U.S. patent application number 12/943983 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-12 for liquid container.
This patent application is currently assigned to POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION. Invention is credited to Jung-Yeop Lee, Sang-Joon LEE.
Application Number | 20110108551 12/943983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43973384 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110108551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Sang-Joon ; et
al. |
May 12, 2011 |
LIQUID CONTAINER
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a
liquid container that prevents a liquid substance from flowing down
from the outlet by minimizing surface energy generated between the
liquid substance and the outlet, and prevents leakage at a joint
between the body and the guide. A liquid container according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body
containing a liquid substance and discharging the liquid substance
through a mouth and a guide connected to the mouth and having an
outlet for discharging the liquid substance, wherein a first
hydrophobic layer is formed by hydrophobic treatment on the surface
of the outlet.
Inventors: |
LEE; Sang-Joon;
(Pohang-city, KR) ; Lee; Jung-Yeop; (Pohang-city,
KR) |
Assignee: |
POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY
FOUNDATION
Pohang-city
KR
|
Family ID: |
43973384 |
Appl. No.: |
12/943983 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 45/325
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 12, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0109302 |
Claims
1. A liquid container, comprising: a body containing a liquid
substance and discharging the liquid substance through a mouth; and
a guide connected to the mouth and having an outlet for discharging
the liquid substance, wherein a first hydrophobic layer is formed
by hydrophobic treatment on the surface of the outlet.
2. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the first hydrophobic
layer is integrally connected to the inner surface, the end
portion, and the outer surface of the outlet.
3. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein a second hydrophobic
layer is formed by hydrophobic treatment on the surface of the
mouth.
4. The liquid container of claim 3, wherein the second hydrophobic
layer is integrally connected to the inner surface, the end
portion, and the outer surface of the mouth.
5. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein a third hydrophobic
layer formed by hydrophobic treatment on the inner surface of the
body.
6. The liquid container of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises: an
outlet member forming the outlet and having a flange at a portion
closely contacting the mouth; a cap integrally connected to a side
of the outlet member to open and close the outlet; and a connector
thread-fastened to the mouth, with a protrusion held by the flange,
wherein a first hydrophobic layer is further formed on the inner
surface of the flange contacting the mouth and a second hydrophobic
layer is further formed at the end portion of the mouth.
7. The liquid container of claim 6, wherein the connector further
forms a fourth hydrophobic layer on the inner surface to be in
close contact with the sides of the first hydrophobic layer of the
flange and the second hydrophobic layer of the mouth.
8. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the
hydrophobic treatment forms a hydrophobic layer on a corresponding
surface by one of thermal-spraying a hydrophobic substance on a
corresponding surface and immersing a corresponding surface into
molten metal with a hydrophobic substance and then taking out the
corresponding surface.
9. The liquid container of claim 8, wherein the hydrophobic layer
is made of one of Teflon, paraffin, and wax.
10. The liquid container of 1, wherein the hydrophobic treatment
forms a hydrophobic layer on a corresponding surface by treating a
silicon-based or fluorine-based solution after forming an oxide
film on the corresponding surface.
11. The liquid container of claims 1, wherein the hydrophobic
treatment forms a hydrophobic layer on a corresponding surface by
one of thermal spraying, etching by sputtering, and variation of a
surface molecular structure by plasma.
12. A liquid container containing liquid substance and discharging
the liquid substance through a mouth, wherein a hydrophobic layer
is formed by hydrophobic treatment on the surface of the mouth.
13. A liquid container comprising: a body containing a liquid
substance and discharging the liquid substance through a mouth; and
an outlet member having an outlet connected to the mouth to
discharge the liquid substance, wherein a hydrophobic layer is
formed by hydrophobic treatment on the surface of at least one of
the mouth and the outlet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0109302 filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 12, 2009, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (a) Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a liquid container, and
more particularly, to a liquid container that prevents a liquid
substance from overflowing the outlet and leaking at the joint of
the body and a guide.
[0004] (b) Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, liquid containers are composed of a body
containing a liquid substance and a guide allowing the liquid
substance to be discharged from the body to desired objects, if
needed. Further, the guide has an outlet for finally discharging
the liquid substance outside from the body.
[0006] When the liquid substance is discharged from a liquid
container, the liquid substance flows down along the outer wall of
the outlet by means of large surface energy, that is, large
interaction between the liquid substance and the guide. The greater
the viscosity of the liquid substance, the more the liquid
substance flows down. Accordingly, the liquid substance is lost and
the portion around the guide is contaminated.
