Claims:1. An pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus (100) for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, said apparatus (100) comprising:
a flat member (102) having a coating layer (106), wherein a portion on a first surface of said flat member (102) is coated with a coating composition to form said coating layer (106) on the first surface, the coating composition includes a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material;
a support member (108) clamped on sides of a bottom edge of said coated flat member (102); and
a base (120) connected to the support member (108) and the bottom edge of said coated flat member (102),
wherein said support member (108) and said base (120) are configured to hold said coated flat member (102) in an upright and pluggable position, and
wherein said coating layer (106) is configured to impart hydrophobicity to said surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on said apparatus (100) for protecting the user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
2. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flat member (102) defining an open portion (104) to allow transfer of an object through said open portion (104).
3. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus (100) is transparent or translucent.
4. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coating layer (106) is provided on one or both sides of said flat member (102),
5. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein thickness of said coating layer (106) is in the range of 0.01 µm to 1 µm.
6. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic component in the coating composition is in the range of 0.25 wt. % to 60 wt. %, or wherein said hydrophobic component is silsesquioxane silicone resin.
7. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flat member (102) is made of any one of transparent material or translucent material, selected from polymer, ceramic and glass.
8. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said polymer is poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
9. The PAR apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating layer (106) having antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, wherein said coating layer (106) includes ZnxZryOz with about 0.25% to 15% (atomic) Zn, with about 20% to 50% (atomic) Zr, and with about 40% to 80% (atomic) O.
10. A method for obtaining a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus (100) for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, said method comprising the steps of:
coating a portion on a first surface of a flat member (102) with a coating composition to form a coating layer (106) on the first surface of the flat member (102), the coating composition includes a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material; and
clamping a bottom edge of said coated flat member (102) with a support member (108) and a base (120) connected to the support member (108) to obtain said pluggable apparatus (100),
wherein said coating layer (106) is configured to impart hydrophobicity to said surface, to prevent deposition of said aerosol on said apparatus (100) for protecting the user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pluggable and retrofittable apparatus for protecting a user from aerosol exposure. More particularly, it pertains to a pluggable and retrofittable apparatus and method for protecting a user from aerosol exposure, for application in desk counters or point of sale counters.

BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Desk counters or point of sale counters are provided to enable an interaction between a customer and a user of counter, by means of a provision of a transparent or non-transparent barrier made of glass, polymer or any such material. Such barriers can tend to get contaminated with the aerosol of a person, especially those suffering from bacterial or viral infections, during any activity such as sneezing, coughing, speaking or heavy breathing. Especially at places such as hospitals, a user of a desk counter would need extra protection, while interacting with patients will various ailments. There is a high possibility that such contamination can prove to be detrimental to the health of the user of the desk, in normal as well as serious situations such as during pandemic. In such cases, it is highly impractical to constantly keep disinfecting the surface of the counter, which is tedious and time-consuming.
[0004] The system or methods in the art disclose use of anti-microbial paints for walls, or anti-microbial coatings, which are deposited on a substrate by chemical deposition or cross-linking polymerization, for other applications. However, none of the methods provide a solution for a desk counter or any such barrier surface that can be effective against bacterial or viral infection. Moreover, the aforementioned apparatus are expensive to manufacture, especially in scale-up quantities, and at the same time, do not offer any pluggable means for easy fixture to an application such as desk counter at a reception.
[0005] Hence, there is a need in the art, for an apparatus and method that can overcome the above mentioned limitations, and protect a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol.
[0006] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0007] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0008] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0009] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
OBJECTS
[0010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0011] A general object of the present disclosure is provide an apparatus and method for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an economical and effective method of obtaining an apparatus, which can be pluggable and easily fitted to existing fixtures.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure pertains to an apparatus and a method for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol.
