U.S. patent application number 13/045430 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-13 for container with inner wall elevation line for mixing, homogenizing, aerating and emulsifying.
Invention is credited to Junhong Wang.
Application Number | 20120228313 13/045430 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46794593 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120228313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Junhong |
September 13, 2012 |
Container with inner wall elevation line for mixing, homogenizing,
aerating and emulsifying
Abstract
A container for material storage or mixing has inner wall or
walls and a bottom and a top that is either fixed or removable. The
inner wall has at least one or more inward elevation lines or
elevated pattern formations. The elevation lines or patterns can be
part of either the wall structure or a removable piece which is
placed inside the container against the inner walls. The elevation
line interrupts the flow or movement of content along the surface
of the inner wall during mixing motion generated by a human hand or
a mechanical device. The interruption creates local turbulence near
the elevated line and therefore results in the content materials
mixing, grinding, homogenizing, aerating or emulsifying.
Inventors: |
Wang; Junhong; (US) |
Family ID: |
46794593 |
Appl. No.: |
13/045430 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/670 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/0215 20130101;
B65D 23/02 20130101; B65D 25/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/670 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/02 20060101
B65D090/02 |
Claims
1. A container a. that has at least one of the protruding ridges or
lines or inward elevation patterns on the inner surface and the
said protruding element disrupts the content's movements or flow
along the inside wall surface and results in local turbulences. b.
The said protruding ridge line, or pattern can be a part of the
container's wall structure or it can be a removable insert or it
can be fixed on the vessel or container.
Description
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0001] This invention relates to a sample container where the inner
wall has at least one or more inward protrusions, or elevation
patterns. The inward protrusion can be either a part of the inner
wall structure, or it can be inserted and placed inside the
container against the inner wall. Such ridge lines or protrusions
will force the dry or liquid samples to change flow directions when
the container is moved by hand or placed on a mixing device. The
change of the content's flow direction results in an enhanced
mixing, homogenizing, emulsifying, or aerating.
[0002] The direction of the inward protrusion, or inward elevation,
is to block the content's movement and flow during the mixing
motion. For example, two 1 mm plastic rods were fixed to the inner
surface of a 4 ml polyethylene sample vial along the axial
direction. These rods block the ceramic homogenization micro-beads
from traveling along the vial's inner wall surface, and they force
the high density beads to collide with the leaves in the
homogenization process.
[0003] The height of the protrusion or the thickness of the line on
the inner walls varies. Strong and fast mixing motions or high
density fast moving particles in the contents will require a slight
elevation to create meaningful flow dynamics, while slow moving or
viscous content may require a higher elevation or longer inward
protrusions in order to achieve the desired mixing results.
[0004] The pattern of the inward protrusion can be simple lines,
diamonds, triangles, discontinuous dot formations, or any other
combination.
[0005] The inward protrusion or elevation can be part of the
container's inner or side wall structure, or it can be a removable
piece placed against the inner wall. Modifications can be made to
the inner wall protrusions for timed release, temperature sensitive
melting, or chemically triggered modifications.
[0006] The inward protrusion or elevation can also be achieved by
placing decorative parts in the wine cup, such as by clipping an
insert piece onto the wine cup's side wall. The clipper will hold
the rod against the inner wall, and the rod can be shaped to match
the inner wall's shape, or its color and shape can be designed as a
decorative piece. The inserted rod will divert the flow alongside
the inner wall of the said wine cup and creates local turbulence
for enhanced aeration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 A lab vial sample with two solid ridge lines placed
vertically inside the vial vessel. The protruding solid surface
interrupts flow dynamics and create turbulence for better
mixing.
[0008] FIG. 2. A wine cup with a lined inner surface for increased
the aeration
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Containers come in different sizes and shapes for many dry
and liquid materials. Most vessels and containers are designed for
holding the desired materials and posses the inner walls smooth
surfaces for easy cleaning and processing.
[0010] Containers for biological samples, such as microtubes,
flasks, beaker and containers for chemical reactions are in
cylindrical or spherical or more complicated shapes. Wine cups are
designed and manufactured in different shapes and sizes, but the
inner surface is kept smooth and no dynamic flow structure or
patterns is built in or attached. Containers for paint, liquid ink
or coloration materials are designed with a smooth inner surface
without taking into consideration the advantages of the flow
dynamics for mixing, aeration purpose.
[0011] Modifications of containers have been used for preventing
sample settlement for slow moving mixtures and lines have been
incorporated in the sample cap or outside walls to reinforce the
container's structure.
* * * * *