Antimicrobial Vessel Coating With Low-Temperature Cure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drinking and eating vessels often facilitate the spread of microbes due to their surface properties, which can be detrimental to health, and decorated vessels pose additional challenges in preventing microbial growth without compromising their functionality.
Innovation Solution
Development of drinking and eating vessels with an anti-microbial coating that includes anti-microbial particles distributed within a polymer, applied at a curing temperature of less than 600°C, which provides protection across the entire surface and can be combined with a decorative layer without compromising its effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional glazing processes are used to coat drinking vessels, then the coating provides a smooth and durable surface, but the high curing temperature (650-1300°C) degrades anti-microbial agents and compromises their effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing temperature parameter from traditional glazing temperatures (650-1300°C) to a lower temperature range (100-600°C), specifically optimizing it to preserve anti-microbial agent effectiveness while still achieving adequate coating cure. This parameter modification directly resolves the contradiction between achieving proper coating cure and preserving anti-microbial effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite coating formulation that combines polymer resins with anti-microbial particles, creating a material system that can achieve adequate curing at lower temperatures while maintaining both coating integrity and anti-microbial effectiveness. The composite nature allows the polymer matrix to provide structural stability at reduced cure temperatures that would otherwise be insufficient for traditional glazing materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If a decorative layer is applied to the vessel surface, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the decoration may interfere with or compromise the anti-microbial properties of the coating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional coating system where a single coating layer simultaneously provides decorative appearance, anti-microbial protection, and adequate curing characteristics. The coating formulation integrates aesthetic pigments with anti-microbial particles within the same polymer matrix, allowing one coating application to fulfill multiple functions without compromising any single property.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the decorative function and anti-microbial function into a single integrated coating layer rather than applying separate decorative and functional coatings. This consolidation ensures that the anti-microbial particles are distributed throughout the decorative coating matrix, guaranteeing that aesthetic appearance and anti-microbial protection work together without interference.
3Reliability
If the anti-microbial coating is cured at lower temperatures to preserve agent efficacy, then anti-microbial effectiveness is maintained, but the coating may not achieve adequate cure and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the coating resin to enable adequate curing at lower temperatures (100-600°C). By selecting polymer resins with appropriate glass transition temperatures and cure characteristics, the system achieves sufficient coating durability and adhesion without requiring the high temperatures that would degrade anti-microbial agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material formulation combining specific polymer resins with anti-microbial particles, where the polymer matrix provides the structural framework and durability while the embedded anti-microbial particles maintain their effectiveness. The composite structure allows the organic polymer to cure at lower temperatures while still providing a durable, adherent coating that protects the anti-microbial agents.
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 solution effectively prevents the spread of microorganisms, including pathogenic ones, by ensuring the anti-microbial agent retains its efficacy and the decorative layer does not interfere with the anti-microbial properties, resulting in a vessel that is both functional and safe.
Implementation Method 1
the anti-microbial coating comprises a polymer formed at a curing temperature of less than 600° C. and contains anti-microbial particles distributed within said polymer
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports an anti-microbial coating and a decorative layer, wherein the anti-microbial coating comprises a polymer formed at a curing temperature of less than 600° C. and contains anti-microbial particles distributed within said coating, wherein the anti-microbial coating and/or the decorative layer define an outermost surface that is exposed to contact by a user of the vessel, and wherein the anti-microbial particles provide anti-microbial protection across the entire surface of said outermost surface. Also provided are corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.