Device and method for preventing skidding of a container

Abstract

A container having a side wall having an exterior surface with at least one friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the side wall on a surface adjacent the side wall.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a side wall having an exterior surface and at least one friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the side wall on a surface adjacent the side wall, wherein:    said container is adapted to be moved adjacent a circumferential surface of a rotary-style heater/cooler so that: 
 (A) said at least one friction portion engages said circumferential surface of said rotary-style heater/cooler as said container is moved adjacent said circumferential surface of said rotary-style heater/cooler; and  
 (B) said container continuously rotates as said container is moved adjacent said circumferential surface of said rotary-style heater/cooler, due to an engagement between said at least one friction portion and said circumferential surface of said rotary-style heater/cooler.  
   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the friction portion encompasses substantially all of the exterior surface of the side wall.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the friction portion encompasses less than the entire exterior surface of the side wall, the friction portion having a coefficient of friction that is higher than that of a remainder of the side wall.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the friction portion comprises a stippled surface protruding from the side wall.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the friction portion comprises wall members positioned about the side wall, the wall members being protrusions from the side wall and effective to engage complementary protrusions of said circumferential surface of said rotary-style heater/cooler.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the friction portion is integral to the exterior surface of the side wall.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the friction portion is an embossed structure on the exterior surface of the side wall.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the friction portion is attached to the exterior surface of the side wall.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least one of metal, plastic, and glass.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of friction portions on the exterior surface of the side wall.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the friction portions encompass less than the entire exterior surface of the side wall, each of the friction portions having a coefficient of friction that is higher than that of a remainder of the side wall.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said circumferential surface of said rotary-style heater/cooler comprises at least one rail.    
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said at least one friction portion comprises both a first friction portion and a second friction portion;    said interior surface of said rotary-style heater/cooler comprises both a first rail and a second rail;    said first friction portion is adapted to engage said first rail; and    said second friction portion is adapted to engage said second rail.    
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said at least one friction portion comprises a first plurality of ribs that are at least partially aligned in a direction of a longitudinal axis of said container.    
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said circumferential surface comprises a second plurality of ribs that are complementary to said first plurality of ribs.