VESSEL WITH HIGHLY-REFLECTIVE INTERIOR SURFACE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to the U.S. patent application entitled: “VESSEL WITH INTERIOR SURFACE BARRIER LAYER”, U.S. Ser. No. 18/442,042 filed on Feb. 14, 2024 by Robert Lyn Seals, which is a continuation-in-part of United States patent application entitled: “METAL BOTTLE INTERIOR PROCESSED TO STOP NICKEL LEACHING AND TASTE ALTERING EFFECTS”, U.S. Ser. No. 16/740,435 filed on Jan. 11, 2020 by Robert Lyn Seals, all of which are fully incorporated by reference herein; this application claims priority from a provisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 63/585,600 filed on Aug. 3, 2023; and this application claims priority from a provisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 63/585,600 filed on Sep. 26, 2023.

BACKGROUND

Reusable water bottles can save consumers the cost of purchasing beverages in a new bottle and are easily refillable. Landfill disposal of single-use water bottles may be reduced through these reusable bottles. Reusable bottles are often filled and refilled with drinkable liquids, including hot, warm, or cold liquids, such as water, coffee, tea, dairy, juice, soft drinks, beer, or wine.

The consumer may encounter difficulties or time constraints in cleaning and sanitizing the reusable bottle properly, which may lead to beverage contamination and/or corrosion. The taste of the beverage might be affected by these concerns. The reusable bottle may pose potential health hazards.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein include a vessel, for example, a beverage container, configured to contain a liquid. The vessel may be formed of a metal body and include an interior food contact surface with a pre-determined surface roughness. In embodiments, the interior food contact surface layer includes a mirror-like, highly-reflective finish.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the interior surface manufacturing process causes the formation of a passivation layer for the metal body vessel. The interior food contact surface finish enables sufficient resistance against corrosion of metals of the stainless steel, preventing taste alteration and enabling clean sterilization of the smooth surface configured to contact the liquid product.

The smooth interior food contact surface of the present invention is configured to contact the liquid product and increases cleanability because smoother surfaces are easier to clean and sterilize, as opposed to the bumpier satin matte or brushed stainless steel finishes that are commonly applied to reusable stainless steel bottles. Interior food contact surface roughness plays a role in vessel cleanability. Health hazards may be associated with rough surface areas as microorganisms can adhere more easily to irregular surfaces. These rough surfaces, compared to smooth surfaces, provide more surface area as well. Additionally, the rough surfaces may further hinder the effectiveness and longevity of cleaning equipment, sanitizers, and cleaning materials. The rough surfaces may provide a hospitable opportunity for microorganisms to multiply, culture, and grow. The highly-reflective surface interior, configured to contact the liquid product of the vessel, may be substantially non-porous, non-pitted, non-corroded, highly-reflective, and have a mirror-like finish.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior view of an example embodiment of a metal bottle beverage container.

FIG. 2 illustrates cross-sectional views of the first and second example embodiments of an interior surface, configured to contact the liquid product, of the metal bottle beverage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional views of the first and second example embodiments of an interior surface, configured to contact the liquid product, of the metal bottle beverage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a perspective view of a vessel in another example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a perspective view of a vessel in an example embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates example cross-sectional views of a non-mirror-like interior surface of the vessel of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates example cross-sectional views of a non-mirror-like interior surface of the vessel of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates example cross-sectional views of a highly-reflective interior surface, configured to contact the liquid product of the vessel of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates example cross-sectional views of a highly-reflective interior surface, configured to contact the liquid product of the vessel of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific example in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that for the example descriptions that follow, a metal vessel 100 of FIG. 1 is described for illustrative purposes and the underlying device may apply to any number and multiple types of metal vessels formed of various compounds and from various processes. In embodiments, the metal bottle beverage container may be configured to include a substantially cylindrical shape, curvilinear, and/or oval-shaped cross-sections.

