CN115666333A - Method for manufacturing drinking vessel and stainless steel drinking vessel thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for manufacturing drinking vessels and stainless steel drinking vessels, wherein the drinking vessels comprise: a first stainless steel component and a second stainless steel component, the first stainless steel component and the second stainless steel component forming a stainless steel drinking vessel having an interior and an exterior; a first design layer carried by a portion of the exterior such that a portion of the exposed stainless steel exterior forms a stainless steel band around the exterior of the stainless steel drinking vessel; and a clear paint powder coating comprising a silver-based antimicrobial agent, the clear paint powder coating being carried by the entire exterior of the stainless steel drinking vessel, thereby providing a protective layer for the first design layer and the stainless steel band. The drinking vessel has safe and reliable use and antimicrobial function.

Description

Method for manufacturing drinking vessel and stainless steel drinking vessel thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to stainless steel drinking vessels and food containers, and more particularly, to various embodiments in which stainless steel drinking vessels and food containers incorporate a clear coating for protecting underlying colors and design work associated with the drinking vessel, and in which the clear coating incorporates an antimicrobial component.

Background

Consumers use a wide variety of drinking vessels and food containers in their daily lives. At home, people use ceramic cups, but not usually outside the home, because of the risk of breakage. Plastic tumblers have been developed for outdoor use, however, while plastics are suitable for their intended purpose, plastics are known to leak or leach bisphenol a (BPA), which mimics estrogen and has been shown to produce negative side effects for some individuals. Some studies have shown that the side effects of BPA include cancer, infertility and fetal development, effects on brain function, heart disease, as well as diabetes and weight problems. Unfortunately, studies have also shown that exposure to outdoor sunlight increases the amount of BPA leached.

An alternative to plastic flat cups is the development of insulated stainless steel drinking vessels such as those identified on the website www. A corresponding insulated stainless steel drinking vessel tumbler can comprise a three-layer construction consisting of an outer layer of stainless steel, an inner layer of stainless steel, and two layers of stainless steel surrounding the inner copper layer. This configuration provides many benefits over the plastic prior art in that it does not leach BPA and maintains the respective temperature of the contained beverage.

Beverage and food containers often contact the human body (including hands, face and mouth). This allows the exchange of microorganisms and the like from the person or the surrounding area to the container and likewise from the container to the person. In addition, the surface of the container may provide an area that enables the growth and possible spread of microorganisms. The current covid-19 epidemic demonstrates the need to prevent the existence of this environment and provide a safer drinking and eating environment.

In addition, the drinking and eating vessel may be decorated with colors, adage or other indicia, which provides individuality to the eating vessel. Therefore, there is a need to provide a safe drinking or eating vessel that may contain a design that also protects the consumer from the environment.

Furthermore, these drinking and eating containers are often exposed to harsh environments (which occurs when such goods are used routinely), and it is therefore desirable to provide a safe drinking and eating container that also provides a protective layer that enables the decorative design or layer to be protected. However, while stainless steel construction has many benefits, protection of the stainless steel exterior is beneficial for protecting the designs and artwork associated with the respective flat bottom cup.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved stainless steel drinking vessel construction and method of manufacture which protects the design from the harsh and hostile environment in which it is used.

A stainless steel drinking vessel, comprising: first and second stainless steel components forming a stainless steel drinking vessel having an interior and an exterior; a first design layer carried by a portion of the exterior such that a portion of the exposed stainless steel exterior forms a stainless steel band around the exterior of the stainless steel drinking vessel; and a clear paint powder coating comprising a silver-based biocide carried throughout the exterior of the stainless steel drinking vessel to provide a protective layer for the first design layer and the stainless steel band.

Drawings

The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the several views and which are shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a stainless steel drinking vessel for receiving an antimicrobial coating in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a stainless steel drinking vessel coated with an antimicrobial coating according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a stainless steel drinking vessel for receiving an antimicrobial coating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless steel drinking vessel having an antimicrobial coating.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless steel drinking vessel having an antimicrobial coating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a stainless steel drinking vessel for receiving an antimicrobial coating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a stainless steel drinking vessel having an antimicrobial coating.

Fig. 8 shows a stainless steel drinking vessel incorporating a non-slip base impregnated with an antimicrobial agent.

