Microstructured surface with increased microorganism removal when cleaned, articles and methods

1. A method of providing an article having a surface with increased microorganism removal when cleaned comprising:

providing a microstructured surface on an article wherein the microstructured surface comprises an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys wherein the valleys have a maximum width ranging from 5 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle of greater than 10 degrees and the microstructured surface comprises less than 30% of flat surface area that is parallel to a planar base layer, wherein the microstructured surface can provide a mean log 10 reduction of bacteria of at least 2 after cleaning.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the peak structures comprise two or more facets and the facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface comprises a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements including preferred geometry cube corner elements.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein peak structures have an apex that is sharp, rounded or truncated.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the peak structures have an apex angle ranging from 20 to 120 degrees.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the peak structures and valleys are free of flat surface area that is parallel to the planar base layer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the valleys lack intersecting walls.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the article is not a sterile implantable medical article, an orthodontic appliance or orthodontic brackets.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the article is an interior component of a vehicle housing or case of an electronic device; a handle; food preparation article; food preparation container; utensil; furniture; desktop, flooring, countertop, window sill; component of a lavatory; toothbrush; protective athletic equipment; or playground equipment.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface is provided on the article by

providing a film comprising the microstructured surface disposed on a planar base layer; and a pressure sensitive adhesive on the opposing surface of the film; and

bonding the film to the article with the pressure sensitive adhesive.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface is provided on the article by

providing a base member comprising the microstructured surface wherein the peak structures have a melt temperature greater than the base member;

thermoforming the base member into an article at a temperature below the melt temperature of the peak structures.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface can provide a mean log 10 reduction of bacteria of at least 3 after cleaning.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface can provides a reduction in bacteria touch transfer in a range of 50% to 99%.

14. A method of cleaning an article comprising:

providing an article of claim 1 ;

cleaning the microstructured surface.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein cleaning comprises

a) wiping the microstructured surface with a woven or non-woven material;

b) scrubbing the microstructured surface with a brush;

c) applying an antimicrobial solution to the microstructured surface; or

a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface is exposed to the environment and is subject to be touched or otherwise coming in contact with people and/or animals.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein at least 90% of the microstructured surface comprises cleaning solution 1-3 minutes after applying the cleaning solution to the microstructured surface.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface has a Sbi/Svi of greater than 3 and less than 90.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface can provide a mean log 10 reduction of a bacteriophage or virus of at least 2 after cleaning.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface does not comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a low surface energy material, a fluorinated material, and a polydimethylsiloxane material.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the peaks have a height of at least 2 microns.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface is present on a macrostructured surface.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface lacks a significant number of structures with smaller valleys and/or valleys with insufficient side wall angles that can impede bacteria cleanability.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface lacks a significant number of structures with smaller valleys and/or valleys with insufficient side wall angles that can impede dirt removal.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface can provide a mean log 10 reduction of bacteria of at least 4 after cleaning.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface can provide a mean log 10 reduction of bacteria of at least 6 after cleaning.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the microstructured surface can provide a mean log 10 reduction of bacteria of at least 8 after cleaning.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein the peaks have a height of at least 3 microns.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the peaks have a height of at least 4 microns.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein the peaks have a height of at least 5 microns.