IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,145,795
Granted Patent B2
US 12,145,795 · App. 18/363,302 · Granted Nov 19, 2024

Method of making a trashcan with an antimicrobial coating

Inventors: Frank Yang (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA); Di-Fong Chang (Torrance, CA); Hon-Lun Chen (Irvine, CA)
Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
B65F1/02A01N59/16B05D1/28B32B1/00B32B15/08B65D25/14B65F1/16B65F2250/1143
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,145,795
App. No.
18/363,302
Granted
Nov 19, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.

Claims (32)

1. A method of manufacturing a trashcan, comprising:

providing a metal to be shaped into a container that is configured to receive at least a portion of refuse;

applying a slurry comprising a solvent, a substrate material comprising a polymeric material, and an antimicrobial agent comprising a sub-support to the metal using a reverse-rolling device to form a coating deposited directly on the surface of the metal;

forming a smooth and substantially streak-free coated sheet; and

shaping the smooth and substantially streak-free coated sheet to form a trashcan,

wherein at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is exposed on an outside surface of the coating and is available to directly contact microbes on the surface of the coating after application of the coating to the metal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a fingerprint resistant material.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the fingerprint resistant material allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping without using a liquid solution.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the smooth and substantially streak-free coated sheet is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substantially streak-free coated sheet appears substantially flat.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material comprises polyethylene.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sub-support comprises a zeolite.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver, ionic copper, and ammonium.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is supported on a nanoparticle.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal is a stainless steel metal sheet.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein 24 hours after an initial bacterial exposure to the coating, an amount of bacteria remaining on the coating is at least about 95% less than at the initial bacterial exposure.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating reduces an amount of E. coli from about 2.3×10 5 colony forming units (CFU) per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating reduces an amount of S. aureus from about 3.85×10 5 CFU per 50 mm×50 mm carrier to less than about 5 CFU/carrier over a period of about 24 hours.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sub-support comprises an average particle size from about 1 μm to about 10 μm.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises from about 2% to about 5% ionic silver by weight.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises from about 4% to about 7% ionic copper by weight.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount of about 1.25 wt % relative to the substrate.

18. A method of manufacturing a trashcan, comprising:

providing a stainless steel metal to be shaped into a container that is configured to receive refuse;

applying a slurry comprising a solvent, a substrate material comprising a polymeric material, and an antimicrobial agent comprising a sub-support to the stainless steel metal using a reverse-rolling device to form a coating deposited directly on the surface of the stainless steel metal, such that the stainless steel metal is coated with a substrate comprising the polymeric material and the antimicrobial agent dispersed within the substrate to form a smooth and substantially streak-free coated sheet, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a sub-support;

drying the substrate on the smooth and substantially streak-free coated sheet; and

shaping the smooth and substantially streak-free coated sheet to form a trashcan;

wherein at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is exposed on an outside surface of the coating and is available to directly contact microbes on the surface of the coating after application of the coating to the stainless steel metal sheet,

wherein the coating is smooth and substantially fingerprint resistant to oil-based material transfer and resists a visible transfer of residue after physical interaction.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the fingerprint resistant material allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping without using a liquid solution.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the substrate comprises polyethylene.

21. The method of claim 18 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2024
From: YANG, FRANK; CHANG, DI-FONG; CHEN, HON-LUN
To: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
Reel/Frame 068042/0185 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17560056 · Dec 22, 2021
Continuation 15343899 · Nov 4, 2016
Provisional Application 62253612 · Nov 10, 2015
Related Publication 20230382638A1 · Nov 30, 2023