Spill Resistant Surfaces Having Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Borders
AssigneeRoss Technology Corporation
InventorsVinod K. Sikka, Andrew K. Jones, Russell Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein are methods for creating spill-proof or spill-resistant surfaces through the use of hydrophobic or oleophobic (H-SH) edges, borders and/or boundaries that contain the water and other liquids within the inside edges, borders and/or boundaries. Also described herein are spill-proof/spill-resistant surfaces. Liquid (e.g., water and other aqueous solutions/suspensions) heights of 3-6 mm on a level planar surface can be sustained by such edges, borders and/or boundaries. The H-SH borders can be created on glass, metal, wood, plastic, and concrete surfaces.
Claims25
A method for forming a spill-resistant border on a refrigeration shelf surface comprising activating a portion of the surface by etching or abrading it to form a roughened area on the surface and applying a composition to at least a portion of the roughened area on the surface that increases the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of at least a portion of the roughened area on the surface that forms the spill-resistant border,
- wherein said spill-resistant border forms a perimeter around at least one area that has a lower hydrophobicity and lower oleophobicity than the spill-resistant border;
- and
- wherein the composition comprises a silanizing agent that covalently binds the roughened area.
5-6. (canceled)
8-12. (canceled)
The refrigerator shelf surface of claim 47, wherein said spill-resistant border provides a retention of up to 5.9 mm of water.
The refrigerator shelf surface of claim 47, wherein said spill-resistant border provides a retention of up to 5.2 mm of a mixture comprising oil and water.
The refrigerator shelf surface of claim 47, wherein said spill resistant border provides a retention of greater than 2.9 mm of water and less than 5.94 mm of water after four washings with soap and water.
16-26. (canceled)
33-46. (canceled)
48-49. (canceled)
A refrigerator shelf surface comprising a hydrophobic or oleophobic spill-resistant border, wherein said border comprises a roughened area covalently modified with a silanizing agent that forms a perimeter around at least one area that has a lower hydrophobicity and lower oleophobicity than said border;
- and
- wherein said spill resistant border can withstand at least four washings with soap and water and still form a perimeter around at least one area that has a lower hydrophobicity and lower oleophobicity than said border.
51-57. (canceled)
60-94. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.