Removable liner for food and beverage containers

Abstract

A removable and reusable food-safe, dishwasher safe, and microwave oven safe elastomeric liner to cover the interior surface of a reusable food or beverage container, such as an insulated tumbler. The elastomeric liner possesses vertical air channels running from top to bottom on the outside surface of the liner to prevent the creation of a vacuum lock inhibiting insert removal.

Claims

1. A removable elastomeric liner to cover the interior surface of a receptacle comprising a liner body having a length, height, and configured to fit within the interior of a receptacle; said liner body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a closed base end, and open top end, and one or more side walls extending from said closed base end to said open top end and said liner being formed from a food-safe, microwavable, and dishwasher safe polymer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said liner is made from a vulcanized polysiloxane and configured to be received within said receptacle.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said liner is manufactured to be received within a receptacle by configuring the external dimensions of said liner so as to cause said outer surface of said liner to lie adjacent to said internal surface of a receptacle into which it is received.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the vulcanized polymer having a Shore hardness of between about 20A and 70A.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said outer surface of said liner along said one or more side walls possesses surface features which permit the flow of air from about said base end of said liner to said top of said liner.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein said one or more side walls possesses at least one removal aiding tab at said open top end.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein said inner surface of said one or more side walls of said liner possesses a sealing ridge around the inner circumference of said liner which is intended to be received into a sealing ridge receiving groove around the perimeter of a lid to be inserted into said open top end of said liner.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein said liner is configured to be thermally stable to a temperature of at least one of 71 C. or 82 C.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said liner is configured to withstand automatic dishwater detergent and rinse agent chemicals.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective exploded view of the liner of the present application being inserted into a cup.

[0004] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective exploded view of the liner of the present application adjacent to a cup into which it can be inserted.

[0005] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the liner of the present application with a lid receiving neck inserted into a cup.

[0006] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the liner of the present application with a lid receiving neck adjacent to a cup into which it can be inserted and a lid which is received into the neck of the liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The present application describes a food-safe elastomeric liner 100 to be received within food and beverage containers. Ideally, the liner 100 is made with external dimensions which allow it to be form-fitted to be interior of the receiving container. In an embodiment, the external surface 10 of the liner forms a friction-fit arrangement with the receiving container. As an example, a Yeti branded 887 ml (30 fluid ounce) tumbler has a precise and consistent interior geometry and dimensions which would allow a liner to be manufactured to fit precisely within those dimensions and removably inserted within the tumbler.

[0008] In an embodiment of interest, the liner is made of a polysiloxane, a semi-inorganic polymer which consists of repeating silicon-oxygen groups with organic groups bonded to the silicon. Polysiloxane has the added advantage of having a relatively higher permeability to gases that most other elastomeric materials, potentially aiding in minimizing vacuum-lock which would inhibit the removal of the liner from the container into which it is received.

[0009] Preferably, a user can remove the liner for placement and cleaning in an automatic dishwasher. Ideally, the liner is formulated to be sufficiently thermally stable so as to withstand exposure to the heat of an automatic dishwasher's sanitization cycle (approximately 160 F. or 71 C.) or more preferably a high-temperature wash cycle (approximately 180 F. or 82 C.). In a further embodiment, the material utilized is substantially unaffected by the chemicals used in most dishwasher detergents, such as sequestering/dispersing agents, oxygen-based bleaches, nonionic surfactants, enzymes, and corrosion inhibitors.

[0010] In a still further embodiment, the insert is substantially unaffected by exposure to automatic dishwasher rinse aids which often contain low foaming nonionic surfactants selected from ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols or EO/PO block copolymers in addition to complexing agents such as citric acid and hydrotropes. Silicone (i.e., polysiloxanes) demonstrates stability even at elevated temperatures because of their chemical structure.

[0011] Most silicone elastomers remain stable and elastic up to 200 C. while modified products can withstand temperatures as high as 300 C. The physical properties of silicon elastomers are affected by the type of organic group bonded to the silicon, the degree of crosslinking, the curing method, the chain length, the molecular weight of the monomer, and the inclusion of stabilizers. In the synthesis of useful siloxanes, contamination with low molecular weight siloxanes having cyclic structures is avoided for the health of the user.

[0012] For example, organosilicon polymers with the general structure [Si(R.sub.2)O] where R=CH.sub.3 is called polydimethyl siloxane which is often abbreviated as PDMS:

##STR00001##

[0013] The methyl groups along the chain can be substituted by many other groups (e.g., ethyl, phenyl, vinyl, etc.) which allows for tailoring the chemical, mechanical and thermophysical properties for a wide variety of applications.

[0014] Silicones possess an inorganic (SiO) backbone similar to silicates which are associated with high surface energy. The SiO bonds are strongly polarized and without side groups, should lead to strong intermolecular interactions. However, the nonpolar methyl groups shield the polar chain backbone. In other words, when the methyl groups point to the outside, silicones form hydrophobic films with good release properties, particularly if the film is cured after application. This facilitates cleaning and minimizes retention of constituents which can affect flavor, color, and aroma.

[0015] Due to the low rotation barriers, most siloxanes are very flexible. Once vulcanized, this allows the insert to be bent, folded, pinched, twisted, compressed, and stretched and then return to its original shape. Due to the flexibility of the siloxane backbone the silicone viscosity is less dependent on temperature compared to hydrocarbon polymers which enhances thermal stability during high temperature conditions in a dishwasher or while microwaving a beverage.

[0016] Silicone hardness is critical to maintaining a sufficiently rigid shape to permit the insert to be filled and heated in a microwave oven prior to insertion in a receptacle. Silicon materials use the Shore hardness scale to characterize their hardness or density. Two commonly used Shore scales for silicones are Shore 00 for silicone sponge products and Shore A for dense products. Commonly used dense silicone materials typically have a Shore hardness of 30A-70A on a scale of 0-100A. Specialty grades can go as low as 10 Shore A to as high as 90 Shore A. For a beverage container insert, a hardness between about 20A to 70A is preferred.

[0017] Ideally, the liner is not flat and smooth on the external surface of its one or more walls so as to facilitate insertion and removal. A flat, smooth surface induces adhesion and higher sliding friction which can form a vacuum-lock which inhibits the removal and full insertion of the liner.

[0018] Ideally, raised areas 30 and/or indentions 35 on the outer surface are present to permit air to escape along the liner from its base to its top. In an embodiment, the liner possesses a lip 40 extending laterally away from the vertical axis of the insert and which overlays the top of the container into which it is received. In yet a further embodiment, the one or more side walls at the top of the liner 100 is configured so as to permit the receiving of a lid 50 or cap 50 to seal the container. In a further embodiment, the liner 100 acts as a seal which eliminates the need for the customary inclusion of an elastomeric seal (e.g., an o-ring) around the lid or cap. In a still further embodiment, the inner wall of the top of the line contains a groove into which the seal is seated, further sealing the receptacle. An additional embodiment incorporates a tab at the top of the liner to facilitate removal.

[0019] As previously indicated, liners 100 can be manufactured to fit preexisting, popular vacuum sealed receptacles. These receptacles can include tumblers, ramblers, and bottles. In a still further embodiment, the liner can be colorized by the inclusion of a pigment.

[0020] The present apparatus recognizes and addresses long-felt needs and provides utility in meeting those needs in its various possible embodiments. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this disclosure's teachings, other and further objects and advantages will be clear, as well as others inherent therein. The disclosures herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, merely to provide context with which to understand the patent claims.