BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates generally to the field of household goods with antimicrobial coatings and methods of making the same.

Description of the Related Art

Household goods and/or their components comprise surfaces that can be exposed to contaminants during use. For example, trashcans are often exposed to raw meat, food stuffs, and other forms of garbage. Soap dispensers are exposed to users' soiled hands. This exposure to contaminants can lead to bacterial and other microbial build-up and growth.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments disclosed herein pertain to a coating for a household good. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a polymeric substrate configured to adhere to a surface of the household good. In some embodiments, the coating comprises an antimicrobial agent dispersed on or within the substrate.

Any of the embodiments described above, or described elsewhere herein, can include one or more of the following features.

In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic copper. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises ammonium.

In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises at least about 2% and/or less than or equal to about 5% weight percent of the substrate. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises equal to or at least about 2% and/or less than or equal to about 5% ionic silver by weight. In some embodiments, antimicrobial agent comprises equal to or at least about 4.0% and/or less than or equal to about 7.0% ionic copper by weight. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises equal to or at least about 0.1% and/or less than or equal to about 2.0% ammonium by weight. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite having antimicrobial ions adhered to, deposited on, or diffused therein. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises AGION®. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount of about 1.25 wt % relative to the substrate.

In some embodiments, the polymeric substrate comprises polyethylene. In some embodiments, the polymeric substrate comprises a material that resists or makes it easier to wipe away fingerprints and smudges.

In some embodiments, the coating is sufficiently durable so that it can withstand repeated cleanings or washings without losing its antimicrobial properties.

Some embodiments pertain to a coating for a household good comprising a polymeric substrate configured to adhere to a surface of the household good and an antimicrobial agent or a combination of antimicrobial agents dispersed on or within the substrate, such as wherein the one or more antimicrobial agents comprise one or more of a zeolite, ionic silver, ionic copper, or ammonium. In some embodiments, the coating is the antimicrobial agent.

In some embodiments, the polymeric substrate comprises polyethylene.

In some embodiments, the coating comprises equal to or greater than about 0.1% and/or less than or equal to about 1.5% antimicrobial agent by weight.

In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises equal to or greater than about 68% and/or less than or equal to about 94% zeolite by weight. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises equal to or greater than about 2% and/or less than or equal to about 5% ionic silver by weight. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises equal to or greater than about 4.0% and/or less than or equal to about 7.0% ionic copper by weight. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises equal to or greater than about 0.1% and/or less than or equal to about 2.0% an ammonium ion (or ammonium salt) by weight. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises AGION®. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount of about 1.25 wt % relative to the substrate.

In some embodiments, the polymeric substrate comprises a material that resists or makes it easier to wipe away fingerprints and smudges. In some embodiments, the coating is sufficiently durable so that it can withstand repeated cleanings or washings without losing its antimicrobial properties.

Some embodiments pertain to a metal sheet comprising a coating that includes any one or more of the features described above.

Some embodiments pertain to a household product, such as a trashcan comprising a coating that includes any one or more of the features described in this specification. In some embodiments, the coating is located to the outside surface of the trashcan. In some embodiments, the trashcan comprises a metal body, the coating being located on the metal body.

Some embodiments pertain to a trashcan comprising a metal body, a lid coupled to the body and configured to move between open and closed positions, and a base on which the metal body is configured to rest. In some embodiments, an outside surface of the metal body comprises a coating, the coating comprising a substrate with an antimicrobial agent dispersed on or within the substrate, the antimicrobial agent comprising silver ions. In some embodiments, the coating is substantially even or homogeneous in thickness and/or composition and/or reflectivity across the surface of the substrate. For example, the coating can be substantially streak-free.

In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite. In some embodiments, the substrate comprises polyethylene. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic copper. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises ammonium. In some embodiments, the coating reduces an amount of bacteria of about 9.5×106colony forming units (CFU)/carrier on the coating to less than about 5 CFU/carrier on the coating over a period of about 24 hours. In some embodiments, the coating reduces an amount ofE. colifrom about 2.3×105CFU/carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier on the coating over a period of about 24 hours.