The terms drinking vessel, metal vessel, vessel, metal bottle beverage vessel, metallic vessel, stainless steel vessel, beverage container and container used herein are used interchangeably without any change in meaning. The measurements described herein include Imperial and Metric units wherein the measurement units and their equivalents follow measurement standards. The ranges used herein are to illustrate example measurements and dimensions and any dimensional ranges used herein are for illustrative purposes and may vary in other embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior view of an example metal bottle beverage container 100 in an embodiment. In an embodiment, a metal vessel 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured using metal, such as stainless steel or food-grade stainless steel. This drinking vessel 100 of FIG. 1 embodiment may include a metal body comprised of stainless steel including at least one metal, which may be harmful or even toxic if consumed. These components, metals, and chemicals of stainless steel may include chromium, nickel, molybdenum, carbon, and manganese, at various percentages based on the type and/or use of the particular stainless steel grade. Food-grade stainless steel may include 300 series stainless steel or 400 series stainless steel, in particular series 304 or series 316. Vessel 100 of FIG. 1 bodies described herein may alternatively or additionally include an additional metal, a metal alloy, and/or a mix of metal and non-metal materials.

In embodiments, the metal bottle beverage vessel 100 of FIG. 1 may be a stainless steel type, and/or a metal alloy, i.e., a mix of two or more metals or non-metallic elements. The stainless steel type of metal may also include recycled stainless steel and/or recycled metal alloys. In embodiments having a mirror-like interior surface finish, the interior food contact surface may reduce corrosion and metal interaction with the liquid beverage contained in the vessel 100 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first cross-sectional view of vessel 200a in an embodiment where an interior surface of the metal body of the drinking vessel 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured to contain and contact a liquid beverage product with a rough non-mirror-like interior surface 210a. FIG. 3 illustrates another cross-sectional view of vessel 100 of FIG. 1 with a mirror-finished interior food contact surface sealed surface 210b.

In an embodiment, the mirror-finish oxide may form as a passivation layer on the interior food contact surface 210b of the metal vessel body 200b of FIG. 3. The interior food contact surface may have a predetermined surface roughness as described in the embodiments herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the interior surface may be relatively smooth and have a high-gloss, substantially non-porous mirror-reflective finish. The smooth interior surface contacts the liquid product and enhances cleanability by facilitating easier cleaning and reducing microbial retention relative to rougher satin, matte, brushed, or otherwise non-mirror-like stainless-steel interior finishes commonly applied to reusable stainless-steel bottles.

In an embodiment, the interior surface 210b of FIG. 3 may be configured to form a substantially smooth and/or non-porous surface (with fewer “peaks” and/or “valleys”) to provide for cleanability and/or ability to sanitize to substantially reduce the possibility of bacteria, mold, and virus culturing on the interior surface 210b. The smooth surface of the interior is configured to contact the liquid product to increase cleanability because the smooth food contact surface is easier to clean and sterilize than bumpier satin, matte, brushed or otherwise non-mirror-like stainless-steel interior stainless steel finishes that are commonly applied to reusable stainless steel bottles.

In an embodiment, the interior food contact surface 210b of FIG. 3 may substantially prevent bacteria, mold, and viruses from culturing thereon to facilitate a substantially sanitized, cleanable, and hygienic interior surface 210b. In embodiments shown herein, in reusable beverage containers, interior surfaces may meet and/or exceed public health and safety standards applicable to other industries that contain liquids, gases, or solids that may be ingested, inhaled, absorbed, injected, or otherwise consumed by a consumer, to substantially prevent harmful conditions from unintentional contamination.

A manufacturing process may be performed on the interior surface, which is configured to contact the liquid product, to achieve a smooth, corrosion-resistant finish, in an embodiment. In embodiments, the manufacturing process may render the interior surface 210b of FIG. 3 a highly-reflective or mirror-like finish passivation layer.

In a particular embodiment, the interior food contact surface may conform to the most reflective finish, an ASTM standard #8 mirror-like finish, or a substantially similar mirror-like finish.

In an embodiment, an acidic liquid beverage may alter and influence the taste of the liquid beverage. In an embodiment, the mirror-finished interior food contact surface 210b of FIG. 3 may be configured to minimize chemical reactions with acidic and/or other liquids. Alternatively, or additionally, the mirror-like interior food contact surface 210b of FIG. 3 may be configured to minimize the potential corrosion into the contained beverage. In embodiments described herein, the interior food contact surface may be configured to have reduced corrosion as compared to a non-mirror-like surface, for example, a satin-finished and/or a porous surface.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the metal bottle beverage container 100 may be configured to include a substantially cylindrical shape and/or oval shape cross-section. The embodiment shows the bottle cap 110 made of a substantially rigid material, non-metallic for example, which includes threads to screw one a top surface 120 of the metal bottle beverage container 100. The container has a bottom with a bottom surface 130, the bottom being opposite the top and an exterior surface 140 of FIG. 1 extending from the top to the bottom of the vessel 100 of FIG. 1. The interior surface (not shown) of the container 100 of FIG. 1 may contact and contain the liquid beverage product in an embodiment. The vessel 100 of FIG. 1 is made of a food-grade stainless steel that is unprocessed and has a non-mirror-like interior surface (not shown) forming a metal vessel body.

