Household goods with antimicrobial coatings and methods of making thereof

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trashcan comprising:
 a metal body shaped to provide at least a portion of a container that is configured to receive refuse;   wherein a surface of the metal body comprises a coating, the coating comprising a substrate with an antimicrobial agent dispersed within the substrate;   wherein the coating is applied directly to a metal sheet used to form the metal body by applying a slurry comprising a solvent, a substrate material, and the antimicrobial agent to the metal sheet using a reverse-rolling device;   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 sheet; and   wherein the coating is substantially streak-free.   
     
     
         2 . The trashcan of  claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a fingerprint resistant material. 
     
     
         3 . The trashcan of  claim 2 , wherein the fingerprint resistant material allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping without using a liquid solution. 
     
     
         4 . The trashcan of  claim 1 , wherein the coating is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer. 
     
     
         5 . The trashcan of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially streak-free coating appears substantially flat. 
     
     
         6 . The trashcan of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The trashcan of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite. 
     
     
         8 . The trashcan of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver, ionic copper, and ammonium. 
     
     
         9 . The trashcan of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is supported on a nanoparticle. 
     
     
         10 . The trash can of  claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet is a stainless steel metal sheet. 
     
     
         11 . The trashcan 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 trashcan 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 trashcan 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 . A trashcan comprising:
 a stainless steel metal body shaped to provide at least a portion of a container that is configured to receive refuse;   wherein a surface of the stainless steel metal body comprises a coating, the coating comprising a substrate with an antimicrobial agent dispersed within the substrate;   wherein the coating is applied directly to a stainless steel metal sheet used to form the stainless steel metal body by applying a slurry comprising a solvent, a substrate material, and the antimicrobial agent directly to the stainless steel metal sheet using a reverse-rolling device;   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 substantially streak-free; and   wherein the coating comprises a fingerprint resistant material.   
     
     
         15 . The trashcan of  claim 14 , wherein the fingerprint resistant material allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping without using a liquid solution. 
     
     
         16 . The trashcan of  claim 14 , wherein the coating is substantially resistant to water-based material transfer. 
     
     
         17 . The trashcan of  claim 14 , wherein the substantially streak-free coating appears substantially flat. 
     
     
         18 . The trashcan of  claim 14 , wherein the substrate comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         19 . The trashcan of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a zeolite. 
     
     
         20 . The trashcan of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver, ionic copper, and ammonium. 
     
     
         21 . The trashcan of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is supported on a nanoparticle.