Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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STAINLESS-STEEL DRINKWARE
PRIORITY
This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application
63/012888 filed
April 20, 2020 entitled Stainless-Steel Drinkware and is incorporated by
reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to stainless-steel drinkware and food
containers
and more particular to a variety of embodiments wherein the stainless-steel
drinkware and food
containers incorporate a clear coating for protecting the underlying color and
design work
associated with the drinkware and wherein the clear coating incorporates an
antimicrobial
component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consumers utilize a variety of drinkware and food containers in their everyday
lives. At
home, ceramic cups are utilized, but typically not used outside of the home
due to the risk of
breaking. Plastic tumblers have been developed for use in the outdoors,
however, while suitable
for their intended purposes, plastics have been known to leak or leach
Bisphenol A (B PA) which
mimics estrogen and which have shown to produce negative side effects in
certain individuals.
Certain studies have shown that side effects of BPA include cancer,
infertility and fetal
development, impact on brain function, heart disease and diabetes and weight
problems.
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Unfortunately, studies have also shown that exposure to the sun in the
outdoors increases the
amount of BPA leached.
An alternative to plastic tumblers is the development of insulated stainless-
steel
drinkware such as those identified on the website www.puredrinkware.corn. The
respective
insulated stainless-steel drinkware tumblers may be comprised of a three layer
construction
consisting of an outer stainless-steel layer, an internal stainless-steel
layer with both stainless-
steel layers encircling an interior copper layer. This construction provides
many benefits over
the plastic prior art in that it does not leach BPA's and maintains the
respective temperature of
the contained beverage.
The beverage and food containers come into regular contact with the human body
including hands, face and mouth. This permits the interchange of microbes and
the like from a
person or surrounding area to the container and likewise from the container to
the person.
Additionally, the surface of the container may provide for an area which
enables the microbes to
grow and possibly spread. The current covid-19 pandemic evidences the need for
preventing
such an environment to exist and provide for a safer drinking and eating
environment.
Additionally, drinking and eating containers may be decorated with colors,
sayings or
other indicia which provides the drinking and eating container with
personality. Accordingly,
there is a need to provide for a safe drinking or eating container which may
contain a design
which also protects the consumer from the environment.
Furthermore, these drinking and eating containers are often exposed to
rigorous
environments which occur in everyday usage of such items, accordingly, there
is need to provide
for a safe drinking and eating container which also provides a protective
layer enabling the
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decorative design or layer to be protected. However, while the stainless-steel
constmction has
many benefits, protection of the stainless-steel exterior is beneficial to
protect the designs and
artwork associated with the respective tumblers.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
stainless-steel
vessel construction which protects designs from the rigorous and harmful
environments they are
utilized in.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A vessel comprising a first and second stainless steel component forming a
stainless
steel drinkware having an interior and an exterior. A first design layer
carried by a portion of
the exterior leaving a portion of exposed stainless steel exterior forming a
stainless steel band
around the exterior of said stainless steel drinkware; and a clear coat powder
coat comprising a
silver based antimicrobial agent carried by the entire exterior of the
stainless steel drinkware
providing a protective layer for the first design layer and the stainless
steel band.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention may be more
readily
understood by one skilled in the art with reference being had to the following
detailed
description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings wherein like elements are designated by identical reference numerals
throughout the
several views, and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel for receiving an antimicrobial
coating according
to the invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel coated with an antimicrobial
coating according
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to the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel for receiving an antimicrobial
coating according
to the invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless-steel vessel with an anti-
microbial
coating;
FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless-steel vessel with an anti-
microbial
coating according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel for receiving an antimicrobial
coating according
to the invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless-steel vessel with an anti-
microbial
coating;
FIG. 8 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel incorporating an anti-slip bottom
infused with an
anti-microbial agent;
FIG. 9 illustrates a stainless-steel vessel incorporating an anti-slip bottom
infused with an
anti-microbial agent and a lid infused with an antimicrobial agent.