[0007] In a liquid container, the end portion of the guide is
rounded to prevent the liquid substance from flowing down from the
outlet. The liquid container with the rounded outlet can partially
prevent the liquid substance from flowing down, but cannot
basically prevent it.
[0008] Further, the liquid container is formed by combining a body
containing a liquid substance with the guide and a seal member is
provided at the joint, but it may cause leakage of the liquid
substance. The leakage between the body and the guide causes loss
of the liquid substance, and economic loss may increase when the
liquid substance is expensive.
[0009] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
invention and therefore it may contain information that does not
form the prior art that is already known in this country to a
person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide
a liquid container having advantages of preventing a liquid
substance from flowing down at the outlet by minimizing the surface
energy generated between the liquid substance and the outlet, and
preventing leakage at the joint of the body and the guide.
[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a
liquid container including: a body containing a liquid substance
and discharging the liquid substance through a mouth; and a guide
connected to the mouth and having an outlet for discharging the
liquid substance, wherein a first hydrophobic layer is formed by
hydrophobic treatment on the surface of the outlet.
[0012] The first hydrophobic layer may be integrally connected to
the inner surface, the end portion, and the outer surface of the
outlet.
[0013] A second hydrophobic layer may be formed by hydrophobic
treatment on the surface of the mouth.
[0014] The second hydrophobic layer may be integrally connected to
the inner surface, the end portion, and the outer surface of the
mouth.
[0015] A third hydrophobic layer may be formed by hydrophobic
treatment on the inner surface of the body.
[0016] The guide may include: an outlet member forming the outlet
and having a flange at a portion closely contacting the mouth; a
cap integrally connected to a side of the outlet member to open and
close the outlet; and a connector thread-fastened to the mouth,
with a protrusion held by the flange, in which a first hydrophobic
layer is further formed on the inner surface of the flange
contacting the mouth and a second hydrophobic layer is further
formed at the end portion of the mouth.
[0017] The connector may further form a fourth hydrophobic layer on
the inner surface to be in close contact with the sides of the
first hydrophobic layer of the flange and the second hydrophobic
layer of the mouth.
[0018] The hydrophobic treatment may form a hydrophobic layer on a
corresponding surface by one of thermal-spraying a hydrophobic
substance on a corresponding surface and immersing a corresponding
surface into molten metal with a hydrophobic substance and then
taking out the corresponding surface.
[0019] The hydrophobic layer may be made of one of Teflon,
paraffin, and wax. The hydrophobic treatment may form a hydrophobic
layer on a corresponding surface by treating a silicon-based or
fluorine-based solution after forming an oxide film on the
corresponding surface.
[0020] The hydrophobic treatment may form a hydrophobic layer on a
corresponding surface by one of thermal spraying, etching by
sputtering, and variation of a surface molecular structure by
plasma.
[0021] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a liquid container containing a liquid substance and
discharging the liquid substance through a mouth, and a hydrophobic
layer is formed by hydrophobic treatment on the surface of the
mouth.
[0022] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a liquid container including: a body containing a liquid
substance and discharging the liquid substance through a mouth; and
an outlet member having an outlet connected to the mouth to
discharge the liquid substance, wherein a hydrophobic layer is
formed by hydrophobic treatment on the surface of at least one of
the mouth and the outlet.
[0023] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention, it is possible to minimize surface energy
and reduce interaction between the liquid substance and the outlet
surface by hydrophobic-surface treating the outlet, the guide, the
body, and the joint of the body. Therefore, it is possible to
prevent the liquid substance from flowing down from the outlet and
leakage at the joint of the body. Further, it is possible to keep
the outlet, the guide, the body, and the joint of the body clean
and improve the aesthetic appearance, by means of a self-cleaning
effect of the surface-treated portion. Further, it is possible to
minimize loss of a liquid substance, that is, minimize economic
loss, when the liquid substance is expensive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a liquid
container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly of the
parts shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view enlarging the portion A
of FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view enlarging a hydrophobic
layer.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a hydrophobic-treated
surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more
fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. As those skilled
in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified
in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present invention. The drawings and description are to
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like
reference numerals designate like elements throughout the
specification.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a liquid
container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly of
the parts shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view
enlarging the portion A of FIG. 2.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a liquid container 2 according to
the exemplary embodiment includes a body 10 containing a liquid
substance and discharging it through a mouth 11, and a guide 20
connected to the mouth 11 of the body 10 to discharge the liquid
substance out of the body 10.
