Vehicle Photocatalytic Air Purification Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Provided is a photocatalytic air purification vehicle wrap for at least partially covering an exterior surface of a vehicle. The vehicle wrap comprises a film or laminate material comprising a first surface area and a second surface area, the first surface area adapted to adhere to the exterior surface of the vehicle. The vehicle wrap further comprises a coating layer disposed on the second surface, the coating layer comprising a titanium dioxide solution cured onto the film or laminate material with ultraviolet radiation, wherein the coating layer is an outermost layer of the vehicle wrap such that the cured titanium dioxide solution is exposed to air surrounding the vehicle when the first surface area is adhered to the exterior surface of the vehicle.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle wrap for at least partially covering an exterior surface of a vehicle, comprising:
 a film or laminate material comprising a first surface area and a second surface area, the first surface area adapted to adhere to the exterior surface of the vehicle; and   a coating layer disposed on the second surface, the coating layer comprising a titanium dioxide solution cured onto the film or laminate material with ultraviolet radiation, wherein the coating layer is an outermost layer of the vehicle wrap such that the cured titanium dioxide solution is exposed to air surrounding the vehicle when the first surface area is adhered to the exterior surface of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid titanium dioxide compound comprises liquid titanium dioxide, at least one surfactant substance, and polyurethane. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 2 , wherein the ratio of the at least one surfactant substance comprises at least 1 percent of the liquid titanium dioxide compound. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 3 , wherein the ratio of the at least one surfactant substance is less than 5 percent of the liquid titanium dioxide compound. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 2 , wherein the ratio of the polyurethane comprises at least 1 percent of the liquid titanium dioxide compound. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 2 , wherein the ratio of the polyurethane is less than 5 percent of the liquid titanium dioxide compound. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 1 , wherein the overlaminate comprises vinyl, and wherein the first surface is adapted to statically adhere to the exterior of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface comprises a magnetic material adapted to magnetically adhere to the exterior of the vehicle, and wherein the overlaminate material comprises at least one graphic beneath the coating layer. 
     
     
         9 . A method for making a vehicle wrap, comprising:
 providing a vinyl material comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface adapted to statically adhere to an exterior surface of a vehicle;   printing at least one graphic or image on the second surface of the vinyl material;   coating the second surface of the vinyl material with a liquid titanium dioxide solution using a coating machine; and   curing the coated vinyl material with ultraviolet radiation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein coating the second surface of the vinyl material with the liquid titanium dioxide solution further comprises:
 mounting the vinyl material on a rigid medium;   feeding the vinyl material and rigid medium into the coating machine; and   removing the vinyl material from the rigid medium.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid titanium dioxide solution comprises titanium dioxide, at least one surfactant, and polyurethane. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one surfactant is at least 1 percent and less than 5 percent of the liquid titanium dioxide solution. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the polyurethane is at least 1 percent and less than 5 percent of the liquid titanium dioxide solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the vinyl material comprises an overlaminate medium. 
     
     
         15 . A vehicle wrap for at least partially covering an exterior surface of a vehicle, comprising at least a portion of a sheet of vinyl material comprising a first surface area and a second surface area opposite the first surface area, the first surface area adapted to removably adhere to the exterior surface of the vehicle, the second surface area comprising a coating of a titanium dioxide solution, wherein the coating on the second surface area is the outermost layer of the vehicle wrap and is exposed to air when the first surface area of the vehicle wrap is adhered to the exterior surface of the vehicle such that the coating produces a photocatalytic effect when the vehicle is exposed to air and sunlight. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 15 , wherein the titanium dioxide solution comprises liquid titanium dioxide, at least one surfactant substance, and polyurethane. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one surfactant substance is between 1 percent and 5 percent of the titanium dioxide solution. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 16 , wherein the polyurethane is between 1 percent and 5 percent of the titanium dioxide solution. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 15 , wherein the vinyl material comprises an overlaminate material. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle wrap of  claim 15 , wherein the second surface area comprises at least one printed graphic or image beneath the coating.