Abstract: A process for producing self-cleaning surfaces by a dry coating process. The process produces self-cleaning surfaces that have elevations formed by particles applied dry to the surface by a modified flame-spraying process. The process can equip textiles and other articles, in particular those having plastic surfaces, with self-cleaning properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to sheet extrudates with surfaces which have self-cleaning properties, and also to a simple process for producing these self-cleaning surfaces. The process of the invention is very simple, since it can make use of existing equipment. Sheet extrudates are usually smoothed by means of rolls. The process of the invention makes use of these rolls by applying microparticles to these rolls. The particles are impressed into the surface of the extrudate and thus transferred thereto during smoothing of the extrudates. The process of the invention provides access to self-cleaning surfaces which comprise particles with a fissured structure, without any need to apply an additional emboss layer or a foreign-material carrier layer to the moldings. Extrudates of the invention may have the shape of a film or sheet, for example.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for preparing a surfactant-free suspension including hydrophobic particles and at least 50.01% by weight of water, where hydrophobic, nanostructured particles are suspended in at least one organic solvent miscible with water and having a boiling point below 150° C., and then this concentrated organic suspension is intensively and thoroughly mixed with surfactant-free water.

Abstract: The invention relates to injection moldings with surfaces which have self-cleaning properties, and also to a simple process for producing the self-cleaning surfaces. The process of the invention is very simple, since it can make use of currently available equipment. Injection molded parts are usually produced by means of injection molds into which the material is injected. The process of the invention makes use of this process in that prior to the actual injection-molding process microparticles are applied to the injection mold and, during the injection-molding process, are transferred to the injection-molded part in that the particles are pressed into the surface of the injection-molded part. The process of the invention gives access to self-cleaning surfaces which have particles with a fissured structure, without any need to apply an additional emboss layer or foreign-material backing layer to the molding. Injection moldings of the invention may be three-dimensional articles of almost any type.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices produced by injection molding for storing and/or handling liquids, which can be emptied without residues, and also to a simple process for producing such devices. Liquids are frequently taken up and distributed in a defined manner using pipette tips, syringes, ampoules or similar devices. However, for technical reasons, the pipette tips available on the market today cannot pipette the smallest volumes desired without contact, i.e. provide unaided and complete release of the liquid to be pipetted from the pipette tip. Equally, it is currently impossible to completely empty storage vessels. The devices according to the invention overcome this problem by the surfaces which come into contact with the liquid being provided with self-cleaning properties. This makes it possible to take up and distribute liquids without residue in a simple manner and to completely empty storage vessels. The process according to the invention is very simple since it can use existing equipment.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process by which a coating which has dirt- and water-repellant properties can be applied non-permanently to any article. It is usual nowadays for articles to be provided with self-cleaning properties by generating, on the surface of the article, a surface structure made from elevations and depressions which have to have a certain height and a certain separation. This is usually achieved by impressing such structures, or by securing structure-forming particles by means of a carrier system. In this way the surfaces are provided with a permanent self-cleaning surface. If scratching, discoloration, or some other type of damage causes impairment of the surface or surface structure, this cannot be simply removed and reapplied, but instead the article then has to be retreated, freed from the surface structure by a complicated method, or disposed of. In contrast, the inventive coating can be removed again from the articles by relatively simple mechanical means.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfaces with hydrophilic properties and a method for producing such surfaces. Surfaces are provided with hydrophilic properties by applying a coating containing hydrophilic silicic acid by means of the inventive method. Said surfaces can be textile or polymer surfaces, metallic or wooden surfaces. The silicic acid can be permanently connected to the polymer surface or be in the form of a non-fixed coating. The inventive hydrophilic silicic acid is applied in a very simple manner by applying a suspension containing silicic acid particles in a solvent on the corresponding surface, whereupon the solvent is removed or the silicic acid particles are fixed to the surface by means of a carrier. Condensing devices of dehumidifiers, foams or sponges are examples of surfaces that can be provided with the inventive hydrophilic surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to shaping processes for producing moldings with at least one surface which has self-cleaning properties and has elevations formed by microparticles, by thermal shaping of materials comprising organic compounds by means of a mold, and also to the resultant moldings. The process of the invention generates surfaces with self-cleaning properties by, prior to the thermal shaping, applying microparticles to the inner surfaces of the mold and then carrying out the molding process, in which the microparticles are pressed into and anchored into the surface of the molding, where this surface has not yet solidified. The process of the invention may be used in thermal shaping processes selected from blow molding, extrusion blow molding, extrusion stretch blow molding, injection blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, thermoforming, vacuum stretch forming, pressure stretch forming, and rotary thermoforming.