Fig. 9 shows a stainless steel drinking vessel incorporating a non-slip base impregnated with an antimicrobial agent and a lid impregnated with an antimicrobial agent.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of manufacturing a stainless steel drinking vessel having a clear paint, which is a powder coating applied to the stainless steel drinking vessel with a preliminary designed layer to protect the drinking vessel.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to clear lacquer powder coatings that are incorporated into stainless steel substrates and include an antimicrobial component. In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel substrate is a drinking vessel having an interior. Preferably, the base plate is a drinking vessel. In addition, preferably, the clear coat powder coating incorporates an antimicrobial component and an element identified as safe for Food contact according to Chapter 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations or approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America.

An important feature of the present invention is that the clearcoat incorporating the antimicrobial component is in a powder coating format that provides significant durability when incorporated exclusively with stainless steel substrates for drinking vessels. This functionality incorporates antimicrobial protection in a manner that has strong integration properties with drinking vessels, thereby preserving the benefits of the antimicrobial component throughout the intended use of the drinking vessel, which may be reflected in outdoor utilization while camping, hiking, beaching, or daily outdoor activities. Stainless steel drinking vessels incorporate a robust body that facilitates such severe exposure to the environment and the clear paint powder coating incorporated onto the stainless steel body by utilizing the powder coating technique ensures that the drinking vessel is protected from damage while also maintaining the benefits of the antimicrobial agent. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, when the clear lacquer is used in a situation suitable for food contact use, the use of components that have been deemed safe for food contact according to the U.S. government ensures that the drinking vessel is safe for human consumption.

In a preferred embodiment, the clear coat powder coating consists of the following formulation:

epoxy resins are FDA approved for food contact. Examples of other FDA approved components include the following:

semi-rigid and rigid acrylic and modified acrylic plastics;

-acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymers;

-acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymers;

-acrylonitrile/styrene copolymers;

-acrylonitrile/styrene copolymers modified with butadiene/styrene elastomers;

-n-alkyl glutarimide/acrylic acid copolymer;

-cellophane;

-a closure with a sealing gasket for a food container;

-a crosslinked polyacrylate copolymer;

-copolymers of 1, 4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate and 1, 4-cyclohexanedimethylene isophthalate;

-ethylene-acrylic acid polymers;

-ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer;

-ethylene-1, 4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate copolymer;

-ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers;

-an ionic polymeric resin;

-ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer resin;

ethylene/isophthalic acid 1, 3-phenylenoxyvinyl ester/terephthalic acid 1, 3-phenylenoxyvinyl ester copolymer;

-ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers;

-ethylene-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymers;

-a fluorocarbon resin;

-a laminate structure for use at temperatures of 250 degrees fahrenheit and above;

-a laminate structure for use at a temperature between 120 degrees fahrenheit and 250 degrees fahrenheit;

-a water insoluble hydroxyethyl cellulose film;

-an isobutylene polymer;

-isobutylene-butene copolymers;

4,4' -isopropylidenediphenol-epichlorohydrin resin with a minimum molecular weight of 10,000;

-melamine-formaldehyde resin in a moulded article;

-nitrile rubber modified acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer;

-a nylon resin;

-an olefin polymer;

-a perfluorocarbon resin;

-a polyarylate resin;

-polyaryletherketone resins;

-a polyarylsulfone resin;

-poly-1-butene resins and butene/ethylene copolymers;

-a polycarbonate resin;

-a polyester carbonate resin;

-a polyester elastomer.

In a preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial clearcoat includes a silver component for conditioning the antimicrobial agent. Specifically, the antimicrobial agent may be the IONPURE IPL having EPA registration number 73148-3 or a similar antimicrobial agent sold by Baiott. Additionally, a Baiott antimicrobial utilizing a silver component is sold by Akksonobel under the trade name Interpon AM. The corresponding product data sheet for Interpon AM from Acksonobel is incorporated by reference in this application as appendix A. Interpon AM in combination with BioCote Ltd has been tested against antimicrobial efficacy according to ISO 22196. The test was performed by an independent laboratory and was classified as "microbial satisfactory".

