IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,376,593
Granted Patent B2
US 12,376,593 · App. 18/386,758 · Granted Aug 5, 2025

Method of treating a glazed ceramic article

Inventor: Nathan Lee Fields (Concord, NC)
Assignee: Microban Products Company
A01N59/16A01N25/08C03C8/04C03C8/18C03C2204/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,376,593
App. No.
18/386,758
Granted
Aug 5, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of treating a glazed ceramic article comprises applying an antimicrobial composition on top of an outermost surface of a glazed ceramic article. The antimicrobial composition comprises an antimicrobial additive. The antimicrobial composition further comprises a carrier medium. The antimicrobial additive is selected from the group consisting of Bi 2 O 3 , ZnO, Ag 2 CO 3 , Ag 2 O, Zn, Bi, Ag, and a combination thereof.

Claims (12)

1. A glazed ceramic article having antimicrobial properties made by the process comprising:

(a) applying an antimicrobial composition on top of an outermost surface of a glazed ceramic article, wherein the antimicrobial composition comprises an antimicrobial additive, wherein the antimicrobial additive is a combination of 30 to 69 weight % ZnO, 30 to 69 weight % Bi 2 O 3 , and 1 to 10 weight % frit containing Ag, and

(b) firing the glazed ceramic article having the antimicrobial composition applied thereon thereby form the glazed ceramic article having antimicrobial properties, wherein the application level of the antimicrobial additive on the glazed ceramic article is in a range of 0.5 g/m 2 to 5.0 g/m 2 .

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial composition further comprises a carrier medium.

3. The article of claim 2 , wherein the carrier medium is selected from the group consisting of water, polyethylene glycol, and a combination thereof.

4. The article of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial additive is a combination of 33 weight % ZnO, 66 weight % Bi 2 O 3 , and 1 weight % frit containing Ag.

5. The article of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial additive is a combination of 66 weight % ZnO, 33 weight % Bi 2 O 3 , and 1 weight % frit containing silver.

6. The article of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial additive is present in the antimicrobial composition in a ratio of solids to carrier medium in a range of 1% to 10%.

7. The article of claim 1 , wherein the application level of the antimicrobial additive on the glazed ceramic article is in a range of 1.0 g/m 2 to 3.0 g/m 2 .

8. The article of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial composition is applied in a layer on the outermost surface of the glazed ceramic article.

9. The article of claim 1 , wherein the application occurs by spray, rotocolor, silicon roller, disc cabin, or inkjet.

10. The article of claim 1 , wherein the applied antimicrobial diffuses into the body of the glaze.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2025
From: MICROBAN PRODUCTS COMPANY
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 073176/0547 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2023
From: FIELDS, NATHAN LEE
To: MICROBAN PRODUCTS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065455/0547 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15338790 · Oct 31, 2016
Related Publication 20240057607A1 · Feb 22, 2024
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