Referring to FIG. 2, the vessel 200a shown includes a non-mirror-like interior surface 210a, and a non-mirror-like interior bottom surface 220a. The rough, non-mirror-like interior surfaces 210a, and 220a may be configured to contact a liquid product contained therein, in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a top orifice 230a and exterior surface 240a. The top orifice 230a includes threads for connecting a cap. The non-mirror-like interior food contact surfaces 210a, and 220a may have an exposed stainless steel finish, such as a brushed, polished, satin or otherwise non-mirror-like finish. The non-mirror-like interior surfaces 210a, and 220a may have a rough surface of about 20 microinches of surface roughness, Ra, as described in embodiments herein. The non-mirror-like food contact interior surfaces 210a, and 220a may include pores, peaks, and valleys to provide ample surface area to collect microorganisms and other contaminants. The smooth surface of the interior food contact surface is configured to contact the liquid product to increase cleanability because the smooth surface is easier to clean and sterilize than bumpier satin matte, brushed or otherwise non-mirror-like stainless steel finishes that are commonly applied to reusable stainless steel bottles.

FIG. 3 illustrates another cross-sectional view of vessel 100 of FIG. 1. In this cross-sectional view, a highly-reflective interior surface 210b of FIG. 3 and a highly-reflective bottom surface 220b of FIG. 3 vessel 200b is illustrated. FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a smooth, highly-reflective, and/or mirror-like finished interior surface of a metal bottle beverage container 200b. The mirror-like interior surface finish forms a passivated layer to create a nonporous surface for contact with a liquid. The interior surface 210b and bottom surface 220b may come into contact with the liquid product contained in container 200b.

An embodiment of the vessel of FIG. 3 may have spiral threads on the exterior surface 240b to couple the vessel with a lid 230b. In an alternative embodiment, the lid 230b may be used with the vessel without threads, for example, a press-fit lid 230b. In an embodiment, a thin film oxide appearing as a mirror-finish may form as a passivation layer over the interior food contact surfaces 210b, and 220b.

In an embodiment, the mirror-like finish of the interior food contact surfaces 210b, and 220b may have a reflectivity of at least about 70% for all wavelengths greater than 1020 nm, and/or a reflectivity of at least about 60% for wavelengths of about 425 nm, in embodiments described herein.

A sample roughness or profile of the highly-reflective interior surface 210b of FIG. 3 and non-mirror-like interior surface 210a of FIG. 3 are shown in the embodiment of Table 1 below. An interior surface of the vessel 200a of FIG. 2 may be measured at three (3) distinct cross-sections of each non-mirror-like vessel as shown in Table 1. The surface configured to contact the liquid product profile, from peak to valley, may also be considered an average surface roughness (Ra). The unit of measure of the interior surface profile may be in English or metric units, such as microinches, or millimeters.

Table 1 illustrates comparative surface profile measurements of representative non-mirror-like interior surfaces and sealed, highly-reflective interior food contact surfaces of the vessel, measured at multiple sample locations along the interior wall. As shown, the highly-reflective interior surface exhibits a substantially reduced arithmetic average surface roughness (Ra) relative to the non-mirror-like interior surface, indicating fewer surface peaks and valleys and a smoother, more uniform profile. This reduction in surface roughness contributes to improved cleanability, reduced microbial retention, and enhanced resistance to corrosion and taste alteration compared to non-mirror-like stainless steel interior surfaces.

In embodiments, the interior food contact surface undergoes a passivation treatment during or following the polishing process, resulting in the formation of a stable oxide layer on the stainless steel surface. This passivated layer inhibits direct interaction between the liquid beverage and underlying metal constituents, thereby reducing corrosion, metal ion migration, and chemical reactivity. As a result, the passivated, mirror-like interior food contact surface promotes organoleptic neutrality by minimizing taste alteration, odor transfer, and metallic flavor impartation to the contained beverage during repeated use.

