LIQUID HANDLING VESSEL

The present disclosure describes a liquid handling vessel including a bottom surface; and a side wall protruding from the bottom surface, the side wall comprising one or more grooves located on an outer surface of the side wall, wherein the one or more grooves are configured for liquid storage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a liquid handling vessel, and more particularly to a liquid handling vessel that has one or more grooves.

BACKGROUND

Liquid handling vessels are used to hold and pour out liquid contents. One common challenge shared by such vessels is residual liquid dripping down the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessels during or after pouring of the liquid contents. Such dripping of residual liquids can result in undesirable consequences. Sometimes the residual liquid is a stream of liquid or droplets of liquid. The residual liquid may get on the hands of the user or the surface on which the liquid handling vessel is placed.

For example, when a user takes a drink from a drinking vessel such as coffee mugs or a drinking glass (i.e., the user transfers the liquid content of the drinking vessel to the user's mouth) residual liquid from the drinking vessel (e.g., coffee, water, juice, tea) often travels down the side of the drinking vessel and onto the surface where drinking vessel is placed, resulting in stains or a mess which requires cleaning up. The residual liquid can also transfer from the outer sidewall of the liquid handling vessels to the user's hands (e.g., when the user is holding a vessel), which is undesirable. Similarly, when a user pours paint out from a paint can, residual paint from the paint can often travel down the side of the paint can.

A number of solutions are currently available for mitigating the undesirable effects of residual liquid dripping down the side of a liquid handling vessel. One such solution is placing a coaster between the liquid handling vessel and the surface on which the vessel is placed to prevent the residual liquid from making contact with the surface on which the vessel is placed. However, this solution results in the residual liquid making contact with the coaster, which can result in staining of the coaster and/or require cleaning of the coaster after use.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a liquid handling vessel that can include a side wall and a bottom surface attached to the bottom edge of the side wall, where the side wall includes one or more grooves located on the outer surface of the side wall.

Some liquid handling vessels include a bottom surface, and a side wall protruding from the bottom surface in a vertical direction, the side wall comprising one or more grooves located on an outer surface of the side wall, wherein the one or more grooves are configured for liquid storage.

Some liquid handling vessels include a cylindrical side wall defining a receptacle configured for liquid storage, and a groove located on an outer surface of the cylindrical side wall, the groove being oriented circumferentially around the cylindrical side wall, the groove defining a depression in the side wall for retaining a volume of liquid, wherein the groove is configured to capture a volume of liquid.

In some embodiments, the side wall is cylindrical and the one or more grooves are oriented circumferentially around the side wall. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves include a height of greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches, the height being measured in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, side wall includes a thickness greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches, the thickness being defined from an inner surface of the side wall to the outer surface of the side wall.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more grooves comprise a depth into the side wall of greater than 0.040 inches and less than 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves are located between the top edge of the side wall and the top edge of where the handle is attached to the side wall. In some embodiments, a weight of the liquid handling vessel is greater than 200 grams and less than 400 grams. In some embodiments, a material of the liquid handling comprises 50-60% of china clay, 30-45% of quartz, 6-12% of feldspar, and 2-4% of steatite. In some embodiments, a liquid capacity of the liquid handling vessel is less than 15 fluid ounces.

In some embodiments, the liquid handling vessel includes a handle attached to the outer surface of the side wall. In some embodiments, the liquid handling vessel is a drinking container. In some embodiments, the liquid handling vessel is a coffee mug. In some embodiments, the liquid handling vessel is a drinking glass. In some embodiments, the liquid handling vessel is a paint can. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves are located closer to the top edge of the side wall than the bottom edge of the side wall. In some embodiments, an upper-most edge of each of the one or more grooves is located less than 1 cm from the top edge of the side wall. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more grooves is substantially parallel to a top edge of the side wall.

