Antimicrobial Fabric Assemblies with Guard Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fabric materials lack effective antimicrobial properties to prevent the transmission of bacteria, viruses, mold, fungus, and algae, particularly in applications where hygiene is crucial, such as healthcare and public transportation, leading to potential disease transmission through fomites.
Innovation Solution
Development of antimicrobial fabric assemblies featuring a flexible substrate with arrayed guard plates and embedded or coated antimicrobial agents, including silver zeolite, which release ions to control microbial growth, maintaining durability and resistance to abrasion and stains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fabric materials are used, then the fabric maintains flexibility and comfort, but the fabric lacks antimicrobial properties allowing disease transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conventional fabric substrates with guard plates formed from polymer materials containing antimicrobial agents. This composite structure integrates the flexibility and comfort of the fabric with the antimicrobial protection of the guard plates, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fabric properties and providing disease prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard plates are applied selectively to specific areas of the fabric where antimicrobial protection is most needed, such as high-contact surfaces. This localized approach provides targeted disease transmission prevention while preserving the overall flexibility and comfort of the fabric in other areas.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial agents are added to fabric, then microbial population is reduced, but the fabric's durability and resistance to wear may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial agents are incorporated into the guard plates as a separate component from the fabric substrate. This composite approach allows the antimicrobial properties to be concentrated in the guard plates while the fabric substrate maintains its full durability and wear resistance, preventing the compromise of overall fabric strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric assembly is divided into distinct functional components: the fabric substrate provides durability and flexibility, while the guard plates provide antimicrobial efficacy. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between antimicrobial effectiveness and wear resistance.
3Reliability
If guard plates are added to fabric substrate, then antimicrobial protection is improved, but the fabric's flexibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guard plates are applied to specific localized areas of the fabric rather than covering the entire surface. This selective application provides antimicrobial protection where needed while leaving other areas of the fabric flexible and adaptable, resolving the contradiction between protection and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard plates are formed as thin, flexible structures that can conform to the fabric substrate's movements and shapes. This thin-film approach maintains the fabric's flexibility and adaptability while providing the necessary antimicrobial protection, preventing the rigidification that would reduce versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The antimicrobial fabric assemblies significantly reduce microbial populations on surfaces, providing long-lasting protection against disease transmission while maintaining durability and resistance to wear and stains, making them suitable for high-hygiene applications.
Implementation Method 1
antimicrobial agents, including silver zeolite, which release ions to control microbial growth
Data Source
AI summary
In some example, the disclosure relates to a fabric assembly comprising a flexible substrate including a top surface; a plurality of plates attached to the top surface of the flexible substrate and arrayed in a pattern such that a plurality of continuous gaps are defined between adjacent plates; and one or more antibacterial agents are contained in or on at least one of the substrate and the plurality of guard plates wherein the antimicrobial agents are selected to reduce the fabric assembly's surface population of at least one of bacteria, virus, mold, fungus, or algae.