[0032] The body 10 may be made of a various materials, such as
glass or a synthetic resin, with various colors in accordance with
the liquid substance to prevent the substance from deteriorating
and keep it for a long period of time. The substance can be poured
into and discharged out of the body 10 through the mouth 11 formed
at one side.
[0033] The guide 20 allows the substance in the body 10 to be
smoothly discharged and prevents the substance from flowing down
along the outer surface of the body 10 through the guide when
discharging the substance.
[0034] Meanwhile, the guide 20 necessarily provides a connection
structure with the mouth 11 of the body 10 and prevents the
substance from leaking at a joint C with the body 10.
[0035] The body 10 and the guide 20 that are used in the exemplary
embodiment may be bodies and guides for containing various liquid
substances that are well known in the art, but FIGS. 1 and 2 are
exemplified for convenience.
[0036] The joint C between the body 10 and the guide 20 may be
formed or not, in accordance with the liquid container. When the
guide 20 is not used, an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention may be used at the mouth 11 of the body 10 to prevent the
liquid substance from flowing down. That is, a hydrophobic layer
may be formed by hydrophobically treating the surface of the
mouth.
[0037] When the guide 20 is used, an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention prevents the liquid substance from flowing down
from an outlet 21 of the guide 20 and the liquid substance from
leaking at the joint C. The hydrophobic layer may be formed by
hydrophobically treating the surface of the outlet 21 of the guide
20 and the surface of the joint C.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the outlet 21 has a first
hydrophobic layer 31 that is hydrophobically treated on the
surface. In more detail, the first hydrophobic layer 31 is
integrally connected to an inner surface 211, an end portion 212,
and an outer surface 213 of the outlet 21, and thereby the entire
outlet 21 has hydrophobicity. The first hydrophobic layer 31
prevents the liquid substance from flowing down from the outlet 21
by minimizing the surface energy generated between the outlet 21
and the liquid substance when discharging the liquid substance
through the outlet 21.
[0039] The mouth 11 includes a second hydrophobic layer 32 that is
hydrophobically treated on the surface. The second hydrophobic
layer 32 is integrally connected to an inner surface 111, an end
portion 112, and an outer surface 113 of the mouth 11, and thereby
the entire mouth 11 has hydrophobicity. The second hydrophobic
layer 32 prevents the liquid substance from flowing down or leaking
at the mouth 11 by minimizing surface energy generated between the
mouth 11 and the liquid substance when discharging the liquid
substance from the mouth 11 to the outlet 21.
[0040] In the body 10, a third hydrophobic layer 33 may be formed
by hydrophobically treating the inner surface defining the space
containing the liquid substance, in addition to the mouth 11. The
third hydrophobic layer 33 is connected to the second hydrophobic
layer 32. The third hydrophobic layer 33 can prevent the liquid
substance from not being used and wasted, by preventing the
substance from adhering to the inner surface of the container
10.
[0041] The guide 20 includes an outlet member 23 forming the outlet
21 and having a flange 22 at a portion closely contacting the mouth
11, a cap 24 integrally connected to one side of the outlet member
23 to open and close the outlet 21, and a connector 26
thread-fastened to the mouth 11, with a protrusion 25 held by the
flange 22.
[0042] The guide 20 further forms the first hydrophobic layer 31 on
the inner surface of the flange 22 contacting each other and the
second hydrophobic layer 32 at the end portion 112 of the mouth 11.
The first hydrophobic layer 31 of the flange 22 and the second
hydrophobic layer 32 at the end portion 112 of the mouth 11 stop
the liquid substance from leaking at the joint between the body 10
and the guide 20.
[0043] Further, the connector 26 forms a fourth hydrophobic layer
34 on the inner surface to be in close contact with the sides of
the first hydrophobic layer 31 of the flange contacting it and the
second hydrophobic layer 32. The fourth hydrophobic layer 34 can
further prevent the liquid substance from leaking at the joint
between the body 10 and the guide 20, together with the first
hydrophobic layer 31 of the flange 22 and the second hydrophobic
layer 32 of the end portion 112.
[0044] The first, second, third, and fourth hydrophobic layers 31,
32, 33, and 34 may be formed on the corresponding surfaces by
various hydrophobic treatments. For example, the first, second,
third, and fourth hydrophobic layers 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be
formed on the corresponding surfaces by thermal-spraying a
hydrophobic substance on the corresponding surfaces, or immersing
the corresponding surfaces into molten metal with a hydrophobic
substance and the taking them out.
