Household goods with antimicrobial coatings and methods of making thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11242198-B2
Application number	US-201615343899-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2016
Priority date	Nov 10, 2015
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A trashcan comprising:
a metal body shaped to provide at least a portion of a container that is configured to receive refuse;
wherein a surface of the metal body comprises a coating deposited directly on the surface of the metal body, the coating comprising a substrate comprising polyethylene and an antimicrobial agent that is dispersed within the substrate;
wherein the coating is applied directly to a metal sheet used to form the metal body by applying a slurry comprising a solvent, polyethylene, and the antimicrobial agent to the metal sheet using a reverse-rolling device and then drying to provide the coating on a coated sheet;
wherein the coated sheet is shaped to form the metal body;
wherein at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is exposed on an outside surface of the coating and is available to directly contact microbes on the surface of the coating without requiring polishing;
wherein the coating is smooth and substantially streak-free;
wherein the coating is fingerprint resistant and is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer and resists the visible transfer of residue after physical interactions with a user.

2. The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the substantially streak-free coating appears substantially flat.

3. The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint resistant material allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping without using a liquid solution.

4. The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein 24 hours after an initial bacterial exposure to the coating, an amount of bacteria remaining on the coating is at least about 95% less than at the initial bacterial exposure.

5. The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the coating reduces an amount of E. coli from about 2.3×10 5 colony forming units (CFU) per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

6. The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the coating reduces an amount of S. aureus from about 3.85×10 5 CFU per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

7. A trashcan comprising:
a metal body shaped to provide at least a portion of a container that is configured to receive refuse;
wherein a surface of the metal body comprises a fingerprint resistant coating, the fingerprint resistant coating comprising a polymeric substrate;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is positioned directly on the surface of the metal body;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating comprises an antimicrobial agent dispersed within the polymeric substrate;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is applied directly to a metal sheet used to form the metal body by applying a slurry comprising a solvent, a polymeric substrate material, and the antimicrobial agent directly to the metal sheet using a reverse-rolling device and then drying to provide a coated sheet;
wherein the coated sheet is shaped to form the metal body;
wherein at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is exposed to the surface of the fingerprint resistant coating without requiring polishing and is available to directly contact microbes on the surface of the fingerprint resistant coating;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is substantially streak-free;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer or oil-based material transfer.

8. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein the substantially streak-free coating appears substantially planar.

9. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein the polymeric substrate comprises polyethylene.

10. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein 24 hours after an initial bacterial exposure to the coating, an amount of bacteria remaining on the coating is at least about 95% less than at the initial bacterial exposure.

11. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein the coating reduces an amount of E. coli from about 2.3×10 5 colony forming units (CFU) per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

12. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein the coating reduces an amount of S. aureus from about 3.85×10 5 CFU per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

13. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein the reverse-rolling device is non-metered.

14. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite.

15. The trashcan of claim 7 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver, ionic copper, and ammonium.

16. The trash can of claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet is a stainless steel metal sheet.

17. The trash can of claim 7 , wherein the metal is stainless steel metal sheet.

18. A trashcan comprising:
a stainless steel metal body shaped to provide at least a portion of a container that is configured to receive refuse;
wherein a surface of the stainless steel metal body comprises a fingerprint resistant coating, the fingerprint resistant coating comprising a polymeric substrate;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is positioned directly on the surface of the stainless steel metal body;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating comprises an antimicrobial agent dispersed within the polymeric substrate;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is applied to a stainless steel metal sheet used to form the stainless steel metal body by applying a slurry comprising a solvent, a polymeric substrate material, and the antimicrobial agent to the stainless steel metal sheet and then drying to provide a coated sheet;
wherein the metal sheet is a stainless steel metal sheet;
wherein the coated sheet is shaped to form the stainless steel metal body;
wherein at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is exposed to the surface of the fingerprint resistant coating without requiring polishing and is available to directly contact microbes on the surface of the fingerprint resistant coating;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is substantially streak-free;
wherein the fingerprint resistant coating is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer or oil-based material transfer.

19. The trashcan of claim 18 , wherein the polymeric substrate comprises polyethylene.

20. The trashcan of claim 18 , wherein 24 hours after an initial bacterial exposure to the coating, an amount of bacteria remaining on the coating is at least about 95% less than at the initial bacterial exposure.

21. The trashcan of claim 18 , wherein the coating reduces an amount of E. coli from about 2.3×10 5 colony forming units (CFU) per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours and wherein the coating reduces an amount of S. aureus from about 3.85×10 5 CFU per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

22. The trashcan of claim 18 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite.

23. The trashcan of claim 18 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver, ionic copper, and ammonium.

24. The trashcan of claim 18 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is supported on a nanoparticle.

25. The trashcan of claim 18 , wherein the slurry is applied the stainless steel metal sheet using a reverse-rolling device.

Assignees

• Simplehuman Llc

Inventors

• Yang Frank
• Chang Di-Fong
• Chen Hon-Lun

Classifications

• B65F1/00

  Refuse receptacles; {Accessories therefor}(containers not specially adapted for refuse, features of refuse receptacles of general interest B65D) · CPC title

• B65F1/16

  Lids or covers ({B65F1/1421 takes precedence}; pedal or hand-lever operated {for containers in general} B65D) · CPC title

• B65F1/14 Primary

  Other constructional features; {Accessories}(holders or carriers for hand articles A45F5/00; fastening devices E05C) · CPC title

• B65F1/02 Primary

  without removable inserts · CPC title

• B05D1/28

  performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers · CPC title