Anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating
AssigneeAOS Holding Company
InventorsMichael Wilczynski, Glenn N. Pfendt, James D. Waters
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating and a method of preparing the coating is provided. The porcelain enamel coating contains an anti-microbial agent having an anti-microbial metal compound such as silver, zinc, or copper disposed on a particulate support. The resulting porcelain enamel coating can be used, for example, as a coating over steel for those appliances and sanitary ware fixtures that could benefit from an increased level of resistance to microbes, mold, bacteria, and fungus.
Claims28
A process for forming an anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating on a metal substrate, the process comprising:
- (a) incorporating an anti-microbial agent into a porcelain enamel composition, the anti-microbial agent comprising an anti-microbial metal disposed on a particulate support, wherein the anti-microbial metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, cooper, and alloys and mixtures thereof;
- (b) applying the composition of step (a) to a metal substrate;
- and
- (c) firing the substrate of step (b) at a temperature of at least about 1100° F. and less than about 1700° F.
A process for forming an anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating on a metal substrate, the process comprising:
- adding an anti-microbial agent to a glass frit or to a slip to form a mixture, the anti-microbial agent comprising an anti-microbial metal disposed on a particulate support, the anti-microbial metal being selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, copper and alloys and mixtures thereof;
- applying the mixture to a metal substrate;
- and
- firing the substrate having the mixture thereon at temperature of at least about 1400° F. (760° C.) and less than about 1700° F. (925° C.).
A process for the preparation of an anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating, the process comprising:
- grinding a glass frit;
- adding at least about 1 weight percent of an anti-microbial agent to the glass frit to form a mixture, the weight percent being based on the total weight of the mixture, and the anti-microbial agent being selected from the group consisting of silver coated zinc oxide;
- copper coated zinc oxide;
- silver and zinc silicate coated titanium dioxide;
- silver, copper oxide, and zinc silicate coated titanium dioxide;
- and silver coated titanium dioxide;
- applying the mixture to a metal substrate to form a coated substrate;
- and
- firing the coated substrate at a temperature from about 1100° F. to about 1700° F. to form an anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating.
A process for the preparation of an anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating, the process comprising:
- applying a porcelain enamel composition and an anti-microbial agent to a metal substrate to form a coated substrate, the anti-microbial agent comprising an anti-microbial metal disposed on a particulate support, the anti-microbial metal being selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, copper and alloys and mixtures thereof;
- and
- firing the coated substrate at a temperature of at least about 1400° F. and less than about 1700° F.
A process for coating an internal portion of a water heater with an anti-microbial porcelain enamel coating, the process comprising:
- incorporating an anti-microbial agent into a porcelain enamel composition to form an anti-microbial mixture, the anti-microbial agent comprising an anti-microbial metal disposed on a particulate support, wherein the anti-microbial metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, copper and alloys and mixtures thereof;
- and
- applying the anti-microbial mixture to the internal portion of the water heater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.