Non-toxic liquid impregnated surfaces

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate generally to containers having liquid-impregnated surfaces disposed on their interior surfaces. The liquid-impregnated surfaces may compose an arrangement of solid and/or semi-solid features, defining one or more interstitial regions therebetween, and an impregnating liquid preferentially wetted to those regions. The containers may be designed to contain a product that is intended for human or animal consumption. The solid and/or semi-solid features and the impregnating liquid collectively define a secondary surface (e.g., substantially parallel to the interior surface on which the liquid-impregnated surfaces are disposed) and may include materials which are non-toxic. In particular, non-toxic liquid-impregnated surfaces of the disclosure may be configured for use in food, drugs, health and/or beauty product applications.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a container including at least one interior surface, the at least one interior surface having:   an arrangement of solid and/or semi-solid features thereon, the features defining one or more regions therebetween; and   an impregnating liquid preferentially wetted to the one or more regions, and   a consumable product contained within the container,   the features and the impregnating liquid collectively defining a secondary surface, wherein at least one of the features and the impregnating liquid comprises a non-toxic material.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the features comprise at least one of: a lipid, a wax, a fat, a fiber, cellulose, a derivative of a vegetable oil, an ester, a terpene, a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a triglyceride, an alcohol, a fatty acid alcohol, a ketone, an aldehyde, a protein, a sugar, a salt, a mineral, a vitamin, a carbonate, a ceramic material, an alkane, an alkene, an alkyne, a carboxylates, a carboxylic acid, a methoxy, a hydroperoxide, a peroxide, an ether, a hemiacetal, a hemiaketal, an acetal, a ketals, a phospholipids, and a lecithin. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the impregnating liquid comprises at least one of: a triglyceride, glycol dicaprylate, propylene glycol dicaprate, a vegetable oil, glycerine, propylene glycol, ethyl, and squalene. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the impregnating liquid comprises at least one of: a lipid, a vegetable oil, a fat, a fatty acid, a derivative of vegetable oil, a derivative of a fatty acid, an ester, a terpene, a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a triglyceride, an alcohol, and a fatty acid alcohol. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , configured such that the secondary surface exhibits a roll-off angle for a 5 μL droplet of water of less than 10°. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary surface comprises at least one of a surfactant, a flavorant, an antioxidant, or a dye. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the impregnating liquid does not comprise a volatile organic compound (VOC). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the features and the impregnating liquid comprising a non-toxic material has a molecular weight of between about 100 g/mol and about 600 g/mol. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the features and the impregnating liquid is recyclable. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the secondary surface is configured such that the impregnating liquid cloaks at least a portion of the consumable product. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein a first portion of the secondary surface is configured such that the impregnating liquid wetted therein cloaks at least a portion of the consumable product, and a second portion of the secondary surface is configured such that the impregnating liquid wetted therein does not cloak the consumable product. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a container including at least one interior surface, the at least one interior surface having:   an arrangement of solid features thereon, the solid features defining one or more regions therebetween; and   an impregnating liquid retained, by capillary force, within the one or more regions, and   a consumable product contained within the container,   wherein at least one of the solid features or the impregnating liquid comprises a non-toxic material.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 a container including at least one interior surface, the at least one interior surface having:   an arrangement of solid and/or semi-solid features thereon, the solid features defining one or more regions therebetween; and   an impregnating liquid disposed in the one or more regions, and   a product contained within the container,   wherein:
 (a) the impregnating liquid is silicone oil, and the features exhibit a first characteristic length scale; or 
 (b) the impregnating liquid is (BMIm), and the features exhibit a first characteristic length scale, the features comprising secondary features having a second characteristic length scale that is smaller than the first characteristic length scale.