Household goods with antimicrobial coatings and methods of making thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022112029-A1
Application number	US-202117560056-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 22, 2021
Priority date	Nov 10, 2015
Publication date	Apr 14, 2022
Grant date	—

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, the coating comprising a substrate with an antimicrobial agent 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, a substrate material, and the antimicrobial agent to the metal sheet using a reverse-rolling device; 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 after application of the coating to the metal sheet; and wherein the coating is substantially streak-free.

2 . The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a fingerprint resistant material.

3 . The trashcan of claim 2 , wherein the fingerprint resistant material allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping without using a liquid solution.

4 . The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the coating is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer.

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

6 . The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises polyethylene.

7 . The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite.

8 . The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver, ionic copper, and ammonium.

9 . The trashcan of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is supported on a nanoparticle.

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

11 . 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.

12 . 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.

13 . 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.

14 . 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 coating, the coating comprising a substrate with an antimicrobial agent dispersed within the substrate; wherein the coating is applied directly to a stainless steel metal sheet used to form the stainless steel metal body by applying a slurry comprising a solvent, a substrate material, and the antimicrobial agent directly to the stainless steel metal sheet using a reverse-rolling device; 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 after application of the coating to the stainless steel metal sheet; wherein the coating is substantially streak-free; and wherein the coating comprises a fingerprint resistant material.

15 . The trashcan of claim 14 , wherein the fingerprint resistant material allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping without using a liquid solution.

16 . The trashcan of claim 14 , wherein the coating is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer.

17 . The trashcan of claim 14 , wherein the substantially streak-free coating appears substantially flat.

18 . The trashcan of claim 14 , wherein the substrate comprises polyethylene.

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

20 . The trashcan of claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver, ionic copper, and ammonium.

21 . The trashcan of claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is supported on a nanoparticle.

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

• B65F2250/1143

  Polyethylene · CPC title