The silver ion technology of baiott has proven effective under laboratory conditions against the following bacteria:

multiple drug-resistant bacteria

ESBL E.coli Acinetobacter baumannii (Acinetobacter baumanii)

CRE Klebsiella pneumoniae (Klebsiella pneumoniae) Bacillus subtilis (Bacillus subtilis)

MRSA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Campylobacter coli (Campylobacter coli) VRE Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus)

Campylobacter jejuni (Campylobacter jejuni)

Clostridium difficile (Clostridium difficile) (not including spore form) Escherichia coli O157

Enterobacter aerogenes Enterococcus faecalis (Enterobacter faecalis)

Legionella pneumophila (Legionella pneumophila)

Listeria monocytogenes

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas auruginosa)

Salmonella enteritidis (Salmonella enteritidis)

Salmonella typhimurium (Salmonella typhimurium)

Shigella (Shigella spp.)

Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus)

Staphylococcus epidermidis (Staphylococcus epidermidis)

Incorporation of a powder coating of Streptococcus faecalis (Streptococcus faecalis) clearcoat may be carried out in various embodiments of the drinking vessel. Each embodiment will be described below.

Fig. 1 identifies a stainless steel drinking vessel which is a flat bottom cup a. The flat bottom cup a comprises at least an inner stainless steel wall 10 forming an interior 12 for storing liquid and a separate outer stainless steel wall 14 forming an exterior wall. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the stainless steel outer wall 14 is a substrate for placement of the design 16. The opening 18 is formed by an inner stainless steel wall and an outer stainless steel wall, which communicates with the interior 12. The bottom 20 seals the drinking vessel.

As shown in fig. 2, the clearcoat antimicrobial powder coating is applied along the entire exterior surface (as indicated by the dots) and covers the design 16. Additionally, in additional embodiments, a clear lacquer antimicrobial powder coating is also applied along the entire interior surface.

Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the stainless steel drinking vessel B includes a stainless steel outer wall 14. As shown by the diagonal bars, along most of the body of the stainless steel drinking vessel B there is a design 23 incorporating a green color. However, the stainless steel areas 28 are still not covered by the color. In this embodiment, the stainless steel region incorporates a region extending from the upper edge 26 of the drinking vessel to the bottom limit 24, which is preferably no more than two inches from the upper edge 26. The main reason for leaving this area uncovered and presenting a stainless steel body is that this area is an area that engages the user's mouth and teeth and is easily broken.

As shown in fig. 4, the clear lacquer powder coating with the silver-based antimicrobial component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel drinking vessel (including the stainless steel region 28). In this way, the entire design 23 is protected by the portion of the clear coat powder coating 30 including the antimicrobial component and the non-design portion 28, which is protected by the portion of the clear coat powder coating 32 including the antimicrobial component, thus providing overall protection along the entire body of the drinking vessel while also providing areas that will not disintegrate, thereby maintaining the antimicrobial properties of the coating in the areas that will directly contact a person when drinking from the drinking vessel. This configuration ensures maximum protection for the user when using the drinking vessel in areas where the drinking vessel may be subject to abuse, such as by being dropped or hitting another item, which may occur during camping or the like.

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment similar to the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4. The stainless steel drinking vessel C includes a stainless steel outer wall 14. As shown by the diagonal bars, there is a design 32 incorporating the green color along most of the body of the stainless steel drinking vessel C. However, the stainless steel area 40 is still not covered by the color. In this embodiment, the stainless steel region 40 incorporates a region extending from the bottom edge 38 of the drinking vessel to the upper limit 36, which is preferably no more than two inches from the bottom edge 38. The main reason for leaving this area uncovered and presenting a stainless steel body is that this area can be knocked onto the surface if the stainless steel drinking vessel is a baby bottle or a straw cup and is prone to chipping. As shown in fig. 5, the clear lacquer powder coating with the silver-based antimicrobial component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel drinking vessel (including the stainless steel region 40). In this manner, the entire design 32 is protected by the antimicrobial component-containing clear paint powder coating portion 34 and the non-design portion 40, which is protected by the antimicrobial component-containing clear paint powder coating portion 42, which provides overall protection along the entire body of the drinking vessel while also providing an area that will not chip. This configuration ensures maximum protection for the user when using the drinking vessel in areas where the drinking vessel may be subject to abuse, such as by infants or toddlers.

