The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 11, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 19, 1997
Makoto Hayakawa, Kita-kyushu, JP;
Eiichi Kojima, Kita-kyushu, JP;
Keiichiro Norimoto, Kita-kyushu, JP;
Mitsuyoshi Machida, Kita-kyushu, JP;
Atsushi Kitamura, Kita-kyushu, JP;
Toshiya Watanabe, Kita-kyushu, JP;
Makoto Chikuni, Kita-kyushu, JP;
Akira Fujishima, Kawasaki, JP;
Kazuhito Hashimoto, Yokohama, JP;
Toto, Ltd., Fukuoka, JP;
Abstract
The surface of a substrate is coated with an abrasion-resistant photocatalytic coating comprised of a semiconductor photocatalyst. Upon irradiation by a light having a wavelength of an energy higher than the bandgap energy of the photocatalyst, water is chemisorbed onto the surface in the form of hydroxyl groups (OH.sup.--) whereby the surface of the photocatalytic coating is rendered highly hydrophilic. In certain embodiments, the surface of a mirror, lens, or windowpane is coated with the photocatalytic coating to exhibit a high degree of antifogging function. In another embodiment, an article or product coated with the photocatalytic coating is disposed outdoors and the highly hydrophilic surface thereof is self-cleaned as it is subjected to rainfall. In a still another embodiment, an article is coated with the photocatalytic coating and, when the article is soaked in, rinsed by or wetted with water, fatty dirt and contaminants are readily released without resort to a detergent.