[0014] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, the apparatus including a flat member having a coating layer, wherein a portion on a first surface of the flat member is coated with a coating composition to form the coating layer on the first surface, a support member which can be clamped on sides of a bottom edge of the coated flat member, and a base, which can be connected to the support member and the bottom edge of the coated flat member. In an aspect, the coating composition can include a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material. The support member and the base can be configured to hold the coated flat member in an upright and pluggable position, wherein the coating layer can be configured to impart hydrophobicity to the surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on the apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
[0015] In an aspect, the PAR apparatus may be transparent or translucent.
[0016] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for obtaining a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, the method including a step of coating a portion on a first surface of a flat member with a coating composition to form a coating layer on the first surface of the flat member, wherein the coating composition can include a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material; and clamping a bottom edge of the coated flat member with a support member and a base connected to the support member to obtain the pluggable apparatus. The coating layer can be configured to impart hydrophobicity to the surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on the apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus (100), with a landscape orientation configured for a desk counter, for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of flat member (102) of apparatus (100), coated on one side of flat member (102), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of flat member (102) of apparatus (100), coated on both sides of flat member (102), in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus (100) with a portrait orientation configured for a desk counter, for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0025] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0026] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0027] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0028] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
[0029] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
[0030] Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in a cloud computing system.
[0031] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0032] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0033] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0034] The present disclosure pertains to an apparatus and a method for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol.
[0035] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, the apparatus including a flat member having a coating layer, a portion on a first surface of the flat member is coated with a coating composition to form the coating layer on the first surface, a support member which can be clamped on sides of a bottom edge of the coated flat member, and a base, which can be connected to the support member and the bottom edge of the coated flat member. In an aspect, the coating composition can include a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material. The support member and the base can be configured to hold the coated flat member in an upright and pluggable position, wherein the coating layer can be configured to impart hydrophobicity to the surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on the apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
[0036] In an aspect, the coated flat member can define an open portion to allow transfer of an object through the open portion.
[0037] In an aspect, the PAR apparatus may be transparent or translucent.
[0038] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for obtaining a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, the method including the steps of coating a portion on a first surface of a flat member with a coating composition to form a coating layer on the first surface of the flat member, wherein the coating composition can include a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material; and clamping a bottom edge of the coated flat member with a support member and a base connected to the support member to obtain the pluggable apparatus. The coating layer can be configured to impart hydrophobicity to the surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on the apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
[0039] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus (100), with a landscape orientation configured for a desk counter, for protecting a user from from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus (100) can include a flat member (102), a support member (108); and a base (120). The flat member (102) can have a coating layer (106), wherein a portion on a first surface of the flat member (102) is coated with a coating composition to form the coating layer (106) on the first surface. The coating composition can include a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material. The support member (108) can be clamped on sides of a bottom edge of the coated flat member (102). The base (120) can be connected to the support member (108) and the bottom edge of the coated flat member (102). The support member (108) and the base (120) can be configured to hold the coated flat member (102) in an upright and pluggable position, wherein the coating layer (106) can be configured to impart hydrophobicity to the first surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on the apparatus (100) for protecting a user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
[0041] In an aspect, the PAR apparatus (100) can be transparent or translucent. The transparent or translucent nature can allow visibility across the PAR apparatus (100), while being used in counter applications such as reception counters.
[0042] In an aspect, the coated flat member (102) can be made of any one of transparent material or translucent material, selected from polymer, ceramic and glass. The material used for the coated flat member (102) can be such that it leads to lesser weight as well as firmness and durability of the structure. In an embodiment, the polymer can be poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
[0043] In an aspect, the support member (108) and the base (120) can be made of any one of transparent material or translucent material, selected from polymer, ceramic and glass. The material used for the (108) and the base (120) can be such that it leads to lesser weight as well as firmness and durability of the structure. In an embodiment, the polymer can be poly methyl methacrylate (PMME).
[0044] In an aspect, the coating layer (106) can have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, wherein the coating layer (106) can include ZnxZryOz with about 0.25% to 15% (atomic) Zn, with about 20% to 50% (atomic) Zr, and with about 40% to 80% (atomic) O.