The average surface profile roughness of the vessel 200a of FIG. 2 is up to almost 10 times greater than the average surface profile roughness of the vessel 200b of FIG. 3, as shown in this Table 1 embodiment. The smooth, highly-reflective interior surface configured for contact with the liquid product enhances cleanability, wherein the mirror-finished surface exhibits improved resistance to residue retention and is more readily cleaned and sterilized than rougher, satin, matte, brushed, or otherwise non-mirror-like stainless steel interior finishes commonly used in reusable stainless steel beverage containers.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a perspective view of another embodiment of a metal body vessel 400 with a highly-reflective or mirror-like food contact interior surface 402. FIG. 4 shows a cup vessel 400 capable of containing a liquid within the mirror-like interior surface 402 configured to contact the liquid product 402. The cup vessel 400 may include a handle 410 and, a top orifice 420 through which the liquid may flow into a cavity defined by the interior surface configured to contact the liquid product 402. The cup vessel 400 may have an exterior 430 that extends from the top orifice 420 to the bottom 440 of the vessel 400. In an embodiment, the cup vessel 400 may include threads 450 that are configured to secure a bottle cap over the top orifice 420.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a perspective view of a pitcher vessel in an embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a pitcher vessel 500 with an interior surface (hidden) 510, a handle 520, and threads 530 for attaching a bottle cap. The pitcher vessel 500 may be a vessel with a non-mirror-like interior surface. An exterior surface 540, or its composition, may not affect performance of the metal body.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example cross-sectional view of the metal bottle vessel 500 of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A shows the non-mirror-like interior surface 610 and the exterior surface 660 of the vessel 500. The non-mirror-like interior surface 610 is configured to contact and contain a liquid product (not shown) in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example cross-sectional view of the metal bottle vessel 500 of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, peaks and valleys are illustrated along the non-mirror-like interior surface 610 having a thickness 620. The average surface roughness, Ra, of non-mirror-like interior surface 610 may be calculated using about 5 peaks and about 5 valleys, for example, as illustrated in this embodiment, and as shown in the example embodiment of Table 1, herein. Average surface roughness may alternatively be determined using peak and valley differences for a select distance in an embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example cross-sectional view of the metal bottle vessel 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7A shows mirror-like interior surface 700 and exterior surface 140 of the vessel. The highly-reflective interior surface 700 is configured to contact and contain a liquid product (not shown) in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7B illustrates an example cross-sectional view of the metal bottle vessel 100 of FIG. 7A, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B shows the highly-reflective interior surface 700 and the exterior surface 140. In embodiments, the highly-reflective interior surface 700 includes a highly-reflective layer 710 having a thickness 720. The thickness 720 of the highly-reflective interior food contact surface 710 may be in a range of about 1 nm to about 5 nm, in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the highly-reflective interior food contact surface 710 may additionally include a mirror-like finish, as described herein. The smooth surface of the interior is configured to contact the liquid product to increase cleanability because the smooth surface of the highly-reflective food contact interior is easier to clean and sterilize than bumpier satin, matte, brushed or otherwise non-mirror-like stainless steel finishes that are commonly applied to reusable stainless steel bottles.

In this embodiment, the highly-reflective interior surface 700 may have an average surface roughness, Ra, as shown in the embodiment of Table 1. The average roughness, Ra, may be calculated using an arithmetic average of multiple surface point height measurements in an embodiment. Measurements, in embodiments, may indicate a surface roughness of no more than 3 microinches in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the polished interior surface may have a roughness range from about 1 microinches to up to about 10 microinches. In other embodiments, the Roughness Average of the highly-reflective interior surface may be about 2 microinches, with surface roughness at discrete areas being from about 1 microinch to about 2.5 microinches.

In alternative embodiments, the surface roughness value in micrometers may include values at and/or about 0.47 micrometers, values in the range of about 0.05 micrometers to about 0.065 micrometers in embodiments, values less than or equal to about 0.1 micrometers in embodiments, and values less than or equal to about 0.2 micrometers in embodiments.

A root-mean-squared roughness, Rq or rms, may yield a square root of a summation of the squares of multiple surface point heights of the interior surface. In an embodiment, Rq for the highly-reflective food contact interior surface is about 1.4 times the Ra in micrometers. In an embodiment, where the surface profile Ra is at most 2.5 microinches, Rq may be at most about 3.5.

The foregoing has described the principles, embodiments, and modes of operation of the embodiments. However, the embodiments should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed. The above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.