Antimicrobial Toner Particles for Electrostatic Surface Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for high-touch surfaces to be modified with antimicrobial agents to enhance antibacterial activity, particularly in healthcare settings, to prevent disease transmission and reduce contamination from bacteria and fungi, while also providing cost-effective and time-efficient solutions.
Innovation Solution
The development of antimicrobial toner particles comprising copper oxide and silver nanoparticles, along with a quaternary ammonium compound, which are integrated into a binder resin to form antimicrobial toner compositions that can be applied using image forming apparatuses to create durable, antimicrobial images on various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fabrication methods are used to apply antimicrobial coatings to high-touch surfaces, then the surfaces gain antimicrobial protection, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fabrication methods (brushing, rolling, spraying) with an electrostatic application system. The toner particles carrying antimicrobial agents are charged and transferred to the substrate through electrostatic attraction, enabling rapid and uniform coating application without manual labor-intensive processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the antimicrobial coating material by incorporating it into toner particles with specific charge characteristics. This allows the coating to be applied as a charged powder that adheres electrostatically, rather than as a liquid or paste requiring mechanical application, thus reducing application time
2Reliability
If traditional fabrication methods are used to apply antimicrobial coatings to high-touch surfaces, then the surfaces gain antimicrobial protection, but the process is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the image forming apparatus multi-functional by enabling it to apply both conventional toner for printing and antimicrobial toner particles for coating surfaces. This eliminates the need for separate specialized coating equipment, reducing capital investment and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable antimicrobial protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the toner particle parameters (size, charge, composition) to carry and deliver antimicrobial agents effectively. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves reliable antimicrobial coating application using existing electrostatic deposition technology, avoiding the need for expensive new fabrication equipment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial materials are added to toner particles, then the toner provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection, but the particle composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite toner particles consisting of a binder resin matrix with dispersed antimicrobial materials (metal oxides, nanoparticles, quaternary ammonium compounds). This composite structure provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection while maintaining particle integrity and compatibility with existing electrostatic deposition systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent concentrates antimicrobial materials at specific locations within the toner particle structure (surface or dispersed throughout the binder), providing targeted antimicrobial activity where it is most needed for preventing surface contamination, while keeping the overall particle composition manageable
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 toner particles provide robust and lasting protection against a broad range of microorganisms, reducing microbial contamination on high-touch surfaces, enhancing hygiene in environments such as hospitals and public spaces, and offering customizable, digitized antibacterial printed images.
Implementation Method 1
The antimicrobial toner particle composition includes an antimicrobial material in an effective antimicrobial amount including copper oxide
Implementation Method 2
The antimicrobial toner particle composition further includes a quaternary ammonium compound
Data Source
AI summary
An antimicrobial toner particle composition is disclosed. The antimicrobial toner particle composition includes a binder resin, and an antimicrobial material in an effective antimicrobial amount comprising copper oxide. An image forming apparatus is also disclosed, capable of forming a fused antimicrobial image on a recording medium.