[0045] In an aspect, coating layer (106) can have partial or complete hydrophobic nature. Upon application of coating composition on portion of first surface of coated flat member (102) of PAR apparatus (100), the hydrophobic component, present therein, can get fixated on the first surface of the coated flat member (102) in the form of the coating layer (106). In an exemplary embodiment, the PAR apparatus (100) can be used as counter applications such as reception counters, as shown in FIG. 1. In an aspect, the coated flat member (102) can define an open portion (104) to allow transfer of an object through the open portion (104).
[0046] The PAR apparatus (100) can have a landscape orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the support member (108) and the base (120) can enable convenient plugging of the apparatus (100) in case of various applications as desk counters such as at receptions or stores or point of sale counters, without requiring any additional complicated fitting techniques or accessories. The PAR apparatus (100) can be positioned such that the first surface having the coating layer (106) can face towards a person (or customer) in front of the apparatus (100) or the counter, whereas a user of the PAR apparatus can be in seated or standing position, behind the PAR apparatus (100) or the counter. The open portion (104) can be configured to allow exchange of an object from a person in front of the counter in the form of the apparatus (100). The coating layer (106) can impart hydrophobicity to the first surface of the apparatus (100), and hence protection to the user, from any aerosol emission that can happens towards the side of the person (or the customer. The aerosol can be in the form of droplets or mist, as a result of the person (or the customer) speaking, coughing, sneezing, heavy breathing which can carry various bacteria or viruses to the surface of the counter. In such a scenario, the aerosol droplets can be prevented from getting deposited on the surface having the coating layer (106), due to the hydrophobicity imparted by the coating layer (106), thus protecting the user of the PAR apparatus from aerosol exposure from a person in front of the PAR apparatus (100) (counter).
[0047] In an aspect, the PAR apparatus (100) can be used in any applications that require barrier between people such as reception or information communication desk counters or as any point of sale counters in supermarkets, shops, banks, airports, or restaurants. Such a barrier can guarantee protection of user (behind the counter) from getting infected by bacteria or viruses in aerosol, emitted by any person or customer either while speaking, sneezing, coughing or heavy breathing. Further, the design of the PAR apparatus (100) can offer modular and pluggable nature that can be plugged to any existing fixtures without any difficulty.
[0048] In an aspect, the coating layer (106) can be provided on one or both sides of the flat member (102). In another aspect, the coating layer (106) can also be provided on support member (108) and base (120).
[0049] In an embodiment, only one side of flat member (102) can be coated. FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of flat member (102) of apparatus (100) coated on one side of flat member (102), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] In another embodiment, both sides of flat member (102) can be coated. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of flat member (102) of apparatus (100), coated on both sides of flat member (102), in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0051] In an aspect, the coated flat member (102) can have a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the coated flat member (102) can have a thickness of 5mm.
[0052] In an aspect, the thickness of the coating layer (106) can be in the range of 0.01 µm to 1 µm. In an exemplary embodiment, the coating layer (106) can have a thickness of 0.1 µm.
[0053] In an aspect, the coating composition can include hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material. The amount of the hydrophobic component in the coating composition can be in the range of 0.25 wt. % to 60 wt. % of the coating composition. In an embodiment, the hydrophobic component can be silsesquioxane silicone resin.
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the flat member (102) can be coated with a coating composition, including 40 wt.% of hydrophobic component. In another exemplary embodiment, a portion of first surface of the flat member (102) can be coated with a coating composition, including 40 wt.% of silsesquioxane silicone resin.
[0055] The coated flat member (102) can have any shape including, but not limited, to rectangular, rounded rectangular, oval or trapezoidal. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus can have a rectangular shaped coated flat member (102), which can be placed in a landscape or portrait mode, wherein a shorter dimension of the coated flat member (102) can be in the range of 50 cm to 200 cm, and a longer dimension can be in the range of 800 cm to 1500 cm. Various other sized coated flat member (102) can be used.