With respect to fig. 3-5, the design or color is preferably a powder coating with paint properties for coloring the exterior of stainless steel. Typically, powder coating paint colors can be sprayed using electrical charge application or using ionized air streams. Once the powder coating was applied, the entire tumbler was baked for a certain period of time. In an additional configuration, the design or color may be paint. As discussed, the improvement above includes applying a second coating to the colored powder coating and/or design or paint in order to maintain the integrity of the colored powder coating and/or design or paint. The second coating is a clear paint powder coating. The transparent paint layer may be applied using a dipping method, a spraying method, or electrostatic coating. Once the clear lacquer layer is applied, the drinking vessel will be subjected to a second baking environment to cure the clear lacquer.

Fig. 6 provides an additional embodiment that utilizes the principles of the embodiment shown in fig. 3-5, wherein the stainless steel region 54 has no design other than a design such as image or adage or is carried by a stainless steel outer wall. As shown in FIG. 6, the design 50 is positioned on the outer wall of the stainless steel drinking vessel D. The design may be located using any of the following techniques:

1. water paper transfer-for multi-color wrinkle-free "360 degree" designs that are opaque and do not allow the underlying stainless steel to be visible.

2. Water decal transfer-multi-color wrinkle-free single-sided, double-sided, or 360 degree designs that are segmented or discontinuous but allow the underlying stainless steel (painted or powder coated outer surface) to be visible.

3. Sublimation (also known as heat transfer) -for multi-color, opaque design coatings. This method requires a polyethylene-coated white surface, which allows the artwork to be transferred to the polyethylene-coated surface via a wrapping paper with a specialized ink and a baking process that "burns" the image on the thermal transfer paper onto the polyethylene coating. This process is relatively inexpensive and invariably involves wrinkling on vertically curved cones and other drinking vessel shapes. This artwork application cannot be dishwasher cleaned because the artwork fades after cleaning.

4. Laser engraving-laser removes the existing powder coating or lacquer coating to expose the underlying stainless steel. When this designed coating technique is used on a painted drinking vessel, the drinking vessel cannot be dishwasher cleaned because of chipping at the engraved line of sight over time due to use.

5. Pad printing-printing of typically single or double sides allowing up to 3 to 4 colours. Limited colors due to the design time required to align the printed "indicia" of each particular color. This is done using an indirect offset printing process that involves transferring an image from a cliche to a substrate via a silicone pad.

6. Screen printing-generally single or double sided screen printing which allows up to 1 to 2 colours. Limited colors due to the design time required to align and "scroll" each particular color. Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a mesh to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas that are impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. The ink is then baked at a temperature to adhere the ink to the surface.

3D printing-multi-color wrinkle-free single sided, double sided or 360 degree designs that are opaque continuous, segmented or discontinuous but may allow the underlying stainless steel to be visible (painted or powder coated outer surface) or invisible in the case of continuous opaque printing. This additive process allows the design to be created by laying down successive layers of ink until the design is created.

Each design is then typically baked to hold the design on the flat bottom cup. Prior to baking, a powder coating with paint properties 52 for coloring the exterior of the stainless steel may be applied. In general, powder coatings can be applied by electrical charge or sprayed by ionized air flow. Once the powder coating is applied, the entire tumbler is baked for a certain period of time.

As shown in fig. 7, the clear lacquer powder coating with the silver-based antimicrobial component encapsulates the entire body of the stainless steel drinking vessel (including the stainless steel region 54). In this manner, the entire design 50, which may be powder coated paint or plain paint, and the base coat 52 are protected by the clear coat powder coating portion 56.

The improvement hereinabove comprises applying a second coating to the powder coating and/or design so as to maintain the integrity of the powder coating and/or design. Preferably, the second coating is a clear paint powder coating. The clear coat layer may be applied using a dipping method, a spraying method, or electrostatic coating. Once the clear lacquer layer is applied, the drinking vessel will be subjected to a second baking environment to cure the clear lacquer. The application parameters and curing time will depend on the type of design that has been applied to the flat bottom cup body.

In addition to the body of the stainless steel flat bottom cup with the antimicrobial component, as shown in FIG. 8, a non-slip bottom 70 is carried by the bottom 72 of the stainless drinking vessel E. Preferably, the non-slip bottom 70 comprises rubber or other non-slippery material impregnated with a silver-based antimicrobial agent (such as those provided by Baiott).