In some embodiments, the one or more grooves have a rectangular cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves have a fish-hook shaped cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves have a trapezoidal cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves have a rhomboidal cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the groove has a cross-sectional dimension that is capable of retaining a volume of the liquid content.

In some embodiments, the one or more grooves are located between the top edge of the side wall and the top edge of where the handle is attached to the side wall. In some embodiments, the top edge of the one or more grooves are located less than 5 cm, less than 4 cm, less than 3.5 cm, less than 3 cm, less than 2.5 cm, less than 2.0 cm, less than 1.5 cm, or less than 1 cm from the top edge of the side wall. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more grooves are substantially parallel to the top edge of the side wall.

In some embodiments, the side wall and the bottom surface meet at an angle of between 135° and 45°. In some embodiments, the side wall and the bottom surface meet at an angle of between 120° and 60°. In some embodiments, the side wall and the bottom surface meet at an angle of between 105° and 75°. In some embodiments, the side wall and the bottom surface meet at an angle of between 95° and 85°. In some embodiments, the side wall and the bottom surface meet at an angle of about 90°.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification describes liquid containing vessels with liquid retention features to capture, retain, and/or absorb residual liquid. The liquid retention features can be implemented in the form of one or more grooves on the outer side wall of liquid containing vessels to prevent or reduce residual liquid or droplets from traveling down the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel, making contact with the surface on which the liquid containing vessels are placed, and/or making contact with a hand of a user.

FIG. 1illustrates a liquid handling vessel100including a side wall102and a bottom surface104. The liquid handling vessel100is cylindrical and is 4.1 inches tall and 3.4 inches in diameter, but other dimensions can be used. The side wall102is sized to structurally support the liquid handling vessel100. The side wall102is 0.125 inches thick, but other thickness can be used. For example, in some cases, the side wall is greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches. The inside of the liquid handling vessel100defines a receptacle for liquid. The liquid capacity of the liquid handling vessel100is 11 oz for an 8 point loading and 13 oz for a full loading, but some liquid handling vessels have different capacities. When empty, the weight of the liquid handling vessel100is about 300 grams.

The side wall102has a liquid retention feature in the form of groove101on the outer surface of the side wall102. The groove101is long and narrow indentations built into a side wall102of the liquid containing vessel100, generally sized and positioned for allowing the residual liquid to enter the groove. The groove101is also considered a depression or a channel on the entire circumference of side wall102of the liquid containing vessel100.

The groove101is located on the upper half102aof the outer side wall102. The upper half102aof the side wall102is positioned further from the bottom surface104of the liquid handling vessel. The lower half102bof the side wall102is adjacent to the bottom surface104. The groove101in the liquid handling vessel100is configured to retain residual liquid. The groove101is 0.125 inches in height (vertical direction) and 0.0625 inches in depth (radial direction), but other groove dimensions can be used. In some cases, a depth of the groove into a side wall is greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches. In this way, groove101occupies half of the side wall102of the liquid handling vessel100. The groove101is a closed loop and is parallel or substantially parallel to the top edge103of the liquid handling vessel. Liquid handling vessel100is made from Stoneware and includes the following material content: China Clay 50-60%, Quartz 30-45%, Feldspar 6-12%, and Steatite 2-4%, but other materials can be used.

FIG. 2illustrates a liquid handling vessel200that is substantially similar to the liquid handling vessel100but also includes a handle204. Liquid handling vessel200is in the form of a coffee mug. Liquid handling vessel200includes a groove201located within an upper half202aof a side wall202. The groove201is located between a top edge203of the side wall202and the upper-most edge of where the handle204meets the side wall202.