[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus (100) with a portrait orientation configured for a desk counter, for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the apparatus (100) can include flat member (102), support member (108), and base (120). The flat member (102) can include coating layer (106), which can be obtained by coating a portion of first surface of the flat member (102) with a coating composition. The coating composition can include at least one hydrophobic component selected from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material. The support member (108) can be clamped on both sides of a bottom edge of the coated flat member (102). The base (120) can be connected to the support member (108) and the bottom edge of the coated flat member (102). The support member (108) and the base (120) can be configured to hold the coated flat member (102) in an upright and pluggable position, wherein the coating layer (106) can be configured to impart hydrophobicity to the first surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on the apparatus (100) for protecting a user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
[0057] The apparatus (100) can have a portrait orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the support member (108) and the base (120) can enable convenient plugging of the apparatus (100) in case of various applications as desk counters such as at receptions or stores or point of sale counters, without requiring any additional complicated fitting techniques or accessories. The apparatus (100) can be positioned such that the first surface having the coating layer (106) can face towards a person (or customer) in front of the apparatus (100) or the counter, whereas a user of the apparatus can be in seated or standing position, behind the apparatus (100) or the counter. The open portion (104) can be configured to allow exchange of an object from a person in front of the counter in the form of the apparatus (100).The coating layer (106) can impart hydrophobicity to the first surface of the apparatus (100), and hence protection to the user, from any aerosol emission that can happens towards the side of the person (or the customer. The aerosol can be in the form of droplets or mist, as a result of the person (or the customer) speaking, coughing, sneezing, heavy breathing which can also carry various bacteria or viruses to the surface of the counter. In such a scenario, the aerosol droplets can be prevented from getting deposited on the surface having the coating layer (106), due to the hydrophobicity imparted by the coating layer (106), thus protecting the user from aerosol exposure from person in front of the apparatus (100) (counter).
[0058] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for obtaining a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus (100) for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol, the method including the steps of coating a portion on a first surface of a flat member (102) with a coating composition to form a coating layer on the first surface of the flat member (102), wherein the coating composition can include a hydrophobic component selected at least from fluorinated silicone polymer, polyurethane, silicone resin and silica based nano-material; and clamping a bottom edge of the coated flat member (102) with a support member (108) and a base (120) connected to the support member (108) to obtain the pluggable apparatus (100). The coating layer can be configured to impart hydrophobicity to the surface, to prevent deposition of the aerosol on the apparatus (100) for protecting a user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol.
[0059] In an aspect, the coating can be done by spray coating or dip coating.
[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, the coating can be done by spray coating flat member (102) with coating composition, comprising 40 wt.% of hydrophobic component. In another exemplary embodiment, the coating can be done by spray coating flat member (102) with coating composition, comprising 40 wt.% of silsesquioxane silicone resin.
[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the coating can be done by dip coating flat member (102) with coating composition, comprising 40 wt.% of hydrophobic component. In another exemplary embodiment, the coating can be done by dip coating flat member (102) with coating composition, comprising 40 wt.% of silsesquioxane silicone resin.
[0062] The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method to protect user from exposure of the bacteria or the viruses in the aerosol by imparting hydrophobicity to the coated surface of the apparatus that prevents deposition of aerosol. The apparatus is pluggable and can be convenient placed or plugged to existing fixtures or platform in various applications such as desk counters at receptions, without requiring any additional complicated fitting techniques or accessories.
[0063] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, flat member (102) of apparatus (100) may be coated for obtaining anti-fungal/anti -bacterial properties, for use in several applications (e.g., window such as for a building or vehicle, shower door window, car window, frame cover, bus window, table top, and the like). The flat member (102) or substrate of apparatus (100) can be treated for imparting scratch resistance, and greater resistance to bacterial and fungal growth.
[0064] In an embodiment, compounds such as ZrO2 and ZnO may be co-sputtered on a substrate of the apparatus (100) of the present disclosure to form a layer including zinc zirconium oxide (e.g., ZnxZryOz). The substrate may or may not be provided with one or more barrier layers. The zinc zirconium oxide based layer which can be obtained by co-sputtering can be provided directly on the substrate, or over other layer(s) such as barrier layer. In an exemplary embodiment, barrier layer may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/or silicon oxynitride. The substrate may include, but not limited to, glass, quartz and the like. The substrate used for the apparatus, may or may not be thermally cured and/or patterned. Further, the word "on" as used herein (e.g., a layer "on" something) can encompass both directly on and indirectly on; e.g., a layer being indirectly or directly on something with other layer(s) being located between them.
