Antibiotic high-pressure laminates

Details Antibiotic high-pressure laminates Antibiotic high-pressure laminates

1998-09-29

2001-06-19

Dodson, Shelley A. (Department: 1616)

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Preparations characterized by special physical form

Wearing apparel, fabric, or cloth

C424S400000, C424S402000, C424S405000, C424S409000, C424S412000, C424S413000, C428S411100, C428S457000, C428S458000, C428S480000, C428S481000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06248342

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to high-pressure laminates exhibiting antimicrobial activity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
High-pressure laminates offer hard wear resistant surfaces that provide a thin layer for preventing moisture penetration. Because of their abrasion and moisture resistant properties, high-pressure laminates are widely used for commercial, home, and industrial surfaces such as counter tops, table tops, and floor panels. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,580 (Donovan), issued Jun. 28, 1993 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,476 (O'Dell) issued Aug. 13, 1996.
These laminates are multilayer structures formed of several paper, or woven or non-woven fabric, layers embedded in one or more polymer resins. Suitable resins include melamine resins, phenolic resins, urea resins, epoxy resins, acrylic resins, urethane resins, ABS resins, polycarbonate resins, and in particular melamine-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins. The paper or fabric is saturated with resin slurry consisting of a fine dispersion of resin, ceramic reinforcement and sometimes color additives in a water base. Once the slurry is applied to the surface of the paper or fabric, it is allowed to dry in air or in a drying oven. Generally, the top layer is formed from decorative paper saturated with a melamine-based slurry and the lower layers are formed from brown craft paper saturated with a phenol-based resin. Once dry, the layers are stacked in a heated press that cures the polymers and bonds the layers together to form the laminate.
In use, high-pressure laminates often come in contact with food and are a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Therefore, attempts have been made to develop high-pressure laminates exhibiting antimicrobial action. For example, the organic compound triclosan has been incorporated in countertops in an attempt to provide a surface exhibiting long lasting antimicrobial properties. However, microorganisms can develop resistance to organic compounds such as tricolosan. Moreover, the antimicrobial effects of triclosan decline over time as triclosan leaches out from the surface of the substrate. In addition, triclosan is believed to cause skin irritation. Furthermore, triclosan is believed to generate dioxin when burned, creating disposal problems.
There is therefore a need for a high-pressure laminate containing an antimicrobial composition that does not generate antibiotic resistance. There is also a need for a high-pressure laminate containing an antimicrobial that is nontoxic and safe for human contact. In addition, there is a need for a high-pressure laminate containing an antimicrobial agent that does not generate toxins when disposed of.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides an antimicrobial high-pressure laminate, comprising: a) one or more sheets of paper saturated with one or more resins, and b) an inorganic antibiotic metal containing composition incorporated, or coated on, one or more of the resins. In a preferred embodiment, the high-pressure laminate comprises a melamine surface layer that has the inorganic antibiotic metal containing composition dispersed in it. The high-pressure laminates of this invention can be used for eating surfaces, cabinets, wall paneling, and many other applications.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4258103 (1981-03-01), Hosmer et al.
patent: 4284444 (1981-08-01), Bernstein et al.
patent: 4390580 (1983-06-01), Donovan
patent: 4775585 (1988-10-01), Hagiwara et al.
patent: 4911898 (1990-03-01), Hagiwara et al.
patent: 4911899 (1990-03-01), Hagiwara et al.
patent: 4938958 (1990-07-01), Niira et al.
patent: 5009898 (1991-04-01), Sakuma et al.
patent: 5019096 (1991-05-01), Fox, Jr. et al.
patent: 5100671 (1992-03-01), Maeda et al.
patent: 5180585 (1993-01-01), Jacobson et al.
patent: 5244667 (1991-09-01), Hagiwara et al.
patent: 5296238 (1994-03-01), Sugiura et al.
patent: 5545476 (1996-08-01), O'Dell et al.
patent: 5556699 (1996-09-01), Niira et al.
patent: 5647858 (1997-07-01), Davidson
patent: 5681575 (1997-10-01), Burrell et al.
patent: 5698229 (1997-12-01), Ohsumi et al.
patent: 5709870 (1998-01-01), Yoshimura et al.
patent: 39 23 555 A1 (1990-02-01), None
patent: 3923555 (1990-02-01), None
patent: 0 249 583 (1987-12-01), None
patent: 1 300 319 (1972-12-01), None
patent: 2 191 516 (1987-12-01), None
patent: 2175101A2 (1990-07-01), None
patent: 6-279218 (1994-10-01), None
patent: 06330285 (1994-11-01), None
patent: 08245301 (1996-09-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Antibiotic high-pressure laminates does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Antibiotic high-pressure laminates, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Antibiotic high-pressure laminates will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2544528