Fig. 9 shows a non-slip base 70, a stainless drinking vessel E coated with a clear lacquer antimicrobial powder coating, and a lid 74. The lid 74 is configured to enclose the interior of the stainless steel drinking vessel E. In the preferred embodiment, the lid 74 has an opening 78 that communicates with the interior of the stainless steel drinking vessel. The movable slot cover 76 is movable from a first position, in which the opening 78 is closed, thereby sealing the interior of the stainless steel drinking vessel E, to a second position, in which the opening 78 is open, thereby providing access to the interior. In a preferred embodiment, the lid 74 is made of clear plastic and impregnated with a silver-based antimicrobial agent, such as that provided by the Baiott company. In a preferred embodiment the transparent plastic is also injected with a light colour, as the antimicrobial agent has been shown to interact with the transparent plastic in such a way that the lid appears unattractive. Thus, the cap 74 is stained with an antimicrobial infusion.

Fig. 10 illustrates a process of manufacturing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. At step 800, a drinking vessel is provided having a first stainless steel sheet and a second stainless steel sheet manufactured into a drinking vessel body having a stainless steel exterior and a stainless steel interior. A body having a general length and width forms a container with an open and closed bottom. At step 810, the stainless steel exterior is coated with an initial preliminary design layer. The design layer may be a paint or a powder coating with color pigments. At step 820, the preliminary design layer is cured. If the predesigned layer is a powder coating, the powder coating is applied using an electrostatic charge. Preferably, the predesigned layer does not cover the entire stainless steel body, leaving a stainless steel band at the top or bottom edge of the drinking vessel depending on whether the drinking vessel is intended for adults or children. Once the preliminary design layer is cured, at step 830, the design may be applied using one of the methods described above, if desired. At step 840, the stainless steel is coated with a clearcoat powder coating incorporating a silver-based antimicrobial agent using an electric coating technique. At step 850, the non-slip base impregnated with the silver-based antimicrobial agent is carried by the stainless steel drinking vessel. At step 860, a lid impregnated with a silver-based antimicrobial agent is carried by the top of the stainless steel drinking vessel.

For those applications intended for use in contact with food, the clear coat powder coating incorporating the silver-based biocide includes an FDA approved component, such as an epoxy resin.

Thus, it can be seen that a more advantageous stainless steel drinking vessel or drinking vessel design is possible in accordance with the present invention. By taking advantage of the properties of the stainless steel body, powder coating techniques can be utilized that can provide a more secure adhesion of the clearcoat powder coating incorporating the silver-based antimicrobial agent to the surface of the stainless steel body. Furthermore, by incorporating a clear lacquer, the underlying design, which may be a complex Hangul, painting or color, may be unobstructed and understood by the user. Thus, the user is entertained with an aesthetically attractive drinking utensil while the user is protected from the antimicrobial agent. The powder coating application ensures that the antimicrobial agent adheres firmly to the outer surface of the drinking vessel. This configuration is unique.

Claims (4)

1. A method of manufacturing a drinking vessel, the method comprising:

providing a drinking vessel having a first stainless steel sheet and a second stainless steel sheet, the first and second stainless steel sheets being manufactured into a drinking vessel body having a stainless steel exterior and a stainless steel interior; it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

said body having a general length and width and an open and closed bottom forming a container;

coating the stainless steel exterior with a first design layer;

leaving a stainless steel band around a circumference of the body that does not include the first design layer, and wherein the first design layer coats an entire periphery of the outer portion except for an area defined by the stainless steel band;

curing the first design layer;

applying a clear coat powder paint including a silver-based antimicrobial component on the entire exterior of the stainless steel including the first design layer and the stainless steel strip using a powder coating application method; and

curing the clear coat powder coating including the silver-based antimicrobial component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first design layer comprises a powder coating applied using a powder coating technique.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the clear paint powder coating includes an FDA approved inert agent.

4. A stainless steel drinking vessel comprising:

first and second stainless steel components forming a stainless steel drinking vessel having an interior and an exterior; it is characterized in that it also comprises

A first design layer carried by a portion of said exterior such that a portion of the exposed stainless steel exterior forms a stainless steel band around said exterior of said stainless steel drinking vessel; and

a clear paint powder coating comprising a silver-based biocide carried throughout the exterior of the stainless steel drinking vessel to provide a protective layer for the first design layer and the stainless steel band.

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