Ferrofluid container system

Abstract

A ferrofluid container system includes a ferrofluid container with a container body having an interior space, an opening into the interior space, a closure member adapted to selectively close the opening, and a ferrofluid contained within the interior space. A storage and shipping stabilizing system includes a ferrofluid attracting member located exterior to the container body and positioned to draw the ferrofluid in the interior space away from the opening. The storage and shipping stabilizing system is effective in maintaining the stability of the ferrofluid in the interior space of the container body during shipping and storage regardless of the orientation of the container body.

1 . A ferrofluid container system comprising:
 a ferrofluid container comprising a container body having an interior space, an opening into the interior space, a closure member adapted to selectively close the opening, and a ferrofluid contained within the interior space; and   a storage and shipping stabilizing system comprising a ferrofluid attracting member located exterior to the container body and positioned to draw the ferrofluid in the interior space away from the opening,   wherein the storage and shipping stabilizing system is effective in maintaining the stability of the ferrofluid in the interior space of the container body during shipping and storage regardless of the orientation of the container body.   
     
     
         2 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 1  wherein the ferrofluid attracting member comprises a magnetic field generator. 
     
     
         3 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 2  wherein the magnetic field generator is spaced from the container body by an insulator. 
     
     
         4 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 2  wherein the magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field that extends into the interior space and that is sufficiently strong to draw the ferrofluid in the interior space to a wall of the container body. 
     
     
         5 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 4  wherein the magnetic field is sufficiently weak to prevent staining of an interior surface of the wall of the container body by the ferrofluid. 
     
     
         6 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 1  wherein the container body comprises a transparent material. 
     
     
         7 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 1  wherein the ferrofluid container system further comprises a protective carrier adapted to contain and maintain the positioning of the container body and the ferrofluid attracting member. 
     
     
         8 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 7  wherein the protective carrier is a foam block. 
     
     
         9 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 8  where the foam block has a cavity adapted to receive the container body and a cavity adapted to receive the ferrofluid attracting member. 
     
     
         10 . A ferrofluid container system comprising:
 a ferrofluid container comprising a container body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall extending from the top wall to the bottom wall, wherein the top wall, bottom wall, and sidewall define an interior space that contains a ferrofluid, and wherein the top wall includes a closure region having an opening into the interior space and a closure member adapted to selectively close the opening;   a magnetic field generator located exterior to the container body, the magnetic field generator adapted to generate a magnetic field that extends into the interior space, the magnetic field generator being positioned in proximity to the sidewall, bottom wall, or a portion of the top wall away from the closure region; and   a protective carrier adapted to contain and maintain the positioning of the container body and the magnetic field generator,   wherein the magnetic field is sufficiently strong to attract the ferrofluid in the interior space.   
     
     
         11 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 10  wherein the container body comprises a transparent material. 
     
     
         12 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 10  wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         13 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 10  wherein an insulator is provided between the magnetic field generator and the container body. 
     
     
         14 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 13  wherein the insulator is a cover at least partially surrounding the magnetic field generator. 
     
     
         15 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 13  wherein the insulator is a strip of foam. 
     
     
         16 . A ferrofluid carrier system according to  claim 10  wherein the protective carrier positions the magnetic field generator on or near the sidewall of the container body. 
     
     
         17 . A ferrofluid carrier system according to  claim 10  wherein the protective carrier positions the magnetic field generator on or near the bottom wall of the container body. 
     
     
         18 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 10  wherein the protective carrier is a foam block having a cavity adapted to receive the container body and a cavity adapted to receive the magnetic field generator. 
     
     
         19 . A ferrofluid container system according to  claim 10  wherein the magnetic field is sufficiently weak to prevent the ferrofluid from staining an interior surface of the container body. 
     
     
         20 . A method of shipping a ferrofluid container, the method comprising:
 providing a ferrofluid container comprising a container body having an interior space, an opening into the interior space, a closure member adapted to selectively close the opening, and a ferrofluid contained within the interior space;   packaging the ferrofluid container and a ferrofluid attracting member together, wherein the ferrofluid attracting member is exterior to the ferrofluid container and positioned to draw the ferrofluid in the interior space away from the opening, and   shipping the packaged ferrofluid container and ferrofluid attracting member from a first point to a second point,   wherein the ferrofluid attracting member is effective in maintaining the stability of the ferrofluid in the interior space of the container body during shipping regardless of the orientation of the packaged ferrofluid container.