Method and aparatus for applying nanoparticle surface treatments inside a container

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a surface coating to a target surface by providing a sealable containment means for receiving a target surface and a surface coating located in a container or containers within the sealable containment means. Also disclosed is a method of applying a surface coating using the apparatus by sealing the sealable containment means, releasing the surface coating into the volume of the sealable containment means and then subjecting the containment means to an external stimulus which catalyzes the bonding of the surface coating

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying a surface coating to a target surface comprising
 a sealable containment means for receiving a target surface; and   a surface coating located within the sealable containment means.   
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the containment means is a bag with a first sealed region and a second sealed region and wherein the first sealed region and second sealed region are burstable whereby the contents of the first and second sealed region may be selectively released into the containment means. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein the surface coating comprises an antimicrobial agent and a cross linking agent wherein the antimicrobial agent is contained in the first sealed region and the cross linking agent is contained in the second sealed region. 
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from a group consisting of a metal, a metal salt, a metal oxide, a metal ion containing polymer, a metal ion containing ceramic, or a quarternary ammonium silane, and a metal complex. 
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein the antimicrobial agent is a particle with a minimum dimension in the range of 1 nm to 1 um. 
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein the antimicrobial agent is dissolved, suspended, or otherwise dispersed in a liquid medium comprised of aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. 
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein the antimicrobial agent is reactive with a chemical cross-linking agent selected from a group consisting of peroxides, epoxides, silanes, siloxanes, silicones, urethanes, acrylates, azides, triazenes, diazirines, imides, and polyimides. 
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein the surface coating is a particle with a smallest dimension in the range of 1 nm to 1 um. 
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 8  wherein the particle is selected from a group consisting of a metal, a metal salt, a metal oxide, a polymer, a dendrimer, a ceramic, carbonaceuous material such as carbon nanotubes, spheres, and wires, and a composite. 
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the surface coating is comprised of an antimicrobial agent and a cross linking agent; and further comprising a first sealed container containing the antimicrobial agent and a second sealed container containing the cross linking agent. 
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 12  wherein the antimicrobial agent is reactive with a chemical cross-linking agent selected from a group consisting of peroxides, epoxides, silanes, siloxanes, silicones, urethanes, acrylates, azides, triazenes, diazirines, imides, and polyimides. 
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 11  wherein the first sealed container and second sealed container are burstable 
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 12  wherein the first sealed container and second sealed container are dissolvable in water. 
     
     
         14 . A method for applying antimicrobial surface coatings to a target surface comprising:
 providing a containment means and a surface coating within the containment means;   inserting a target surface into the containment means;   sealing the containment means; and   subjecting the containment means to external stimulation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the surface coating is comprised of an antimicrobial agent and a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the containment means is a sealable bag. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  16  wherein the external stimulation is heat. 
     
     
         18 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein the antimicrobial agent is a metal, a metal salt, a metal oxide, a metal ion containing polymer, a metal ion containing ceramic, or a quarternary ammonium silane, or a metal complex. 
     
     
         19 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein the antimicrobial agent is a particle with a minimum dimension in the range of 1 nm to 1 um. 
     
     
         20 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein the antimicrobial agent is dissolved, suspended, or otherwise dispersed in a liquid medium including aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. 
     
     
         21 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein the antimicrobial agent has one or more functional groups selected from a group consisting of peroxides, epoxides, silanes, siloxanes, silicones, urethanes, acrylates, azides, triazenes, diazirines, imides and polyimides 
     
     
         22 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein the antimicrobial agent is reactive with a chemical cross-linking agent selected from a group consisting of peroxides, epoxides, silanes, siloxanes, silicones, urethanes, acrylates, azides, triazenes, diazirines, imides, and polyimides.