Foss Manufacturing Receives Patent for Antimicrobial Fiber Products

HAMPTON, N.H. -- Hampton, N.H. -- Foss Manufacturing Company, Inc., a leader in the research and innovation of specialty synthetic fibers and nonwoven fabrics, announced today that it received U.S. patent No. 6,723,428 for its creation of Fosshield.  This synthetic fiber is designed to guard against the growth of a broad spectrum of odor-causing and destructive bacteria mold and mildew without affecting the look or feel of the fabric.

The patented process, known as Fosshield Antimicrobial Technology, is built around registered inorganic silver-based antimicrobial agents. Silver, one of the oldest known antimicrobial agents, has been proven effective against more than 650 strains of bacteria, yeast, fungi and mold. Foss patented process incorporates the silver antimicrobial additives throughout the bicomponent (two polymers/additives) and binder fibers of fabrics. This unique design allows for the continual slow release of silver. The result is a fabric that maintains the efficacy of its antimicrobial protection for the longevity of the product, even withstanding multiple launderings. The patent also covers other antimicrobial additives such as copper, tin, and zinc.

Fosshield Technology represents the most significant advance in antimicrobial fibers in the past decade, said Stephen Foss, chairman and CEO of Foss Manufacturing.  Our research and development team has done a remarkable job and we look forward to nearly limitless applications for Fosshield.  

Other patents are pending with the U.S. Patent Office to cover various antimicrobial-resistant applications of Fosshield, including mattress pads, bed linens, pillows, hospital scrubs, wound-care products, air and water filters, automotive upholstery, wall coverings, athletic and intimate apparel, and shoe insoles. Additionally, new research with Fosshield shows the potential to eliminate the food source for dust mites.

Source: Foss Manufacturing Company