[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for obtaining the apparatus (100), the method can include: sputtering a first substrate including Zr; providing a second substrate including Zn; and co- sputtering at least the first and second substrate material to form a layer comprising a nitride of Zr doped with Zn on substrate or flat member (102) of apparatus (100), wherein the layer can include 0.25% to 20% (atomic) Zn. The layer can be heat treated that can cause the layer to transform into a layer including or based on zinc zirconium oxide (e.g., ZnxZryOz). In an exemplary embodiment, the zirconium oxide in the layer comprising zinc zirconium oxide can be crystalline, and amorphous zinc oxide can be "hidden" in a zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO2) matrix, which can discharge gradually to the surface to impart anti-microbial characteristics. The zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO2) matrix may enable zinc particles to migrate or diffuse therethrough to the exterior surface of the coating over long periods of time. The zinc particles can reach the exterior surface of the coated article in a substantially continuous manner. The apparatus (100) with such an anti-bacterial coating may function to kill some bacteria and/or fungi that may interact with zinc, or be in close proximity to zinc, on the surface of the apparatus (100).
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the zinc in the anti-bacterial coating can be protected from the atmosphere by a permeable layer(s) provided over the layer comprising zinc zirconium oxide (e.g., ZnxZryOz). In another exemplary embodiment, the zinc zirconium oxide (e.g., ZnxZryOz) layer may include Zn, Zr and O.
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, ZrO2 and ZnO may be co-sputtered on flat member (102) or substrate to form a layer comprising zinc zirconium oxide which can be the outermost layer. The flat member (102) or substrate of apparatus (100) may or may not be provided with a barrier layer, located between the substrate and the anti-bacterial layer and/or anti-microbial layer and/or anti-viral including zinc zirconium oxide. In an embodiment, the barrier layer may comprise silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and/or silicon. The co-sputtered zinc zirconium oxide-based layer may be provided directly on the substrate or the flat member (102) of apparatus (100), or over barrier layer. The substrate may include, but not limited to, glass, quartz and the like. The substrate or the flat member (102) used for the apparatus, may or may not be thermally and/or patterned.
[0068] In an embodiment, the ZrOVZnO (e.g., forming a ZnxZryOz- based layer) can exhibit comparable anti-bacterial properties and good anti-fungal properties. Thus, apparatus (100) with such an anti-fungal coating may function to kill fungi, as per an embodiment.
[0069] In an embodiment, the coating layer can include Zn-ZrN, which is zirconium oxide doped with Zn. In an exemplary embodiment, the zirconium nitride can be doped zinc in an amount of about 0.25% Zn, preferably from about 0.25% to 15% Znpreferably from about 1-10%. Upon tempering flat member (102) or substrate of apparatus (100) including the Zn-ZrN coating can (such as heat treatment at temperatures of at least about 600 °C), the Zn-ZrN can change into Zn-ZrO2 or any other form of zirconium oxide doped with similar amounts of Zn, thereby resulting in formation of a ZnxZryOz-based layer. The coating layer may include ZnxZryOz or Zn-ZrO2 in as per various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0070] It may be appreciated that, the present invention provides pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) as well as interchangeable apparatus (100) for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol. More clearly, the apparatus can to be considered as a modify equipment that is already in service using parts developed or made available after the time of original manufacture, to install, fit, or adapt (a device or system) for use with something older or existing furniture or equipments. No modification or additional structural items need be added to the existing installations.
[0071] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patient matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0072] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES
[0073] The present disclosure provides a pluggable and retrofittable (PAR) apparatus for protecting a user from exposure of bacteria or viruses in an aerosol.
[0074] The present disclosure provides an economical and effective alternative of obtaining an apparatus, which can be easily fitted for preventing deposition of aerosol on the apparatus.