Flex Ltd.
ANTIMICROBIAL METALLIZED THIN FILMS FOR REFURBISHING COMMUNAL CONTACT SURFACES

Abstract:

An antimicrobial metallized thin film is provided that can be quickly and easily attached to surfaces of objects. This film includes a polymer substrate onto which a metallized layer is formed. The metallized layer comprises an exposed antimicrobial metal physical contact surface. Ions from this physical contact surface destroy the viral coating and ribonucleic acid of contacting viruses rendering the viruses inactive and noninfectious. The film can be attached via an adhesive layer disposed between and in contact with the polymer substrate and the communal surface. This arrangement allows the film to economically refurbish communal surfaces with a film overlay rather than completely replacing communal surfaces with antimicrobial materials. The film mitigates the likelihood of viruses such as coronaviruses, noroviruses, rhinoviruses, and the like from spreading due to contact with the refurbished communal surfaces.