Anti-microbial touch panel and method of making same using homeotropic liquid crystal silanes

• US 6,504,583 B2
• Filed: 01/19/1999
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Geaghan, Bernard O., Bottari, Frank J., Li, Chia-Yen
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/233,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 349/130, 349/12, 252/49.6, 106/2, 508/206
• US Class Current: 349/12
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/42 at least one coating of an organic material and at least one non-metal coating
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 183/08 containing silicon bound to organic groups containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/002 Materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/014 composed of different layers; Lubricant in between
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch

Abstract

An anti-microbial touch panel includes a substrate; an active portion on one surface of the substrate; and a homeotropic organosilane layer deposited on the active portion for reducing survivability of microorganisms contacting the touch panel.

Claims

1. A method of applying an anti-microbial coating to a touch screen, the method comprising:

depositing a siloxane material in a layer on the touchscreen to protect the touchscreen;

activating the siloxane material; and

applying a homeotropic organosilane compound to the siloxane layer so that a chemical bond is formed between the siloxane layer and the homeotropic organosilane compound and a permanently applied anti-microbial coating is present on the touch screen.

2. The method of claim 1 in which activating includes raising the temperature of the touchscreen.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the siloxane material includes an organosiloxane compound.

4. A anti-microbial touch screen comprising:

a substrate;

an active area on the substrate;

a siloxane protective layer on the active area of the substrate; and

a homeotropic organosilane anti-microbial layer chemically bonded to the siloxane protective layer.