Some embodiments pertain to a trashcan comprising a metal body forming at least a portion of a container configured to receive refuse. In some embodiments, an outside surface of the metal body comprises a coating. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a substrate with an antimicrobial agent dispersed on or within the substrate. In some embodiments, the coating is substantially even or homogeneous in thickness and/or composition and/or reflectivity across the surface of the substrate. For example, the coating can be substantially streak-free.

In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises one or more of a zeolite, ionic silver, ionic copper, or ammonium. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite having antimicrobial ions adhered to, deposited on, or diffused therein. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent comprises AGION®.

In some embodiments, the substrate comprises polyethylene.

In some embodiments, the coating is applied to a metal sheet used to prepare 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.

In some embodiments, the coating comprises a fingerprint resistant material or a material that allows fingerprints to be easily removed, such as by wiping without requiring a solution or excessive or forceful rubbing of the surface where the fingerprint is made.

In some embodiments, about 24 hours after bacterial exposure on the coating, an amount of bacteria remaining on the coating is at least about 95% less than upon initial exposure. In some embodiments, about 24 hours after bacterial exposure on the coating, an amount of bacteria remaining on the coating is at least about 99.99% less than upon initial exposure. In some embodiments, about 24 hours after bacterial exposure on the coating, an amount of bacteria remaining on the coating is reduced by about 95% to about 100%. In some embodiments, the coating reduces an amount ofE. colifrom about 2.3×105CFU/50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than or equal to about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours. In some embodiments, the coating reduces an amount ofS. aureusfrom about 3.85×105CFU/50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than or equal to about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

Some embodiments pertain to methods of coating a metal surface. In some embodiments, the method of coating a metal surface comprises obtaining a solution of a polymer substrate in solvent. In some embodiments, the method comprises dispersing an antimicrobial agent on or within the solution forming a mixture. In some embodiments, the method comprises agitating the mixture to form a substantially uniform slurry. In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a sheet of material. In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the slurry onto the sheet of material as a layer. In some embodiments, the method comprises curing the slurry on the sheet to provide a coated sheet. In some embodiments, the resultant coated metal sheet is substantially streak-free. Some embodiments pertain to a method of manufacturing a metallic sheet having an antimicrobial coating. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a metallic sheet. In some embodiments, the method comprises applying a slurry comprising an antimicrobial agent and a solvent onto the metallic sheet. In some embodiments, the method comprises drying the slurry on the metallic sheet to provide the antimicrobial coating. In some embodiments, the metallic sheet is shaped to provide a portion of a surface of a household good. In some embodiments, the slurry is applied to the metallic sheet using a reverse-rolling device.

In some embodiments, the method comprises applying an acrylic and/or silicone and/or silicone rubber adhesive over the coated portion of the coated metal sheet and thereafter applying a protective film over such adhesive on the coated metal sheet.

In some embodiments, the antibacterial agent used in the method comprises a zeolite (and/or any one of ionic silver, ionic copper, or ammonium).

Some embodiments pertain to a metal sheet comprising a coating, layer, and/or sheet. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a polymeric substrate configured to adhere to a surface of the household good. In some embodiments, the coating comprises an antimicrobial agent dispersed on or within the substrate. In some embodiments, the coating is an antimicrobial agent. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a protective film that protects the coating from abrasions during shipment of the metal sheet. In some embodiments, the coating comprises an acrylic and/or silicone and/or silicone rubber adhesive that adheres the protective film to the coating. In some embodiments, the adhesive leaves substantially no residue on the coating after removal of the protective film.

Some embodiments pertain to a coating for a household good comprising a coating comprising an antimicrobial agent. In some embodiments, the coating further comprises a fingerprint resistant agent, such as an agent that resists the formation of visible fingerprints and/or that an agent that allows fingerprints to be easily removed. In some embodiments, the coating is applied to a surface of a household good. Any feature, structure, component, or step that is described and/or illustrated in any embodiment in this specification can be used with or instead of any feature, structure, component, or step that is described and/or illustrated in any other embodiment in this specification. Everything disclosed and/or illustrated in this specification is intended to be interchangeable and combinable.

