; wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic resin and to the surface of the acrylic material.
11. 11. An acrylic material according to claim 10 wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in the material in an amount from about 0.12 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight.
12. 12. An acrylic material according to claim 10 wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic resin when an imbalance of the vapor pressure of the antimicrobial agent demands equalization.
13. 13. An acrylic material according to claim 110 wherein the solubilizing agent carrier is a surfactant.
14. 14. An acrylic material according to claim 13 wherein the surfactant is triacetin.
15. 15. An acrylic material according to claim 14 wherein the acrylic resin is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitriles, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile (PMAN) and acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (P [AN-MMA]). polyacrylic acid (PAA). polymethacrylic acid (PMAA), polymethylacrylate (PMA), polyethylacrylate (PEA), polybutylacrylate (PBA) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).
16. 16. An acrylic material for draining it having antimicrobial characteristics comprising: an acrylic polymer; and an antimicrobial agent incorporated in the acrylic polymer; the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group comprising 5-chloro-2- (2,, 4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride, wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic polymer towards the surface of the acrylic.
17. 17. An acrylic material according to claim 16 wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in the material in an amount of from 0.1 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight.
18. 18. An acrylic material according to claim 16 wherein the antimicrobial agent exhibits controlled migration through the acrylic polymer when an imbalance of the vapor pressure of the antimicrobial agent demands equalization.
19. 19. An acrylic material according to claim 16 wherein the acrylic polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitriles, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile (PMAN) and acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (P [AN-MMA]).