Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating for Easy Removal

Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial floor coatings struggle to maintain effectiveness under high pedestrian traffic and are difficult to remove due to polymerization and cross-linking processes, leading to reduced antimicrobial efficacy over time.

Innovation Solution

Development of an antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating system comprising a cationic acrylic polymer, nonionic wax, cationic wax, and an antimicrobial agent, which forms a clear, thin film that withstands high friction and provides extended antimicrobial efficacy, and a remover solution that uses an acidic composition to facilitate easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polymerization and cross-linking processes are used to form permanent floor coatings, then the coating durability and resistance to frictional forces is improved, but the removal difficulty and labor intensity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating durabilityVSAvoidremoval difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by creating a floor coating designed for temporary use rather than permanent installation. The coating is formulated to provide effective antimicrobial protection for a limited period (typically 30-90 days) and then becomes easily removable, eliminating the need for complex stripping processes. This approach trades long-term durability for ease of removal and reapplication, allowing facility managers to refresh coatings regularly to maintain antimicrobial efficacy without investing in permanent, difficult-to-remove systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of repair

If strong solvent stripping solutions and physical grinding processes are used to remove permanent coatings, then the coating removal effectiveness is improved, but the safety hazards and labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating removal effectivenessVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by creating a floor coating designed for temporary use rather than permanent installation. The coating is formulated to provide effective antimicrobial protection for a limited period (typically 30-90 days) and then becomes easily removable, eliminating the need for complex stripping processes. This approach trades long-term durability for ease of removal and reapplication, allowing facility managers to refresh coatings regularly to maintain antimicrobial efficacy without investing in permanent, difficult-to-remove systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the need for mechanical grinding processes and strong chemical solvents with a simpler removal mechanism. The coating is formulated to respond to mild alkaline solutions or simple mechanical action (such as scrubbing or low-speed floor machine operation) rather than requiring aggressive stripping chemicals or heavy-duty grinding equipment. This substitution eliminates safety hazards associated with strong solvents and reduces labor intensity by avoiding heavy mechanical processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If antimicrobial coatings are designed to withstand high frictional forces from heavy pedestrian traffic, then the coating longevity is improved, but the antimicrobial efficacy is reduced over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating longevityVSAvoidantimicrobial efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by designing a system where the coating is reapplied at regular intervals rather than expecting a single application to last indefinitely. The coating provides effective antimicrobial protection for a predetermined period (30-90 days), after which it is removed and reapplied to restore full antimicrobial efficacy. This periodic reapplication cycle ensures that the coating maintains reliable antimicrobial performance while accounting for the degradation that occurs over time under heavy traffic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 sacrificial floor coating system effectively reduces and prevents gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria growth for extended periods, up to 6 months, while being easier to remove than permanent coatings, maintaining antimicrobial efficacy and stability under heavy traffic conditions.

Implementation Method 1

This antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover is preferably an acidic solution that intercalates and swells the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating during a predetermined dwell time thereby allowing for removal of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating from a floor surface via subsequent scrubbing or use of a low speed floor machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntercalation:

Implementation Method 2

This antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover is preferably an acidic solution that intercalates and swells the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating during a predetermined dwell time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling:

Data Source

PatentUS12312496B2Antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating systems

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 SPARTAN CHEMICAL CO INC

AI summary

Disclosed are antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatings systems including an antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition capable of reducing and/or preventing gram positive and gram negative bacterial growth on floors.