FIG. 10 illustrates a method of manufacturing a stainless-steel drinkware
having a clear
coat which is a powder coat applied to a stainless-steel drinkware having a
preliminary design
layer protecting the drinkware.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention relates the incorporation of a clear coat powder coating
which is
applied to a stainless-steel substrate and which includes an antimicrobial
component. In the
preferred embodiment the stainless-steel substrate is a vessel having an
interior. Preferably the
substrate is drinkware. Additionally, preferably the clear coat powder coating
incorporates the
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antimicrobial component with an element identified safe for food contact
pursuant to 21 Code of
Federal Regulations of the United States or approved by the Food and Drug
Administration of
the United States.
It is an important feature of the invention that the clear coat incorporating
the
antimicrobial component is in a powder coating format which provides
significant durability
when incorporated specifically with the stainless-steel substrate of the
vessel. Such feature
incorporates the antimicrobial protection in a manner with strong integration
properties with the
vessel maintaining the benefit of the antimicrobial components throughout the
intended
utilization of the vessel which may embody utilization outdoors while camping,
hiking, at the
beach, or daily outside activities. The stainless-steel vessel incorporates a
strong body conducive
to such strenuous exposure to the environment and the clear coat powder
coating by being
incorporated onto the stainless-steel body utilizing powder coating technology
ensures that the
vessel is protected from damage while also maintaining the benefits of the
antimicrobial.
Additionally, in the preferred embodiment when the clear coat is utilized in
situations which
apply to food contact usages, utilizing a component which has been identified
as safe for food
contact pursuant to the US Government ensures that the vessel is safe for
utilization with human
consumption.
In the preferred embodiment, the clear coat powder coat consists of the
following
formulation:
Material Description Supplier Part Supplier
Weight
Number
Epoxy Resin KD-214C Kukdo 70% - 80 %
Epoxy Cresol Araldite Huntsman 3% -
7 %
Novolac Resin ECN 1299
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Phenolic Curing DEH 84 Olin 5% - 15%
Agent
Phenolic Curing DEH 85 Olin 5% - 15 %
Agent
Flow Agent Resiflow Estron 0.5% - 1.5%
P-65F Chemical
Anti- Microbial B85003 Biocote 0.1% - 0.5%
Additive
The Epoxy resin is approved by the FDA for food contact. Examples of other FDA
approved components include the following:
- Acrylic and modified acrylic plastics, semirigid and rigid.
Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene co-polymer.
- Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymer.
- Acrylonitrile/styrene copoly-mer.
- Acrylonitrile/styrene copoly-mer modified with butadiene/styrene
elastomer.
- n-Alkylglutarimide/acrylic copolymers.
- Cellophane.
- Closures with sealing gaskets for food containers.
- Cross-linked polyacrylate copolymers.
- 1,4-Cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate
and 1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene isophthalate
copolymer.
- Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers.
- Ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymers.
- Ethylene-1, 4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate copolymers.
- Ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers.
- Ionomeric resins.
- Ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer resins.
- Ethylene/1,3-phenylene oxyethylene isophthalate/ terephthalate copolymer.
- Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.
- Ethylene-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymers.
- Fluorocarbon resins.
- Laminate structures for use at temperatures of 250 deg. F and above.
- Laminate structures for use at temperatures between 120 deg. F and 250
deg. F.
- Hydroxyethyl cellulose film, water-insoluble.
- Isobutylene polymers.
- Isobutylene-butene copolymers.
- 4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenol-epichlorohydrin resins minimum molecular
weight 10,000.
- Melamine-formaldehyde resins in molded articles.
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- Nitrile rubber modified acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers.
- Nylon resins.
- Olefin polymers.
- Perfluorocarbon resins.
- Polyarylate resins.
- Polyaryletherketone resins.
- Polyarylsulfone resins.
- Poly-l-butene resins and butene/ethylene copolymers.
- Polycarbonate resins.
- Polyestercarbonate resins.
- Polyester elastomers.