Abstract: The invention relates to calendered web products with surfaces which have self-cleaning properties, and also to a simple process for producing these self-cleaning surfaces. The process of the invention is very simple, since it can utilize existing equipment. Calenders are usually used to produce web products from high-melt-viscosity polymers or web products with a fabric core. The process of the invention utilizes these calenders by applying microparticles on at least one roll of the calender. During passage of the webs, the microparticles are transferred to these via impression of the particles into the surface of the web products. The process of the invention provides access to self-cleaning surfaces which have particles with a fissured structure, without any need to apply an additional embossed layer or carrier layer of foreign material to the web products. Examples of uses of web products of the invention are truck tarpaulins, protective tarpaulins, awnings, sunshade roofs, and tenting.

Abstract: The invention relates to moldings with synthetic polymer surfaces which have self-cleaning properties. Self-cleaning surfaces and their advantages are well known. There are now various processes to obtain these surfaces. Two principal processes have become established, and one process is based on the securing of particles to surfaces, whereupon the particles produce elevations which produce the self-cleaning effect. The manner in which the invention presented here produces the surfaces is that synthetic polymer surfaces are swelled by a swelling agent which comprises suitable particles in suspension, the particles are embedded into the swollen surfaces, and after removal of the swelling agent the particles have been securely anchored within the synthetic polymer surface. Moldings thus produced have the advantage that they can be produced in the usual way and then, whatever the shape, provided with self-cleaning properties.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises an at least partially hydrophobic surface formed from structure-forming particles of hydrophobic fumed silica having elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m adhered to the surface by way of a viscous, curable carrier material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurethane acrylates, silicone acrylates and singly and/or multiply unsaturated (meth)acrylates applied to the surface, which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the carrier material while retaining the fissured structure of elevations and depressions of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises a surface having structure-forming particles, which are formed of hydrophobic, fumed silica, adhered thereto by way of fixative particles applied to the surface, whereby the structure-forming particles and the fixative particles have elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m, the particles providing said surface structure of elevations and depressions, wherein, by incipient melting of the fixative particles, only partial melting of the fixative particles occurs which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the fixative particles to said surface while retaining, the fissured structure of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure made from elevations and depressions, where the elevations and depressions are formed by particles secured to the surface, wherein the particles have a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range; a process for making such a surface; and particles having a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range.

Abstract: Textile fabrics with self cleaning and water repellent surface

Abstract: A self-cleaning or lotus-effect surface that has antimicrobial properties, commercial products comprising such a surface, and uses thereof. A process for the production of an antimicrobial self-cleaning or lotus-effect surface in which one or more antimicrobial polymer(s) is secured to a surface-coating system for securing structure-formers to generate a self-cleaning surface. This method lastingly binds antimicrobial polymers to the self-cleaning surface. Commercial products comprising an antimicrobial self-cleaning or lotus-effect surface.

Abstract: Diffuse-reflection surfaces which have a matte appearance and which have self-cleaning properties and preferably have antimicrobial properties, are prepared by coating a substrate with a random distribution of the particles to at least one surface of a substrate, thereby providing a surface comprising elevations with a height of from 20 nm to 100 &mgr;m and with a separation of less than 100 &mgr;m between the elevations. Such diffuse-reflection surfaces can be used as protective covers or as protective layers, in particular for providing non-angle-dependent viewing. The diffuse reflection surfaces of the present invention have self-cleaning properties and are resistant to colonization by microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for producing anti-allergic surfaces, and articles which comprise these anti-allergic surfaces. The process of the invention produces anti-allergic surfaces. The basis of the anti-allergic action is that self-cleaning properties make it impossible or very difficult for allergenic substances to deposit on these surfaces, and make it possible for them to be cleaned from the surface by a simple cleaning procedure using water set in motion. The surfaces may be either textile surfaces or polymer surfaces. Structures composed of elevations and depressions, as have been described on many previous occasions, are applied to these surfaces. The coatings of the invention can be applied very simply by applying a dispersion of suitable particles in a solvent to the relevant surface and then removing the solvent. Textiles, mattresses, or covers, for example, can be provided with the anti-allergic surfaces of the invention.

Abstract: A light-scattering material includes a coating with self-cleaning properties on a transparent substrate. Particles randomly distributed in and on the coating roughen the coating and provide a surface structure that scatters light. The light-scattering material is useful in providing indirect illumination, particularly using daylight. The coating can have antimicrobial properties. The light-scattering material can require significantly less maintenance than conventional light-scattering materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to containers whose inner surface has liquid-repellent and wettable subregions, where

Abstract: A self-regenerating, self-cleaning hydrophobic surface is formed when particles are secured on a carrier that is itself is a mixture of particles and binder. When particles on the surface are ablated by erosion, newt particles in the carrier are exposed to regenerate the self-cleaning surface, resulting in a long-lasting self-cleaning action. The self-cleaning surface may be used with particular advantage outdoors, e.g. on vehicles, where self-cleaning materials are particularly exposed to the effects of the environment.