FIGS. 3A-3Dillustrate a liquid handling vessel300that is substantially similar to the liquid handling vessel100or the liquid handling vessel200, includes various types of grooves302,304,306,308on an outer side wall310of the liquid handling vessel300.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a rectangular cross-sectioned groove302located on the outer side wall310of the liquid handling vessel300. The rectangular cross-sectioned groove302is substantially similar to the groove101of liquid handling vessel100. The rectangular cross-sectioned groove302has side walls312that are straight angled relative to a bottom surface314of the groove302. The rectangular cross-sectioned groove302occupies less than half of the side wall312of the liquid handling vessel300. The location of the rectangular cross-sectioned groove302aids in the groove's ability to capture and retain the residual liquid or droplets that travel down the outer side wall310of the liquid handling vessel300. Dripping residual fluid is then captured and retained in the groove302. In some cases, the residual fluid is absorbed in the groove302by an absorbing porous material, such as a sponge.

FIG. 3Billustrates a trapezoidal cross-sectioned groove304located on the outer side wall310of the liquid handling vessel300. The trapezoidal cross-sectioned groove304has an inner surface316that is wider than an opening on the side wall310. The side walls318of the groove302are angled inward to accommodate the wider inner surface316relative to the opening on the side wall310.

FIG. 3Cillustrates a fish-hook cross-sectioned groove306located on the outer side wall310of the liquid handling vessel300. The fish-hook cross-sectioned groove306includes a curved inner surface318that defines a reservoir320located at the bottom of the groove306. The reservoir320is sized to contain an amount of residual fluid.

FIG. 3Dillustrates a rhomboidal cross-sectioned groove308located on the outer side wall310of the liquid handling vessel300. The rhomboidal cross-sectioned groove308includes a bottom surface322and side walls324that are parallel and angled relative to the bottom surface322. The shape of the groove308captures the water in a reservoir324.

In addition to the various types of grooves302,304,306,308shown inFIGS. 3A-3D, other cross-sectional shapes can be used. In some cases, the cross-section can vary along the circumference of the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel. The specific groove chosen can depend on the manufacturing process to produce the liquid handling vessel. In some cases, retention of the residual liquid by the grooves is dependent on the physical characteristics of the liquid (e.g., viscosity, thixotropicity, and/or hydrophobicity). The geometric features of the grooves take into account the physical characteristics of the liquid and can be sized appropriately for an intended liquid. For example, liquid handling vessels for highly viscous liquids can have grooves with larger cross-sectional dimensions. In some implementations, the cross-sectional area of the groove can be small (e.g., less than 1×10−6m2), large (e.g., 100×10−6m2), or somewhere between. In some cases, the height of the groove is 0.125 inches, a depth is 0.0625 inches, and a dimeter of the liquid handling vessel is 3.4 inches. In addition, coatings can be used to alter the hydrophobicity of the liquid handling vessel and/or grooves.

While only one groove is depicted in liquid handling vessel100,200,300, the grooves can be implemented as multiple grooves or as patterns of one or more grooves on the side walls. In some implementations, a liquid handling vessel can include, on its outer side wall, two or more grooves, such that residual liquid that is not captured by the upper-most groove can be captured by other grooves located below the upper-most groove. Two or more grooves allow for a greater total volume of residual liquid that can be captured and retained by the grooves as compared to a single groove.

FIGS. 4A-4Cillustrate various liquid handling vessels400a,400b,400cthat are substantially similar to the previously described liquid handling vessels. Each of the liquid handling vessels400a,400b,400cinclude a different arrangement of grooves on an outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel400a,400b,400c.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a liquid handling vessels400awith a first groove402vertically separated from a second groove404. The grooves402,404are substantially similar to groove101of liquid handling vessels100. The grooves402,404are arranged circumferentially around the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel400a.The grooves402,404are arranged in the upper half of the liquid handling vessel400a.In some implementations, more than two grooves can be used. In some implementations, any combination of cross-sections can be used.

FIG. 4Billustrates a liquid handling vessels400bwith a pattered groove406. The pattered groove406is arranged circumferentially around the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel400b.The pattered groove406is arranged in the upper half of the liquid handling vessel400b.The pattered groove406defines a lattice of pathways for the residual fluid. The lattice includes a top groove that is parallel to the base of the liquid handling vessels400band a bottom groove that is also parallel to the base of the liquid handling vessels400b.The lattice includes various interconnected pathways defining a diamond pattern. In some implementations, other patterns or lattices can be used. In some implementations, multiple patterns can be used. The patterns can be determined from the properties of the liquid or for ascetics.