In the preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial clear coat includes a silver
component
for regulating the antimicrobials. In particular, the antimicrobial agent may
be IONPURE
IPL which has EPA Registration number 73148-3 or a similar antimicrobial agent
sold by
Biocote. Additionally, the BioCote antimicrobial which utilizes a silver
component is sold
by Akzo Nobel under the trade name Interpon AM. The respective Product Data
Sheet for
Akzo Nobel's Interpon AM is attached to this application as Appendix A and is
incorporated
by reference. Interpon AM in conjunction with BioCote Ltd (ID has been tested
for
antimicrobial efficacy in accordance with ISO 22196:2011 and exhibited a
minimum of 95%
and up to 99.99% reduction in the population of Escheria Coli and Methicillin
Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Testing was carried out by an independent
laboratory and
is classified as 'microbiological results satisfactory'.
BioCote silver ion technology has been proven effective against the following
bacteria in
Laboratory conditions:
Multi Drug Resistant Bacteria Bacteria
ESBL Erischeria coli Acinetobacter baumanii
CRE Klebsiella pneumonia Bacillus subtilis
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MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Campylobacter coli VRE Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus
Campylobacter jejuni
Clostridium difficile (excluding spore
form) Escherichia coli 0157
Enterbacter aerogenes Enterococcus
faecalis.
Legionella pneumophila
Listeria monocytogenes
Pseudomonas auruginosa
Salmonella enteritidis
Salmonella typhimurium
Shigella spp.
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Streptococcus faecalis
The incorporation of the clear coat powder coating may be conducted in
multiple embodiments
of various vessels. Each embodiment will hereinafter be described.
Figure 1 identifies a stainless-steel vessel which is a tumbler A. Tumbler A
includes at
least an inner stainless-steel wall 10 forming an interior 12 for storing a
liquid and a separate
outer stainless-steel wall 14 forming an exterior wall. In the embodiment
shown in Fig. 1, the
outer stainless-steel wall 14 is a substrate for the placement of a design 16.
An opening 18 is
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formed by the inner and outer stainless- steel walls which communicates with
interior 12. A
bottom 20 seals the vessel.
As shown in Figure 2, the clear-coat antimicrobial powder coating is applied
along the
entire exterior surface as represented by dots and covers the design 16.
Additionally, in an
additional embodiment, the clear coat antimicrobial powder coating is also
applied along the
entire interior surface.
Figure 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the
stainless-steel
vessel B includes outer stainless steel wall 14. As shown by the hash marks, a
design 23
incorporating the color green is present along most of the body of stainless-
steel vessel B.
However, a stainless-steel region 28 remains uncovered by the color. In this
embodiment the
stainless-steel region incorporates a region extending from the upper rim 26
of the vessel to a bottom demarcation 24 which is preferably no farther than
two inches from the
upper rim 26. A primary reason for leaving this area uncovered and presenting
the stainless steel
body is that such area is the area which engages a user's mouth and teeth and
is susceptible to
chipping.
As shown in Figure 4, the clear coat powder coating with the silver based
antimicrobial
component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel vessel including
the stainless-steel
region 28. In this manner, the entire design 23 is protected by the clear coat
powder coating
portion 30 which includes an antimicrobial component as well as the non-design
portion 28 which
is protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 32 which includes an
antimicrobial
component which provides for entire protection along the entire body of the
vessel while also
providing an area which will be devoid of chipping thereby maintaining the
antimicrobial
properties of the coating in the region which comes in direct contact with the
person while
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drinking from the vessel. This construction ensures maximum protection to the
user while the
vessel is utilized in areas wherein the vessel may incur abuse such as by
dropping or hitting
another item which may occur during camping and the like.
Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment similar to the preferred embodiment shown
in Figures
3 and 4. The stainless-steel vessel C includes outer stainless steel wall 14.
As shown by the hash
marks, a design 32 incorporating the color green is present along most of the
body of stainless-
steel vessel C. However, a stainless-steel region 40 remains uncovered by the
color. In this
embodiment the stainless-steel region 40 incorporates a region extending from
the bottom rim 38
of the vessel to an upper demarcation 36 which is preferably no farther than
two inches from the
bottom rim 38. A primary reason for leaving this area uncovered and presenting
the stainless
steel body is that such area is the area which may be pounded onto the surface
in the case wherein
the stainless steel vessel is a baby bottle or sippy cup and is susceptible to
chipping. As
shown in Figure 5, the clear coat powder coating with the silver based
antimicrobial component
encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel vessel including the
stainless-steel region 40.
