Handle with Embedded Surface-Modifying Substance for Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handles in public areas are prone to colonization by pathogenic microorganisms due to moisture release from users, leading to hygiene issues and restrictions on using biocides due to skin absorption concerns.
Innovation Solution
A handle with a deformable plastic gripping element embedded with a diffusion-stable surface-modifying substance that changes the surface properties to prevent microorganism colonization and reduces biocide release, using a surface-polarizing substance like sterion compounds to create a bipolar surface polarization that impairs microorganism adhesion and biofilm formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biocides are used in handles to inhibit microorganism colonization, then hygiene properties are improved, but skin absorption risks increase and regulatory compliance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful biocidal function is extracted from the handle surface and transferred to a separate surface-modifying substance layer. This substance modifies the surface properties to prevent microorganism adhesion without releasing biocides onto the user's skin, thus maintaining hygiene while eliminating skin absorption risks
Solution Approach 2:
A surface-modifying substance acts as an intermediary between the handle and microorganisms. This substance creates a modified surface that passively prevents microorganism colonization through surface property changes rather than through biocidal action, avoiding direct contact with user skin
2Ease of operation
If conventional handles are used in public areas, then ease of operation is maintained, but microorganism colonization increases due to moisture transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The surface-modifying substance is applied specifically to the outer surface of the gripping element where microorganism colonization occurs. This localized modification maintains the bulk deformable plastic's ergonomic grip properties while adding antimicrobial surface properties only where needed
3Stability of the object's composition
If surface-modifying substance is embedded in deformable plastic, then diffusion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface-modifying substance is embedded in the deformable plastic during the molding process itself, before the handle is put into service. This preliminary embedding ensures diffusion resistance from the start and integrates the antimicrobial function into the manufacturing process rather than requiring separate post-processing steps
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 handle effectively prevents microorganism colonization and biofilm formation on its surface while ensuring the surface-modifying substance remains embedded, maintaining hygiene and compliance with biocide regulations, allowing for long-term use without adverse microorganism colonization.
Implementation Method 1
the surface-modifying substance is designed to change a surface property of an outer surface of the gripping element... using a surface-polarizing substance like sterion compounds to create a bipolar surface polarization that impairs microorganism adhesion
Implementation Method 2
a surface-modifying substance is embedded in a diffusion-stable manner within the deformable plastic
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a handle (100) which can be attached to a structural component, comprising: a gripping element (109) which can be arranged on the structural component and is made of a deformable plastic, wherein a surface-modifying substance is embedded in a diffusion-stable manner within the deformable plastic, and wherein the surface-modifying substance is configured to change a surface property of an outer surface (111) of the gripping element (109) in order to prevent colonization of the outer surface (111) by microorganisms.