FIG. 4Cillustrates a liquid handling vessels400cwith a wave-like groove408. The wave-like groove408is arranged circumferentially around the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel400c.The wave-like groove408is arranged in the upper half of the liquid handling vessel400c.The wave-like groove408has a height that cyclically varies along a circumference of the liquid handling vessel400c.In some implementations, other curves or pathways can be used. In some implementations, multiple patterns can be used. The patterns can be determined from the properties of the liquid or for ascetics.

In some implementations, a vertical height of the one or more grooves on the outer side wall of a liquid handling vessel is different than previously described. For example, for a drinking vessel (e.g., coffee mug, tea cup, and/or drinking glass) may have one or more grooves that are just below where the user's lower lip typically would make contact with the outer side wall of the drinking vessel. For example, a top-most edge of a groove can be less than 5 cm from the top edge of the side wall.

In instances where a drinking vessel has a handle attached to the side wall of the drinking vessel, the groove may be located between the top edge of the side wall and the upper-most edge of where the handle meets the side wall of the drinking vessel. Such placement of a groove can prevent or reduce residual liquid drips from reaching the handle before being captured, retained, or absorbed by the groove.

In other instances, a liquid handling vessel with grooves located in the upper half of the outer side wall can reduce or minimize the total travel distance of the residual liquid down the side wall, thereby allowing for trapping and retention of the residual liquid before the residual liquid has a chance to gain speed and/or momentum, and to minimize the amount of residual liquid that remains on the outer surface of the side wall, which may result in staining or necessitate cleaning.

While the liquid handling vessels previously described are cylindrical, other profiles can be used. Some liquid handling vessels are square or a rounded square. Some liquid handling vessels are side walls angled relative to a bottom surface. Several examples are illustrated inFIGS. 5A-5C.

FIG. 5Aillustrates a liquid handling vessel500athat has a right angle (i.e., 90°) with respect to a bottom surface. Liquid handling vessel500ais substantially similar to the liquid handling vessels previously described.

FIG. 5Billustrates a liquid handling vessel500bthat has an oblique angle with respect to a bottom surface. A top opening is larger in diameter than a bottom diameter. Liquid handling vessel500bcan resemble the form of a martini glass. Liquid handling vessel500bstill maintains the ability to retain a volume of residual liquid in the channels formed by the one or more grooves on the outer side wall because of surface tension and “teapot” effects of the liquid as previously described.

FIG. 5Cillustrates a liquid handling vessel500cthat has an oblique angle with respect to a bottom surface, but the top opening is smaller in diameter than a bottom diameter. Such a design can lower the center of gravity of the liquid contained in the liquid handling vessel500cand improve the overall stability of the liquid handling vessel500c.

FIG. 6Ashows a photograph of a coffee mug600having a single groove602that is located in the upper half of the outer side wall. The groove602is substantially similar to the groove101in liquid handling vessel100. The groove602in the coffee mug600is substantially parallel to the top edge of the side wall and is located between the top edge of the side wall and the top edge of where the handle meets the side wall. In other words, the groove602is located above the top edge of where the handle meets the side wall.

FIG. 6Bshows a photograph of the coffee mug600after a user has taken a sip of coffee from the coffee mug600. Residual coffee604drips above the groove and residual coffee604is captured and retained by the groove602. Notably, there is no residual coffee below the groove602, demonstrating that the coffee mug600having a single groove602that is located in the upper half of the outer side wall and above the top edge of where the handle meets the side wall can trap and retain residual coffee604from traveling down the outer side wall of the coffee mug600beyond the groove602.

A number of embodiments of the systems and methods have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.