In this manner, the entire design 32 is protected by the clear coat powder
coating portion 34
which includes an antimicrobial component as well as the non-design portion 40
which is
protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 42 which includes an
antimicrobial component
which provides for entire protection along the entire body of the vessel while
also providing an
area which will be devoid of chipping. This construction ensures maximum
protection to the user
while the vessel is utilized in areas wherein the vessel may incur abuse such
as by pounding by a
baby or toddler.
For Figures 3 to 5, the design or color is preferably a powder coat with a
paint
attribute for coloring the stainless-steel exterior. Generally, the powder
coat paint color may
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be applied utilizing an electric charge or sprayed utilizing an ionized air
stream. Once the
powder coat is applied, the entire tumbler is baked for a certain period of
time. In additional
configurations, the design or color may be paint. As discussed, an improvement
in the above
includes applying a second coat to the color powder coat and/or design or
paint to facilitate
in maintaining the integrity of the color powder coat and/or design or paint.
The second coat
is a powder coat which is a clear coat. The clear coat layer may be applied
using a dipping
method, spraying method, or electrostatic application. Once the clear coat
layer is applied,
the drinking vessel will undergo a second baking environment to cure the clear
coat.
Figure 6 provides an additional embodiment which utilizes the principles of
the
embodiments shown in Figures 3-5 wherein a stainless-steel region 54 is left
free of any design
but a design such as an image or saying or is carried by the stainless-steel
outer wall. As shown
in Figure 6, design 50 is positioned onto the outer wall of stainless-steel
vessel D. The design
may be positioned utilizing any one of the following techniques:
1. Water Paper Transfer ¨ Utilized for a multicolor wrinkle free "360
degree" design that is opaque and disallows the underlying stainless
steel from being visible.
2. Water Decal Transfer ¨ Utilized for a multicolor wrinkle free single sided,
double sided or 360 degree design that is segmented or non-continuous and
allows for visibility of the underlying stainless steel, painted or powder
coated external surface.
3. Sublimation (AKA Heat Transfer) ¨ Utilized for a multicolor, opaque design
application. This method requires a white surface, polycoated which allows
artwork to be heat transferred into the polycoated surface via wrapping paper
with
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specialized ink and a baking process that "burns" the image on the heat
transfer
paper into the polycoat. This process is inexpensive and always wrinkled on
conical and other drinkware shapes that vertical curves. This artwork
application
is not dishwasher safe due to fading of artwork after dishwashing.
4. Laser Engraved ¨ A laser removes existing powder coat or painted coat in
order to reveal underlying stainless steel. When this design application
technique is utilized on a painted vessel the vessel is rendered NOT
dishwasher safe due to chipping that occurs at the engraved sight over time
due to use.
5. Pad Printing ¨ Usually Single sided or double sided print that has a
maximum
allowance of 3 to 4 colors. Limited colors due to needing to align the
printing
"stamp" for each particular color in a design. This is accomplished using an
indirect offset printing process that involves an image being transferred from
the
cliché via a silicone pad onto a substrate.
6. Silk Screen ¨ Usually single sided or double sided screen print that
typically has a
maximum allowance of 1 to 2 colors. Limited colors due to needing to align and
"roll" each particular color in a design. Screen printing is a printing
technique
where a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made
impenueable to the ink by a blocking stencil. The ink is then baked at a
certain
temperature in. order to adhere the ink to th.e surface.
7. 31) Printing - Utilized for a multicolor wrinkle free single sided, double
sided or
360 degree design that is opaque continuous, segmented or non-continuous and
can either allow for visibility of the underlying stainless steel, painted or
powder
coated external surface or not in the case of a continuous opaque print. This
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additive process allows for a design to be created by laying down successive
layers of ink until the design is created.
Each design is generally then baked to maintain the design onto the tumbler.
Prior to
the baking, a powder coat with a paint attribute 52 for coloring the stainless-
steel exterior
may be applied. Generally, the powder coat may be applied utilizing an
electric charge or
sprayed utilizing an ionized air stream. Once the powder coat is applied, the
entire tumbler is
baked for a certain period of time.