[0045] The first, second, third, and fourth hydrophobic layers 31,
32, 33, and 34 that are formed by hydrophobic treatments may be
made of Teflon, paraffin, or wax. Since the Teflon is chemically
stable, it can be used for daily necessities, and has better
durability and mechanical properties than the paraffin or the
wax.
[0046] According to another example, the first, second, third, and
fourth hydrophobic layers 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be formed on the
corresponding surfaces by forming an oxide film on the
corresponding surfaces and treating with a silicon-based or
fluorine-based solution. This is called silane coating, and is also
called a SAM (self-assembled monolayer).
[0047] According to another example, the first, second, third, and
fourth hydrophobic layers 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be formed on the
corresponding surfaces by thermal spraying, etching by sputtering,
or variation of the surface molecular structure by plasma.
[0048] The hydrophobic treatment on the corresponding surface may
be achieved in various methods and can strengthen hydrophobicity of
the hydrophobic substances, that is, reduce the surface energy. It
is possible to increase the hydrophobic effect by applying a
plurality of hydrophobic treatment methods. The surface energy can
be reduced by the hydrophobic treatment on the corresponding
surface and adhesion of foreign substances can be reduced.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view enlarging the
hydrophobic layer. Referring to FIG. 4, it has been known that a
reduction of surface energy increases hydrophobicity of a surface,
and wettability of the surface can be expressed by a contact angle
.theta., as shown in Equation 1 (Young's equation).
(Equation 1)
cos.theta.=(.gamma..sub.SV-.gamma..sub.SL)/.gamma..sub.LV
wherein, .gamma..sub.SV, .gamma..sub.SL, and .gamma..sub.LV are
free energy per unit area at the solid-gas, solid-liquid, and
liquid-gas interfaces, respectively.
[0050] Further, Cassie's law proposes Equation 2 for acquiring a
contact angle .theta.' at a composite surface having roughness.
(Equation 2)
cos .theta.'=f cos .theta.+(1-f) cos 180.degree.=f cos
.theta.+f-1
[0051] Herein, f (wetted solid surface area fraction) is
.SIGMA..alpha./.SIGMA.(.alpha.+b). The contact angle of water is
180.degree. in the atmosphere, while according to Johnson and
Dettre, as the roughness factors increase above predetermined
values, the contact angle continuously increases but the hysteresis
of the contact angle decreases. Further, an increase of air
fraction at the solid-liquid interface decreases the contact angle
hysteresis and the hydrophobicity increases as in Cassie's
hydrophobic model (see FIG. 4).
[0052] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a hydrophobic-treated
surface. Referring to FIG. 5, when a surface of PTFE is
hydrophobically treated by SAM and plasma treatment, the structure
of the surface is changed to have high hydrophobicity.
[0053] As described above, when the surface hydrophobic treatment
that gives hydrophobicity to the surface of an object, that is, the
corresponding surface is applied to the outlet 21 and the joint C
of the liquid container 2, the surface energy is reduced at the
outlet 21 and the joint C, and the interaction with the liquid
substance is reduced.
[0054] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid substance
from flowing down along the outer wall from the outlet 21 or
leaking through the joint C, such that the entire liquid substance
is discharged without adhering to the surface of the outlet 21.
[0055] Therefore, the loss of substance can be minimized and the
portion around the outlet 21 where dust and foreign substances
easily adhere can be kept clean by an additional self-cleaning
effect due to the hydrophobic treatment of the surface, and the
liquid container 2 can be easily reused.
[0056] Further, the liquid container 2 of an exemplary embodiment
can be used for containers that store expensive liquid. For
example, users wipe expensive wine flowing down along the outer
wall of the outlet of a wine bottle with a napkin when pouring the
wine. When the surface of the outlet of the wine bottle is
hydrophically treated, it is not needed to wipe the wine flowing
down and it is possible to reduce the loss of wine.
[0057] For example, the liquid container 2 according to the
exemplary embodiment may be used for liquid containers that contain
nanomaterials, biomaterials (including blood), or reagents, of
which the price per unit weight is very high. In this case, when
the surface of the outlet is hydrophobically treated, it is
possible to considerably reduce the economic burden due to loss of
substance.
[0058] In particular, in liquid containers containing expensive
liquids, when the entire inside of the body that is in contact with
the liquid substance is hydrophobically treated, the substance can
be completely discharged without leaving any on the inner surface
of the body, such that economic loss is reduced.
[0059] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *