GR1009636B - Antimicrobial casing for electronic cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

Copper and some of its alloys have clinically-proven antimicrobial properties. This means that a very large number of microbes -when contacted with copper surfaces or their alloys- are killed in a very short period of time. The production of metal casings for electronic cigarettes will therefore help to protect the users against bacteria, microbes and other infectious microorganisms that, for any reason, come into contact with the surface of the above specially-designed casing. Because these devices are objects of daily and frequent use, it is a given that infectious organisms will be present on the surface, at all times. The dangers that may arise from this is that users and people around it are potentially exposed to microorganisms. The way these casings are manufactured varies according to the design and requirements of each product. The selection of the raw materials to be used is fully binding and should be done only from the approved EPA cooper alloys list of global nomenclature.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

"ANTIMICROBIAL ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE CASE"

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Design and manufacture of anti-microbial copper alloy metal cases that cover the exterior of electronic cigarette devices.

PRIOR ART AND EVALUATION THEREOF

Cases for electronic cigarette devices are widely used in a wide variety of materials such as plastic, leather, wood, metal, etc. in various sizes and shapes. All these devices are used by the general public with the aim of substituting smoking real cigarettes and it is considered that their use it is less harmful to health. From the way these devices are used, very frequent contact with the human hand, which is a carrier of germs, is necessary. The materials from which the circulating cases are made do not in any case provide antimicrobial protection due to their properties.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

<■>The disappearance and killing in large percentages and in a short period of time of all germs and infectious microorganisms that are transferred through the hands of the users to the surface of the cases.

■ Dramatically reducing cases of transmission of infectious diseases from more than one user of the same device.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION.

Since 2009, copper and its 510 alloys where the copper content is > 60% have been certified and recognized as "antimicrobial materials" by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the USA. This property has been clinically proven by researchers around the world with numerous reports and comparative clinical studies.

The essential result of all these investigations comes to a common conclusion that the maximum number of known microbes when it comes into contact with copper and its certified antimicrobial alloys is killed at a rate of 99.5% in a time ranging from 30-90 min.

Therefore, the use of these antimicrobial materials for the manufacture of e-cigarette device cases can only have positive consequences. Given that copper has permanent antimicrobial properties even when oxidized and is a fully recyclable and environmentally friendly material.

The production and manufacture of the cases starts from the design of the final product and of course depends on the electronic cigarette device for which it is intended.

As an indicative example of the construction of such a case, the case of its device produced and supplied to the market by the PHILIP MORRIS company under the trade name IQOS is mentioned. The attached drawings 1-5 show the 4 views - front, back, side with ports, second side and object - of such a case designed to be produced from an anti-microbial copper alloy. The case in the design bears the internationally recognized Cu+ logo indicating that the particular product will be made of a certified antimicrobial copper alloy.

In all cases, the choice of alloys where copper as a component will have a concentration greater than 60% can only be made from the approved list of alloys with international nomenclature announced by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and certified as "antimicrobial »

uses

■ These cases are intended to cover the electronic cigarette devices and in this way provide antimicrobial protection to the user as well as to other people who may come into contact with this device.

Claims (5)

1. Case for electronic cigarette devices made of a certified antimicrobial copper alloy where the copper content is greater than 60% and the alloy with its international name is included in the EPA (Environmental Pollution Agency - USA) list. The up-to-date NRA list of approved alloys is attached. 2. Case for electronic cigarette devices made of a certified antimicrobial copper alloy where the copper content is greater than 60% and the next highest alloying element in concentration is zinc and the alloy with its international name is included in the EPA (Environmental Pollution) list Agency - USA). The up-to-date NRA list of approved alloys is attached. 3. Case for electronic cigarette devices made of a certified antimicrobial copper alloy where the copper content is greater than 60% and the next highest alloying element in concentration is nickel and the alloy with its international name is included in the EPA (Environmental Pollution) list Agency - USA). The up-to-date NRA list of approved alloys is attached. 4. Case for electronic cigarette devices made of a certified antimicrobial copper alloy where the copper content is greater than 60% and the next most concentrated alloying element is tin and the alloy with its international name is included in the EPA (Environmental Pollution) list Agency - USA). The up-to-date NRA list of approved alloys is attached. 5. Case for electronic cigarette devices made of a certified antimicrobial copper alloy where the copper content is greater than 60% and the alloy with its international name is included in the published list of the EPA (Environmental Pollution Agency) in the future in the same list as - USA) but also in alloys that will be renewed.