Patent Application
20110025933
This invention relates to the field of display devices and more particularly to a television having an antimicrobial coating on some or all of its external surfaces.
There are many ways in which infectious pathogens such as bacteria or germs spread from one person to another in a family or public place. Most residences have televisions, audio players, and other devices used in the residence by more than one occupant. Children often carry infectious agents from school where the agent is acquired from other children who may have been sick. Typically all members of a family will handle or touch televisions, especially portable televisions. In such, the television becomes a point of contact and enables the transfer of germs, bacteria, and viruses.
What is needed is a television that reduces the opportunity for transferring germs, bacteria and viruses between users of the television.
The present minimizes the transference of pathogens between members of a family or group that utilize a television. The television has an antimicrobial coating on one or more external surfaces and the antimicrobial coating includes antimicrobial agents that reduce the transfer of active pathogens from one user of the television to another user.
In one embodiment, a television is disclosed including a display panel having an exterior surface; a bezel surrounding the display panel, the bezel also having an exterior surface; and a rear housing, the rear housing also having an exterior surface. An antimicrobial coating is applied to at least a portion of at least one of the exterior surfaces. The antimicrobial coating inhibits the growth of microorganisms on the portion of the at least one of the exterior surfaces to which it is applied.
In another embodiment method of manufacturing a television is disclosed including manufacturing the television including installing a display panel within a bezel and sealing the television with a rear housing portion and coating at least one external component of the television with an antimicrobial coating.
In another embodiment, a television is disclosed including a display panel that has an exterior surface; a bezel surrounding the display panel also having an exterior surface; and a rear housing, the rear housing also having an exterior surface. A first antimicrobial coating is applied to a viewing surface of the display panel and a second antimicrobial coating is applied to an external surface of the bezel. The antimicrobial agents inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the viewing surface of the display panel and on the external surface of the bezel.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. Throughout this description, the term “antimicrobial coating” refers to any material that acts to reduce germs, viruses, fungi, yeasts, microorganisms and/or bacteria, often referred to an anti-virucidal, anti-bacterial, and/or anti-germicidal coating.
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When a user contacts the television 6, there is a transfer of various microorganisms from the user to the television 6. However, the antimicrobial coating 21/23 of the present invention reduces the number of microorganisms on the surface of the television 6 and, thus, prevents the further transfer of the germs to a subsequent user. The microorganisms are reduced by reducing their life span or preventing multiplication (cell division).
An antimicrobial coating 21 is applied to various surfaces of the television 6, including the bezel 22, the stand 15, the power cable 30 (see
The antimicrobial coatings 21/23 generally comprise a number of different chemicals or additives (agents) commonly used as disinfectants as known in the current art. For example, one embodiment of the present invention the antimicrobial coatings 21/23 include a chlorine dioxide-generating formulation (agent) containing chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorate surfactant, and an acid moiety as the antimicrobial agent. A commercially available example of such a time-release chlorine dioxide formulation described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,631,300; 5,639,295; 5,650,446; and 5,668,185. Other examples of materials used to generate chlorine dioxide, for instance, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,681,739; 4,689,169; 5,126,070; 5,227,168; and 5,407,685. The above patents are herein incorporated by reference.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the antimicrobial coatings 21/23 includes silver ions as the antimicrobial agent. For example, a silver-zeolite complex is incorporated in the coatings 21/23 to provide controlled release of the antimicrobial agent. One commercially available example of such an agent is used in HEALTH SHIELD under the name GUARDTEX. Other suitable silver-containing microbial agents are disclosed in Japanese patent No. JP 10/259325. In addition to silver-zeolites, other metal-containing inorganic additives are anticipated in the present invention. Examples of such additives include, but are not limited to, copper, zinc, mercury, antimony, lead, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, thallium, or other various additives, such as disclosed in Japanese patent No. JP 1257124 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,602 to Totani, et al., which are herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the activity of the additive is amplified by secondary materials, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,383 to Davis, et al., which is herein incorporated by reference.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the antimicrobial coatings 21/23 include calcium hypochlorite particles as the antimicrobial agent. An example of a commercially available form of calcium hypochlorite particles suitable for use in the present invention is ALDRICH-brand #24-415-5. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is polymerized or encapsulated to enhance the ability to control the amount of antimicrobial agent released over an extended period of time.
Other antimicrobial agents are anticipated. Examples of such antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to, quaternary amines, halogens, chlorine dioxide, silver ions, and combinations thereof.
Another antimicrobial agent anticipated is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,274 to Shick, et al., which is herein incorporated by reference. Other antimicrobial agents are anticipated for use in the coatings 21/23, for example, liquid quats, such as alkyl aryl benzalkonium chloride, or other materials such as aqueous or resinous triclosan. One known example of such an antimicrobial agent is a resinous form of triclosan distributed by The Microban Products Company of Huntersville, N.C., and sold under the name “MICROBAN”, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,435 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,554, which are herein incorporated by reference.
Other examples of suitable antimicrobial agents are carboxylic acids as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,912 to Hossain, et al., which is herein incorporated by reference. Also those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,175 which is herein incorporated by reference.
The list of antimicrobial agents also includes chlorohexidine gluconate; parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX); benzylthoneium chloride; chitosan, such as chitosan pyrrolidone carboxylate; and those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,763, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,388, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,089, which are herein incorporated by reference.
It is anticipated that the coatings antimocrobial 21/23 on various components, surfaces and/or parts of the television 6 comprise a single antimicrobial agent or a combination of antimicrobial agents. For example, two or more of the above-identified antimicrobial agents are integrated into the coating 23 that is applied to the display panel 12 during or after manufacturing of the television 6, thereby providing protection for a broader range of microorganisms.
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Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
