Antimicrobial glaze and porcelain enamel via double layer glaze with high zinc content
AssigneeIdeal Standard International BVBA
InventorsZheng Chen, James Michael McHale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cost-effective and practical antimicrobial glaze system and glazing process is disclosed herein. The antimicrobial glaze/enamel may comprise at least two layers: a base layer and a top layer. The base layer may contain a typical or normal glaze widely used in sanitary ware, having a low level of zinc oxide. The base layer glaze may be directly sprayed on the clay body surface. A thin top glaze layer is sprayed on top of the base glaze layer and the top layer may contain a high level of zinc oxide.
Claims16
A method of producing an antimicrobial ceramic glaze or porcelain enamel product, comprising the steps of:
- applying a base glaze material onto a ceramic body to form a base glaze layer;
- applying a top glaze material onto the base glaze layer, wherein the top glaze material is comprised of more than about 8.0 percent by weight and less than about 35.0 percent by weight ZnO;
- and
- firing the top glaze material in a kiln to create a top glaze layer.
A method of producing an antimicrobial ceramic glaze/enamel product, comprising the steps of:
- applying a base glaze material onto a ceramic body to form a base glaze layer of thickness between about 300 μm and 1000 μm after firing;
- applying a top glaze material directly to the base glaze layer wherein the top glaze material contains more than about 8.0 percent by weight and less than about 35.0 percent by weight ZnO;
- and
- firing the top glaze material in a kiln to create a top glaze layer of thickness between about 25 μm and 250 μm after firing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.