As shown in Figure 7, the clear coat powder coating with the silver based
antimicrobial
component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel vessel including
the stainless-steel
region 54. In this manner, the entire design 50 and underlying layer 52 which
may be a powder
coated paint or regular paint is protected by the clear coat powder coating
portion 56.
An improvement in the above includes applying a second coat to the powder coat
and/or design to facilitate in maintaining the integrity of the powder coat
and/or design.
Preferably the second coat is a powder coat which is a clear coat. The clear
coat layer may be
applied using a dipping method, spraying method, or electrostatic application.
Once the clear
coat layer is applied, the drinking vessel will undergo a second baking
environment to cure the
clear coat. The application parameters and curing time will depend on the type
of design
which has been applied to the tumbler body.
In addition to the body of the stainless-steel tumbler having an antimicrobial
component,
as shown in Figure 8, an anti-slip bottom 70 is carried by the bottom 72 of
stainless vessel E.
Preferably, anti-slip bottom 70 is comprised of rubber or other non-slick
material infused with an
antimicrobial which is silver based such as that provided by BioCote.
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Figure 9 shows the anti-slip bottom 70, stainless vessel E which is coated
with the clear
coat antimicrobial powder coating and a lid 74. Lid 74 is constructed to
enclose the interior of
stainless steel vessel E. In the preferred embodiment lid 74 has an opening 78
which
communicates with the interior of stainless steel vessel. A moveable slot
cover 76 may move
from a first position wherein the opening 78 is closed sealing the interior of
stainless steel vessel
E and a second position wherein the opening 78 is open providing access to the
interior. In the
preferred embodiment, lid 74 is made from a clear plastic and infused with an
antimicrobial
which is silver based such as that provided by BioCote. In the preferred
embodiment, the clear
plastic is also infused with a tint as the antimicrobial has been shown to
interact with the clear
plastic in a manner which makes the lid appear unappealing. Accordingly lid 74
is tinted with an
antimicrobial infusion.
Figure 10 illustrates a process of manufacturing a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
At step 800 a drinkware having a first and second sheet of stainless-steel
fabricated into a drinkware
body having a stainless-steel exterior and a stainless-steel interior is
provided. The body has a general
length and width with an opening and a closed bottom forming a container. At
step 810, the stainless-
steel exterior is coated with an initial preliminary design layer. This design
layer may be paint, or powder
coat with color pigments. At step 820 the preliminary design layer is cured.
If the preliminary design
layer is a powder coat, the powder coat is applied utilizing an electrostatic
charge. Preferably the
preliminary design layer does not cover the entire stainless steel body
leaving a stainless steel band at
either the top or bottom rim of the vessel depending on if the vessel is
intended for an adult or child.
Once the preliminary design layer is cured, if desired at step 830, a design
may be applied utilizing one of
the aforementioned methods. At step 840 a clear coat powder coat incorporating
a silver based
antimicrobial agent is applied to the stainless steel utilizing power coating
techniques. At step 850 an
anti-slip bottom infused with a silver based antimicrobial agent is carried by
the stainless steel vessel. At
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step 860 a lid infused with a silver based antimicrobial agent is carried by
the top of the stainless steel
vessel.
For those applications intended for utilization with food contact, the clear
coat powder coat
incorporating a silver based antimicrobial agent includes an FDA approved
component such as an epoxy.
Thus it may be seen that a more advantageous design for a stainless steel
drinkware or vessel may
be had according to the present invention. By utilizing the characteristics of
the stainless steel body,
powder coating technology may be utilized which provides for a more secure
adhesion of the clear coat
powder coat which incorporates a silver based antimicrobial agent onto the
surface of the stainless steel
body. Furthermore, by incorporating the clear coat, the underlying design
which may be an intricate
saying, depiction, or color may be left unhindered and appreciated by the
user. Hence, the user is treated
to an aesthetically appealing drinkware while simultaneously being protected
by the antimicrobial agent.
The powder coating application ensures that the antimicrobial agent is
securely adhered to the outer
surface of the drinkware vessel. This construction is unique.
