Water shedding designs for receptacle bottoms

Abstract

A design for water shedding receptacle bottoms is presented in this invention. For ease in understanding, the specific case of a water shedding mug is presented and described in detail. The mug is designed such that water will run off the bottom of the mug when it is inverted in a dishwasher. The design is comprised of a convex bottom, a series of raised curvilinear forms radiating outward from the center of the bottom of the mug, and an associated high point on each curvilinear form at or near the periphery of the inverted mug. The convex bottom and raised curvilinear forms to form flow channels through which water will flow via normal gravitational forces when the mug is inverted in a dishwasher.

Description

Cross Reference To Related Applications [0001] This Continuation Application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11 / 290,345 filed on Nov. 30, 2005 which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 633,014 dated Dec. 3, 2004.Federal Research Statement [0002] None Background of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to the design of the bottoms of mugs, cups, bowls and other kitchen receptacles that facilitates the runoff of water from the dishwashing process. More specifically, the invention relates to the design of the bottoms of said mugs, cups, bowls and other kitchen receptacles such that water will automatically run off the bottom surface of said vessels when the vessel is inverted during or after the dishwashing process. [0004] One of the more persistent problems associated with the dishwashing process, whether hand dishwashing or automatic dishwashing, is the presence of standing water in the concave surfaces of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] This invention is a design of the bottoms of mugs, cups, bowls and other kitchen receptacles that facilitates the runoff of water from the dishwashing process. A possible second component might be water-shedding caps that can be placed on the inverted bottoms of mugs, cups, bowls and other kitchen receptacles that would ordinarily accumulate standing water in their concave bottoms.

[0013] The design of the integral mug is such that the bottom of the mug is basically convex, so that water will readily run off the bottom when the mug is inverted. The basic convex surface is modified by molding onto it a number of raised? curvilinear forms radiating from the center and building up to rounded high points on or near the rim, each of which is slightly higher (when the mug is inverted) than the center of the bottom of the mug. The raised curvilinear forms are gently sloping and are further configured such that they effectively create “flow channels” through which water can flow to the periphery of the inverted mug and ultimately harmlessly over the side of the inverted mug. The forms are so configured such that no water will accumulate on the bottom of the mug if it is level or tilted to about 30 degrees on the dishwasher rack.

[0014] The high points on the periphery of the bottom of the inverted mug that are integral to the gently sloping curvilinear forms provide stability to the upright mug. When the mug is in the upright position, it rests on these high points. Each curvilinear form has a peripheral high point. The number of curvilinear forms and attendant high points will vary with the size of the mug, glass, bowl or other kitchen receptacle. The minimum amount of forms / high points is four for a small mug, glass, or bowl. As the mugs, glasses, or bowls become larger, the number of curvilinear forms and associated high points will concomitantly increase.

[0018] A further enhancement of the instant invention entails coating the bottom of the various receptacles with a thin layer of silicon, Teflon, or other similar coating that will enhance the flow of water from the inverted surface.

Problems solved by technology

Standing water inherent in the dishwashing process is at best an annoyance and a cause of extra work in the kitchen, and at worst a potential source of microbes that can accumulate in such standing water in the bottoms of such items.

However, when the mug is inverted, water will accumulate in the concave surface of the bottom of the mug.

This combination of concave bottom design and inverted positioning in a dishwasher results in the accumulation of standing water from the dishwashing process.

The same type of standing water problem exists for bowls, pitchers, glasses, cups etc.

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