Antimicrobial Rail Cover with L-Shaped Nesting Lips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to effectively and efficiently address microbe growth and transmission on frequently touched hard surfaces in hospital and public areas, as actively disinfecting these surfaces is time-consuming and costly, and replacing structures with antimicrobial materials is beyond budget constraints for many institutions.

Innovation Solution

The development of antimicrobial rail cover assemblies with L-shaped lips and nesting edges made from antimicrobial materials, coupled using rigid clips for quick and secure installation, providing continuous biocidal treatment without the need for periodic disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial materials are used to replace existing structures, then microbe growth and transmission are reduced, but the cost increases beyond budget constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobe growth and transmissionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the structure into two parts: the existing structure that remains unchanged and the removable cover made of antimicrobial material. This segmentation allows the antimicrobial benefit to be achieved without replacing the entire structure, thus reducing cost while maintaining effectiveness against microbe growth and transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is constructed from composite materials including antimicrobial agents integrated into the cover material, combining the protective function of the cover with the antimicrobial properties of the materials to reduce microbe growth while being cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial materials are used to replace existing structures, then microbe growth and transmission are reduced, but the cost increases beyond budget constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobe growth and transmissionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If traditional installation methods are used, then secure installation is achieved, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires trained personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure installationVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple sections with interlocking features that allow for simple assembly and disassembly, enabling secure installation without requiring specialized tools or trained personnel, thus reducing installation time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover sections feature nesting edges that allow one section to be inserted into another, creating a secure fit through simple nesting action rather than complex fastening mechanisms, thereby achieving secure installation quickly and easily.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If traditional installation methods are used, then secure installation is achieved, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires trained personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure installationVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

5Reliability

If adhesive methods are used for installation, then secure attachment is achieved, but the installation becomes messy and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 rail cover assemblies significantly reduce microbe growth and transmission on rail and adjoining surfaces, achieving a 99.98% reduction in bacteria within 45 minutes, with enhanced biocidal activity through microscopic texturing, and can be installed quickly by untrained personnel without the use of messy adhesives.

Implementation Method 1

the covers' surfaces are antimicrobial... providing continuous biocidal treatment without the need for periodic disinfection... achieving a 99.98% reduction in bacteria within 45 minutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiocidal action:

Implementation Method 2

enhanced biocidal activity through microscopic texturing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface texturing:

Data Source

PatentUS10632034B2Antimicrobial covers for rails

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 EOS SURFACES LLC

AI summary

A rail cover assembly includes first and second cover portions coupled to one another. The first and second cover portions have surface regions made from an antimicrobial material. The first cover portion has opposing and longitudinally-extending L-shaped lips. The second cover portion has opposing longitudinal edges for nesting with the first cover portion's lips.