Bacterial resistant chair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Clinical environments require furniture fabrics that can withstand harsh cleaning cycles while maintaining breathability and comfort, as existing materials like vinyl and hard plastics are less breathable and prone to damage from strong cleaners.
Innovation Solution
A chair with a mesh fabric infused with copper-containing particles, such as copper iodide or copper oxide, which provides antibacterial and antiviral properties and can withstand harsh cleaning without compromising the material's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vinyl or hard plastic fabrics are used, then the fabric can withstand harsh cleaning cycles, but the fabric becomes less breathable and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite fabric structure combining vinyl outer layer with breathable mesh inner layer, creating a multi-layer material that simultaneously provides cleaning durability and breathability. The vinyl layer resists harsh cleaners while the mesh layer maintains airflow and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fabric serve different functions: the outer vinyl surface provides cleanability and durability, while the inner mesh region provides breathability and comfort. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between cleanability and breathability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mesh fabric is used, then the fabric is breathable and comfortable, but the fabric breaks down when cleaned with strong cleaners
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh fabric is combined with a protective vinyl or plastic coating layer that shields the mesh from harsh cleaners. The coating maintains the mesh's breathability while providing the chemical resistance needed to withstand clinical cleaning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric structure differentiates between the protective outer layer that contacts cleaners and the inner mesh layer that provides breathability. This local specialization allows each layer to optimize its function without compromising the other.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fabrics are used in clinical environments, then comfort is maintained, but bacterial growth occurs on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates copper-infused fibers into the fabric, utilizing copper's natural antibacterial properties to convert the potential harm of bacterial growth into a beneficial antimicrobial effect. The copper ions released from the fibers inhibit bacterial proliferation while maintaining fabric comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric combines traditional comfortable textile materials with copper-infused fibers or coatings, creating a composite that maintains comfort while adding antimicrobial functionality to prevent bacterial growth in clinical settings.
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 copper-infused mesh fabric effectively reduces bacterial colony counts, making it suitable for clinical environments, offering improved cleanliness and comfort compared to traditional materials.
Implementation Method 1
The strands may include one or more strands that include a copper infusion. The strands may include copper containing particles within the strands.
Implementation Method 2
The strands may include one or more strands that include a copper infusion. The strands may include copper containing particles within the strands.
Data Source
AI summary
A chair for particular use in clinical or hospital environments has a frame to which a support material is secured. The support material may form a chair back and/or a seat for the chair to provide support to the chair occupant. The support material may be made from a textile of interwoven strands wherein some of the interwoven strands include copper containing particles such as copper iodide or copper oxide within the textile fibers.